30 Oct 06
Got your engine, gearbox and transmission sorted, now to decide if you're a sun worshipper. A coupe will always provide the 'purer' driving experience, but Porsche's Cabriolets are superbly engineered and not as troubled by shimmy and shake as most roofless sports cars.
It only takes 20 seconds and the press of a button to lower or raise the well insulated roof, while the heating and hi-fi are both up to the task of dealing with top-down motoring. As with the coupe, the four-wheel drive versions look hunkier with their broader wheel arches, but even the 'skinny' 997 Cabriolet is going to garner you plenty of admiration and envy.
Your only problem could be finding one - they're exceptionally rare outside of Approved Porsche dealers, and not exactly commonplace even there. Consequently, prices don't drop much even with winter's arrival. A Tiptronic S-equipped 3.6 Carrera that cost £67,200 new in 2005 is still about £63,000 now. If you want a 3.8-litre Carrera S with the more desirable manual gearbox, resign yourself to spending at least £65k and probably a fair bit more.
If you like the idea of catching a few rays but think you couldn't live with a full convertible, then Porsche has just launched the 997 Targa 4 and 4S (£70,320 and £77,370 respectively) - you get to pick your engine but there's no alternative to four-wheel drive.
The Targa has a massive glass sunroof that slides back to rest beneath the rear window, creating a gaping hole above your head. It's less windy than being in the Cabriolet, but then it feels less special, too.
