Targas

sawood12 · Aug 18, 2005

Spotted a very nice looking 993 Targa today at a local Porche specialist with a manual gearbox, which i'm lead to believe is rare, and it looked the business. Didn't ask prices or anything (not even sure if it was for sale) but it's got me thinking about advancing my 993 plans. I think I actually prefer the shape of the Targa to the coupe as it seems to have a smoother and cleaner roofline (no gutter seams) but was wondering if Targas are just a 993 convertable chassis with the glass roof fitted or are the roofs integral part of the car's structure as with a coupe? i.e. to Targas suffer from skuttle shake?
I realise they are a bit heavier with the coupe's but how do they compare performance-wise?

Thanks in advance for opinions/advice.

TRW40 · Aug 19, 2005

Scott

Like you, I was particulalry taken with the Targa's appearance and I reached the conclusion that it achieved the ideal balance (for me) between the open air motoring of the cabriolet and the more purposeful coupe. I cannot offer too much technical knowledge (I just love the look of it and enjoy driving it!) but I do think the car is basically a cabriolet with two bars either bolted or welded front and rear, between which sits the targa roof arrangement. I drove the coupe before buying mine and cannot say that I felt the performance or the handling felt any different, although I suspect the Targa does flex a little more. I would not have bought mine if I felt the car handled very differently as I am a keen driver, hence my choice of a manual gearbox too. I have not driven the cabriolet because that was never an option for me - it was one step too far away from the coupe as far as I was concerned. I think the main differences between the two (apart from appearance) are the atmosphere in the car (it feels less claustrophic than the coupe, a point I was concerned about as I wanted my children, who often ride in the back, to have an more enjoyable ride) and the sheer delight of having the roof open and listening to the engine (I have taken a couple of long drives this summer and I find it difficult to beat on a warm summers evening, particularly after dark for some reason). The down side is that you do get more roof noise (not significant in my experience) and the odd little rattle from time to time (I have not investigated but possibly the guides in the roof channels). I seem to be able to eliminate this by opening or closing the roof slightly but if you are one of those individuals who is driven mad by little noises you may need to think again. I am delighted with my targa, so much so I wouldn't swap mine for a coupe ..... unless it was a turbo!! Hope that helps.

Tim

Guest · Aug 19, 2005

Scott, I've had a 993 Targa for about 10 weeks now & would echo TRW40's sentiments 100%. Initially I was looking for coupe & I had the targa down as a 'maybe' but upon seeing one up close & driving one I knew that I targa was my preference.
Yes the targa is based on the cabrio shell as previously mentioned, so will be a little more flexible, but as I'm never going to take my car on a track I'm more than willing to sacrifice a bit of rigidity for the benefits & looks of a targa.
As pointed out there's very little buffeting with the roof open, not an excessive amount of wind noise & it still has a very airy feeling with the roof closed.
I think you'd be crackers to dismiss a targa because it's not as stiff as a coupe unless your heavily into track days.

Sundeep · Aug 19, 2005

aye.. although some of us are into our track days [

]

it is on the cab's chassis, although Porsche learned from this and have the 996 Targa on the coupe's chassis

flex / skuttle is nothing like in a cab, it is almost coupe like, but add a strut brace and the car is very much more focused (and a short shifter as well! yes really does help!) although the odd skuttle does remind you of its basis chassis

performance wise, although they weight a few kg's more there is very little in it, if at all, they are all RWD and as quick as any other std 993..

handles very much like a 993 and fine on every track day I have been on, even on the Nurburgring, mine is a manual

downside is wind noise, which is just a fact of the roof, but again nothing like the cab, so actually very quiet in that respect but again no coupe.... otherwise the added headroom and extra light is a real bonus.. drive a Targa with the roof down on a warm autumn eveining which is where it takes the 993 to a whole new level...

as it has been said, I also won't change my Targa expect for a Turbo 4 [

]

Graham-S · Aug 24, 2005

Scott

I had a 1982 911 Targa SC before. It was great. Decided to change & was looking at Cabs until I saw the 993 Targa. Once I sat in it that was it. Nothing other than a Targa would do. I have had my Targa since October Last Year. Its heaven being able to open/close the roof when you want rather than having to get out & put the roof back in. It's great on a sunny day listening to the engine & being able to look around you. Its like being in a green house. You get a tan from above & no wind. You don't get hardly any wind noise when driving even at high speeds. I find there is a little whistle when the roof flap is closed mainly if the roof has been open for days (sat in the garage in the week) but other than that it's ok. Probably the seal. Do make sure that the roof is lined up correctly & doesn't leek. Hose Pipe test works well. Very costly if the roof goes wrong. Mine is a manual & I don't find any problems round the county lanes. The odd scuttle but it's a Porsche!
Hope you get it if it's a good one. They only built them for 2 years I think.
Happy Hunting

Graham

sawood12 · Aug 24, 2005

Unfortunately it wasn't even for sale, it was just a customers car that was in for a few minor jobs, but it's certainly got me thinking! Will be keeping my eye open for one when I decide to take the plunge.

stuart tanner · Aug 24, 2005

After some advice, have a 96 targa, was wandering do you know if its possible to get some new allen screws bolts for the split rim wheels. Mine are slightly marked and would like to either get mine re-painted or just new ones. OPC said only thing to do was to get whole wheels refurbished which i thought was abit extreme as wheels are perfect!!!! Anybody know anything....

38F3E1 · Oct 4, 2005

IMHO I don't think Targa's are holding their values anymore than other late 993s (1996 model onwards with low miles - 40ishK or less). Also the Targa selling season is much shorter so values peak in the spring (you have picked a good time to buy).

In the long term I see Coupes (narrow and widebody) and Targas all settling at about the same value where price will depend on condition, colour and manual vs tiptronic.

Ian.

stephen belcher · Oct 4, 2005

Thanks guys
Your quite right its horses for courses and Porsche have catered for all tastes. i've heard the tales of squeaks and leaks of targas and hope i've done my homework on the one i'm buying. as for the tip it will be the first car i've had with it, i'ii let you know how I get on . but I still love the concept of the targa
regards
Steve B