From Targa to Turbo

[Mark.Lines]

Anyone gone from 993 Targa to Turbo?

I have a 98 Targa and it's beautiful, and am, at the point of swopping it to an earlier but also beautiful Turbo.
I don't want to trade a great owning experience for a bad one and not necessarily swop agility for power, so if any one has done this move can you let me know the Good , bad, and ugly. I've driven a handful so I know they feel completely different. The question is...Is this itch worth scratching?

Both have aprox 60k on the clock both 2/3 owner cars both full Porsche history. I know the Turbo's worth more but is it worth twice as much?

Any thoughts would be welcome.

 

[Porker993]

It's a question I've been asking myself for the last 7 years. So far, I have found the answer to be "no". The price difference is too great, and seems to be widening. Those few TTs on the market seem to attract mad prices. I suppose it's down to supply and demand.

 

[Mark.Lines]

Well I've done it.

I'll draw some conclusions as the miles go on but so far it's a completely different car.

 

[Mark.Lines]

Ah...

we'll I never really tell. But I've been Piggy a pretty long time, way before the porkers arrived.

What can I say, It's on my business card. As I say to the clients, if you're going to have a stupid name you better be good at what you do.

Oink

 

[cobalt911]

Is that a Polar Silver one??

I have to admit the TT is the one car I would trade my immaculate C4S in for. Thing is, I think it is only a speed thing for me and little else! I am getting a little tired of being 'burnt up' by 530D's! Would be really interested to hear from you Mark on the differences and how much extra shove you feel after the normally aspirated engine....keep us posted!

Mark (H)

 

[dparslow]

Having gone from a 993C2 varioram to the 993tt 4 years ago, I find there is no comparison. The tt is a totally different drive, much lighter and easier to drive, smoother, quieter and generally more refined. The extra power and torque enables you to do everything you can in a N/A car without the need to go beyond 4k rpm. If you feel the need to use the full 6k rpm they are really ballistic! I really like the mid range torque as it allows effortless overtakes where you would be dropping a couple of gears in N/A car.

There are some dyno plots somewhere on the forum from when the 993 register went to 9M at Warrington, these really highlight the difference.

 

[jmw74]

How do you think the residual values of the Targa and the Turbo compare? Obviously the TT will be about twice the price - but do you think it will be able to sustain those values in the future? I suspect it's easier for a Targa to still be worth 25k in 5 years time, but will a TT still be worth 50?

I'm thinking of making the same upgrade, so would be interested to hear your thoughts Mark. Alternative to 993 TT is a 997 CS. I'm tempted by the extra comfort and reliability of the 997s, but I just know I'd regret leaving the 993 family and I'd be jealous when passing another 993 on the road...

John

 

[Mark.Lines]

Well I'm three months in now and I've worked it out.

The Turbo is the best wet day 993 you can buy

It's broader stance defines the way it drives, it doesn't so much grip the road as plough it's own furrow.
Brilliantly quick but also very tame in traffic. There is a sense of occasion that I don't think the Targa can match although I think the shape of the glass roofed car is near perfection. The gear box and assisted clutch make shifts easy although at low speed it can feel like a bit on-off-on. I have to say having driven about half a dozen now and I think I got a great one, I've driven some that were sloppy at the front end.

The truth is the Targa was the more involving drive. having had it on track it just flowed. Light on it's toes and made me feel like a hero when I got it right. The Turbo makes me feel like a larger swilling slob...Drop the hammer!!!!


The Targa makes the best dry day 993

The Targa is a beautiful GT, The ride and the atmosphere just seem to inspire the sun to shine. Honestly I miss my Targa, I looked at loads and she was a beauty... my wife hates me for selling it. But she creaked and leaked when the rain poured really hard. I always felt that the cabriolet is just too showy for me. the 911 shape just seems to need a roof to make the shape complete.

Would I swap the Turbo for her? Not right now, it's too good, a real super car, okay, it's not involving enough at road speeds but to look at it is to soak up a modern classic, A brutal beauty. I'll stick and hope that the book price goes the right way.

The only answer I think then is a pair of cars. One for the sun and one for Britain.

 

[davidcross]

I've thought about selling my 997 2s to buy a 993 tt but having worn the biggest part of the depreciation so far I'm nervous I'll end up getting hit on the spread again. Whilst I appreciate the 997 isnt yet a sort after classic I'm not convinced 993 prices can continue to out strip the 997 which is itself a brilliant car. Anyone got an further views on how these prices will react in time I'd b very intrigued to hear them. Cheers

 

[davidcross]

Just notived there actually seems a few 993 TT"S appearing back on the market again

 

[Mark.Lines]

Yep,

I battled with the 997 vs 993 choice, and drove a great 997S, as a daily driver is was brilliant. Just think they're making lots of them and that air cooled will always pull in a certain audience. The smaller production run should help the 993 tt hold it's value. In the end it was actually the 993's rawer, less developed, driver appeal that helped me decide.

It's just horses for tracks

 

[davidcross]

How many miles do u do per year? Im thinking that wud be a crucial factor in determining doing the swap over. Only thing im not keen on with the 993 TT is the rear fixed spoiler but i guess all other bits of the car more than make up for that. I just dont want to change and then massively regret it as the 997 i have im really impressed with and its uber reliable. Also i havnt the concern that the turbo cud blow and cost me an arm and a leg plus my service costs are 2yrs as opposed to each year and the added maintenance on an older car etc etc

 

[Mark.Lines]

I'm only doing about 4000 a year, it's a Sunday special. And to be honest, as I said, the 997 is brilliant, in terms of equipment the 997 is in a different league. If I was driving it every day I'd stick with what you've got. If you want something with a bit more stand out and a more involved drive then the tt could be for you.

I've put a pretty comprehensive warranty on the car so if it does stop blowing I should be covered.
I had a Peter Morgan inspection on the car, and their feeling was that whilst the 993s are top money, my investment was pretty safe. What ever happens the tail off in depreciation should make any shift less dramatic than the newer car. But hey who can know for sure. If you do make the move I would certainly recommend giving him a call. The report was excellent.

 

[FLAT-SIXY]

ORIGINAL: davidcross

Only thing im not keen on with the 993 TT is the rear fixed spoiler

Thats the best feature. []