I'm relatively new here, and I know this issue has been brought up before in various threads and different ways, so apologies up front for doing it again...

That said, I'm pulling the trigger on a 997.2 Turbo S this week. It's come down to a cabrio and a coupe and I'm struggling to decide.

I live in the Rocky Mountains, so plenty of snow in the winters and the sun is pretty intense in the summers (at up above 8k ft. altitude). I have an SUV for really bad weather, but tend to use my 911s as daily drivers in all but the worst snow. I've had a couple of 911 AWDs and they get around relatively well in all seasons, but they've all been coupes.

I'm leaning toward the cabrio, just simply because I haven't had one and it sounds fun, but am wondering if I'm out of my mind given where I live.

Does anybody have thoughts around the practicality of a cabrio living in a cold weather state? Does the top just end up staying up all the time?

Thanks guys.

 

I had an 09 cab, it was fun for a few months in the sunny SoCal weather but it gets old quickly and the top never comes down again. Within a year, I traded it in for a different car and will not pick up a cab again.

 

I think away from the added weight and and stuff like that (if you plan on tracking) this is really a personal preference decision. I just don't like cabs - does not suit my personality. The sunroof on my 2009 997.1TT does the job just fine for me. Prob not much help, but either way, its a great car. Good luck.

 

I like the lines of the coupe better than the cab but as the rdrozd said it is more of a personal preference (if you track it, than the coupe is the winner obviously).

 

I have a cabrio and love it. The car is drop dead Awesome looking with the top down And I think pretty good looking with the top up. It's your car and $ do what makes you happyest. Both are winners. If tracking the car the coupe will have certain weight advantages but I assure you the cab in no slouch. I ran with the Ferrari club for a toys for tots fundraiser and I had no issues keeping up.

 

Jman says after a few months he never dropped the top even living in San Diego - where I believe it's law that you must. JSF says he's loving the cabrio in NY, where winters are rougher than in Colorado.

Told my wife it was my most difficult decision ever. She looked at me funny, so I said marrying her was the easiest. Ah, now that scored points.

Thanks for your input guys. I'll keep debating this in my head for a few more days. Please let me know if you have more thoughts around having a cab in a snowy place.

 

I live in NJ , never had a vert , we dont have long summers here , and the sun is a pleasure and luxury so im driving around 4 to 5 months topless everyday and the other with the top up when its freezing, go for it!

 

Some opinions and maybe one fact:

As far as look of car, I like the coupe alot more than the cab with the top up.
But, there is nothing prettier than a cab with the top down.
Better rear visibility with Coupe.
Add snow and rain into the mix and I would think visibility out rear would be terrible with a cab.
If I could own 2 Porsches, I would own a coupe and a cab.
However, if I could only own one Porsche, then I would own a coupe, especially if driving in snow and rain was on the agenda.

Good luck with your decision!

 

I have had both over the years (although not Porsches) and I will say this....I hate cabs, my wife loves them so we got one.

We lived in a much warmer climate than you and I would say out of a possible 200 days where it wasnt freezing cold or raining, we had the top down 4-5 times tops. In the summer with the sun beating on you its too hot (especially if you have traffic for any amount of time), you cant go anywhere with the wife dressed up with the top down because it is too windy (messes up the wifes hair) etc. It seemed like every day that was perfect for a top down drive, I had a different car.

Finally, I still dont like the wind noise with the top up. They are better with the new top material but it is still noisey enough that it almost wears me down physically.

GL in your decision and at the end of the day, regardless of which choice you make, you will still be driving a Porsche Turbo!

 

There is a premium for buying, owning and selling a cab. I almost never drive mine without the chance of putting the top down. That does leave me driving it about 80% of the time though here in FL with great coastal weather. The heated/cooled seats make it very comfortable year round here. However you will need a good combination of layered clothes and sunblock to fully enjoy the majority of the days. Is it worth the premium for the days that you can enjoy it?
The top down turbo on the road and track is euphoric
It may be worth it, but it is a tough decision. Make it, don't look back, and either way you'll be thrilled!!!

 

Don't know where you are but I am in a cold, snowy Rockies climate (daytime high today is forecast as -21C) and the cab is my daily driver. Previous car was a coupe, also the dd. We have an SUV for carrying big stuff. In all honesty the 911 feels more planted, even in "deep snow", that said I do avoid unbroken trail at this time of year with the plow at the front of the turbo.

Truly a emotional decision but the logical stuff has all been stated already. The only thing that I miss is being able to put bars and a roof box/ski rack on top, but more than made up for by the occasional days that the temperature is above freezing and I can put the top down. With the windstopper and heat on auto, just a light set of gloves is all that is necessary.

Let us know how it turns out

 

Thanks gents for all your input. This is the best kind of difficult decision.

Glad to know that the cab still seems decent even for those in the snowiest of places. And I know the coupe is inherently more practical - and I've had them so know very personally how beautiful they are. Funny though my wife started knitting me a hat obviously anticipating my direction.

I'll make a decision in the next day or two and post picts as soon as I pull the trigger. Really good to be part of a community of porschephiles here - I appreciate all your perspectives.

 

OK - So upon seemingly endless contemplation, net surfing, and discussions/psychotherapy with my dealer... I went with the coupe. One of my little girls came over and said "get the red race car" and that was the tipping point. I was honestly still at a 50/50 until then, so that was what it took. Offer is in and accepted - and now I just wait for final paperwork and my new guards red Christmas sleigh to arrive.

I know, it's not real until Picts are posted, so I will as soon as the ink is dried.

Thanks everyone for your input. I do think either way I would be happy. It's hard to not be with a Turbo S regardless. Probably more practical in the snowy mountains going with the coupe. And I'll be out at the track come spring - or just the next clear and warmer day when they do open the gates.

Very cool present under the tree this year!

 

Congrats! You won't think about this decision 5 min after you turn on the ignition and drive away.

I sure miss living in CO...

 

Congratulations!
Enjoy your new Supercar.
Any decision would be right