993 Targa Purchase?

[Russj]

I'm seriously considering changing my SLK 350 for a 993 Targa and wondered if anyone could comment on wind noise with the roof open at motorway speeds.
Is it bearable? Can you hold a conversation?
My experience with large sunroofs is that they are fine when you're dawdling but become very noisy at speed. Having said that, the wind deflector is twice the size of any that I have seen so perhaps that reduces turbulence...
I know the best way is to have a test drive but that's a little difficult at the moment so would appreciate any advice.
Russ

 

[jboult]

I have 993 Targa and can offer the following observations (all from experience of my car only - so may not be representative of all Targas!).

- The seals tend to shrink and leak a little as they get old and will probably need doing at some point if they haven't already
- The front drain tubes seem to rot away, so you can end up get some very slight leaks into the cabin (particularly when parked on slopes, I find). Check the carpets and sound proofing for damp/water
- You can get some wind noise (usually a whistle at certain speeds) if the roof needs re-aligning. It will never be as quiet as a coupe roof
- The glass is very expensive to replace (and seemingly difficult to source) should you ever need to
- The blind mechanism is one of the most ridiculously complicated affairs you could imagine. Not Porsche's finest day...

All negative, right?! Actually, no. I have a very good Indy who has done a lot of work on my roof, synchronising the cables, replacing the seals, re-aligning the roof sections, etc. Not too expensive but takes a while to get right and can be frustrating. I now really like having the Targa -it gives you a great sense of space and I have the roof open a lot more than you would imagine. Wind noise at motorways speeds is not an issue. In fact, in a poorly adjusted roof that whistles, just opening the deflector will actually reduce wind noise.

They are certainly more trouble than a tin top, because there's obviously more to go wrong, so you have to decide what it is you really want. I enjoy it, but if you're going down this route make sure that the a/c works and that the blind retracts/deploys without issue. An unshaded, uncooled greenhouse is not the best place to be when the weather gets warm...

By the way, plenty of people will tell you about how the Targa is compromised, not as pure or focused, has less rigidity, etc. In the real world this makes no difference. On track? Very little difference that I've seen (unless you're actually building a race car - and like the old joke says, if that's where you're trying to get to I wouldn't start from here).

Cheers/John

 

[Cater_Racer]

Hi Russ, I did exactly that 5 years ago, traded my V6 SLK (bought new) and bought a '98 993 Targa, for my daily road car.

John's comments are spot on, I've the same experience it can whistle. If you close the roof when stationary then next time out it whistles, but open the front part (first push of the button) and close it again at 30MPH and it seals properly.

The blind is a weak spot but mine works ok, it has jumped out once and I put it back myself.

I've not had any leaks but I never put the car away wet, and I don't leave it out in elements except when I'm using it.

Don't concern yourself with all that b*lls about C2 Coupes being stiffer or more "the real thing", I had a 964 C2 once and my 993 Targa is a fantastic car, it's handling is not compromised in any way. I have been racing Porsches for a good while so I do know what I'm talking about.

Do I regret the SLK to 993 Targa change? Not for one moment, it is a brilliant car. Would I swap back.............NEVER!

HTH Gerry

 

[Russell Wheatley]

Just go to a dealer which has the car and drive it as they will be less restrictive than a private seller. Also it works as a benchmark as the dealer cleans up their cars. There is a third suggestion... buy a 993 (targa or coupe) and another cheaper convertible like an Elise or a Mazda MX-5... then you have the best of both worlds!

 

[Russj]

Thanks for the heads-up guys - very encouraging!
I think the next step is to have a test drive and see if the Boss likes it.
She prefers a cabrio but is very reluctant to go back to a soft top after the SLK.
Having said that, she really liked the new Boxster but they're still a bit beyond my pocket at the moment.

One other question - tiptronic or manual?
I prefer an automatic as I have a gammy knee but does it completely ruin the performance?
The SLK has a seven speed auto so is reasonably responsive but the Porsche box is an earlier generation.

Russ

 

[Dylan1]

The tip on a 993 is only 4 spd so def not up to the slk or a new pdk boxster . Personally I don't think a 993 tip is the way to go - a manual suits it much better in my opinion

 

[stuart tanner]

Hi russ

I had a 993 tip targa for a good 8 + years, I loved the car but recently sold it. Think this was due to a day out & seeing a lot of gt3s & thought fancied a change hence purchased a mark 1 996 gt3.

Think eventually if the truth told I found the tiptronic gear box rather borring, it seemed like a very lazy box. I think with a newer car like your SLK you maybe a little disappointed. If I were you, think I would buy a 6 speed manual 993, think will make the car and feel more sportier. I believe this is the main reason why I changed mind. The difference between the two cars is chalk and cheese.

I never had any problems with mine, the roof was always perfect in every way & never failed me but car was always mainly garaged etc. I found you could easily speak to each other with roof down also and was never a problem.

Like earlier posts said I think you need to try both manual & tip cars and see what you think.

Best of luck. Ps. Noticed quite afew on pistonheads earlier for sale, think a good one would always be a safe place to put your money for depreciation free motoring...

Stuart

 

[tykes]

I have owned my 1996 993 Targa for about 5 years now and have never had any problems with the roof. The car has mostly been serviced by an OPC and more recently by Steve Bull and I always get them to lubricate the roof mechanism and as a result it has been trouble free. Even the shade works properly and it doesn't leak.
I hardly ever drive mine with the roof closed and to my mind the wind noise at speed is perfectly acceptable, no doubt thanks to the deflector.
I had never experienced any whistling until I had the front screen replaced as it was damaged and I now get a slight whistle at about 50-60mph. It disappears if I raise the deflector. The whistle has been traced to a badly fitted screen which, according to a dealer, is about 1.0mm too high so I have to have the screen out again and refitted which is a real pain but will be done at the next service.

As for rigidity, I have had several coupes and cabriolets from early Carreras to 964's and 996's, and can honestly say that the Targa feels more like a coupe. I recently fit new suspension components M030(?) and it feels very taut and handles very well.

I am naturally biased but I think they are a great compromise and I love open top feel.

Richard