I use my cab almost exclusively with the top down. I got a hard top for winter use. Unless you plan on tracking the car I'd say get the Cab.

 

Thanks again everyone for all of the opinions. Still no decision here, but this is helping weigh some pros and cons.

 

Couple of thoughts:

I don't buy any of the comments that having a cab is compromising the performance and is not purist:

• in day to day driving on the street, you never feel the difference
• on the track, the same driver might (big might) get a fraction of a sec better results with a Coupe, but unless he is really really good, it is likely the same for the occasional weekend fun
• if you are a serious tracky, you would not buy either a cab or a regular coupe, but likely a GT2 or 3 or take a regular coupe and start modifying - usually eliminating lots of the day to day usefullness.

Other thoughts:
Agree that a new car with 15-20% discount is a great deal, but nobody mentioned the costs involved:

• $100k base minus 20% minus $50k trade plus tax is still about $35k, just the interest on this is about $2500 per year
• his current car lost about 50% of its value in four years, but typically 911s level out to a much lower depreciation after that, he can sell it in 3 years for about $35k. The new one will loose at least double that

Thus driving a newer and nicer car will cost about $800-$1000 per months (!) more. Not saying it is not worth it, but an important consideration.

The alternative at next to no additional cost would be a used S Cab with the extras he wants, which he can find for about $55k (thus only $5k more than his current car), money that he will get back almost in full when he sells is in a few years ...

 

Thanks Jafetica888. I've always thought of the coupe as more of the pure 911, though I would use the cabrio car top-down a good part of the time and don't see the negatives that others might. My car won't ever see a track, snow, or (rarely) neighborhood street parking where I'd be concerned about an easier break-in.

I've just eliminated the PDK car and am down to one other in their inventory that I really liked --- a silver/black 2009 C2S Cabrio. It's a 6-speed with the options I'd want, plus it's nearly the same price as the other car when you eliminate the $4K PDK, $2K+ navigation that I don't need, a $2400 wheel option to wheels I didn't even like, etc. The payment increase is about $700/month over my '06 C2S, though I will get better tax benefits out of the lease vs. the current car that I own, so the difference won't be the full amount.

I'm not ridiculous with my spending, but I'm single and feel fortunate to have a significant income in this economy with no debt or dependents other than my mortgage, so there is enough disposable room in the budget to not stress over the payment increase. Yet if it was a 100% practical decision I would've just brought the new car home yesterday and not posted here to get the thoughts of some other 997 owners.

 

I was not married to the idea of a Cab and would have gladly taken a coupe to save a few thousand bucks, but I am glad I got it - in the last 6 weeks I never even put the top up (living in Vegas).

Go for it - great car, great fun ... pick it up today and have a fun weekend

 

Pretty sure I just finalized the deal on the 'S' 6-speed Cabrio.

 

Good for you man, congrats . Wondering whats the difference btw a PDK and the 6 spd??? I drove a C2S PDK and was in SHOCK I want one of those for sure next year.

 

Hey LagunaDallas, read your last post on your demographic and financial situation. Coming from an older married guy with children, why don't you just go for it and get a Turbo or GT2. At least you won't have a wife giving you the look (this is offset by the blondes giving you other looks).

 

The PDK was a blast! I always used to drive sticks and have loved going back to a 6-speed over the past couple of months, and I'm just not ready to give it up yet. I'll probably roll over into another 911 in a couple of years and the PDK situation will give me something different to look forward to. The technology is really impressive...kudos to Porsche for investing money into this and dumping the Tiptronic nonsense.


Don't think that I haven't thought about it! I'm in real estate and don't want my neighbors or the rare client that sees the 911 to think I'm doing TOO well. Every time I flip cars (this will be my 20th at age 31) I'm thankfully that I don't have to run it by the wife. We'll see how long I can keep it that way!

I'm ready to make the deal on this car. With the tax credits included, I'm actually above what I paid for the C2S a couple of months ago (including the tax on that car), so I'm feeling good about it.

 

Sounds like you have done you numbers. It is a great car and having the top down is a blast!! Good luck!

 

Congrats . You will notice a nice engine tweak in the new car plus the amenties are very welcome. I had this feeling a cab was part of the reasons you wanted the new car . I wish you the best. I also think you'll get 20 percent off . The "moment" still applies to 09 cars from what i was told.

 

This is simply not true . To think that eliminating the roof "does not compromise" peformance is impossible to support as the cars are different . Not only is perfomance changed by the structural differences but so is acoutics and leak potential .

I understand that some folks like top down driving but it does not come without a cost .

 

no doubt it changes - but driving in the city or on a highway will not ever get you near using the power to feel structural differences.
you are right about the acoustics - the inside is louder and leak potential, okay ....

 

I did it, but I went for the Arctic Silver/Black 'S' Cabrio with the 6-speed rather than the PDK car. I didn't lose anything on my trade (got what I paid for it 2 months ago) and $20K off sticker, plus a lease money factor that came out to about 4%. I'm thrilled. Will post pics as soon as I can. Thanks everyone for your thoughts!

 

Congrats on pulling the trigger! I've owned three 911's, all of them Cabs. Living in Austin, I realistically get to drive with the top down almost year round. I can't really imagine ever going back to a coupe again, as the enjoyment factor ith much higher for me with the top down and wind blowing through my hair...or what's left of it.

Happy Motoring!