New 996 Targa Owner - just in time for summer!

[BERGS2]

Well, after months of procrastination, negotiation (with futurewife), and gleaning opinion from here (mostly as to whether 2.473 % of all early model 3.4 motors who are owned by blokes called Nigel will definitely need an engine seal replacing at some stage over the coming years&#8230

I finally picked up my 2002 Targa yesterday



Rainforest Green

Full Black Leather

18” Turbo twists

Nav

Aluminium bits

(plus some others that escape me now….)



‘twas an early start – a train up to Chester from London, followed by a cab ride to the Chester Porsche Centre (nice coffee&#8230 – to collect the car.



The 220 mile drive home however, was fantastic…. Hopefully not licence losingly good though, as a number of times I had the to try the top end - wow!



I’ll try not to gush romantically about “320 Stuttgart ponies” but they certainly felt more lively than shall we say ‘other power claims’ (not wanting to go there again!)



Good job I’m not superstitious, as the car is green (I head this was bad luck somewhere (and not just for resale ), was registered on april fools day, I put down a deposit on the 13th, and the dealers phone number ended in ‘666’ – spookey!



With not yet 30k miles it feels barely run in – the full leather is fresh and with the targa roof down the sound from the exhaust on full acceleration up sliproads is fabulous.



Coming from an early 964 C4 that had been lowered the difference is huge – crucially, the other half ‘likes it’ which is a real first… not sure if this is good or bad as yet – if it ends up being taken to tesco (it is a hatchback after all) – I’ll not be best pleased!!



For the same price as that interesting Peugeot in the post yesterday – I think the value is absolutely fantastic as well.



Well enough of my ramblings for now – I’m off for a hoon!

Thanks for all the advice – Vesuvious – you can pick up another commission for a Porsche Warranty too

Love it!

Edited by BERGS2 on Wednesday 23 May 09:51

[hoges11]

Tim,



my other half liked the Targa as well, which is why its currently having it's rear PU re-sprayed, beware, they bump things !

[Paracetamol]

Congrats- I love the targa!

[sleep envy]

nice one - I love RFG



pics?

[Vesuvius 996]

Cheers!





Good luck with it.

[BERGS2]

sorted

[Vesuvius 996]

Lovely. Would look nice with coloured centre crests in the alloys...

[sleep envy]

very nice

[Dr S]

Vesuvius 996 said:

Lovely. Would look nice with coloured centre crests in the alloys...

2nded

[BERGS2]

re centre caps - completely agree -



was thinking about bidding on these (link)



but they dont look quite right?



where can I get some decent ones from? (preferably not at £100 )

[deevee]

Nice one Bergs!



One word of warning though - you'll want to go for a blat EVERY time the sun comes out!

[WingedTiger]

Well done! After picking up my 2002 Targa last month - and putting 1,000 on the clock already - I can tell you you'll have a smile on your face over the next few weeks!



I'm in the same predicament re the wheel centres so I'd be interested to see how the string goes....



Tell me - door plates - are they metal or plastic? I have black plastic ones and can't find metal Targa one's anywhere....

[BERGS2]

WingedTiger said:

Tell me - door plates - are they metal or plastic? I have black plastic ones and can't find metal Targa one's anywhere....

Sill plates? mine are stainless steel I think...



available here



part: 996-551-984-05-OEM



http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/996M/...



$330 though.....

[Dreammeister]

The car looks awesome - how many miles on the clock? Th interior looks almost new, I have a 2003 with 25k that looks much more worn...

[BERGS2]

Dreammeister said:

The car looks awesome - how many miles on the clock? Th interior looks almost new, I have a 2003 with 25k that looks much more worn...

Thanks very much -



29k - made up to the fact it's Green



(which I must confess I rather like - much better in the metal, dont see many around...etc, etc -



continues talking up the 'green' movement on future resale values..

[stubbsy996]

Vesuvius 996 said:

Lovely. Would look nice with coloured centre crests in the alloys...

I think the black & silvers look good. Just swapped my faded coloured ones for these. Think they set the car off better, mind you my car is silver.

Probably change my mind in 6 months time and go back to the coloured ones



Targa looks very nice BTW!

[jonny996]

BERGS2 said:

Chester Porsche Centre

For the same price as that interesting Peugeot in the post yesterday – I think the value is absolutely fantastic as well.

Sorry to talk money , BUT are you saying you can pick up one of these at an OPC for under £30k now? that is FANTASTIC VALUE if it is so.

[pikey]

Very nice.



Interesting to see how the rear quarter is so similar to the 997 version:

[BERGS2]

jonny996 said:

BERGS2 said:

Chester Porsche Centre

For the same price as that interesting Peugeot in the post yesterday – I think the value is absolutely fantastic as well.

Sorry to talk money , BUT are you saying you can pick up one of these at an OPC for under £30k now? that is FANTASTIC VALUE if it is so.

not quite - it was from a independant dealer



was at the opc having some work done following the 111 point check I had them do....



But it's still in my eyes phenomenal value

[SNDa]

hoges11 said:

Tim,



my other half liked the Targa as well, which is why its currently having it's rear PU re-sprayed, beware, they bump things !

Tim,



Congratulations - the targa roof's quite handy for enjoying most of the time. don't feel so exposed in london with it open in the evenings as i would with a convertible. having had mine for 5 months, the other half doesn't like - it goes too fast for her!

pikey said:

Very nice.



Interesting to see how the rear quarter is so similar to the 997 version:

they carried the roof mechanism over from the 996 to the 997, pretty much unchanged.