Do the targa's usually go for a premium?

Have a buddy looking at a 996 targa and the price seems to a bit higher than a coupe or convertible? How "rare" are they? It does seem kind off cool but its just a really big sunroof/moonroof... right?...

Yes. That big sunroof is cool, heavy, and can be very expensive to repair.

Sellers ask a premium. That I believe is true. They are considerably rarer than coupes or cabs. I think sunroof delete is the only harder one to find. I bought mine, my first Porsche, by accident. Didn't like the roof for the first year but it's starting to grow on me this spring. Had it open in February in CT. +1 for what rpm said adds 70 pounds.

By comparison to cars nowadays, it's just a big sunroof. It was a bigger deal 10 years ago when few cars had a panoramic roof. Same for a six-speed transmission. But, believe me, they are rarer and can be hard to find (when coupled with other desired features, condition, price-point). Wait, are you trolling the Targa owners?

Personally I wouldn't touch a targa, let alone for a price premium. Spending 8K+ for a new roof isn't my idea of fun, especially all the leaks in between. Now I might cough up a few $$$ extra for a sunroof delete car. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Those that truly want one will pay more to have it. I've heard that they are troublesome and very costly to repair. Some that own them do not open the top often to avoid potential problems. They add a lot of weight at the highest point of the car which could impact handling if driving aggressively. They have a unique look that has a following and are built in quantities to satisfy demand. Most looking to buy a Porsche would rather have a coupe or cab.

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True, which is why there are so many cabs on the market. But if performance is a concern, the 996 Targa has the structural and performance characteristics of a C2. To me, the Targa is the epitome of what Porsche is trying to achieve with the modern 911 - a functional, best of all worlds performance car: It has 'real' seats in the back, such that I can put a car seat in it - couldn't do it in a cab. The hatch lifts up which is more practical than you could imagine. And it's a really great three-season car - even on dark fall days, the car is bright inside because of all the glass. And in the summer, the top opens up and make for a really cool driving experience. It makes Mrs Targatoo happy.

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The hatchback is cool - and great if you are a golfer!

I read that the new 991 will have a return to a true targa.... That is the most appealing thing to me about the new 991.

I thought I read the opposite. I can't quote a source.

I bought my 03 Targa last July. I drove around and checked out cabs, coupes, and targas for a long long time. I sort of fell in love with my Targa - just the options it had, color, and loved the concept of huge sunroof, being able to open the rear glass and being able to get to the rear seats easily. And to be honest, I could not tell the difference in performance. I don't track my car and the glass being heavy could impact u if u plan to track urs. If not, it's a C2 engine and the performance is negligible (depending on what u use the car for). But I definitely paid a premium, partly because of the condition and the options the car had and secondly because I was in love with the car and I wanted it so bad. Targas are rare but nothing like the sunroof delete cars. I wouldn't pay a huge premium but if ur friend love's the car enough, I would bargain talking about the issues with sliding glass issues, rattling (all the things people complain about roof although nothing's been a problem for me yet). I love my Targa and it's a great car. Good luck in finding ur love!

I've had my targa since last march,and love it. I open the top nearly everyday I drive it. To me it the perfect compromise between a cab and a coupe. I like the cab but they are loud for long highway trips. I turn on the seat heaters and run top open/windows closed as low as 35 degrees. There is maintenance involved though, when I do my oil change I'll spend a few extra minutes going over and lubricating all the tracks.

I've got one to sell, its affordable :-)

Link to one for sale?

I just finished it for a local customer.. He bought it from me with a failed engine and we took care of that. He needs to sell it.. The pics of it when it was still equipped with the failed engine are on my site under "for sale".

Yes targas are rare.. I read somewhere they only built 600 a year...limited by glass supplier. Ive had no leaks or problems with mine. It looks great ; easy access to rear, I don't notice any handling issuesat autocross .. maybe if you really push it on the track you see a few 1/10th sec difference in lap time, but on the street the panoramic roof is nice and for my money better than a full convertible .... the canvas top there will also need replacement sooner or later. Also not cheap. Premium depends on seller .. the few ive seen have been similar price to coupe .. just hard to find....

I've posted this before - but was just cruising Flickr and remembered that I never posted it in this thread. And it doesn't hurt my resale value to pump up the Targa a little! No other car offers this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55043524@N03/5160265208/http://www.flickr.com/photos/55043524@N03/5160265208/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/55043524@N03/, on Flickr

very cool.... 14-24mm or fisheye?

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I can def tell ya they do - I had my heart set on a Targa - but they kept getting snapped up.

Targa is the way to go! Best of both worlds. IMHO

+1

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+996/210

I bought my 02 Targa almost 5 years ago and I definitely paid a premium for it and I would do it again. I open the roof every day on my way to work and have never had a problem. It gives you the open-air feeling of the cab and makes the car even more practical than the coupe. I get a lot of looks when driving to the beach with 2 kids in the back, the front stuffed with stuff, and camp chairs and umbrellas behind the rear seats :-)

I've had mine since last summer and the "hard" top seems like a better option for many regions (such as WA, where I live) versus a convertible. But what really sold me on the Targa is the fact that I can open up the hatch and throw in my golf clubs - in fact, I can stack two sets in the back when needed. The only downside that I've noticed is that it gets hard to see out the rear view mirror when I have the top open - I think its because my car has tinted windows and the top is already tinted = double tint when top is down...

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Nahhhhhhh. Seattle's a great place for a cab! We're the #1 consumer of sunglasses , so why wouldn't you want a cab to go with your shades?? Ben

yeah, I heard that somewhere and it somehow makes sense. RE: cabs in SEA - it reminds me of the Pemco Insurance ad - http://www.werealotlikeyou.com/#prof...nheatsupdriver