993 tARGA'S

[Prattie]

Hi

Not usually my subject as historically a 72/73 owner but needs must.

I'm considering a 993 Tip so the wife can use it as well but not sure about the Targa sliding glass ones. There seems a few on the market anyone any experience on these, some have said to avoid as expensive if it goes wrong. Thats the same with all Porsche's isn't it???. Any help or direction would be welcome.



Steve

[IanMcLeod]

The Targa roof frame can rust a bit at the front where it meets the window frame and if the roof mechanism breaks it needs somebody who knows them well to fix and can be expensive. Also if original Targa wheels are fitted they are split rim and can be expensive to refurbish properly.

So the advice you have been given has a basis in fact. Other than the above they are the same as any other 993 regarding maintenance and cost.

Ian.

[Ant22]

Owned one. Love targa roof when open, so quick & easy to open / close you will want to open a lot. Downside is squeaks when closed. Also owned a 997 targa, all the same, & a better tip car. My 993 was manual, wonderful. My 997 was tip (gen 1), wife could drive & i still really enjoyed it. Drove a 993 tip & didn't like it & wouldn't have a tip 993. I suggest you try both 993 & 997 tip before you buy.

[Sam]

If you want one, get one. I like them and the stories regarding roof reliability aren't true, they're generally very good. As you say, if they do go wrong they cost money to fix but so does everything. As Ian says, you just need someone who knows what they're doing. I had one once with a bill for £1500 from an OPC trying to cure wind noise and it still whilstled. A good specialist fixed it in a day for one hour's labour and a £200 seal.

[Superlight7]

Ive just done very similar but gone for a manual. hopefully arriving next week.

In our search we drove a beautiful one up at Malton, would have gone for it but for the fact my wife already had a similar colored car.

It was tip and was a real lazy drive but with the later varioram engine it had plenty of beans when you planted the pedal to the metal.

Nows the time to buy as the prices are rising.

[Martyn1]

I ran a 1996 Targa Manual for 5 years as an every day drive, commuting 40 mile round trip. It was absolutely lovely, I loved the roof, had it open most days, and even when closed gave a great bright feeling in the car. Never had any major failures on the roof.

However, if I was buying a 993 again, I wouldn't buy the Targa. Why? wind noise, even with a good fit, well maintained roof it was undoubtedly noisy when closed.

[Andy102]

Had the use of a friends one, some wind noise but better than a cab. He never had any trouble over 2 years of owning it, just check the roof a couple of times full open and close. Manual beats tip every time

I think a Tiptronic Targa is probably the lowest cost 993 to buy at the moment, so a good buy.