The new GT Cabriolet is a seriously fascinating car. I’ve watched the various reviews and videos with real enjoyment, and naturally it gets you thinking. Then you head over to the configurator, notice how much extra those insanely cool red plaid seats cost, and suddenly you’re staring at a price just shy of $300,000. Amazing car, probably very little depreciation, an incredible sound, and an absolute beast of a machine. But at that price, you also have the option of a Turbo S Cabriolet. Quite a bit faster, also very special and fascinating. Of course, no naturally aspirated engine, but the engineering is still deeply impressive. And then you start comparing performance figures and models, and at some point you click over to the GTS Cabriolet. Same performance as the GT3, undoubtedly fascinating tech, and depending on configuration, about $65,000 to $85,000 less than the other two options. And while you’re thinking about all this, you realize that you’ll never really push any of these cars to their limits anyway. All three are incredibly fast and will put a huge grin on your face on any country road, mountain route, or downhill pass. And on the highway, you won’t be second-guessing your choice with any of them. And while there are certainly people for whom money is no object, there’s also the “working crowd” who are just happy to be able to afford a Porsche at all, where the price does matter. Sure, maybe you have the money, but do you really want to spend that much extra just to get a manual transmission? Just so it doesn’t have a turbo, or because it’s a bit lighter? And despite all the (sometimes exaggerated?) purism, don’t you still appreciate the small comforts in life? Even Porsche decided that things like Bose audio, leather, and heated seats should be standard in the GT3. I could make a convincing case for any of the three cars and believe I’m right every time. But telling myself which one would actually be the most fun and the most sensible choice for me? That’s not easy at all (and a fun question, indeed &#128578

 

If I were making the decision it would be easy, as the GT3 Cab is the only one with a manual gearbox. Further, the N/A motor makes the best sounds of the three, by far. A Cab is not on my shopping list so I haven't looked at reviews of the GT3 Cab, but the GT3 Touring seems to be a bit difficult to live with on the street. However, between the three, the GT3 Cab would be at the top of my heap. It would be a stretch, however, to describe it as the "most sensible."

 

What a time to be in the market for a 911 cab.

A well optioned Turbo S or GT3 S/C is going to be roughly $100K more than similar spec GTS. And then there is the ADM you may see in the first year of the Turbo S and perhaps forever with the S/C.

For that $100K+ difference, you need to come up with your own list of what is important to you.

For me, it would come down to the performance and prestige of the Turbo S or the prestige, engagement, and feel of the S/C.

The GTS and Turbo S are great daily drivers. The S/C would not be, IMHO. It would be great to have as an additional stablemate.

 

C4S - the others are pointless and just bragging / show off points to your buddies

 

If I were shopping for a cabriolet I would already have other 911s. As such, the convertible choice for me would be either Carrera T cab if wanting a manual or Carrera S cab if PDK is acceptable and you want the power.

A 992.2 Carrera S is quick enough to hang on to a CGT. Horsepower wars have resulted in impressive numbers when viewing them online. Real world is too much power to use on the road with others.

 

If you want fast in the city - the turbo is your choice as it is quite a bit quicker to 60 than the GT3. Once you get going though I'm sure being able to rev to 9,000 RPM would be thrilling, although I don't know where you can wind any of these cars out (other than on a closed track). I can't make a case for any of these cars @ $300,000 and I'm not convinced I needed to order a C4S model but given that there is no C4 and I wanted AWD for my climate, I had no choice.

As to depreciation; all of these cars depreciate and GT3s will be no different. They aren't limited production cars so as long as a buyer is willing to wait for an allocation, he can buy one at SRP. As a buyer, a used car price I'm willing to pay is the difference between what the used car seller is asking and the cost of a new one (assuming I can get a new one). In the Porsche 911 market, I've found that the ask prices for used at dealerships are more than I'd pay for a lighter optioned new car. People say the options return nothing at trade time - and I believe that is true, but once the dealer takes your trade in, they seem to add back the value of the options when they put it on their lot. So, I've been buying new.

Retained value these days seems to be as a result of skyrocketing new prices (*tariffs, changes in policy at Porsche re: GT models). In Canada, all owners of 911's saw improved used car values after a 20% luxury tax was implemented on cars over $100,000. That immediately bootstrapped the used 911 market along with it.

 

Owning a 2022 C2S Cab (PDK). The new GT3 Cab is an amazing vehicle. Super tempting - especially with the Street Pack (34k alone). If you configure one, you easily hit 315k BEFORE ADM. So, we are talking almost a 400k car, if you can get an allocation. That’s another level. Suddenly, a T Cab sounds like a very attractive option, if you want a manual. If you are ok with a PDK, the S Cab is calling your name.

 

The GT3 S/C is the only way to get a new open top car with a NA six paired with a manual that revs to 9K. That's it. If this unique experience is not something one cares enough about or fully appreciates the appeal of, then the other easier to obtain variants make much more logical sense than chasing some inevitably insane ADMs and speculative resale values. Trying to do any statistical comparisons on screen/on paper is rather pointless. The S/C is made purely for emotions but will be ruined by the market for valuation. I'm not an open top driving fan so even if I had the money and the client status clout to get an allocation, it's not the car for me so I'm not a Porsche apologist for the creation of this model.

 

Yeah, price aside, I would say a Carrera S or 4S cabriolet are the best cabriolets in the current 911 line-up. The new GT3 S/C is cool, but it will be hard riding like the other GT3s and really best suited for track use like it was designed for. Especially for a cabriolet, it really should be focused on excelling at fun weekend trips, canyon runs, daily driving, etc as opposed to track focus. The 992.1 Turbo models in general just aren't that engaging and feel heavy, still great cars in many ways though. Price aside I would rather have a 992.1 or 992.2 Carrera S. I haven't driven the new 992.2 Turbo S, but I assume it will be similar. The Turbo / Turbo S certainly does have more presence though. If the GTS had a de-tuned version of the 4.0L NA motor from the GT3 (like the 718 GTS 4.0 taking a de-tuned engine from the GT4) that might be the winner, but it doesn't. I don't even think you are really gaining that many bragging / show off points either.

 

I have a 992.1 GTS cab.

SC = manual only. that removes a large portion of the population from the equation, myself include. I would only do PDK. if they offered PDK, I would pick this.
turbo S = way too heavy, soft, and sounds like **** (stock or not)

my GTS cab = lighter, stiffer ride for sportier driving, sounds better than turbo s both stock and modified (I have a JRC titanium exhaust, 200cel cats + valve controller). I have guys in GT3s telling me my car sounds amazing.

that said, since the SC does not come with a PDK, my car is still #1 pick.

Also, I hear the 992.2 GTS does not sound as good as 992.1.

 

I can't add more to what's already been said about the GT3 S/C (fantastic car, expensive, status symbol, collective vs. driver car). But all that aside, I just don't agree with Porsche's strategy here, and as a driver, it makes no sense to me. GT3 S/C is based on a track weapon platform...but a convertible does not belong on a track, and that, in my personal opinion, waters down the allure of the GT3 brand.

To the OP - if you got plenty of money, I would always pick the GT3 S/C. If not, pick the T cab and enjoy canyon rides with a car made for it.

 

The only things in common between the cars being compared here is that they are 1) all 911s, and 2) all convertibles.
Aside from those two common denominators, they are vastly different cars catering to vastly different markets and illogical to cross shop. IMHO.

 

I’ll take it a step further and say the 911T Cab and GT3 SC are the two cars that would be logical to cross shop here, assuming the GT3 SC is even possible to get your hands on.

In the T Cab an AG battery, titanium exhaust, CCBs and CF/partial CF wheels would get you within 125 lbs of the GT3 SC. A tune gives you over 100 hp more.

 

Much like their coupe versions, they appeal to similar tastes, but still different markets. One costs double the other. For reference, I have a T and a GT3T for different uses.
But cross shopping a T with a GTS with a Turbo with a GT3? Doesn't make much sense, couple or cab.

 

Having recently taken delivery of my 992.2 Targa 4S, I cannot believe how fast this car is. It’s basically got the engine of the 992.1GTS and has borrowed other features from the 992.1 turbo S. Frankly, I was looking to upgrade to a 992.2 Turbo S in the next year or two, but I’m having serious doubts. I can’t even open this thing up where I live. Frankly, I think it’s the perfect compromise between a cab and a coupe. It is the best looking Porsche in my humble opinion. And if you get the 4S, you’re avoiding any of the drama with a hybrid engine and initial growing pains. I’ve had the roof open at all types of speeds and it’s been thoroughly enjoyable. The biggest disadvantage of the roof is that you have to be at a full stop in order to open and close it.