993 C2 Coupe -v- Targa

[Lurking Lawyer]

Another question for the PH Porker massive, if I may!

I'm in the market for a 993 (at last!) - ideally a (manual) Targa but think I could happily live with a Coupe. I've test-driven the Coupe in the past but haven't got myself behind the wheel of a Targa yet. They're few and far between and there aren't any for sale by dealers anywhere near me. I fully intend to travel to see (and hopefully drive) a few once I have the readies for my current car in my pocket but in the meantime wonder whether I can get views from anyone who has driven both .

I know the Targa is based on the Cab chassis and so doesn't have the structural rigidity of the Coupe. What I'm wondering is just how noticeable that is likely to be on a day-to-day basis? I can appreciate that it probably feels different when driving near the edge or throwing it around on the track. But is a driver of my very modest ability going to feel much difference in spirited B-road blasts? The car will be a weekend "toy" rather than a daily driver.

I know it's going to be an individual subjective judgment and that there's no substitute for getting behind the wheel to judge for myself. I'll do this in due course. Until then, I'd be interested to hear from anyone with experience of both.

Ta!

[verysideways]

Targa is a tiny bit heavier than coupe but the main thing is rigidity - you actually feel the flex more than you do in a cab, which i found odd, but i guess it's because a soft top has inherent flexibility and the targa roof less so.

The big expanse of glass is wonderful though, so unless you're going to put 18" wheels and M030 springs on it i wouldn't worry too much... just go and drive one.

[Lurking Lawyer]

verysideways said:

so unless you're going to put 18" wheels and M030 springs on it i wouldn't worry too much

A Targa would stretch the budget as it is, so I suspect the missus would have something to say if I suddenly announced that I intended to start seriously modding it

Cheers VS.

Edited by Lurking Lawyer on Tuesday 8th August 12:35

[ballcock]

Shoot me for adding my tuppence (I'm neither a 993 OR a targa owner), but the bit that would colour my view of the targa is the amount of extra bits that can go wrong ... How many extra motors are involved in the targa roof??

[Lurking Lawyer]

ballcock said:

Shoot me for adding my tuppence

I'll hold fire for the moment, ballcock It's a fair point, and one I had already wondered about. Haven't got to the bottom yet though of how problematic Targa roofs tend to be and what it's likely to cost to put if right if it does go wrong.

[ballcock]

I'm afraid I can't help you there .. I do know a chap who has had problems with an older targa ..
.. It's definitely worth considering if this is a long term acquisition ...

(sse I'm even trying to speak a language you understand!!)

[Lurking Lawyer]

I know you're a fan of the Targa, LA, so your view doesn't surprise me at all

Anyone else with anything to add?

[993Targa]

I've had a 993 Targa for just over 2 years and apart from the odd squeak from the roof I have had no issues with leaks or the roof not operating and as far as I am aware neither did the previous owner who had owned the car from new.
I have had one or two minor problems with the roof blind a couple of years ago which was very simple to fix and since then it has operated faultlessly

I do make sure that I close the roof when on level ground and keep the rubber components of the roof well lubricated with glycerine which completely stops the roof squeaking.

Like most Targa owners I think it is a great half-way house between the Coupe and the Cab. The weight differential is very small at 30kg and I don't believe in real-world driving you would feel or notice any difference between the Coupe and Targa in the way they drive.

I drove a 993 Coupe the other day which was very nice, can't say I noticed any difference apart from how closed in I felt.

I really like my 993 Targa which and whilst in some peoples view it wasn't a popular model they seemed to get snapped up pretty quickly when their put up for sale, particularly 6sp manuals like mine.

Best thing you can do is have a drive of both, see if you notice any difference.

John

[designergraphics]

Have only owned a 993 Targa for three weeks (still the honeymoon period) and I've never driven a Coupe so can't make a comparison with regards to rigidity etc., but my experience so far is very positive. The car seems rigid enough for my driving capabilities but then I suppose my capabilities aren't that great, lol. The glass roof gives a light, airy feeling inside the car and although the roofline is not quite as sleek looking as the Coupe when viewed from the side I think it looks smarter from behind. I also like the fact it hasn't got water drainage channels. IMHO it looks like a modern classic. I hope it isn't correct but I've been told there's a total of seventeen motors in the roof The roof does make a little noice on uneven ground but not on ordinary roads. I'd certainly recommend you try a Targa before you make a final choice. Depending on your budget, there are a few for sale in the classifieds section which might be worth pursuing. Whichever model you choose I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[designergraphics]

993Targa said:

I do make sure that I close the roof when on level ground and keep the rubber components of the roof well lubricated with glycerine which completely stops the roof squeaking.

Nice tip, I'll give that a try.

[993Targa]

designergraphics said:

Have only owned a 993 Targa for three weeks (still the honeymoon period) and I've never driven a Coupe so can't make a comparison with regards to rigidity etc., but my experience so far is very positive.

Glad you are enjoying it I'd be surprised if us mere mortals would ever notice the difference.

designergraphics said:

I hope it isn't correct but I've been told there's a total of seventeen motors in the roof

As far as I am aware there are only 3 motors, 1 for each side of the glass roof and one for the blind. They are housed under the rear bulkhead behind the seats. I couldn't even begin to think where the other 14 could be !

[designergraphics]

designergraphics said:

I hope it isn't correct but I've been told there's a total of seventeen motors in the roof

993Targa said:

As far as I am aware there are only 3 motors, 1 for each side of the glass roof and one for the blind. They are housed under the rear bulkhead behind the seats. I couldn't even begin to think where the other 14 could be !

Now that makes sense. I thought it was a bit OTP. Thought this must be where the extra weight that gets mentioned comes from

[fieldl]

Los Angeles said:

including the opportunity for open-air driving without losing your hat or wig,

I see you have met LL then
Just stop talking about it and get one bought

[woogie]

If Marc is anything like San he will still be talking about getting one in 2 years

fieldl said:

Los Angeles said:

including the opportunity for open-air driving without losing your hat or wig,

I see you have met LL then
Just stop talking about it and get one bought

[nrayner]

I test drove a targa when looking for my current car - really light airy feel inside, and I could see how great it is on a nice summers day.

I decided I absoultely needed one.

Then I bought a coupe as I couldn't spend any more tinme waiting for the perfect Targa, and have had a huuuug grin on my face ever since, and rarely open the sunroof in the sunhine anyway.

So my advice would be look for a good car, if it happens to be a targa, see it as a bargain.

[cjm911]

verysideways said:

Targa is a tiny bit heavier than coupe but the main thing is rigidity - you actually feel the flex more than you do in a cab, which i found odd, but i guess it's because a soft top has inherent flexibility and the targa roof less so.

The big expanse of glass is wonderful though, so unless you're going to put 18" wheels and M030 springs on it i wouldn't worry too much... just go and drive one.

[cjm911]

Hi Guys,
I've just read the very interesting dialogue between many, concerning the Pros and Cons of Coupe vs Targas...well I'd like to open the discussion about Cabs. I have previously owned a 993 Coupe and loved it. But I now seem to have an absolute fetish for a 993 Cab and wondered what people's thoughts were on this version. Also, is the model more important than the mileage ie: low model 94 vs a higher mileage 97.

[Pickled Piper]

I am a Coupe man but just last week I spent a couple of passenger laps at Bedford Aerodrome in a Targa belonging to Sundeep who posts on here. From my exeperience you would have to be an extremely demanding driver to feel you were missing out on anything on the road.

pp

[chv01823]

I've settled on a Targa and have now run the car for about 6 years - came via a 993 coupe and briefly a cab. To be honest these are all pretty old now so the weight/stiffness issues seem pretty insignificant compared with the overall condition (especially alignment issues and horible old shocks).

After new shocks and a strut brace the targa feels pretty much the same as my old coupe used to. I haven't had any problems with the roof mechanism apart from a bit of squeeking which tends to settle down after a few miles.

As most people have said the real benefit is the open feeling and the ability to push most of the roof back without the Cab's noise/security. I also love the looks but that's going to be the same for any 993....

Charlie

[Sundeep]

Pickled Piper said:

I am a Coupe man but just last week I spent a couple of passenger laps at Bedford Aerodrome in a Targa belonging to Sundeep who posts on here. From my exeperience you would have to be an extremely demanding driver to feel you were missing out on anything on the road.

pp

cheers fella that is very kind.....

actually I do prefer the slightly sharper coupe set up, not much in it and most folk won't notice.. although a targa is easier to drift ! but with my current set up I'm not missing that much well maybe a 9m engine billet set up and a Fabspeed exhaust !