My 05 C2S Cab is my first Porsche. I love it and it has proven to be a delightful daily driver. After much pondering and looking, I'm thinking of getting a newer Porsche in the next year, and I'm thinking seriously of a Targa 4S. If you know of anyone who may be thinking of selling theirs in the coming months (no hurry) please let me or them know. Must be a stick with full leather, with *** or power seats. Color preferences are Gray, silver, or white exterior, with black/beige or black/gray interior. Thanks.

 

Two questions -
1) Why not another cab ?
2) If hard top why a Targa 4S and not a Turbo ? IE Full leather comes on the Turbo (standard) along with some added HP.

Good luck BTW .

 

I've seriously considered another cab, and may still change my mind since I don't really need or want the AWD of the Targa. But sometimes on longer freeway drives I find the wind noise over the convertible top and road noise through it to be a little tiresome. While I love power, I have found the "S" to be fun enough without going to a turbo. The Targa seems like a reasonable compromise between the coupe and a cab, plus has the added convenience of the rear hatch, and more space in the rear (to more than compensate for the loss of space in the trunk). I don't track my car, so am not concerned about the slightly added weight of the Targa over a C2S cab (it is lighter than a C4S cab).
To tell the truth, I haven't yet driven one to confirm I'll be happy with the handling etc, but will try one whenever I can find one that isn't 300 miles away.

Are there any Targa owners in OC that could take me for a ride?

 

Ken, what ever you get I highly recommend the ***! Don't settle for anything less, they are much better then the power seats.

Ed

 

I agree Ed. *** is definitely something I would like, as is PSE. It is just that trying to find a car with the right colors and options can be a real challenge, especially given the scarcity of Targa 4S's out there.

 

You have to drive them all to really decide . The Targa is rare and will be a different car than your current car. Some of the reasons you list yet the AWD does make for a different drive . The way it struck me was that I liked the lighter feel of the C2S but felt that the C4S was the NA car I would pick if I lived in a snow region . In fact with the seamless acceleration of the NA engine I feel its the best snow driving 997 model .

However the Turbo has a drive really worth exploring too as you will be in that price range with the Targa. I feel that for most road surfaces the AWD really complements the Turbo and one can even add the LSD as an option . If "wind noise" was an issue the Turbo is so quiet that most have to add an exhaust before any other mods . It's that quiet in stock form .

All these cars are great cars . You won;t lose with any choice.

 

Thanks for your comments. Actually, I don't particularly like the looks of the turbo as much as the non turbos. And regarding price, there are some very nice low mileage Targa 4S out there for over $20k less than the lowest turbos. Perhaps that is indicative of a higher depreciation rate on the Targas.
I definitely need to try a coupe and if possible a Targa 4S to compare to the current cab. A friend has a 996 turbo with X50, so that might provide some insight on the turbo feel.

 

You can get a used one for less than a used Turbo . I was comparing new MSRP rather than actual discount prices on used market . As for the 20K it depends on the options on both cars . For instance a new Turbo can range from the 120's all the way up to 160 and Tagas (new) also have a huge gap.

Looks are a personal decision and I agree that if you don't like the look of any car you ought not buy it . I like the look of just about every 997 model (comparing them stock) and I love the Turbo (even stock) .

Lastly --the 996tt is not the same as the 997tt . They are very different cars . The Turbo lag in the 996 is significantly greater .

 

I just made the exact switch, going from an 05 C2S cab to an 08 Targa. For me it was a great decision, the winters are long here and I hated driving the Cab with the top up. Also the Targa has more usable space, with the cab I had to put golf clubs in the front seat unless I took the wind screen out, the Targa can take 2 sets through the hatch no problem. As for wind noise its not as loud as the cab, and the great thing is you can close it at any speed. No creaks or rattles, and handling is close to my old car except the light feeling front end is gone under acceleration, the 4s feels more balanced. My guess is if you go used you can make the jump to a Targa for about 20k, the turbo will be about 40-45k. Goodluck!

 

New cars: you get what you want

Used cars: you take what you car get

 

I would agree that a turbo should be considered, if I am spending the money for a (new) targa, I would be hunting for a Turbo or GT3. I think in five to ten years a Targa 4S will be about the same money as a C2S/C4S, where as a turbo and GT3 will be proportionately more.

 

Thanks for confirming my thoughts with a real life experience. And you are dead on re pricing, I have established the same price differences as you stated after monitoring AutoTrader for over 3 months nationwide.