I'm still struggling over what to replace the Boxster S with later this year, and I've always wanted a TT, but then I have so much fun with the Boxster and it's significantly cheaper. At this point, since it is a 'second car' I don't want to spend 100k or so on a turbo cab and get the 'best of both worlds' plus I do plan to track it 4 times a year, and if you have a choice of coupe versus convertible, coupe is certainly better on track, particularly the short tracks I like.

I'm going to stick with tiptronic (yes 'chicktronic', heard it all) because I have enough to concentrate on with driving on the track, even though I SO love the 6-speed power and response, particularly on the TT where you can really feel it. However, it seems that clutches are going the way of the dodo and even the new GT3 cup cars have a clutchless type of manual transmission, so soon I think all cars will be sans clutches. It's open yet, but that's where I'm leaning currently.

The GT3 is far too much car for me, I now realize, with my limited track experience. That's a car you have to earn rights to drive, in my opinion. Plus, it doesn't even have a sunroof option, which leads to the subject of my post...

Those who have owned Boxsters or TT cabs and move to the coupe with sunroof - do you miss the drop top? I really love the convertible and my top is only up when it is raining - even at night or when it is cold, that sucker is down (unless it is a long trip, then my head needs the break). I've been told that the sunroof open is almost the same experience, but I can't believe that is truly the case. I can't get a Boxster and a TT because then I don't have a car I can use for clients and a substitute family car. I need a sedan and a fun car.

I could pick up a nice Boxster S (2001) for probably 28k - 30k easily, but a TT sets me back more like 75k-85k for the same year range, so it's a major jump in price, obviously also a major jump in performance, etc.

I won't be doing it until very late fall, early winter, but I'm the type of guy who does his research well ahead of when the money is in hand, so I don't make any rash decisions.

Advice?

 

A sunroof has no comparison to the drop top. It will not satisfy that open air urge.

The only reason my car is a cab is because Porsche stopped making TT coupes in 04 early and I had no choice as I wanted to order one. If I was buying used, I would go for a coupe. If you need that open top ... get the cab as the sunroof will just not cut it.

 

Well,

I had two turbo coupes (2003 & 2004) and had a 2004 Turbo Cab which I then tradedback for a Turbo S coupe. No offense against anyone, but I far prefer the lines of Porsches when in coupe form. The Cab rattles and has body flex. Doesn't feel the same at all to me as a coupe. That said, you will certainly miss the drop top. I have a Z8 so, I could get a coupe because I already have a convertible. Tough choice, but, for me, Porsche Cabs just don't do it..................Get a Porsche Turbo Coupe or just opt for a new boxster S.

Lou

 

Or buy a 996 cab, there are a couple of nicely modded ones in central/south Florida that are just sick! It would definately be a step up from a Boxter S but not quite the price jump for the Turbo cab. Guys post some pics. Deputydog, Porschebabe,Robert....etc.

 

if I get a modded cab I have to run in 'improved' or 'production' classes on the track. Getting a TT means I can run stock as long as all the equipment on it is OEM.

Ugh, I knew it would be hard. Dammit. Wish I didn't need a sedan, then it would be easy. I can't use the TT as a family substitute car when my wife and I need to switch cars...

 

a couple of questions:

1. is the carrera cab an option. it seems to have some middleground between the boxter and the tt.

2. do you like the z4 3.0? i have heard some good things about the car but don't know how good it is on the track.

i think if you're mainly happy with the boxter, maybe a newer one or a carrera cab would work. for me, as soon as i took one drive in the turbo i knew it was for me and anything else would NOT satisfy.

good luck with your research and decision(s).

 

Where/what are you running? SCCA? PCA? If you run a Turbo, wouldnt you run it in a stock class agains other turbos/experienced turbo drivers? What would you run against in "improved" or "production? class? Do the type of events you are running require a roll bar on cab cars? Are you having to run the additional "bar" on the Boxster? The new Boxster S's are pretty nice....

 

Luis - I'm doing POC, which is similar to SCCA, I believe. If I ran a turbo stock, I'd run against other turbo stock drivers, and most experienced drivers have at least 'improved' classes, not to mention production. New Boxster S is nice, and more powerful, but still nothing like the TT, even the new Cayman won't be a shadow of the TT's performance, and I'd like to consider getting out of the car I just had, you know, try something else.

I'd consider the 996cab, but the performance at a track is the same as the Boxster S, particularly a short track with lots of turns. Therefore, I'd just be getting a bigger car, and that's not really what I need.

I live in So Cal so I get to drive with the top down all the time, so that's something I'm not sure I'm ready to give up, although I did have 3 years of it. A TT cab on the track would probably be somewhat flexible and wouldn't have the strength and stiffness to hold well in the hard corners. The Boxster is made as a roadster, not a coupe chopped off.

Why can't the back seats in the TT be a little larger, dang it!

 

E46 M3 Convert? Not trying to sway you away from P-cars. I would not get rid of mine for one. Its kind of hard to find anything else that is convertible with the power you need without going over $100k. Any other suggestions?

 

Viper SRT-10

 

I'm a big Porsche fan, and would like to stay a part of POC and work my way through the different classes. Now if the M3 convertible had a back seat of note, then we'd be in business. Then I could have a TT and my convertible could be the sedan. No convertible sedan really has a decent back seat, though, and I do like a comfortable sports sedan (my E500 sport, probably replace it with an M45 or GS430).

Maybe the new company will take off sooner than we expect and I'll just bite the bullet and get the TT cab, who knows.

 

I sold my Boxster S last year for a tt cab. I also considered a coupe, but after two Boxsters and top down most of the spring thru fall (don't drive the cabs too much in the winter, mostly because of the poor tire performance), had to go with cab. So far, I find very little flex, but am taking it to the track next week, so will get a much better idea of performance.

I also agree that no sunroof compares with the top down - my 944 had a huge sunroof, but it still was a hole in the roof, not a cab.

 

Well my dad used to have an Sl500 the current body and I really loved that car. I'll admit he sold it when I got my drivers license so I only drove it with him but it was still a lot of fun to have a vert. The Turbo is just amazing and driving it is really a pleasure and a privilage. There are days when I miss the cab and I have all the windows down the sunroof open and I wish my dad still had the Sl. Then somethign happens and I forget about the Verts, I take a turn, accelerate up to a high speed whatever and I just forget about everything. When I drive fast it's one of the most soothing things for me, and I dont get that in most convertibles. An m3 is nothing compared to a Turbo as far as performance I would get on the Turbo bandwaggon and forget about the top. Sure there will be days when you want a Vert but how about everytime you apex around a turn bouncing all over and just fly out with 1+ bar of boost, that's a feeling you will crave.

 

had a boxster and a C2 Cab, now a TT coupe. Don't miss the drop top at all. I also think the lines on the TT coupe looks much better. Good luck.

 

For years I wanted a TT but considered it out of the question since I didn't want to let go of my 996 cab top-down ability. One day I was about to leave the house on a beautiful day and I ended up taking my motorcycle. Suddenly I realized that I almost always took the bike when it was nice outside, not the car. The next weekend I started looking for a TT. Bought one over a year ago and haven't missed the cab a bit.

Sooo, the moral of the story is get the TT AND a motorcycle!!!