Buying advice on 1985 3.2 Cabrio ??
09-23-2002, 07:08 PM
#1
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Buying advice on 1985 3.2 Cabrio ??
Hi,
looking at buying a 3.2 Cabrio
1985, so it's the 915 gearbox, UK spec.
Have had Cabrios before, but found them either heavy, or plagued with skuttle shake, or both!
I wondered how the driving experience differs between the 911 Coupe and the 911 Cabrio, can additional front torsion bars help stop the flex?
How easy is it to fold down / up the hood - I live in the UK, so sunshine can't be relied on!
Any suggestions what I should check out before buying
Thanks for any views.
looking at buying a 3.2 Cabrio
1985, so it's the 915 gearbox, UK spec.
Have had Cabrios before, but found them either heavy, or plagued with skuttle shake, or both!
I wondered how the driving experience differs between the 911 Coupe and the 911 Cabrio, can additional front torsion bars help stop the flex?
How easy is it to fold down / up the hood - I live in the UK, so sunshine can't be relied on!
Any suggestions what I should check out before buying
Thanks for any views.
09-23-2002, 10:17 PM
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2002
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I have been driving my sc cabby for a couple of months now and very pleased. Never owned the coupe so cant compere the two but mine feels very solid no skuttle shake but wind noise is an issue above 100 but i think/hope a few adjustments will make it a lot better. Mines the manual roof and takes seconds to drop, very easy,
unzip the window, place on rear deck - release two handles on front and fold roof - done.
If you get yours you can let me know how the two compere
unzip the window, place on rear deck - release two handles on front and fold roof - done.
If you get yours you can let me know how the two compere
09-25-2002, 02:03 PM
#3
Instructor
Its easy to drop the top on my '87 cab. After hearing stories about probelms w/ automatic tops (motor driven) I think I prefer to keep the manual one - the P-car cabs are known for a tight fit and good retention of form even at speed. As was said its very quick and easy- literally seconds if you hurry - like when the unexpected storm blows up! Although Porsche dosent advise / require unzippering the window (I dont think!) I always do and I put a towel across the window to prevent scuffs.
As to rigidity c/w a coupe- I can only say that there is definitely more sway to the cab but one means of significanly reducing this is to add a good roll bar. I put mine in for DE and cant beleive the difference it makes in making the car more rigid - maybe not as rigid as a coupe but way better than w/o the bar. Mine mounts on both sides just behind the door (on the up-right) and to the outer rear seat belt bolt. It takes ~~ 15 min. to put it in or out. I would leave it in all the time if I didnt have to use the back seats for my 2 young sons - I like it that much (although IMO it makes the otherwise glamorous looking car look more like a go-cart racer!) . I also have HD suspension parts front and rear (bars, sport bilstiens, sport motor mounts) but have not driven the car much w/o them- so cant say how much they contribute - my guess is the added stability from the roll bar up high where the coupe roof would be is what adds the stability/rigidity to the cab- seems logical.
One other comment- when the cab top is up driver visability is reduced c/w the coupe because there are no rear side windows but my top is up so rarely I dont find this to be a problem (its my weekend fair weather driver) If I was considering a daily driver I'd probably go w/ the coupe.
Nothing like dropping the top for a fun day of driving!
Good luck,
Dan <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
As to rigidity c/w a coupe- I can only say that there is definitely more sway to the cab but one means of significanly reducing this is to add a good roll bar. I put mine in for DE and cant beleive the difference it makes in making the car more rigid - maybe not as rigid as a coupe but way better than w/o the bar. Mine mounts on both sides just behind the door (on the up-right) and to the outer rear seat belt bolt. It takes ~~ 15 min. to put it in or out. I would leave it in all the time if I didnt have to use the back seats for my 2 young sons - I like it that much (although IMO it makes the otherwise glamorous looking car look more like a go-cart racer!) . I also have HD suspension parts front and rear (bars, sport bilstiens, sport motor mounts) but have not driven the car much w/o them- so cant say how much they contribute - my guess is the added stability from the roll bar up high where the coupe roof would be is what adds the stability/rigidity to the cab- seems logical.
One other comment- when the cab top is up driver visability is reduced c/w the coupe because there are no rear side windows but my top is up so rarely I dont find this to be a problem (its my weekend fair weather driver) If I was considering a daily driver I'd probably go w/ the coupe.
Nothing like dropping the top for a fun day of driving!
Good luck,
Dan <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
09-25-2002, 06:06 PM
#4
Instructor
My 86' Cab is very "tight". No problem whatsoever with shaking. I'd compare it to the feel of a Mercedes which always feel so solid to me. I've driven it at speed around Laguna Seca Raceway and it's like riding on rails.
The top is easy once you get the sequence down. Putting the boot on is the only thing that takes time. (3 minutes?) I never unzip my rear window but checked the manual last nite after reading the other posts. It says to unzip it if temp under 32 degrees. Mine is clear as a bell so I have not hurt it any.
A coupe has to be more rigid but a Porsche and a cabriolet rolled into one? Hard to beat.
The top is easy once you get the sequence down. Putting the boot on is the only thing that takes time. (3 minutes?) I never unzip my rear window but checked the manual last nite after reading the other posts. It says to unzip it if temp under 32 degrees. Mine is clear as a bell so I have not hurt it any.
A coupe has to be more rigid but a Porsche and a cabriolet rolled into one? Hard to beat.
09-27-2002, 11:54 AM
#5
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My '88 Cabrio top fits nice and tight with no noise. I have an electric top, but have experienced trouble both with the front windshield cam locks, and lately with the rear motorized gear boxes. A $600 repair estimate has left me for the moment resigned to operate the top manually, which turns out to be no trouble at all. (I plan to very soon post my journal of cabrio top troubles).
I've never had a Coupe, so can't compare rigidity.
The only disadvantage to my cab choice is the fact that I desire to participate in DEs and possibly other track events. These require that a roll bar be installed. Beyond the cost, I wonder about the aesthetics... oh, the joys and dilemmas of owning a cab... I'd never want anything else!
I've never had a Coupe, so can't compare rigidity.
The only disadvantage to my cab choice is the fact that I desire to participate in DEs and possibly other track events. These require that a roll bar be installed. Beyond the cost, I wonder about the aesthetics... oh, the joys and dilemmas of owning a cab... I'd never want anything else!
09-27-2002, 07:44 PM
#6
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realtime,
What type of roll bar do you have. I am currently looking and have ruled out the DAS bar because I absolutely do not want to drill any holes whatsoever in my car. FVD have a 100 percent bolt in bar, but I can find very little info about it. Your sounds just like what I'm looking for.
What type of roll bar do you have. I am currently looking and have ruled out the DAS bar because I absolutely do not want to drill any holes whatsoever in my car. FVD have a 100 percent bolt in bar, but I can find very little info about it. Your sounds just like what I'm looking for.
