Edward

Hi Eddy,

Two different animals! I don't know if you've ever owned a cab before but they are a love/hate thing. As you are in Orange Co, you will have many, many gorgeous days to enjoy a cab. IMHO, the quasi-open feeling of a Targa can, in no way, compare to the swirling, open air that rushes around you in true cab splendor. For me, this was the next best thng to riding my motorcycle when I didn't feel like riding the motorcycle. The experience is priceless. Well, nearly. The cost of owning a convertable is obvious: mechanicals (do a search on cable/motor issues), replacement (you KNOW it's going to happen), vandals, weathering --all of which points to COST!

Judging from your post, this will be a "pleasure ride" and not a daily driver so the wear-and-tear on the top may be less of an issue, giving you more time to enjoy it. But if you're not sure how often you're actually going to lower the top, perhaps you should live with a drop-top for a while (rent a convertable for a week ? ) to see if the price of admission is worth it for you. That said, I love convertables, but you've got to decide what you will be more comfortable with for the long haul.

Edward

okindao

Being a cab owner I am partial.... one thing not mentioned is if you want to do any Drivers Ed events most PCa sponsored events and many tracks will require a roll bar in a cab..in my opinion having had probelms with cables and cab top; each choice has potential mechanical problems...but there is nothing to me like driving on a beautiful day with the top down...it only takes me two minutes to put on the boot and yes there is more wind noise with the top up but I always wanted a true sports car that was a convertible ..the cab does it for me....

Jay Gratton

I am a big fan of Cabs just because I can't think of anything better then finding a great back road and putting the top down and bombing down it. However, the Targa is more user friendly I think. There are no blind spots that you have to worry about. Also, replacing a Cab top is no cheap purchase! Best wishes - Jay Gratton

fbfisher

As I see it, every choice regarding a P-car has an upside and a down side. Each of us has to weigh them before pulling the trigger. Coupe/Cab/Targa/6 speed or Tip/turbo of NA/ narrow or wide. There are advantages and implications with each choice.

For me, a Cab was what I wanted and a Cab was what I bought.

The cab top issues are a non-issue, especially last Saturday when I drove down the coast to Santa Barbara for lunch and then on the way back took "the long way home" through the canyons to Ojai and Santa Paula.

Wonder if any members of Supertramp had a Porsche? But I digress...

The only thing that can make the ear to ear grin that comes with driving a Porsche bigger, is doing it with the top down on a bright blue day in So Cal!

Targas are really nice, but as had been said before, not the same as a Cab - and for you, you get to decide if the upside is worth implications.

MrCanuck

Do you remember the movie animal house when belushi and other were chanting "toga! toga! toga!" I tweak it to be" targa! targa! targa!"

RMEllis asked about differences between the 96/97 and 98 Targa.. I didn't see a response but also would like to know what change (if any) was made.

Targa! Targa! Targa!

Chris W. - '96 Targa

Agreed!

I'm not aware of any significant differences between the 96/7 and the 98, but could easily just not know. There were small changes from '96 to '97, however, with the switch to the chip-able ECU and the addition of a wiring harness connector to disable the passenger seat airbag when placing a child seat up front.



-Chris

RMEllis

I have a book called "Porsche 911 Buyer's Guide" by Randy Leffingwell. He says "additional body reinforcement eliminates risk of glass roof jamming a problem from 1996." That is the only reference I have seen of it but I am going to keep looking. I thought if I could find more information it would be here.