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YOUR RESEARCHShould I buy a 996 Targa?
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perfect car
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We have been looking for another Porsche for my wife in addition to our 986 S that we love
Came across a 2004 996 Targa 84k miles black on black with a Tip (what my wife wants) The car is in excellent shape, has good service records. Its black on black with new brakes and tires all around. Beautiful 19" 2 piece chrome and black wheels. AOS and water pump were recently replaced as well. It is priced well.
I spoke with the indy shop that has done the service for the last 3 years, and they are one of the top shops for Porsche cars in So Cal. Basically they told me it was one of the best 911�s they have ever worked on and the previous owners when told it needed anything had it done. I'm getting a PPI as well
It has not had the IMS done. The indy did cut open the filter on every oil change as well as listened with a stethoscope and said it shows no indication of IMS problems. Yes, I know there still can be an issue at any time ( I do have a 986)
I have heard that there can be some major problems with the Targa top and it is VERY expensive to repair.
Anything else I should look out for?
Should I buy it or pass on it?
Thanks
The Targa wouldn't be my preference due to the additional weight, changes to the stiffness of the car, and the creaks/groans sometimes associated with ageing Targas, but there are plenty of folks who LOVE Targas. If you like the look and the PPI checks out...
Not every Porsche suffers from IMSB failure. Targas are fun to drive and own. I drove a targa in the early 80's while the owner drove an Audi fox that my parents owned.
I don't lose sleep thinking about an IMS failure, I have a 986 with a 3.2. I know its not all doom and gloom as the vast majority have not had a problem. My feeling FWIW is that if the car has been driven and maintained properly and not a garage queen, it is far less likely to have a problem
the car will not be tracked and unlikely AX so the few extra pounds are not a concern nor is any stiffness, creaking or groaning. It will be my wifes weekend car and sometimes DD. I have told her that if we get it, she is REQUIRED to take the next PDS
Frankly my biggest concern right now is the Targa top and any issues with them.
My top went kaboom when the fabric covering the runners got snagged in the cables and sucked into the motor. It was ~$2200 to have new targa motors installed. That's pretty much your worst case scenario.
If you like the glass roof and the giant sunroof open feel, get the targa. If you want a convertible this isn't one, it is a very airy coupe.
I loooooooove my car. So much that I decided to stop tracking it so I can hopefully keep it forever. But if the pros of the targa don't excite you, then don't pay the price premium you will probably have for it. Plus the performance is slightly worse and there are some other issues like possible rattles. For me, it was the perfect car. If it is for you, buy it!
I am a new porsche owner (4 weeks). I just bought a 2002 targa, black on black. Man is that roof awesome! My rear latch assembly had a bad micro switch but I fixed that and the rear hatch is pretty cool for loading in stuff that doesn't fit up front.
Beautiful car and it has the same lines as the coupe, I don't like the lines of the convertible in the rear.
Have had mine for ten years - love it. Interestingly, when I was looking way back, I was considering a cab but my bride was not keen on one at all .... she was/is very happy to have the Targa though.
Have to agree with you - the cabriolet doesn't hold a candle to the coupe's lines. However, having a convertible is awesome...I miss that aspect of my 986.
I've never been a fan of the Targa's "halo" - to me, it also detracts from the car's lines, but that same feature also serves to differentiate the Targa from all the other body styles.
JayG, any closer to making a decision?
living in Southern California....why would you not own a cabriolet
pic below is not of my car but it shows how a hardtop can instantly make a cab a coupe. coupes are stuck being coupes
and if I had the spare coin, would seriously consider doing this
I have had my '03 Targa for just over 7 years. I had owned a 1969 Targa 34 years earlier and loved the concept so when I could justify another 911, I searched for a year for the right Targa.
I autocross mine and when my son drives it, it is one of the top performers on the course with mostly Boxsters and Caymans getting faster times.
As for the roof, the car has 45,000 miles and I have not had any issues. I keep the tracks I can access clean and lube sparingly with Wurth HHS-K yearly. I placed small strips of black electrical tape in the 4 corners of the roof which meet the sliding top which quiets the click when the body flexes. You have to expect a bit of noise with a movable roof but honestly you will not notice it that much and you can always open the roof and enjoy the sounds of your Porsche.
With the Targa representing less than 3% of 996 Porsche production, they are very rarely seen and I am usually the only one represented at local Porsche events.
Next Autocross is a week from today. My son will not be driving mine this time because he bought a '99 Boxster and we just finished the 3.4 911 engine swap this week! If you are in the area, stop by the RMR Autocross at Front Range Airport east of Denver on the 25th.
John
Rear Engine History:
'66 Corvair Corsa, gone in '73
'66 911, gone in '73
'69 911E Targa, gone in '73
'03 Targa, still loving it!
I've had my Targa for more than 1/2 of its life. Definitely no regrets and I would take a Targa over a similar coupe or convertible. It has had a few squeeks from the roof but they can be tamed with a little effort.
I didn't realize that the 996 targa doesn't have the massive b-pillar / halo like other models. After a few minutes with Google Images, it seems that there is no massive visual difference between the 996 targa and coupe. This makes the targa seem even less attractive to me...I'd get the one with fewer potential issues.
That said, I also didn't think much about convertibles until I owned a Boxster. So maybe there's a similar "joie de targa" to which I'm not privy.
The massive glass top, the large open roof, the rear hatch with access to the back seat storage, and the pointed rear quarter windows set it off from other 996 cars.
The roof can be opened or closed at any road speed unlike the previous and latest Targa concepts. The 993 and 996 are C2 and the 997 are C4 only. As years go by, these cars will be the ones to find.
John
'03 Targa
