looking at a 2003 Targa

Looking at a Targa tiptronic for the spouse. I like the rear hatch allowing for access to back - Wife likes to shop. Any issues to look for with the Targa's?

Yes. It's a Targa! LOL But all jokes aside, I hear if the top malfunctions, it is both expensive and a bitch to fix. But it's probably not any worse than a soft-top having to be fixed. What really scares me is the Targa of the new 991s, It's like the whole back end of the car opens up!

plus it seems like guys think the targa is rare and special and ask way to much for them

Correct all around. I will sell you mine for a mere $72,000.

I have owned an '02 for 4 years - no issues with roof - I don't think many have issues - just clean and lube rails occasionally (i used wurth hhk - but there is a more expensive dupont teflon lube that you can also get) and treat front rubber seal with gummi fledge or similar ...yes roof can rattle a bit - but overall trade off to have large glass panel that opens and hatch for loading is worth it - track purists would not get a tip or targa - but I tracked mine at Laguna seca and it was a lot of fun. Other than that it is basically a c2 - I thing springs are slightly softer and I run mine on 265/35 rears - less shock to targa mechanism. Ride is quite smooth for a Porsche. I upgraded head unit to pioneer , but my car was pre-most - '03 may not be and upgrade is harder and more expensive with optical bus .... I had some of the usual c2 problems - water pump, ignition switch, window regulator and microswitch, leaking rms (I upgraded ims but old one was still ok), 2nd gear detent ( on tip that won't be issue - just change fluid if it wasn't done) and usual service items - oil, brakes, battery ... Mostly DIY ...nice car ... have fun ...

Post up a couple of pics so we can over analyze all it's imagined faults.

DT, I'll sell you my headlights for only $26,000. jwillman, I agree with you, the targa hatch is great for really improving the back access. As others have stated, it's rather expensive to fix, so be sure to have it inspected well before buying the car. And, as also mentioned, some people try to charge a lot more because they are "rare." The reality is that few were manufactured because they just weren't what most people wanted. I wouldn't let any of these issues (other than inflated price) prevent me from buying one, however. Your wife will find the targa version to be much more convenient for shopping than the coupe version. I can't even imaging buying a 991 Targa when it becomes a "vintage" car. Holy crap, what a Rube Goldberg device!!! If you get the chance, study the little strings that are laced throughout the mechanism. Looks like a Chinese rope puzzle or something.

In all seriousness, the hatch is nice but the frunk is easier to use anyway. The benefit of the targa is cold weather coupe comfort and warm weather open air experience. I can confirm the roof is super expensive to fix. Anyone who buys a 991 targa in 2036 deserves whatever happens to them.

I just bought an 04 Targa Tip a few weeks ago for my wife. she LOVES it!. It is nice to roll back the sunshade and have a glass roof. One thing I did notice is that with the roof retracted, you can barely see out the back window. It might partially be due to the roof and window tint the PO put on the car It is a beauty though I heard all the bad stuff about the roof, etc. Don't use it for hauling lumber, etc. I don't lose sleep over it. from a mechanical standpoint its just a large sunroof. The rear hatch is nice to load groceries and other bags. At the end of the day, basically it's a C2. as far as them being rare, well from what i can tell them only made 508 in 2004, so who knows, maybe one day it will be worth a lot more than the run of the mill C2. Maybe yes, maybe no. We did not pay a premium because it was a Targa There definitely are not many available for sale nationwide In any case I didn't buy it as an investment. I got it because my wife was pissed off at me because I made our Boxster S my DD and she wanted a Porsche of her own.

Thanks for all the feedback. Hoping if I find a good one my wife will leave me alone about the 928 55K on the odo, have not yet had a talk with the owner or seen the car in person / maintenance records. Hope to do that this weekend

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JWILL, That is the exact color combo on our 2002 Targa, as well as the GT rear spoiler. We've owned it about 2 years; one prior owner; 165,000 miles. No problems (except intermittent CEL), but runs perfectly. No top problems. As you point out, the hatchback option is invaluable, making the car much more user friendly, while still being a real sports car. ADVICE: Get aftermarket tinting on the top, and make sure the back and sides are the max your state will allow. Despite the additional motorized sun screen, the greenhouse effect can be significant. Maybe even use reflective tint on the top, but I'm not a tint specialist. In addition, the 3.6 engine is a noticeable bigger punch that the 3.4 (we've had both). Good luck. The price is worth it (this motorized targa top is 1000 times better than the old air cooled removeable targa top (which, again, we had one of those too).