garrett376

Today I drove my friend's brand new 997 Targa 4S that had only 52 miles on it (now has 70 or so)! I don't know what's wrong with me, but if I had the choice between the 997 or my C4 Turbo-Look, I'd take my C4TL!!!

Although it is sure fun to push a button to make the exhaust note louder, or push a button to stiffen the shocks - for both of those changes I need to climb under the car to either turn the dials on the shocks or remove/reinstall the primary muffler!!!

dfinnegan

Maybe after the 997 is broken in and you can push it a bit you might have a different feeling about the car. I suspect the raw feel of the 964 could still pull you back, but I can't imagine you were able to give that 997 a proper run.

garrett376

Yes Dave - had to stay under 4500 RPM. But the look over the front hood is nicer in a 964 with it's more pronounced headlights, and the engine sound is my favorite in the 964, too. After he's put on 150 miles he said he'd come back and let me check it out

aeroman

I like the headlights on the 997. Not the placement, just the look of the bulbs themselves. wish they made them like that for my 964.

kurquhart

I have one of each, and it is hard to believe how similar they are when viewed as a whole, when almost every detail has been changed. The 997 is definitely more civilized, but they both bring a smile to my face, every drive.

seaeagle

this a good thread. I have had my eye on the 997 targa 4s as well. The electric targa roof being the main attraction as opposed to my manual roof.

Am very interested in your comparative thought of the two vehicles.

garrett376

The electric roof is pretty sweet - like a giant sunroof! It does block some rear vision when it's retracted because that screen cover. The car has all sorts of neat features: blinker that blinks 3 times with just one touch of the stalk (for changing lanes); sport suspension button that makes the ride really quite rough on rough roads; an ignition lock that kind of sucks the key up... oh... and that hatchback!!! That is one cool idea, if not just to easily clean the inside of the window!

garrett376

It's odd, his paint color called "Nordic Gold" is not an available color on the website! I was trying to build the car to make a better looking picture!


here's a pic from Porsche NA's website:

DustinTarditi

I really like that after all these years, the 911 has finally realised its original design parameter to have a rear lifting window (Targa only - for now anyway).

Red rooster

I always think these late cars have got so big ! That neat , maybe chaotic , old time feel has gone . I just dont care what anyone has to say about the 964/993 dash layout .
Makes me start to look at what other water cooled ,medium size sports cars are available ! I even found myself looking with some interest at a 350Z the other day ! Japanese reliability /service costs would weigh pretty heavy for me.

That makes me even more determined to keep playing with the 964 .I just cant think of it as yet another consumable !

Geoff

seaeagle

any car that's focus on oil in the guages is so intense (temp,pressure,level), that has dry sump lubrication, oil lines down the side,is air cooled, engine in the back, off set pedals,handles and brakes as it does in stock condition, and makes that famous flat six sound, etc., etc, all after 16 years !, will never be another consumable!

Now down here a new 997 targa 4S is 5 and a bit times the price of my 90 C4 targa. With depreciation running at say 15% per year, horrendous insurance, one has to ask- how much better is it really? If money ws no object I would have both so there could be a regular comparison.But that is not an option.

But a close friend ( who has a modern and mighty fine, quick and nimble john cooper works mini- but is unfamilair woth Porsches) said to me as we went for a spin in the 16 year old 964 "if you ever think of selling this car give yourself an uppercut, and if you still have to do it, call me- you can't let this car go".

I still get compliments on the car today, from complete strangers.I don't know many cars that old that still command attention.And mine is basically stock (apart from the bigger wheels, new steering wheel and a loud exhaust)

i wonder what they will say about the 997 targa 4s in 16 years?

But time moves on, and depsite these great traits, there is no denying the new 997 targa 4S has stronger peformance, more mod cons, and a great compromise re the electric roof (granted the 993 had this system as well but I am told they had some reliability issues early).

It would be a tough decision if I ever got my head around the entry price for the 997 Targa 4S.