I've just bought some poverty Pork…

[ATM]

snotrag said:

2Btoo said:

I've never understood the lack of love for Targas.

I like them too, and I particularly like the design used on the 993 and 996 (that they've now dropped) where you get the huuuuge sun roof AND a hatchback!

2Btoo said:

They seem like a good compromise between the open air but wobbly chassis of a cabrio and the hard top but rigidity of a coupe, but they seem unloved. What's wrong with them?

This was the issue when new - that statement is not quite right. The Targa is build on a Cabrio chassis, and the 'roof' (the cant rails) are not structural. A Targa is no stiffer than a Cab. If you look at the back window shape, and where the Cant rail joins the body you can see how its a Cabrio body sheel with a bit of extra metal bolted on.

Whilst this is the kind of thing a road tester would get all nasal about, its somewhat different when we are looking at a 20 year old for Fiesta money, to be used as a Summer plaything isnt it.


One thing I have always wondered though - does the Targa have the same (reduced depth) rear seats of the Cab, or does it have the larger seats of the coupe? The coupe can be realistically used with 2 kids in the back, however the more upright seats of the cab are pushing it a bit!

Standard coupe rear seats looking at this pic from the ad. I've never been in a targa. I heard the glass roof creaks and groans as the car flexis. So it is probably a bit bendy like the cab. The big sunroof might be nice and the hatch might actually make the car more usable. But do people car about usability with their 911's. I guess I need to have a whirl in one and see what if anything tickles.

[snotrag]

It was a real tricky decision for me. I've had a series of all the usual cheaper 2 seat roadsters for years, as second cars (but used quite a lot, ie whenever I'm not on my own). We have a little one but I still get to use it with him, Nursery runs etc.


I had the opportunity to buy something a bit more expensive (15-20K) and strongly considered a 996. The idea being I might get to use it more as a whole family. Now, the issue is I really, really like to get the roof down. I had a period once where I had two fixed roof cars and I really missed the opportunity to drop the roof.

The problem is, arguably, if you want an open air Porsche, a Boxster is a 'better' open air roadster than a 911 convertible. And the back seats in the cab are so crappy, and it wouldnt be much fun for Jr in the back of a windy 911 cab. So I ended up going with a 'fancier' 2 seat Roadster again (An Elise, something else I've always fancied).

It sounds weird, but a 996 coupe felt too close to my faily (an E-class estate) really. IE all weather capable, good at distance, comfortable, whilst obviously being considerably sportier but much less practical. I figured I might end up using it less, and then regretting not being able to drop the roof when I did.



And then, I go and see something like that black one above, and the cycle of want starts again..... are we ever satisfied!?


What I really need, is for my partner to upgrade to a slightly larger car, then I can have a 996 as a daily, and an ever more hardcore roadster (Caterham!) in the garage!

[1602Mark]

My problem is that I've wanted a 911 since I was old enough to know what one was. I test drove a 1971 short wheelbase car in the early 90's but couldn't raise the £7k asking price. I was also offered a 1981 Carrera for £3k as it needed some love but I didn't have the skills to fix it. Roll on 30 years and neither of those cars are coming my way short of a lottery win. I do have £12 - 14k for a weekend toy though, which is still a fortunate position to be in really, so I could potentially scratch the 911 itch with a 996. I really like the silver C2 posted above with the red interior and that Targa looks great too. Both are in reach and appear to be good examples. I know life is short and it's better to regret stuff you do, as opposed to that you don't, but still...

[Skyedriver]

1602Mark said:

My problem is that I've wanted a 911 since I was old enough to know what one was. I test drove a 1971 short wheelbase car in the early 90's but couldn't raise the £7k asking price. I was also offered a 1981 Carrera for £3k as it needed some love but I didn't have the skills to fix it. Roll on 30 years and neither of those cars are coming my way short of a lottery win. I do have £12 - 14k for a weekend toy though, which is still a fortunate position to be in really, so I could potentially scratch the 911 itch with a 996. I really like the silver C2 posted above with the red interior and that Targa looks great too. Both are in reach and appear to be good examples. I know life is short and it's better to regret stuff you do, as opposed to that you don't, but still...

With you all the way there Mark
I started looking at late 70's cars in the 1980's although never bought as I found the ones on offer were not as good as the image they portrayed, ie noisy, not particularly comfortable, rusting etc.
Move on to late 80's & 90's I was looking at cars from the 80's but already, the prices were on the up.
Now I still appreciate the early car simple & light design. (There was a white Carerra in Oban today looked lovely) but I'd probably have to sell a kidney to afford one.
I'd happily go for a 966 Targa as long as the engine work was documented, I'm no longer the 20 year old tearaway I once was.
(Not silver/grey/black please, manual, and budget around the £15K mark).

Edited by Skyedriver on Thursday 17th June 18:41

[ATM]

snotrag said:

It was a real tricky decision for me. I've had a series of all the usual cheaper 2 seat roadsters for years, as second cars (but used quite a lot, ie whenever I'm not on my own). We have a little one but I still get to use it with him, Nursery runs etc.


I had the opportunity to buy something a bit more expensive (15-20K) and strongly considered a 996. The idea being I might get to use it more as a whole family. Now, the issue is I really, really like to get the roof down. I had a period once where I had two fixed roof cars and I really missed the opportunity to drop the roof.

The problem is, arguably, if you want an open air Porsche, a Boxster is a 'better' open air roadster than a 911 convertible. And the back seats in the cab are so crappy, and it wouldnt be much fun for Jr in the back of a windy 911 cab. So I ended up going with a 'fancier' 2 seat Roadster again (An Elise, something else I've always fancied).

It sounds weird, but a 996 coupe felt too close to my faily (an E-class estate) really. IE all weather capable, good at distance, comfortable, whilst obviously being considerably sportier but much less practical. I figured I might end up using it less, and then regretting not being able to drop the roof when I did.



And then, I go and see something like that black one above, and the cycle of want starts again..... are we ever satisfied!?


What I really need, is for my partner to upgrade to a slightly larger car, then I can have a 996 as a daily, and an ever more hardcore roadster (Caterham!) in the garage!

Completely agree

That's why I have a Boxster and a 996. I've learned over the years its better to have more cars rather than one which is brilliant. If you drive a brilliant car all the time it will stop feeling special. But I dont see the point in having a brilliant car and saving it for special occasions.

Both are a bit tatty or broke or need tlc but I dont care. The child in me gets to feel good about having 2 Porsches outside.

are we ever satisfied - no I want a third but I dont think we ever will be.

[ATM]

peterg1955 said:

ATM said:

peterg1955 said:

ATM said:

1602Mark said:

Anyone know this 996? Big miles I know but replacement engine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334039177592?ssPageName...

Don't know it

Aero rear spoiler and side skirts but is the front bumper aero - I can't tell?

I like the interior. It has way more red than my earlier 996.

Looks cheap enough to me.

That's the factory option Carrera rear spoiler (XAG) and side skirts (X76), same as fitted to mine, the front bumper is standard 911 which is correct with those options.

Thanks

So did they do an aero front bumper?

I don't like the earlier aero front bumper but I do like the later gt3.2 bumper. Assuming this is different to the aero for the vanilla car as the rear spoiler is different between gt3 and vanilla aero.

AFAIK the only aero front bumper would be the GT3 version as part of the GT3 wing etc kit

The Carrera fixed rear spoiler doesn't provide downforce (as it's a spoiler, not a wing) so an aero front bumper with more downforce would unbalance the car - although some might say a bit more weight on the front at high speed wouldn't go amiss, I assume Porsche knew what they were doing in not specifying one...

Sold with only one bid for 11500 but possible its the owner bidding themselves

[1602Mark]

ATM said:

peterg1955 said:

ATM said:

peterg1955 said:

ATM said:

1602Mark said:

Anyone know this 996? Big miles I know but replacement engine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334039177592?ssPageName...

Don't know it

Aero rear spoiler and side skirts but is the front bumper aero - I can't tell?

I like the interior. It has way more red than my earlier 996.

Looks cheap enough to me.

That's the factory option Carrera rear spoiler (XAG) and side skirts (X76), same as fitted to mine, the front bumper is standard 911 which is correct with those options.

Thanks

So did they do an aero front bumper?

I don't like the earlier aero front bumper but I do like the later gt3.2 bumper. Assuming this is different to the aero for the vanilla car as the rear spoiler is different between gt3 and vanilla aero.

AFAIK the only aero front bumper would be the GT3 version as part of the GT3 wing etc kit

The Carrera fixed rear spoiler doesn't provide downforce (as it's a spoiler, not a wing) so an aero front bumper with more downforce would unbalance the car - although some might say a bit more weight on the front at high speed wouldn't go amiss, I assume Porsche knew what they were doing in not specifying one...

Sold with only one bid for 11500 but possible its the owner bidding themselves

Or possibly someone here made an offer that was accepted?

[ATM]

1602Mark said:

ATM said:

peterg1955 said:

ATM said:

peterg1955 said:

ATM said:

1602Mark said:

Anyone know this 996? Big miles I know but replacement engine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334039177592?ssPageName...

Don't know it

Aero rear spoiler and side skirts but is the front bumper aero - I can't tell?

I like the interior. It has way more red than my earlier 996.

Looks cheap enough to me.

That's the factory option Carrera rear spoiler (XAG) and side skirts (X76), same as fitted to mine, the front bumper is standard 911 which is correct with those options.

Thanks

So did they do an aero front bumper?

I don't like the earlier aero front bumper but I do like the later gt3.2 bumper. Assuming this is different to the aero for the vanilla car as the rear spoiler is different between gt3 and vanilla aero.

AFAIK the only aero front bumper would be the GT3 version as part of the GT3 wing etc kit

The Carrera fixed rear spoiler doesn't provide downforce (as it's a spoiler, not a wing) so an aero front bumper with more downforce would unbalance the car - although some might say a bit more weight on the front at high speed wouldn't go amiss, I assume Porsche knew what they were doing in not specifying one...

Sold with only one bid for 11500 but possible its the owner bidding themselves

Or possibly someone here made an offer that was accepted?

Obviously not. We just talk about buying cars here. No one actually buys any, right?

[1602Mark]

ATM said:

Obviously not. We just talk about buying cars here. No one actually buys any, right?

Well you never know.

Just speaking hypothetically though, what's the best way to reduce the ride height a little without having a negative impact on handling?

Edited by 1602Mark on Friday 18th June 13:34

[peterg1955]

1602Mark said:

ATM said:

Obviously not. We just talk about buying cars here. No one actually buys any, right?

Well you never know.

Just speaking hypothetically though, what's the best way to reduce the ride height a little without having a negative impact on handling?

Edited by 1602Mark on Friday 18th June 13:34

Eibach or H&R springs is the usual method, they both do sets that give about 30mm reduction in height

[shalmaneser]

1602Mark said:

ATM said:

Obviously not. We just talk about buying cars here. No one actually buys any, right?

Well you never know.

Just speaking hypothetically though, what's the best way to reduce the ride height a little without having a negative impact on handling?

Edited by 1602Mark on Friday 18th June 13:34

Handling is generally improved by a ride height drop, this is not a shopping trolley that's been slammed through the floor. The M030 kit dropped ride height by 10mm and the X74 kit dropped the ride height by 40mm total, both factory options from Porsche.

I've got new M030 on mine and with some 7mm spacers on the front the stance is lovely IMO. In terms of ride comfort I'd say it's busy but not unpleasant, fine for touring etc but I'd not want to go much stiffer.

X74 from reports online sounds pretty rock hard, good on German roads maybe but too much for the UK I would guess.

[1602Mark]

shalmaneser said:

Handling is generally improved by a ride height drop, this is not a shopping trolley that's been slammed through the floor. The M030 kit dropped ride height by 10mm and the X74 kit dropped the ride height by 40mm total, both factory options from Porsche.

I've got new M030 on mine and with some 7mm spacers on the front the stance is lovely IMO. In terms of ride comfort I'd say it's busy but not unpleasant, fine for touring etc but I'd not want to go much stiffer.

X74 from reports online sounds pretty rock hard, good on German roads maybe but too much for the UK I would guess.

Any pics of your car please? A 30mm drop would be ideal but I wouldn't want it to be too firm.

[ATM]

shalmaneser said:

1602Mark said:

ATM said:

Obviously not. We just talk about buying cars here. No one actually buys any, right?

Well you never know.

Just speaking hypothetically though, what's the best way to reduce the ride height a little without having a negative impact on handling?

Edited by 1602Mark on Friday 18th June 13:34

Handling is generally improved by a ride height drop, this is not a shopping trolley that's been slammed through the floor. The M030 kit dropped ride height by 10mm and the X74 kit dropped the ride height by 40mm total, both factory options from Porsche.

I've got new M030 on mine and with some 7mm spacers on the front the stance is lovely IMO. In terms of ride comfort I'd say it's busy but not unpleasant, fine for touring etc but I'd not want to go much stiffer.

X74 from reports online sounds pretty rock hard, good on German roads maybe but too much for the UK I would guess.

Mine is harder than a hard thing being hard and looking hard and being ... wait I said that already. Because KW clubsport.

I've added 15mm spacers to the front of mine and it changed the steering feel a lot. Much less chatter now and firmer meatier feel to it. Not sure I prefer it but the wheels looked seriously lost before being 15mm in from where they are now. I'll probably go back to without spacers just for the feel change and sod the look.

[edc]

Wheels looked seriously lost ... ? They have gone completely AWOL I'm that pic 😂

[shalmaneser]

1602Mark said:

shalmaneser said:

Handling is generally improved by a ride height drop, this is not a shopping trolley that's been slammed through the floor. The M030 kit dropped ride height by 10mm and the X74 kit dropped the ride height by 40mm total, both factory options from Porsche.

I've got new M030 on mine and with some 7mm spacers on the front the stance is lovely IMO. In terms of ride comfort I'd say it's busy but not unpleasant, fine for touring etc but I'd not want to go much stiffer.

X74 from reports online sounds pretty rock hard, good on German roads maybe but too much for the UK I would guess.

Any pics of your car please? A 30mm drop would be ideal but I wouldn't want it to be too firm.

I don't actually have many good pics that show the ride height; the below is a representative image though.



My actual car, rough surface and not ideal angle

[ATM]

You can get an idea of how lost my fronts looked sans spacer in this pic. And how it's lower than everyone else's clearly.

[1602Mark]

Thanks chaps. They look so much nicer with just that extra bit of altitude adjustment.

So what is the general consensus on wheel sizes? 17, 18 or 19's?

[ATM]

1602Mark said:

Thanks chaps. They look so much nicer with just that extra bit of altitude adjustment.

So what is the general consensus on wheel sizes? 17, 18 or 19's?

I switched from 18 to 17 and have never looked back. The big difference is not just diameter but the width. 18 are 225 front but 17 are only 205. They look tiny and weigh very little. The steering is so much more communicative with 17.

But the standard go to seems to be 18. No one has 19 on their 996. Not around these parts.

[ATM]

[barryrs]

Ahem