chris walrod

Looked at a light blue 96 targa today. How do you guys like the targa? Any regrets? Any wind noise? Are they engineered well?

I never thought I would like a targa, but I must say they look nice. What I like is they resemble a coupe closely.

Thanks,

Chris

993Widebody

Chris,

Search the archives. There is plenty of info. on the Targa. I owned one for a couple of years and overall, I liked it. However, because I wanted to do quite a few DE events a year, I opted to get a coupe.

mpm '95 C4

Spotty history due to body flex and that roof staying aligned. But, I'd agree it's the best looking of the Targies...

red targa

I bought my '96 Targa about 7 months ago. Compared it with a '96 Coupe (same colour, almost same mileage).

Here's what I dislike about the Targa so far:

- body flex, and window/glass top squeaks (sometimes this drives me crazy)
- gets hot if you live in tropical climate


Here's what I like:

- feels like you have more headroom
- open roof (you can really appreciate the engine sound much better)
- brighter interior

I hardly do any DE's, so body flex is more acceptable for me.

If I were to make the same decision again, I have to say, it will still be a toss-up though (except on a sunny spring day)

My recommendation, test drive it over some rough roads with radio off, and see if you can live with the squeaks (if any).

Good luck!

Curtis - '97 Targa

Chris,
I've had my high-mileage (71K) '97 a little over a year...put over 20K miles on it so far and have had no issue with the roof.

I get a little wind noise around the front side windows but, because I have the top open 80% of the time, it doesn't really bother me.

I added a strut brace and haven't noticed any body-flex issues but am still a novice at the 3-4 DE's I do.

For me, this car is the perfect compromise and I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.

Make sure that any car you look at has had all of the tech bulletins applied by a qualified mechanic and the squeak/rattle issues seem to be minimized.

Curtis

John H

I have had mine for nearly one year and put about 14K on it thus far. I noticed the top does become misaligned after hard days at the track (DE) and over rough roads. On good pothole will cause leaks. I have the manuals for the vehicle, but the manuals do not really seem to explain how to adjust the roof once out of alignment. I developed an issue with the shade as it is now always open. The shade jumps out of the carrier when it gets hung up on something ( I have no idea what). I have not taken it to the dealer yet as I am concerned they may have no more experience than me and I really don't want to pay for their learning on my car. Even with these issues, I love the car. There is absolutely no better car when the weather is nice, especially on a clear evening. Sliding the top back, even with the windows up, results in no buffeting but a wonderful open feeling. I owned a cab previously and would take the targa over the cab anytime. All that being said, if I ever sell, I will buy a coupe for the track and autocross events.
By the way, what was the price on the targa you were looking at if you don't mind me asking?

privates8

Chris,

Just a quick point.

While I do not have a targa, I had considered the 993 targa in the past.

The flex that everyone refers to is related to the fact that all targas(excepting the 996 targa) are actually built on the cab body structure instead of the coupe and therefore the increased body flex.

Good luck in your search for "YOUR CAR" which is out there somewhere waiting for you to find it.

Steve
'97 993tt
Rennlist member 020307-3835

esb97targa

Just a quick addition from a 1 yr. targa owner. I have noticed minimal squeaks/rattles. The open top experience is hard to beat, and the jaw dropping from passengers as I slide the top back is always fun. The body flex is the only issue, but for my purposes, it is something I can def. live with. The PO pf my car lowered the car, and I recently put a strut brace in. Overall I am very, very happy with the car!
Good Luck,
Evan <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Greg H.

I was just curious if any other Targa owners have had John's experience where one good pot hole will cause the top to leak?

Greg

Curtis - '97 Targa

I've not had any top alignment or leaking problems. I believe there were some updates that were supposed to fix this problem that were applied by the po.

Curtis

Barney

Let me emphasize the strong points of the car, as I see them, and why they made me decide in favor of the Targa:
I use my car for commuting to-and-from work and recreational touring. I have looked, but did not buy a car better suited for racing (Lotus Elise, Honda S2000, 993 coupe, 4S or 2S). I like the year-round (pseudo-) open air possibility: on cloudy, rainy days it is still very light in the car, and you can open the roof anytime, anywhere. Our climate doesn't have many warm/sunny/windless days: I considered the Boxster/S2000/Elise, but the 94% top up (very cramped) vs the 6% top down ratio (as well as other reasons), made me decide in favor of the Targa. I love the looks of the glass roof, and the Targa wheels (I like the looks of the wide bodies better, but they don't have the sliding glass roof).
I think you should look into the particular and possible weak points of the car: squeaks, rattles, operation of roof and curtain (as I mentioned on an earlier post: squeaks are less on a humid/rainy day than on a dry day), and less rigid than coupe, because of cabrio body (for the DE oriented a disadvantage). For the remainder, the car is identical to a cab/coupe. Would I buy a Targa again? If the 996 Targa has overcome the 993's possible weaknesses, that would be a very suitable candidate for replaccing my current 993 Targa.

esb97targa

Barney & anyone else interested,
The 2002 996 Targa is based on the coupe body (as opposed to 993 cab). "They" say the 996 Targa is more ridgid and has less squeaks and rattles than it's predecessor.
Evan

Greg H. I was just curious if any other Targa owners have had John's experience where one good pot hole will cause the top to leak?
Greg


P.S. I have hit some nasty potholes in NYC (unintentionally), and I have yet to experience any leaks.
Evan

red targa

Where I live, the road condition is pretty bad, so with the lowered suspension (by the previous owner), it may have been the reason for the squeaks and rattles.

I have never experienced any leaks due to going over potholes though.

I am also thinking about adding a strut bar to stiffen up the body too.

Again, there are days that I am soooo glad I have the Targa. If road conditions in your area is pretty good, and you don't intend to do DE's, then a decent Targa would be an excellent choice.

When I want comfort and peace, I drive my Lexus. When I want excitement, then it's my Targa.

KC993

Hey John,

Did you get my e-mail? Can you help?

Thanks

randyvitaha

I've had a 1996 targa for 2 years. Great car!
Yep, some squeaks on a dry day and some minor
drops of water on a wet day, but overall the
pure pleasure of this "best-of-both-worlds"
car far outweighs these little problems.
Besides, I had a 1978 targa, so this is like
pure heaven. Would I buy another? You betcha!
But it would have to be another 993, not the
new 996, just because of the great lines. The
993 style just lends itself to the targa
option better than any other Porsche.