mada

Have narrowed a search for a SC down to a few cars and could use some opionions on what to do...

First choice (in a perfect world) would be a coupe with a sound engine and a good transmission.

I have found two cars:

79 SC targa with the following upgrades:

112,000 miles (1%-2% leakdown)
<sum> !6x7 16x6 Fuchs with new Dunlops
<sum> 15x7 15x8 Fuchs with new Kumhos
<sum> Recaro SRD Matching Tan colors (have original seats good condition)
<sum> Leather racing Momo steering wheel
<sum> Leather shift ****
<sum> Removable CD Player AMFM Stereo
<sum> Fog Lights integral with air dam
<sum> Updated Carrera front head lights (h4)
<sum> Correct Carrera Tail
<sum> Front Air Dam
<sum> Turbo Tie rod ends
<sum> Stable Energy Front Tower Cross brace Bar
<sum> New Special Valved Bilsteins Shocks front and rear
<sum> Stainless Steel brake lines front and rear
<sum> Air Cleaner pop off valve
<sum> Special air induction (cone KNN air filter)
<sum> Up dated Carrera chain tensioners
<sum> SSI headers and heat exchangers
<sum> Stainless Steel Performance Exhaust
<sum> Updated oil filter screen
<sum> Updated front fender oil cooler with vented air scoop
<sum> Replace all bushings with new synthetic bushings for new car feel and handling
<sum> 22 mm Charlie Bars adjustable front and rear
<sum> Corner balanced and competition alignment
<sum> Heavy duty motor mounts
<sum> Heavy duty sway bar mounts
<sum> New clutch and cables
<sum> Rebuilt transmission with heavy duty sliders and gears
<sum> Quiaffe Limited slip differential
<sum> All synthetic gear lubes

The second car is a 79 Coupe with under 100k miles and no upgrades. It's my first color choice and the first choice of a coupe of a targa.

The dilema here is that the targa seems to have had a ton of cash dumped into the car and it's my best shot at a dependable daily driver. The coupe is my first choice of color and body style.

Prices are not too far off. I could prob. buy the targa for 13 grand and the coupe for about ten. I feel the targas show the vintage of the cars while the coupe tends to be a bit more timeless.

Sitting on the fence. What should I do? Any comments would be great, and would aid in my decision

gerry100

Mada,

If you want a coupe get a coupe. Comparing it to a car that you don't really want just because that car has been mecahnically upgraded is a false comparison.

I'd determine what upgrades/fixes the coupe will need add those costs to the price asked and decide whether the car is worth it to you. If not you may use this to negotiate with the seller.

Be patient.

RANDY P

Wow, that's a tough one. But if the coupe passes inspection, and it's the look you want then stick with the coupe. It's true that all the targa is in this case is a false savings - it's not what you want.. You'll have a lot of opportunities to upgrade down the road, plus it'll be truly your car then.

But I wouldn't mind that Targa for myself!

rjp

mada

Sound advice, though I fear the coupe will need big bucks to bring it up to par with the targa that is also available with my given budget.

The car needs a carrera tensioner upgrate, air pop-off, clutch...and some interior tlc. After all this how can I go to the owner and ask him if he''ll sell the car for asking minus all the work that needs to be done.

RANDY P

$3g's should easily cover most of that stuff you described. Just check the car over closely and pull the drain plug on the tranny to look for bits and drop valve covers for the headstuds, etc. etc. Exception being if the seats are trashed. It's big bucks to reupoholster. Good time for a seat upgrade!

M Fig

So far I have owned two Porsche's. Both were a compromise...not the exact color or body style. I regreted my decision on both and ended up selling w/in a year(both times). I am now looking for my 3rd p-car and will not make that mistake again. I am going to find the correct color and body style or I will keep looking. While the search continues, prices keep falling. Good luck with your decision. You can make a lot of changes, but converting a targa to a coupe is not one of them.

wwest

I LOVE my 78 Targa, would NEVER want a coupe of that vintage.

HarryD

Hi,

As others have stated, you need to decide what body style you want.

For me, it is a no-brainer as I like Targas. I enjoy the open top and am willing to deal with the extra weight and excess road noise.

This is why Porsche has several body styles.

adamsbomb

Just my two cents as a new porsche owner, (rought her home last night). whether porsche or any other car, I always go for a better paint and body car over mechanical, an unmolested body or damaged car is hard to come by and body lines and panel lines make or break a body. conversely, mechanical parts and upgrades can always be done, altough porsche mechanicals are a little more expensive then your run of the mill car. But in the end a good body is a good place to start, and it all evens up when you consider the cost of quality repainting. I picked up a 76 targa, converted to an 87 or so 930 body with 8 way pwr seats, a gorgous pearl white paint and a 3.2 motor installed for 8 grand. On the subject of coupes, there is a 77 upgraded to around an 86 carrera, black on black with 35k on the rebuilt motor for 7800.00 if anyone is interested it may still be available.

Bill Gregory

You need to consider your ultimate usage. If the track is in your future, you'll save money with the Targa. Otherwise, beyond the popoff (parts cost $42) and the tensioners (parts cost around $350), and maybe the clutch (normal maintenance) everything else is relevant to increased performance, and doesn't really contribute to making a more dependable daily driver ("maybe" the oil cooler too, in mid summer). BTW, synthetic plastic bushings, while a performance upgrade, tend to translate more noise into the cabin, which may be bothersome for daily driving.

If you are buying this as a daily driver and you want it to be aesthetically pleasing to you, and coupes do that for you, maybe that's the right choice. Make sure, of course, that you get a pre-purchase inspection before surrendering cash.