One year with 2004 Targa, is this the perfect 996 Daily Driver?

It was 10/07/23 that I found a 2004 Targa with 68k miles in the East coast that caught my eye, there was a local 2002 Targa with 44k miles, but the $44k price tag turned me off and the dealers in Az are way overpriced. My Targa has been my only car for the whole year, it taken me to the gym, groceries, concerts, Dr Appts, Coffee shops, etc.It truly has been such a perfect daily driver for my needs. And in my opinion it is the perfect daily driver with the best of both worlds from a Coupe and Cab. One has to experience the Targa when its down to feel its a special Porsche.The rear hatch opens to allow you to put items in the rear, which in a coupe you cant so easily. As with any Porsche, the 996 has its own unique features that make it most talked about Porsche on rennlist, love or it hate, the 996 is a blast to experience. Of course with a 20 year old car, I did experience 1 tow to the shop. Unknown to me when I had my Targa shipped to me, the coolant tank had sprung a leak as they do, that plastic tank doesnt last after so many heat cycles. $2.2k and 2 week at the shops later, I was able to drive the Targa again, There are other things that need to be addressed just to prevent any future issues and they will be soon. But I am glad that this has only been a slight hick-up to otherwise great ownership. Nothing like enjoying Coffee with your 996 Again that very useful Hatchback that actually works to a great degree. I had an issue with my stereo having zero sound after the AUX cable went bad and Google 996 no sound Rennlist and found the finale solution of disconnecting the battery for an hour and bam I got my sound back. The board has been a great tool of knowledge, feedback and innovation to the enhance the 996, that I am grateful for it at times and other times I will stay away for the other subjects that have made the 996 so hated. I feel I made the best decision to get back into a Porsche and how the 996 has revived my respect for Porsche, I am glad it was a 996.

Congratulations. Yes, the 996 can be a daily driver -- they are no big deal to handle. If I let someone else drive it, I simply tell them it drives like any other car (steering wheel, pedals, shifter). I drove mine for 7 years as a daily, but always had another car (VW Van) as a backup, and when I needed to haul large or dirty stuff, when it is raining. Using a 996 as an ONLY car is an accomplishment!

Yep, agree wholeheartedly. Our '03 Targa is not a daily driver but we drive it as often as we can. Trying to get as many miles as possible in before winter weather shuts us down.

My son has a 2002 targa. I really like the rear hatch feature. Was really a nice option I�m surprised more people didn�t tick the box for the targa.

Love this! I remember when you bought yours (and Im now realizing Im at 18 months with mine). A Targa was in the Top3 versions I looked at when I decided I wanted a 911 and was 'resigned' to the fact that it would be a 996. Now I have zero regrets, love the one I picked (a '98 build) and think the 996 is the perfect 911, headlights be damned. I might finally have my 'keeper' after having owned 30+ cars...