Why did they not design the rear hatch to open like the targa?

My only real design complaint on my 996 coupe is that it is a real pain not to have the rear hatch open like the targa. When I pick up my dry cleaning, I have to borrow my wife's car because by the time a wrestle it into the back, it gets wrinkled. There is a lot of space back there and it would be nice to access it through a hatch. For this reason alone, I am drooling over a new targa (big sunroof is also nice). Porsche please make the back hatch open on future models. I wonder if the factory would customize it?

Making the Carrera into a hatchback would make the body weaker, which would make it handle worse/drive worse. The Targa is designed and reinforced specifically for the Targa top, so it weighs more and it's still not quite as rigid. Not that a Targa drives bad or anything, but it's designed specifically for it and there is a bit more rigidity in the Carrera.

Ok-I sounds reasonable but what about the Cayman? or 928, 944, 924 .... Corvette, 350z .... Is it because of the engine placement behind the axle?

Read Paul Frere's book "The 911 Story". It came down to cost and engineering difficulties at the time of the development of the original 901 (then renamed 911).

True or False. The new Targa is only available in AWD. I went to me dealer last week to beat the bushes and he told me that the new version does NOT come as a RWD variant. That sucks. But then again the dealer is not always right nor truthful.

True. All 997 Targas are AWD. I'm waiting for Porsche to come out with a Cab version of the Targa!

I was checking out Porsche's website, and decided to build a car for myself for when I win the lottery. I surprised myself by going for a Targa 4S over the Turbo. I think it would just be a great daily driver, especially with the wood interior and all the options. Someday..

They have a black on beige at my local dealership which is a targa c4s loaded. List is 108. It has been on the lot for maybe 5 months. I would love that car, but I really like my current car, so I need enough money for both. I also like the interior of the 996 better than the 997. I also made a new years resolution not to borrow money for consumer goods-to pay cash. So it is in my best interest to wait until September of 09 (when my payments are done) before getting myself a new porsche. My wife wants a cayenne again, so that is probably the next pruchase. My local dealer still has a 2006 Turbo S basically new with 127 miles on it. It is black on beige and they will switchout the aliminum trim for wood for free. It is listed at 118 but they told me high 80s which means low 80's or high 70's. But the gas will be an issue with my wife. Either that or an 08 reg Cayenne with nav. She does not need performance of the S. She use to have a Cayenne S. It is fast truck. I was more impressed with it than I am with my 996 because it is amazing that a 6700 pound suv can drive like a sports car. I have never gotten a ticket in my 996, but I have gotten at least 5 in her car. 2 in one day, with in 2 hours of each other. I would punch it to pass a truck, and before you know it you are doing a 100. One early morning, it was steady as a rock cruising at 135 in the boonies. Maintained it for 2 hours, and no problems. It was a lot harder to keep it slow than my 996.

I've never owned a hatch back that didn't rattle or leak! Love the solid rear on the 996!!

mmnnn Targa oh ok well the F car is not a hatch..and you cant put your dry cleaing in there.. but what a beauty

Just at the dealership for minor service. The targa is sold-damn.

All Targas start our life as a cabriolet. They use the same chassis. Then they put on a permanent hard top that includes the glass roof. Targas are the heaviest of the 911 line up because the incorporate both the reinforcements of a convertible car AND a heavy glass panel roof. The 911 coupe was built to be lightweight and ridged for performance. In my mind the Cayman or 928, 944, 924 ....Corvette, 350z .... have compromised performance for convenience.

Not correct. The 993 Targas were based on the Cab, but not the 996's. This is explained in all the press and marketing info. that came out from Porsche when the 996 Targa was introduced. Although the mechanism of the 996 Targa is similar to the 993's, the construction method was altered in the newer car. The mechanism was further evolved in the 997 Targa: the glass is now thinner and lighter. Your weight information is also incorrect. I've got the weight info. somewhere, but it's been posted previously. The 996 Targa is actually slightly lighter than the Cab, and has almost the same chassis rigidity as the coupe. The biggest downside is probably that the extra weight of the Targa is high in the car. In actual use, though, I think the 996 Targa handles better than the Cab because of the greater rigidity. Certainly the coupe is best of all the variants from a pure handling standpoint.

I stand corrected, it appears my information was out of date. Thanks CAF

The hatchback is very convenient, especially for getting the golf clubs in. My Targa is 4 years old now and no leaks. I don't hear rattle / feel shimy with mine but others have said differently on this board. Weight difference is not as much as you might think but it is true, that weight is in the wrong place. Still, targa open, windows down driving on a 75 degree sunny day, like today, is just plain awesome! I figure my next new-to-me porsche will be a 4 year old used Nordic gold targa 4S.

+2 This has been discussed in several 996 books. Porsche did look at a hatchback ala the Targa but they were concerned about rigidity as well as other factors. Personally I agree with their choice. I would rather have them make a lighter (yes the hatch will add weight) more rigid car that is slightly less convenient than a less rigid heavier car. IMHO, they made the right choice.

No problem. The 996 Targas were fairly rare, so the experience with them is sort of limited amongst 996 owners.

I wish for a Targa sometimes because without a hatchback, getting a road racing bicycle into the back of my 911 is not that easy. But it can be done, and with only the front tire off. Compared to that, storing dry cleaning is a snap :-)

A Targa is not just a "great" daily driver...it's the ULTIMATE daily driver. I searched long and hard for an all season, high performance sports car that I could live with(M3, 350Z, Audi TT, Audi S4, Corvette) and my 996 Targa is just that car. The others either were not sporty enough, or not snow worthy. Yes, my Targa didn't start life as stiff as a Coupe, and yes it's also slightly heavier, but now that I've professionally installed f/r strut bars, f/r GT3 Sway bars, as well as Targa specific Vogtland 2" lowering springs, my Targa handles better than any stock Coupe I've been in...although it can be a bit jarring as I hear and feel every little road imperfection. The real bonus is throwing 2 sets of clubs in the back and heading to the Links with the top down or tossing my hockey equipment and hammering through the snow(city snow...) to get to the rink. Targa's may not be the purist of P-cars, but for me, it's the ultimate all season high performance daily driver! Next stop 997 Targa C4S!