996 Targa Tiptronic - first impressions
Discussion
I posted before about buying a Targa with a rebuilt engine. Here are my first impressions:
I picked the car up at about 11 on Saturday from Portiacraft in Mill Hill (North London). I filled it with fuel (£75 - a lot different from the Fireblade) and headed over to my friend Mike's house near Richmond. The steering is light and responsive. You feel every bump and change in surface texture through the wheel. I recon you can feel the white paint of the road markings too. Fairly heavy traffic and the computer was reading under 10mpg. The car's nose rises like a speed boat when you open the throttle (gently, I'm running it in), which is quite amusing but a bit strange. After maybe 10 miles the computer read "check coolant level" and a red light came on. The temperature gauge was reading about 85C so I continued and kept an eye on it. At Mike's I bought some anti freeze and filled it with 50 / 50 mixture. It took about 2 litres. It probably had an airlock when the garage filled it. The anti freeze cost 12.99 for a litre at a local garage - I thought anti freeze was cheaper than wine! But if you need it, you need it so they have you by the short and curlies.
On the drive home I got to take it on some open A roads. I was driving gently, just keeping up with the traffic, since (a) I'm running it in and (b) I'd feel a bit of a tw*t if I got nicked on the first day. My immediate impression is again the steering. It's so light and there is so much feeling from the wheel.
I took it out for a more spirited drive this morning. I have to say that it doesn't seem that fast. Though the running-in instructions from Hartech are "Don't let the engine labour up hills and open the throttle progressively, rather than snapping it open." Perhaps snapping the throttle open will make it kick down and it will feel faster? Anyway, I'n not complaining - I knew it wouldn't compare to a litre bike.
All in all I'm very happy with it. It's not mint but you have to look pretty closely to see anything wrong with it. The cabin is lovely - loads of stitched leather and very little wear for a car with 92K on it. I suppose the orange electroluminescent displays are a bit dated. I wonder what sort of displays are in newer ones? There's a bit of creaking and groaning over bumps a low speeds. I don't know if it's a sign of age, or if Targas all do that?
Cheers, Nick
I picked the car up at about 11 on Saturday from Portiacraft in Mill Hill (North London). I filled it with fuel (£75 - a lot different from the Fireblade) and headed over to my friend Mike's house near Richmond. The steering is light and responsive. You feel every bump and change in surface texture through the wheel. I recon you can feel the white paint of the road markings too. Fairly heavy traffic and the computer was reading under 10mpg. The car's nose rises like a speed boat when you open the throttle (gently, I'm running it in), which is quite amusing but a bit strange. After maybe 10 miles the computer read "check coolant level" and a red light came on. The temperature gauge was reading about 85C so I continued and kept an eye on it. At Mike's I bought some anti freeze and filled it with 50 / 50 mixture. It took about 2 litres. It probably had an airlock when the garage filled it. The anti freeze cost 12.99 for a litre at a local garage - I thought anti freeze was cheaper than wine! But if you need it, you need it so they have you by the short and curlies.
On the drive home I got to take it on some open A roads. I was driving gently, just keeping up with the traffic, since (a) I'm running it in and (b) I'd feel a bit of a tw*t if I got nicked on the first day. My immediate impression is again the steering. It's so light and there is so much feeling from the wheel.
I took it out for a more spirited drive this morning. I have to say that it doesn't seem that fast. Though the running-in instructions from Hartech are "Don't let the engine labour up hills and open the throttle progressively, rather than snapping it open." Perhaps snapping the throttle open will make it kick down and it will feel faster? Anyway, I'n not complaining - I knew it wouldn't compare to a litre bike.
All in all I'm very happy with it. It's not mint but you have to look pretty closely to see anything wrong with it. The cabin is lovely - loads of stitched leather and very little wear for a car with 92K on it. I suppose the orange electroluminescent displays are a bit dated. I wonder what sort of displays are in newer ones? There's a bit of creaking and groaning over bumps a low speeds. I don't know if it's a sign of age, or if Targas all do that?
Cheers, Nick
Nick, I run a Hartech maintained car. If it really hasn't been driven sice the coolant was filled up then it would likely need a bit as it has settled. My last two radiator replacements have needed this. You really should use the same coolant for this as Hartech filled it with. This is more than just a colour issue. They can gum up and impede cooling. I just fill mine with distilled and let Hartech do the rest if needed when it's serviced. Are you on their scheme? They're first rate - though a bit of a drive.
Had my Targa with tip for six months now and enjoy it every time I go out. We took it to the Ring after three weeks of collecting it and what a great drive. Some people say that its very much a marmite car, you love the Targa or hate it. I also had sports bikes, but I feel that it still gives you that adrenaline rush that I missed from the bikes. Enjoy it.
Forget the kick down stuff - in full auto mode its very boring, and sluggish through the gears though great in traffic.
Switch to manual and re-learn how to use the box using the buttons to go up and down using the engine in its best power curve. It will still have all of the safeguards to stop you over revving by auto changing at max revs and a standing start in 1st will be very hard to beat.
The tip is an acquired taste but very rewarding when you know how to get the best out of it.
And just as a balance to those that detest the auto, I now drive a manual but miss some of the benefits of the tip box when used properly
Switch to manual and re-learn how to use the box using the buttons to go up and down using the engine in its best power curve. It will still have all of the safeguards to stop you over revving by auto changing at max revs and a standing start in 1st will be very hard to beat.
The tip is an acquired taste but very rewarding when you know how to get the best out of it.
And just as a balance to those that detest the auto, I now drive a manual but miss some of the benefits of the tip box when used properly
ScienceTeacher said:
Nick, I run a Hartech maintained car. If it really hasn't been driven sice the coolant was filled up then it would likely need a bit as it has settled. My last two radiator replacements have needed this. You really should use the same coolant for this as Hartech filled it with. This is more than just a colour issue. They can gum up and impede cooling. I just fill mine with distilled and let Hartech do the rest if needed when it's serviced. Are you on their scheme? They're first rate - though a bit of a drive.
Well they certainly have a good reputation. Once the seller's warranty has run out I'll certainly consider the Hartech maintenance plan. I could easily take a day off and have a run up to Lancashire once a year. Cheers, Nick
David W. said:
Nick
Best learn to left foot brake as playing the two pedal game makes driving like a hooligan easier and must more fun.
What's that all about? When I lived in the States, a lot of my friends drove with "both feet" in their auto barges but it was more about laziness than performance. Of course, I've read about rally drivers 'left foot braking' to avoid turbo lag but that doesn't apply here. I think it would be difficult to train the left leg to press the brake gently, now that it is used to pressing a clutch pedal. Best learn to left foot brake as playing the two pedal game makes driving like a hooligan easier and must more fun.
Cheers, Nick
Pugley said:
Forget the kick down stuff - in full auto mode its very boring, and sluggish through the gears though great in traffic.
Switch to manual and re-learn how to use the box using the buttons to go up and down using the engine in its best power curve. It will still have all of the safeguards to stop you over revving by auto changing at max revs and a standing start in 1st will be very hard to beat.
The tip is an acquired taste but very rewarding when you know how to get the best out of it.
And just as a balance to those that detest the auto, I now drive a manual but miss some of the benefits of the tip box when used properly
Interesting that you mention standing start in first. I'd noticed that the tiptronic 'box seems to move off in second. Does it always do that? Can you only get first in manual?Switch to manual and re-learn how to use the box using the buttons to go up and down using the engine in its best power curve. It will still have all of the safeguards to stop you over revving by auto changing at max revs and a standing start in 1st will be very hard to beat.
The tip is an acquired taste but very rewarding when you know how to get the best out of it.
And just as a balance to those that detest the auto, I now drive a manual but miss some of the benefits of the tip box when used properly
Cheers, Nick
Hi Nick, I used to have a black 02 Targa (lovely car, I owned for two years and had no problems, recommend putting in to first gear and then just go for it if you want to pull away quickly. I recommend getting the roof oiled this will save you a lot of money potentially as they do go wrong.
I put some 997 multi spoke Sports Design wheels on the car and it looked amazing! I'm sure you will love it, the 997 is a much faster car, only another 25bhp but a big difference.
I put some 997 multi spoke Sports Design wheels on the car and it looked amazing! I'm sure you will love it, the 997 is a much faster car, only another 25bhp but a big difference.
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