the Targa experience

Any comments regarding experiences with the Targa to help a prospective " used" purchaser ? Roof problems ? Litronic headlights - worth having ? Intended as an everyday driver, and a possible replacement for my current family hatchback..... a 968 Sport which I have run for 5 years.

Interesting choice, why a Targa ? Although they are great car' s to my mind it is neither fish nor fowl. You have all the extra weight of the cabriolet without the benefit of the full " wind in your hair/ exhaust in your ears" experience that a cab. offers, or the lower weight & greater rigidity/better handling of the coupe. Yes it has a bigger sunroof, but this can be very noisy, although on the positive the extra light the roof lets into the cabin adds greatly to a nicer " feel" inside & the car does have a hatch back, unlike any other 996. Still if it was me I' d spend the extra on more options for the tin top (C4S perhaps ?) or go the whole hog & get the cabriolet if you want the wind in your hair (they come with a hard top as standard anyway) !! Or keep the 968 & get a Boxter S as well..now theres a thought , two cars for the price of one!!

Definitely!

If you live in a city, so always drive under street lights, they aren' t essential. However, if you regularly drive on minor country roads that are unlit, they are essential and on main beam are quite impressive. They allow good progress in safety since you can see well (the moths and bugs are really drawn to them though, so logs of bug juice to wipe off, and rabbits are especially dazzled). The spread on dipped beam is good, which is useful for finding turnings and entrances. The litronics get the headlight washers, the standard ones don' t.

thanks for the feedback guys (first time at this .....) Grant - regards the choice - maybe a bit quirky but the extra " practicality" and the best of all worlds was the appeal (perhaps that should read master of none ?). Have run 944' s /968 for c12+ years but tempted to try the 996 experience before its too late. I was a bit worried seeing a much earlier debate on the forum regards getting a youngster comfortable in rear seat. I was hoping for a three or four year window of opportunity for a 996 before growing youngster became an issue. Boxster a non starter as I would use three up regularly - the family needs to enjoy the experience as well ! Understood it is based on the coupe shell rather than the cabriolet so is rigidity really an issue ? Downside is probably no occasional trackday, unlike the 968, given the eyewatering prices for first facelift cars of all 996 versions........

chap....I hear what you are saying, just make sure you test drive all three variant' s before you decide (& particularly the cab., if you do want wind in the hair it ain' t much more than a Targa) but at the end of the day it' s whatever float' s your personal boat ! With regards to Litronics, I' ve got these on my current " steed" but can' t say I would rave about them, better yes, fantastic no ! Think I would be looking for a Bose sound upgrade, a few alloy interior add on' s to lift the cabin & a sports (10mm) chassis first ! As to facelift prices, remember most OPC' s have 5-6k in the cars, I know this gives you peace of mind. But also get looking at the sunday times/top marques (mags & websites) as long as they are C16 Uk spec & still under full warranty, you can also get the car checked out at an OPC for about £150. Let us know how you get on, whichever model you choose the 996 is a great series !

My targa is now 18 months old! Great car, though I am less happy about residuals v C4S. However, that does make it a great buy secondhand. Brakes, however, are not as good as Boxster S or C4S. Glass roof no problems at all. A boon in this weather when closed and ac on.