993 targa do we like ?
Discussion
Its not the best looking 993, and the correct wheels that came with it were nasty. But if the targa floats your boat then I'd just check for the usual (door check straps, full history, HPI it etc), and most importantly check the roof function a few time...maybe even try and check that its all watertight (taking it out in the rain may be a good idea!), but I guess this depends on how amicable the seller is.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Pros and cons vary depending on why you wish to buy a 911.
Making a huge assumption on the research you have done to date;
A targa starts off life as a coupe;
A convertible starts off life as a coupe;
they both have the roof cut-off;
they both have various bits of metal welded-in low-down to make up for the lack of roof.
The one destined to be a targa gets a roof put back on; most of this is glass.
Pros: more light, air (when open), and potentially water (when closed) gets into the cabin.
Cons: the chassis is not how God intended. If you have no real interest in such things, this clearly is not a 'con'.
Making a huge assumption on the research you have done to date;
A targa starts off life as a coupe;
A convertible starts off life as a coupe;
they both have the roof cut-off;
they both have various bits of metal welded-in low-down to make up for the lack of roof.
The one destined to be a targa gets a roof put back on; most of this is glass.
Pros: more light, air (when open), and potentially water (when closed) gets into the cabin.
Cons: the chassis is not how God intended. If you have no real interest in such things, this clearly is not a 'con'.
Hi there Easter. I've got a 993 targa and a 3.2 coupe (ok not a 993 but the uberdaddy of them all) and think they are both excellent for what they are built for. Coupe, yes, tighter chassis, feels held together like the earth itself, take it on a track, thrash it about town, it will tick all the boxes, however;
The targra has been my weapon of choice for the last year, still blistering performance, comfort and the most excellent roof system devised by man. I drive everyday with the roof down and even at motorway speed still can close the big hole (so more practical than the convertible) if the sky starts to open. Make sure you buy a good one though, all the normal 993 checks, mess about with the roof and blind system a bit, check AC and of course a good history is important, overall a great package. (even the wheels....!)
My vote go for it!!!
The targra has been my weapon of choice for the last year, still blistering performance, comfort and the most excellent roof system devised by man. I drive everyday with the roof down and even at motorway speed still can close the big hole (so more practical than the convertible) if the sky starts to open. Make sure you buy a good one though, all the normal 993 checks, mess about with the roof and blind system a bit, check AC and of course a good history is important, overall a great package. (even the wheels....!)
My vote go for it!!!
I had wanted a 993 for years and years. I hate the make-shift look of the 993 cabriolet (it looks like someone has taken a tin opener to the coupe and slapped a canvas tent on the top) but my previous 3 cars had been soft-tops and I wanted to preserve at least a vestige of wind-in-your-hair driving.
The Targa was a great compromise for me. I'm not the world's greatest driver so I was never going to notice the chassis compromises compared with the coupe. I managed to buy one with a roof that was water-tight and only squeaked on very rough roads, so no real compromise in that respect.
I wasn't a huge fan of the OEM 17" Targa wheels but didn't hate them either. I loved the airy feel of the cabin compared with the coupe. It is certainly subjective.
FWIW, I didn't really have any problem selling it. Advertising it only in the PH classifieds, the first guy to come and see it bought it - for £125 less than I had paid for it 18 months previously. There's certainly a market out there for them, especially if they're lower mileage and have been looked after.
The Targa was a great compromise for me. I'm not the world's greatest driver so I was never going to notice the chassis compromises compared with the coupe. I managed to buy one with a roof that was water-tight and only squeaked on very rough roads, so no real compromise in that respect.
I wasn't a huge fan of the OEM 17" Targa wheels but didn't hate them either. I loved the airy feel of the cabin compared with the coupe. It is certainly subjective.
FWIW, I didn't really have any problem selling it. Advertising it only in the PH classifieds, the first guy to come and see it bought it - for £125 less than I had paid for it 18 months previously. There's certainly a market out there for them, especially if they're lower mileage and have been looked after.
I ran a 993 Targa for four years and loved it - a great compromise between a coupe and convertible. Those who say it's not the best-looking 993 are merely stating their opinion - lots of people think it's the prettiest of the breed! That big glass roof has no effect on performance unless you're a ten-tenths driver with pretensions to track-stardom. The original magnesium wheels may not be to everyone's taste, but Porsche put them on for a reason - they're lighter than the usual alloys to counterbalance the increased weight of the glass roof.
I agree with the comments about checking out the roof - if possible, get it out in the rain. They can produce leaks, but a good garage can also fix them - on a test drive, make sure yours doesn't rattle because that's a sign of potential problems. Also check the inner blind - these can slip off their rails and the cost of repairs can be about £500. (I know because mine had that problem when I bought it, but the seller paid for the repair!)
If you're happy about all those things, go for it - they're gorgeous cars!
I agree with the comments about checking out the roof - if possible, get it out in the rain. They can produce leaks, but a good garage can also fix them - on a test drive, make sure yours doesn't rattle because that's a sign of potential problems. Also check the inner blind - these can slip off their rails and the cost of repairs can be about £500. (I know because mine had that problem when I bought it, but the seller paid for the repair!)
If you're happy about all those things, go for it - they're gorgeous cars!
The hardtop 993 with a sunroof is great,
You keep the great shape and looks and the sunroof just seems to be in a great position. Summer driving was fab with the sunroof open and windows down.
They are such small cars it just seems to open them up a lot.
Have you seen Hellen Goffs ( I believe thats her name ) Yellow Targa, I doubt you will find a nicer one. ( I dont know her but believe she is respected in the Porsche community and has something to do with the Porsche GB Club.
If your going to show off in the sun, yellows the way to do it...
You keep the great shape and looks and the sunroof just seems to be in a great position. Summer driving was fab with the sunroof open and windows down.
They are such small cars it just seems to open them up a lot.
Have you seen Hellen Goffs ( I believe thats her name ) Yellow Targa, I doubt you will find a nicer one. ( I dont know her but believe she is respected in the Porsche community and has something to do with the Porsche GB Club.
If your going to show off in the sun, yellows the way to do it...
David58 said:
Have you seen Hellen Goffs ( I believe thats her name ) Yellow Targa, I doubt you will find a nicer one. ( I dont know her but believe she is respected in the Porsche community and has something to do with the Porsche GB Club.
If your going to show off in the sun, yellows the way to do it...
Does Helen own a yellow 933 targa to go with her 2.2 sporto targa then?If your going to show off in the sun, yellows the way to do it...
never had any problems with water leaking in via the roof and the cars been used in all weathers.
i'm not a huge fan of all the glass over my head when driving so i always drive it with the blind closed.
i love the original 17" split rims it came with. think they look really smart on it.
But on a day like in the photo above its wonderful.
and its for sale http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/448166.htm as i need something diffrent to write about.
i'm not a huge fan of all the glass over my head when driving so i always drive it with the blind closed.
i love the original 17" split rims it came with. think they look really smart on it.
But on a day like in the photo above its wonderful.
Edited by Helen Goff on Thursday 10th April 15:55
and its for sale http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/448166.htm as i need something diffrent to write about.
Edited by Helen Goff on Thursday 10th April 16:00
Yes we like lots! had mine for 8 months now and not a single leak even when washing it with the garden hose. The top can creak especially during cold weather but once the car or the air warms up it is quiet again.
I love the full glass cover it feels like the cockpit on a fighter plane when shut and gives you most of the advantages of the cab when it is open. (The distance between the top of the screen and the wind break in a cab is not much greater than the space afforded by the open roof panel in the Targa.)
The front flappy bit that comes up before the main panel slides back gives plenty of fresh air with little or no noise.
I don't like the original wheels myself but fortunately neither did the first person that ordered my car and it has had 17" cups from new which look great.
The roof mechanism is a work of art and Rennlist has details if you are interested. They were made by Britax apparently.
I love the full glass cover it feels like the cockpit on a fighter plane when shut and gives you most of the advantages of the cab when it is open. (The distance between the top of the screen and the wind break in a cab is not much greater than the space afforded by the open roof panel in the Targa.)
The front flappy bit that comes up before the main panel slides back gives plenty of fresh air with little or no noise.
I don't like the original wheels myself but fortunately neither did the first person that ordered my car and it has had 17" cups from new which look great.
The roof mechanism is a work of art and Rennlist has details if you are interested. They were made by Britax apparently.
Have had mine four months now and love it. A few problems stopping the roof making a noise but works wonderfully now, really light inside. A good outline of the 993 Targa roof is at http://www.pcarworkshop.com/index.php/993_-_Targa_...
This has good links to the Porsche tech articles on how to stop noise etc and very easy to do once you read up on it.
This has good links to the Porsche tech articles on how to stop noise etc and very easy to do once you read up on it.
i really like the wheels - much nicer than the coupes only they cost more to refurb being split rims - the pictures of targas and coupes with the normal wheels look a little plain to me. absolutely fabulous car, i love the looks with the glass roof, only downside is you slightly lose the classic roofline towards the back of the roof. looks better up close than in the pictures. light airy cabin and ability to put the roof back at 70mph in a few seconds.
ps - i have one so i might just a teency bit biased
ps - i have one so i might just a teency bit biased
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff