[DoctorFreeze]

I am approaching my 50th birthday so I decided to finally pull the trigger on a Porsche 911. I always wanted a Cab so that's what I'm going with. My basic question is whether it is worth paying more for a Carrera S over the base Carrera? Of course I would love the extra power, but don't know when or how often I would even need it.

Thanks for any insights. Btw, I think I'm going with the GT Silver with black top. Also I think I must get the Sports Chrono package right?

 

[DoctorFreeze]

Hi

I had the same dilemma but I ended up opting for the 2S I was afraid I would regret later choosing the basic version.

In my opinion you should choose the sports package

In short, it all depends on the money you are willing to spend...

Thanks for your response! It is a tough decision. I would love the S but the cost is more than I want to spend. Do you feel you use the extra power regularly?

 

[DoctorFreeze]

I forgot. Happy 50th!

Thanks! It is giving me a great excuse to get a 911! I can't wait.

 

[DoctorFreeze]

Hello Doc and welcome to the Forum! You will have as many answers to your questions as you have members since it all comes down to a personnal decision (especially on colors!). 😅

I'm also a cab guy, so I completely support your decision. Others will not for many good reasons. For instance, the cab might not be quite as quick as the coupe, but with the wind in your hair and engine note in your ears, it feels every bit as exciting. I also love the "hump" on the cab while others think "It looks like some sort of bulbous, ass-heavy insect"! (Motortrend 2019) LOL!

I went from a base Boxster to my first 911 and the base Carrera would've been plenty for me. MORE power is not necessarily better! But the base doesn't come with stick so I had to get the S model in order to have my manual transmission. Now that I have the 992 S cab I don't regret it a bit. It does have more power, it does have larger and better brakes, and the differential is far and away superior ((PTV+ = Brake application + Electronic Locking Differential).

I think it boils down to if you want a manual transmission vs. PDK. C2 is plenty fast / comfortable. Ideally, you should drive both back to back a couple of times but these days are gone.
If you have the money, get the S. If you don't, get the Base and you will be very happy!!!

This is a great forum and I appreciate taking the time to educate this Porsche newbie!

 

[DoctorFreeze]

Study what comes standard on the S. I think it's worth the extra money to invest in an S, plus I would think resale is a plus too. Also the S can be ordered with a MT, the base cannot. You also get the red brakes. I don't regret having ordered my 2021 Careera S cab. View attachment 794

Thanks for your advice. That is one beautiful car. Resale is not a big deal because I'm not going to sell it. I already told my 16 year old son it will be his someday. It will be a family heirloom. Lol

 

[DoctorFreeze]

You might struggle with allocation and availability . I would take whatever the dealership offered because the wait is that long . However (given no obstacles) if I were buying a coupe the choice would be harder . With a cab I'd get the S . The S comes with a few extras like , wheels , Ho bump , brakes and a few options (standard) . You also get a choice of manual or PDK . I like a base coupe for those who are trying to shave off every cent (into an entry level car) but the base Cab is expensive so you have to go deeper to the S . Have you got a build code ?

Your rationale make a lot of sense, but it's the "cents" that's holding me back. I don't think I can stretch my budget for an S at this point. A friend did tell me to get an S Coupe vs a Base Cab. That made me think for about a month, but I have always dreamed about a 911 convertible with the wind blowing through my (rapidly thinning) hair. Lol. Thanks for your input!

 

[DoctorFreeze]

You might struggle with allocation and availability . I would take whatever the dealership offered because the wait is that long . However (given no obstacles) if I were buying a coupe the choice would be harder . With a cab I'd get the S . The S comes with a few extras like , wheels , Ho bump , brakes and a few options (standard) . You also get a choice of manual or PDK . I like a base coupe for those who are trying to shave off every cent (into an entry level car) but the base Cab is expensive so you have to go deeper to the S . Have you got a build code ?

I will look for my build code and post it here so you can assess and give me advice before I make my final decision. I don't have a build slot yet.

 

[DoctorFreeze]

I am a coupe person despite living in Florida . However this 922 is probably the best Cab of any any 911 convertibles . The older ones had that hump in the back . The new one is streamlined and if flatter which makes it handle better . It still sacrifices the structural integrity of a coupe . I go a step further and don't even want a sunroof .

Everyone looks at a 911 variant differently . If its a leisure fun car then a cab does make sense . It can perform well despite the compromises . I view a 911 more as an iconic sports car . Its original design was a coupe unlike the Boxster (which led to Cayman) . It has no blind spot and is the only car without one I have ever driven . The Cab changes that . I feel that I am making all types of space sacrifices over more utility type vehicles so I want the most performance I can get out of the 911 . Ideally I wanted a Gt3 but its impractical on the street asa daily and almost ridiculous . The Turbo S is overkill and realistically that AWD is a heavy front axle which takes away from the agility .

What intrigues me is the value in low option base car but after 30 years and 19 Porsches I wanted far more . I went for a GTS and optioned it to the limit . I felt that if I had to wait a year for the car I wanted to pull out all the stops . I gave EVERY color and option months of consideration . I even weighed manual Vs PDK to pick the one I felt worked for this specific car . I ended up here .

The Porsche Code

www.porsche-code.com

In contrast . a friend of mine wanted a lean base 911 . I got it done under 120K (using new price increases )

So if I were building an S Cab .. I decided to play with it . Sheesh ,,, it got expensive . This is where I landed The Porsche Code

Figure the floor pricing is 120K (coupe) and the high is 180K .

As for the S coupe .. Its my least favorite . My reason is that if I put everything on that S I am looking at a GTS .

Conclusion
Its lean base Vs S Cab UNLESS somehow you get a GTS coupe . Then I will have even more fun because when I bought mine I did over 300 builds in every color at every price level before I decided . For months I lived the GTS configurator life .

Thank you for those very keen insights. I would not expect less given the number of Porsches you have owned!

 

[DoctorFreeze]

My choices:


Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way) with Memory Package

Porsche Crest on Headrests (Front)

GT Sport Steering Wheel in Leather

Ventilated Seats (Front)

Heated Seats (Front)

Sport Chrono Package



LED-Matrix Design Headlights in Black incl. Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS+)

Sport Design Side Skirts

Windows Privacy

Electric Slide/Tilt Sunroof in Glass

Sport Exhaust System with two oval tailpipes



Rear Axle Steering

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) (Raised 10 mm)

8-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)

Power Steering Plus

Extended Range Fuel Tank (23.7 gal.)

Definitely more bells and whistles than I am willing to spend on my first "entry level" Porsche 911. I am basically going in for the cheapest cab 911 I can buy, but feel I needed to add the sports chrono package and Bose sounds system. That's pretty much it for mine. Oh, I did add the ventilated front seats since I live in the hot South!

 

[DoctorFreeze]

I don't use the power regularly actually after 4000 miles I think I never used it yet. But each time I need it I know it's there.
See the link below I think is a base model:
Porsche 911 Driver Arrested After Allegedly Driving 177 MPH on Highway (roadandtrack.com)

If you want the cab the base model could be enough. Don't forget the sport exhaust you will smile often. The PDK it's amazing IMO the right choice and bose sound system is a little bit disappointing if you can choose Burmester.

OMG... it was very clear that base model had no velocity issues until that toll booth and cop got in the way!

 

[DoctorFreeze]

I’m turning 50 later this year as well and have started the “process” of looking into a 911. I am turned off by how high the prices have gone from pre-covid…but like you… you only live once and turning 50 is a nice time to move up to a 911.

I am also considering a cab, but I want a stick..which means having to go to an S model..pricing for an S cab plus my dealer’s 20-25k markup puts the car at a pretty heavy premium. I have a buddy who bought a super low mileage CPO 991.1 TURBO for 120k just a few years ago. Now that barely gets you a CPO base.. 🤑

Happy Birthday to us. It is a good problem to have to be “worried” about how much to spend on your new 911. . No one will feel sorry for us. Ha!

Yes, happy birthday to us. We deserve a 911 right?! It is the most iconic sports car in the history of automobiles in my humble opinion. We could wait until we are older, but I would have fewer years to enjoy it!

 

[DoctorFreeze]

Since I only have ONE 911😉, I think the cab offers the best of both worlds. With the top up it’s remarkably quiet, has the shape and drives like a coupe. Of course, when that first sunny, somewhat warm day comes along, down comes the top, and I remember why I bought a cab in the first place. Plus, I'm having a hard time resisting this:

That is a beautiful car. Even though I can't afford an S for my "entry-level" Porsche 911, I think my base cab will look just as good. Oh, I'm also seriously considering a change of color from GT Silver to Gentian Metallic Blue. Your photo has reinforced my potential change. I do have one question for everyone, should I spring for the Sports Exhaust package or not?? It's another $3k! 😭

 

[DoctorFreeze]

I’m thinking of our new member @DoctorFreeze. Maybe he will get his base model a little faster but the waiting period for a 911 seems to be 2-3 years now!!! 😏 Wonder what his dealer told him.

Macan and Cayenne allocations are easier to get. My SA recently said less than a year. After the 911 saga, I decided to keep my Macan S MY17 a little longer. Since I split my mileage on 2 cars during the year, the Macan only has 37K miles on it and runs perfectly. The next one will probably be electric. 😱

I placed my order in early June and just got a call yesterday that I'm next in line for a slot (I assume that is the same as an "allocation?") My SA originally told me it could take as long as a year to get my Porsche when I first ordered it last month, but he seemed confident it will be less than that given they cleared a good batch recently.

 

[DoctorFreeze]

That’s a long time to wait for a car but it may be worse with supply chain than we ever though. So many people still not wanting to work or left work doesn’t make it any better. I would think a deposit would be mandatory now…anyone ask you for one? My deposit on my 911 was only $2,500.

My refundable deposit was also $2,500.

 

[DoctorFreeze]

ABSOLUTELY frigging all day long on sport exhaust!!!!

I think I'm going to do it. However, if you don't see me here later it means my wife killed me.

 

[DoctorFreeze]

This must be the year that more GenX'ers are pulling the trigger and finally rewarding ourselves.

 

[DoctorFreeze]

My new friends... I'm happy to report that I heard from my SA today and they have an allocation ("commission number") for my Porsche 911 C2 Cab! For those curious, it took about 2.5 months from my $2.5k downpayment to get a spot in line to this great day. Now, the hard part... deciding on my specs before the "freeze date" of November 1. At least the journey has started and could possibly have delivery by the end of the year. That would be the best Christmas present ever.

 

[DoctorFreeze]

Doc, that’s a beautiful thing! Order every option that makes sense or anything that fits under the tree!

Wow! So HAPPY for you! 2.5 months must be a record! About your specs, here is what I wrote earlier (love quoting myself! LOL!):

"Don’t overspec. Get just what you need and nothing more. There are so many standard options on the current gen 911 that you can get this car with almost NO options (not at all) and you would still be getting a magnificent car that will be just as much fun to own and drive than a car with 50K worth of options. Configure your car to your own taste and your needs not the next owners."

Congrats! 🥂

Thanks... you and Bobby have offered consistent, great advice so far. This is a big investment so I appreciate you both and the entire forum on my first Porsche purchase journey. I turn 55 in 2023 so this will be a great milestone gift.

 

[DoctorFreeze]

Wow! So HAPPY for you! 2.5 months must be a record! About your specs, here is what I wrote earlier (love quoting myself! LOL!):

"Don’t overspec. Get just what you need and nothing more. There are so many standard options on the current gen 911 that you can get this car with almost NO options (not at all) and you would still be getting a magnificent car that will be just as much fun to own and drive than a car with 50K worth of options. Configure your car to your own taste and your needs not the next owners."

Congrats! 🥂

With regards to the 2.5 months, remember that I am getting a C2 Cab. The line was much longer to get an S, but fortunately, I wasn't in the market for an S for my first one. For those waiting for an S allocation, hang in there!

 

[DoctorFreeze]

Hey Doc, you were supposed to be "approaching 50" when you ordered your 992 in June! Better get that 911 quick cause you're aging fast! LOL!

Lol... must have mistyped: Approaching 55!! Definitely aging fast.