996 Targa - Pros and Cons

[medieval]

cardigankid said:

For a start, it's ugly.

For another, why would you want to compromise the experience?

I suspect that they are cheap for a reason.

How does it compromise the "experience" out of interest?

[northpolar]

I had a 996 targa for 2 or 3 years. Really enjoyed it but became a bit spooked by the frequent postings of yet more engine failure issues. This is nothing to do with the targa - just part of the 996 territory.

The great thing about the targa hatchback was I could fit my road racing push bike into the car without resorting to a roof rack. To me this was near perfect! I did have problems with the rood mechanism though which was around a £10k problem. Initially due to vandalism to the glass roof panel but I think the mechanism problem was unrelated. Speaking with a specialist dealer at the time I was advised that the targa roof panel design was never satisfactorily resolved between Porsche and the supplier. I didn't try to validate this at the time and moved the car on. I was gutted though as the car ticked so many boxes for me.

Peter

[cd1957]

Hi sorry to do this, but every Targa that have come into workshop,in last 8 years have all had same issue.

Roof leaks, roof cables fail and roof jams,rear wiper spindle seized.

It is one car i would not purchase, 2 of the above cars were sold because of the issues.

Chris

[Smartbazza1]

Picture of my old car which I think is the perfect colour.

Targa has good points.looks better imho. Wide body and aluminium trim is lovely .Brighter cabin and more head room. Hatch back for putting bits in back.

Bit creaky. Some say not the purist car.

So what each to their own and I now have a coupe just cause I wanted one. Buy what you like.

B

Edited by Smartbazza1 on Friday 28th July 00:09

[Filibuster]

Smartbazza1 said:

Picture of my old car which I think is the perfect colour.

Targa has good points.looks better imho. Wide body and aluminium trim is lovely .Brighter cabin and more head room. Hatch back for putting bits in back.

Bit creaky. Some say not the purist car.

So what each to their own and I now have a coupe just cause I wanted one. Buy what you like.

B

Edited by Smartbazza1 on Friday 28th July 00:09

Lovely looking Targa! Great colour and wheels.
The only thing that irritates me on the 997 Targas is the chrome window surroundings. I think I would paint/wrap it either in body colour or black...

ETA
And one more thing that always itches me is the way the roof is attached to the body. I know the Targa is based on the convertible, but why is there this ribbing? A smoother roofline would look much better imho.

And another thing:
A Targa really should not come with a rear wiper. I didn't even realize you could order them on the Targas...

Edited by Filibuster on Friday 28th July 09:44