porsche951

Growing up in the 60's and 70's I always loved 911's but HATED Targa's. The old style original Targa with the removable panel I thought absolutely ruined the 911's beautiful lines. Not to mention most of them leaked like sieves. When I went shopping for a 996 last spring I have to plead ignorance as I was completely unaware that Porsche had re-engineered the Targa and was now using a retractable glass panel. In my case I wasn't looking for a Targa but the 2002 Targa my local dealer had on his lot was the best looking 996 he had in stock. Mine doesn't squeak much and I wasn't put off by the additional 150 lbs it adds. Looking back on it I'm really glad I went with the Targa, both for the added practicality of the rear opening hatch and also for the exclusivity of know that less than 10% of all 911's produced were Targa's.

ttgroove

Here is mine. PO put on a turbo bumper with those nipples....argh!....removing those will be my next project.

Roof on mine squeaks quite a bit but I do not mind too much since I mostly take it out only on sunny days with roof open. Going in, I wanted a convertible, but somehow I was not crazy about the lines of cabriolet. It so happened that the one I really liked was this targa, I think it was a good compromise.

I do however have a mixed feeling of its look from the back. It reminds me of a Pacer.

ttgroove

Pacer v.s. Targa

jdogden

Lets have the Targa owners keep this page active and post your pictures. I loved the 1969 911E Targa I bought in 1971 and had to sell in 1973 to get married. I bought and drove only German cars while raising 5 kids and after 34 years and retiring from Kodak, I searched for 1 year for a 996 Targa that was unique. Found this '03 beauty in 2007 (the year the 997 Targa 4 and 4S was introduced). I was not interested in the 4 wheel drive.

Some complain about noise in the top but this is not a hard top and proper maintenance and lub will minimize the situation. I have not driven a cabriolet but would bet they are significantly more noisy.

I enjoy going to PCA events and there can be a hundred 996 and 997 cars and mine, the only Targa.

I will include a picture of the interior that my 911E had. I have never seen another and would not trade my wife to have it back but I sure do wish I still had it.

Rear flat six history:
2003 Targa Full Boxter Red Leather, M-30 Sport Suspension, Sport Exhaust, Short Shifter, Carrera 18" Wheels, Bose...
1969 911E
1966 911 early with Solex
1966 Corvair Corsa Just think what Chevrolet could have done with this without the Camaro!

jdogden

Attached Pics:

porsche951

Love that Boxster red leather interior, adds some pop.

CJWessing

Subscribed! Here's mine...

targa996

I went to rennsport reunion in Monterey a couple of years ago - mine was the only targa in a sea of hundreds of 996/997's in the corral .... Nice

porsche951

Is the 10% figure I've heard of how many 996's were Targas accurate?

The Build Guide for a 2002 shows a base Carrera at $67,900 and a base Targa at $75,200. My math shows a $7,300 premium for a Targa roof if that's accurate. I know the 2014 Targa roof commands something like $14,000.

DTMiller

I have an 02 Targa guards red. Love the open roof feeling. Don't get the comparison above.

1 PGH 1

Targa = +1
Here's mine

kgoertz

Targa += 1

I don't regret buying the targa for a second. It is definitely a unique look and I have the roof open for ~80% of the time that I drive it. And was fun loading the kids in the back through the roof when they were little :-)

ttgroove

Whoa, I did not think of that. I am going to try it this weekend.

heligear

Not the only one, I drove from B.C. for Rennsport

keithrobinson

Love the ride height of yours, what suspension are you running?

Keith