Targa??
- Thread starter t11ner
- Start date
Steve
I drove the coupe and targa before going for the Targa. There are of course pros and cons but the former outweighed the latter for me.
The cabin feels less claustrophobic than the coupe and is a more pleasant environment as far as I am concerned, particularly for my children who sometimes sit in the back seats. It also has that extra dimension of open top motoring (not as much as the cabrio of course) but my most enjoyable trips have been during summers evenings with the roof open. I like the look of the car (you don't see that many around and it looks a little different). The roof has a sun blind which operates electrically but I rarely close it as it I prefer the sky view. The glass roof operates at the touch of a button and I have not had any problems with it. I think the old targas were well known for water leaks but the 993 has a clever internal channel so that if any water breaks the seal it is carried away through the rear of the car.
The only disadvantage for me is an occasional clicking/rattle from the roof when it is closed - I think there must be some clips/guides for the sun blind or such like which make a noise from the time to time. I have not really investigated it because I only notice it occasionally but if you are the type of person who is easily irritated by little noises then you would need to investigate this aspect further if it is a common issue. I have seen comments regarding wind noise and a slight loss of handling precision but I have to say that neither of those aspects have troubled me.
I have the manual version, which was an important factor for me, and although there was a suggestion that manual targas were in short supply I have seen quite a few around and I seem to recall that the data elsewhere on this site showing the number of 993's produced confirms that a reasonable number of manuals were built.
I hope that helps.
Tim
I drove the coupe and targa before going for the Targa. There are of course pros and cons but the former outweighed the latter for me.
The cabin feels less claustrophobic than the coupe and is a more pleasant environment as far as I am concerned, particularly for my children who sometimes sit in the back seats. It also has that extra dimension of open top motoring (not as much as the cabrio of course) but my most enjoyable trips have been during summers evenings with the roof open. I like the look of the car (you don't see that many around and it looks a little different). The roof has a sun blind which operates electrically but I rarely close it as it I prefer the sky view. The glass roof operates at the touch of a button and I have not had any problems with it. I think the old targas were well known for water leaks but the 993 has a clever internal channel so that if any water breaks the seal it is carried away through the rear of the car.
The only disadvantage for me is an occasional clicking/rattle from the roof when it is closed - I think there must be some clips/guides for the sun blind or such like which make a noise from the time to time. I have not really investigated it because I only notice it occasionally but if you are the type of person who is easily irritated by little noises then you would need to investigate this aspect further if it is a common issue. I have seen comments regarding wind noise and a slight loss of handling precision but I have to say that neither of those aspects have troubled me.
I have the manual version, which was an important factor for me, and although there was a suggestion that manual targas were in short supply I have seen quite a few around and I seem to recall that the data elsewhere on this site showing the number of 993's produced confirms that a reasonable number of manuals were built.
I hope that helps.
Tim
aye... keep then on 17's as they ride better
as for the roof, very few have problems and they are expensive to fix... glass top is glued in place so if it has to come off, then it needs to be cut out, so a simple cable problem can be a major headache.... but few reported problems.........
othewise wind noises are an easy fix....... but as the early cars are now hitting their 10th birthday.. mine is next week !! the real long term issues is only just starting !
never thought I would ever have an open top car, but I certainly love my Targa..... not bad for a 911
as for the roof, very few have problems and they are expensive to fix... glass top is glued in place so if it has to come off, then it needs to be cut out, so a simple cable problem can be a major headache.... but few reported problems.........
othewise wind noises are an easy fix....... but as the early cars are now hitting their 10th birthday.. mine is next week !! the real long term issues is only just starting !
never thought I would ever have an open top car, but I certainly love my Targa..... not bad for a 911
melsomp
New member
I've had my Targa for nearly a year, had no problems during that time. One tip I was given was not to retract the glass roof when parked on uneven ground, the body flex can cause it to come off the runners apparently. I love the Targa roof, with the wind deflector in position there is minimal cabin wind (no uncouth comments please!). However when the roof is fully retracted, it does make rearward visibility via the rearview mirror a bit murky.
Guest
New member
Had my Targa for 5 months now. Have to agree with the comment about it being much less claustrophobic than the Coupe, I never have the blind closed and love the feeling of being in the open even with the roof shut!
No part of the mechanism rattles, although I think the wind noise at (high) speed is worse than the Coupe.
If it is less rigid than the Coupe as Maurice says then you must be chucking the thing around like hell to notice it, I certainly never have (mind you, the last 5 months haven't exactly been chucking weather!). Speaking of the weather, it's never leaked a drop.
I looked at LOADS of Coupes, Cabs and Targas before buying mine and I couldn't be happier with it.
No part of the mechanism rattles, although I think the wind noise at (high) speed is worse than the Coupe.
If it is less rigid than the Coupe as Maurice says then you must be chucking the thing around like hell to notice it, I certainly never have (mind you, the last 5 months haven't exactly been chucking weather!). Speaking of the weather, it's never leaked a drop.
I looked at LOADS of Coupes, Cabs and Targas before buying mine and I couldn't be happier with it.
Guest
New member
I'd echo all the comments above. I've had my Targa for 10 months now and it's been a joy to own. The glass roof really gives the cabin an open feeling (even closed). I only ever close the sunblind when the car's parked up to keep the leather a bit cooler.
I don't get (m)any rattles from mine, the odd creak now and again and I really don't notice that much wind noise - I can cruise happily at 70 with the roof open and still hold a conversation without shouting.
As others have said a Targa isn't as rigid as a coupe but unless you're going to flog the car's nuts off then I don't think this should be a problem. A strut brace should help anyway. As Maurice has stated 18" wheels aren't approved so you need to be happy with the look of the 17" split rims.
I'd originally planned to buy a coupe and a targa was only a possability, but after seeing one in the metal/glass, I really fell for the concept.
I'd highly recommend you view/drive one as well as a coupe.
Happy car hunting.
I don't get (m)any rattles from mine, the odd creak now and again and I really don't notice that much wind noise - I can cruise happily at 70 with the roof open and still hold a conversation without shouting.
As others have said a Targa isn't as rigid as a coupe but unless you're going to flog the car's nuts off then I don't think this should be a problem. A strut brace should help anyway. As Maurice has stated 18" wheels aren't approved so you need to be happy with the look of the 17" split rims.
I'd originally planned to buy a coupe and a targa was only a possability, but after seeing one in the metal/glass, I really fell for the concept.
I'd highly recommend you view/drive one as well as a coupe.
Happy car hunting.
I'd echo all the above comments- I love the feel of the targa open or closed, the roof gives an extra dimension which makes just pootling about with the missus and little 'un just as much fun as a maximum attack scoot around the block. It looks different too, having a style all of its own.
Interesting comment about not operating the roof when parked on uneven ground- I also try to avoid operating the sliding roof when driving along a rough road, or at high speeds- the air pressure must put a lot of extra load on the mechanism...
It is probably fair to say that a later one will have some of the bugs in the roof system ironed out (i.e. rattles) but my early car seems to have been upgraded with some mods, such as foam pads inside the roof rails- maybe this was done on a case by case basis by dealers at the time.
Interesting comment about not operating the roof when parked on uneven ground- I also try to avoid operating the sliding roof when driving along a rough road, or at high speeds- the air pressure must put a lot of extra load on the mechanism...
It is probably fair to say that a later one will have some of the bugs in the roof system ironed out (i.e. rattles) but my early car seems to have been upgraded with some mods, such as foam pads inside the roof rails- maybe this was done on a case by case basis by dealers at the time.
Gordon Attar
New member
I was looking for a Targa for all the reasons mentioned, ended up with a LHD 993 Turbo for same money.
Just one thing make sure you test all the buttons and everything works and very carefully check where the Targa glass work joins any of the metal work as there has been a very few problems with rust issues and the OPC saying they are not covered by the 10 year warranty as the Targa is not part of the bodywork!!! do a search on Rennlist, pistonheads for more info.
ps there is a cheap Tip at Northways for sale £26,995
Just one thing make sure you test all the buttons and everything works and very carefully check where the Targa glass work joins any of the metal work as there has been a very few problems with rust issues and the OPC saying they are not covered by the 10 year warranty as the Targa is not part of the bodywork!!! do a search on Rennlist, pistonheads for more info.
ps there is a cheap Tip at Northways for sale £26,995
Those split rims that targa's come with I don't believe (someone please correct me) are true split rims and are infact an extra rim of metal with lots of bolts through ,just to add to that unsprung weight.[
] Mind you could always stick with 17" and put some nice and light "Cups" on. The above observation is based on the ones I've got lying about in the garage so they maybe copies although it does say speedlines on them whom I understand made the originals.
] Mind you could always stick with 17" and put some nice and light "Cups" on. The above observation is based on the ones I've got lying about in the garage so they maybe copies although it does say speedlines on them whom I understand made the originals.They were, if memory serves, on the top of the rear quarter windows, one at the lower end (i.e. rear of the car) and one toward the top. Not quite sure what they do, but my roof is fairly rattle and creak free, considering it is a Jan '96 car.
There is also a felt strip along the back of the parcel shelf, where it meets the rear screen which again was a slightly later mod.
I have also found that cleaning the rubber seal at the front of the roof (i.e. where the front glass flap meets it) and then applying some good old Zymol Concours wax stops the creaks from that area.
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