Thanks in advance for your opinions. 996 Targas, I kind of like them, a good mix of Coupe and Cab (IMHO)...Pros and Cons...Who has/had the Targa what did you like/hate. I'll most likely have a new toy in the gararge within two weeks, now I have to figure out if it will be a Cab/Coupe/Targa/Turbo...Also Cab guys how useful is the back seat for a 7 and 5 year old, that rear seat pitch doesn't look too good...Thoughts, minor flames only please...This car will be in addition to my NSX which I plan on keeping, with the exception of a turbo purchase.

John

 

I heard when the targa top/window is retracted forget seeing anything out of the rear window...I personally am not a fan of this jumbo glass roof targa. Prefer the 355 GTS and old Porsche targa where there is a section of the roof that comes out.
Main thing I love about the 996 targa though is how the rear hatch opens. Dont know why this cant be a feature on ALL 996s??

 

Right, I had an SC Targa, and really liked it, IMHO the new Targa is just like a large sunroof. I just went from an 02 Cab. and ordered an 04 coupe, because the coupe seems much tighter, less squeeks, rattles, and I have always liked the looks of the coupe over the cab. It is a personal choice, and you will be driving it, so get the one that you like the best. There are no bad ones. Good Luck

 

I actually considered a Targa, but living here in FL, I was worried about the greenhouse effect with that glass roof.

 

I think the rear seats in a cab would be ideal for kids...yeah the seat back if very upright, but should be fine. I know they also have baby seats that fit perfectly back there too...if need be...

 

When I bought my '04 C2 coupe in September, I was tempted to buy a C4S cab after test driving it, but my kids (11 & 9) didn't like the back seats at all. I'd suggest taking yours for a test drive.

 

I think it does everything I need it to do. I was looking for a P-car that I could enjoy with my 2 kids till they reached their teens (yes I know I'm pushing it a little) and the Targa does fit the bill. I had a 1985 Targa previously as well and you "cannot" compare the two.

The Cab's rear seat vertical support IMHO is not as desirable as say a Coupe or Targa's, for the upper part leans more inward than the lower part. The Targa also appears to have more "headroom" in the rear seats -yes of course with the roof closed! The Targa also gives you an "always open air experience" and the Kids get a blast when we drive through a rain shower

As for the rattles, anything mechanical can give you noise, even cabriolet tops. In my case the dealer re-adjusted the roof and it is fine. I know that with the earlier 993 Targas there were many complaints (it was based on a Cab, whereas the 996 is basically a stiffened up Coupe) and they had many more parts to them as well.

WHATEVER P-car you do choose, I'm sure you will enjoy, because after all it is a Porsche

Good Luck!
lap

 

The pros and cons of the various models have been discussed previously at length--suggest you try a search on Rennlist as well.

That said, I LOVE my Targa. It's not as much an open air experience as a Cab, but if you live in an area where the weather can change, you'll probably get in much more open air time with a Targa--in my cab if it's overcast or marginally cold, I oftentimes forego opening the top, but with the Targa a push of the button and you're sealed up tight as a drum again.

I also like the flexibility for my usual commute--5 miles on back roads (top open), 4 miles on the highway (top closed), 3 miles of backroads (top open), parked (top closed). That's all very easy in a Targa; not so easy in a cab. Add in the fact that if I get a phone call, I can close the top in 3 seconds before I answer.

My favorite thing about the Targa is actually the roof closed mode. The panorama like glass roof is an experience you can't get with any of the other 996 variants. Early in the morning recently I really enjoyed seeing Orion and the stars overhead in sub-zero weather. On another occasion, I was in a hell of a thunderstorm and had lightning bolts all around me, and flashing over my head--awesome!

The visibility through the rear window is not even worth mentioning. Under some conditions, when the light comes in at the right angle, visibility is reduced--sort of like when your rearview mirror is in the nighttime position. If you're in conditions where it's a problem, 3 seconds and the top's closed--problem solved.

Lastly, Porsche got rid of the old Targa style for good reason--the twistiness of the cab based car led to constant squeaking and leaking of the roof panels. The new coupe based Targa is much tighter, quieter, and weather proof. So you don't need this:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...4/mdtb0011.JPG

 

I also have thought about a Targa for a long time for that good mix of cab and coupe feel. What years were 996 targas produced? Any problems with scratches on the glass roof? When driving with the roof panel open all the way, does it give wind vibration noise at all? TC

 

For me, driving a Cab is alot different than driving a Targa which is a coupe with an oversized sunroof. The "open air" feel is much more visceral when it is unencumbered from roof pillars. For structural rigidity sake, the Targa provides a nice comprimise.

 

my 6 and 3 year olds fit in my 99 cab just fine, even for an hour ride, no complaints. the 6 year old doesnt need a booster but my 3 year old does. you need to make sure the seatbelt does not rest on the neck. a regular car seat will not fit. the Porsche car seat which I have is a rebadged Brittax

 

I have a 2002 cab, and the backseat is extremely upright..I think it leans forward by a few degrees too. Anyway, doesn't matter what you get, you are going to love and I'm sure in not time you're gonna want a Turbo. Maybe you should just get a Turbo. Cant go wrong with that one

 

I love my Targa, The Sunshine daily enters the cabin and lights it up perfectly, as for the rearview, yes it is a little darker, it's like a heavy tint to the rear glass. Lightin storms are awesome effect with the glass panel, the blue sky on clear days As for the Greenhouse effect, the UV screen does a great job of keeping the heat out and the cabin pretty cool. Again it's all relative, but when I was in the market for my 996, I drove coupes and cabs, and then a Targa and I knew that was it for me, I felt I had the best of both worlds, with my cabs in the past, the cabin would get dirty and not to mention the weather in northern NJ wasn't the best for cabs, summer is just too dam hot and rainy and winter seems to last forever - the targa fits this seasons perfectly. Good luck on which ever you go, you really can;t go wrong, after all it's a PORSCHE.

 

I am of the opinion, if it is a Porsche it is a Porsche. I have an 03 Targa and LOVE it. I just do not like cabs on any car (personal opinion). I enjoy the light that comes in and the rear window is a plus. I also like that it is a bit more rare. Enjoy whichever one you end up with.

 

I think is is a cool idea but it is a 7K option.