Article Comments - 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet First Drive

5 messages, Last post on Jul 27, 2007 at 3:56 AM

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Article comments for First Drive: 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet - The Turbo Cabriolet is largely similar to the Turbo coupe, only additional metal has been bonded and welded to the rocker sills and floor pan to help restore some of the structural rigidity lost with the removal of the roof. This work to the body shell adds weight, of course, yet once you factor in the additional structure plus 93 pounds more for the electrical folding top and rollover-protection hoop, the 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet comes to the curb at 3,649 pounds, only 154 pounds more than the Turbo coupe. (more)

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#1 of 5 Article Comments - 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet First Drive by KarenS HOST Jul 18, 2007 (9:24 am)
Take a look at our 2008 911 Turbo first drive and post your comments! First Drive: 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Replies to this message: habitat1 (Jul 18, 2007 2:41 pm)
#2 of 5 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet First Drive [KarenS] by habitat1 Jul 18, 2007 (2:41 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Jul 18, 2007 9:24 am) The author's review seemed fair enough to start. The Turbo, while still providing world class sports car performance, has become a more civilized ride since I first had my teeth jolted loose in a 930 Turbo about 20 years ago. But I part company with the author when, seemingly to make a point, makes the idiotic statement: "Just the same, this is not a simple, flyweight 911 with more motor and less roof. It's a GT car, more like a Jaguar XKR convertible than a Ferrari F430 Spider." IMO, there is no more or less difference between the 911 Turbo Coupe and the Ferrari 430 than there is between the 911 Turbo Cabriolet and Ferrari 430 Spider. The Spider version of the 430 gives up proportionally just as much against the coupe version as does the 911 Turbo Cabriolet compared to the Turbo Coupe. To suddenly classify the 911 Turbo Cab as a GT along the lines of the Jaguar XKR is more than ignorant, it's stupid. For the record, I don't diasagree that the new GT3 with its 8,400 rpm redline and exceptional lightwieght package is the "purist" sports version of the 911 line. But I suspect the Turbo Cab, in the hands of a professional driver, would give the 430 Spider a run for it's money around any track. And the Jaguar isn't even close to being in the same solar system as far as performance, driving dynamics or sport. Hell, the damn thing doesn't even come with a manual transmssion. So my suggestion to the Edmunds editors (in case they are looking) is go ahead, call a spade a spade as you see it and experience it from the seat of your driver's butt. But don't make stupid statements to try to make a point more dramatic than reality comes close to supporting.
#3 of 5 Most expensive of the Porshe line? by automan3000 Jul 19, 2007 (1:09 pm)
Accelerating to 60mph in a brain crushing 4.0 seconds, about 1/5th the time it takes for the top to fully retract, the 480 horsepower 911 will get you there fast and in style. Swaddled in leather and Bose 12-speaker sound system. http://gearpatrol.com/blog/2007/07/19/porsche-911-turbo-cabriolet/
#4 of 5 Ultimate Poseur's Car by jungster Jul 26, 2007 (8:35 pm)
The functional point of this car escapes me. The 911 cabriolet essentially provides everything this convertible would be used for. I hardly believe anyone could utilize the extra power or capability on the street. And showing up on track day in this thing would only draw sneers and disdain. Clearly the lost structural integrity of the chassis would make this car easy prey on a track. I'm sure a Caymen can stay with it around a course. Reminds me of a video I saw on youtube where a guy in a miata was able stay with a Porsche Turbo around Laguna Seca, losing him on the straights but catching him in the curves. How humiliating. I guess Porsche feels there are enough potential buyers who seek status to warrant a business case. In Ferrari's case the 430 is their lowest priced product so it makes sense to lop off the top to capture additional sales. Porsche already makes two excellent convertibles to serve the leisure market. Replies to this message: redsoxgirl (Jul 27, 2007 3:56 am)
#5 of 5 Re: Ultimate Poseur's Car [jungster] by redsoxgirl Jul 27, 2007 (3:56 am)
Replying to: jungster (Jul 26, 2007 8:35 pm) Following your logic, the 911S Coupe essentially provides everything the 911 Turbo would be used for, as very few drivers are capable of harnessing the extra Turbo power on the street. I'm not sure the Cabriolet is that much different from that perspective. But, before concluding that the "lost structural integrity" makes this car easy prey on a track, you should remmeber that this "loss" is compared to one of the most structurally rigid coupes on the planet. According to the figures I've seen, the 997 Cabriolet actually has comparable structural stiffness to the 360/430 Spider and my former Boxster S. The Miata, Z4 and SLK aren't even in the same league. So, while I agree that the serious track enthusiasts would prefer a 911 coupe variant, the cabriolet would not embrass itself. And if you are looking for the best 911 variant to put on a track, the GT3 has it over either Turbo.