golfgeezer Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 As per title really. I’ve seen a 2004 2.7 986 advertised locally that is definitely worth a look in person but although it looks in good order on paper with low miles and owners (3) the spec isn’t huge. Has heated seats but no litronics or aircon. I’m thinking after the summer we’ve just had aircon would be a must but is it more trouble than it’s worth? Seem to be a few owners have to spend quite a bit to get theirs to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iborguk Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 (edited) Condenser stone hits seem to be a common leak/grief point. There seem to be plenty of cheaper third party condenser options if you don't want to buy Porsche original parts. As to whether it's worth having I guess that's a subjective call and one you'd need to make. Personally I'd want it. Ironically I've also used mine more in my cars in Winter to clear the interior of the windscreen when "roof up" Good luck with the hunt. Edited January 11, 2023 by iborguk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxob Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 Mine is without a/c. It's never bothered me. It's a convertible. Lots of posts on here about a/c not working so I'm pleased not to have it. Saves weight too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 My first two didn't have it, current one does. I rarely use it to be honest. I do find the manual controls on the non aircon more intuitive but that might just be me. If the condition was right it wouldn't stop me buying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonogt6 Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 Daily driver I'd say yes. As a weekend car nah...if its warm enough the roof should be down inmho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clivescoobydo Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 Yes worth having and it’s not expensive to replace the condensers, dryer and re-gas. Once replaced fit front grills and you’ll have no more problems. For instance top down is great but if you have to do motorway miles in the heat it’s very noisy & fatiguing with the top down. Also takes all the moisture when steamed up in the winter. It’s more common to have it fitted so I would keep looking as costly to retrofit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul P Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 Doesn’t have it or doesn’t work. ? if it doesn’t have it and you don’t want it - all good. if it has it and it doesn’t work - then my ocd would be an issue - even if I rarely used it. But “fixing it” and “it’s better than it was” is part of my thing so it would be a problem (or a target) for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfgeezer Posted January 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 7 minutes ago, Paul P said: Doesn’t have it or doesn’t work. ? if it doesn’t have it and you don’t want it - all good. if it has it and it doesn’t work - then my ocd would be an issue - even if I rarely used it. But “fixing it” and “it’s better than it was” is part of my thing so it would be a problem (or a target) for me. Doesn’t have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattman42 Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 Had a few convertibles without AC over the years, never been a problem. Especially on an older car, if it works,great, if not, make an offer based on it not working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 On really hot/sunny days, say 30°C and upwards it is nice to have cool air blowing at you even with the roof down. I also find with the early 986s that have the vent clip on cup holders that is keeps a water bottle nice and cold. Great on trips to France. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul P Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 1 hour ago, golfgeezer said: Doesn’t have In that case no issue for me. I would rather have no ac and have heated seats than the other way around. Don’t see it as a negative for a fun car, it’s just the way it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daboy3000 Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 If you are like me and will only be driving the car with the roof down then there is not much point having ac. Mine has it but doesn't work, it's very far down the list of priorities. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brillomaster Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 mine has it but it doesn't work. doesn't really bother me, if its between 15-30 degrees i'll have the roof down, if its over 30 degrees i'll take my other car that does have working a/c. technical question regarding a/c... does a/c still dehumidify the air, even if it doesn't cool the air very well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daboy3000 Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 (edited) 24 minutes ago, brillomaster said: mine has it but it doesn't work. doesn't really bother me, if its between 15-30 degrees i'll have the roof down, if its over 30 degrees i'll take my other car that does have working a/c. technical question regarding a/c... does a/c still dehumidify the air, even if it doesn't cool the air very well? Yes. Just watch the difference on a misted windscreen with it on and off. EDIT: Sorry misread, if it's not gassed and working then it will be the same or even worse than a normal fan heater. Edited January 12, 2023 by Daboy3000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobbie Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 Mine is just a weekend toy, but I wouldn’t be without the A/C. Good for demisting, motorway runs with top up, in town on very hot days with the roof down. Had mine 5 years and only ever given it a top up of gas once. Plenty of cars out there, I’d look for another. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bike Loon Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 For me yes for all the reasons given re demisting etc. Also when its stupidly hot its quite nice to have the roof down and the air con on your feet Also consider the knock on to resale value when you come to sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rat Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 (edited) Aircon a yes for me. It packed up in the summer when on a day out. Showers, so roof & windows up and boy did it get warm. I have the seat right back and that was getting sweaty. Only my personnel opinion. And my needs must. Maybe a car without air con has better outside air flow. 😉👍 Edited January 12, 2023 by Fat Rat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terryg Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 Not a must for me to actually use, but I would ALWAYS have one eye on resale value and ease and as you can see both will diminish without it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev Ken Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 I didn't even know they came without A/C! Mine failed and I found life less pleasant so got it replaced with new condensers etc locally with an A/C specialist very reasonably and am once again enjoying driving it in all seasons - a must for me! At least it is thermostatically controlled, unlike the manual system in my 6 year old Golf with all sorts of gizmos, so was shocked at this retrograde step. Sadly I'm told there is no way of upgrading it!☹️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 My 986 did not have A/C The heater is very effective. In the small cabin in it will de-mist and warm efficiently. The only time I missed A/C was on very hot days in Europe. You bake with the hood up and fry with it down. If it's a weekend car you will be fine without I'd say. If you plan to use it as a daily driver or do trips to warm parts of Europe you may want to hold out for A/C. I had some horrible hot journeys in France. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 I thought they were all either a/c or climate control, except possibly the 2.5s, particularly by the 2004 model year. Another school day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfgeezer Posted January 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 Differing opinions which I’m glad to hear as I was worried it would be a blanket answer of aircon is essential. I’d only be using the car in the spring/summer and being up north of the border the extremely hot days are few and far between. I’m going to have a butchers at the car next week as it’s only 50 miles away. Next question for the gurus is why are some 2.7 clocks I’ve seen white and others are black? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDonald Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 White clocks are standard on the 3.2S. They were an optional extra on the 2.7 IIRC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfgeezer Posted January 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 That’s interesting. It’s fascinating to see what options first owners must have ticked when they ordered their car. Heated elec seats, leather interior and white clocks but didn’t bother with aircon or Bose which seem to be the more popular options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxob Posted January 12, 2023 Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 41 minutes ago, golfgeezer said: I’d only be using the car in the spring/summer and being up north of the border the extremely hot days are few and far between. Far more important that it has a working heater! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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