Considering Trading Up for Late '80s Targa

[NoYouRelax]

I am a huge fan of the Targa and I have a very clean '83 Guards red Targa with 78K miles. This car runs great and is very nimble and super clean. I would like to find a comparable Targa, '86 - '89 and would like to know how much higher value these cars are over a very clean SC. I am not in an hurry as my current car gives me plenty of fun.... I am curious though and I will probably ask up to $25,000 for my car. I am guessing that I might pay $32000 to $38000 for a late '80s Targa.....am I close?

[christiandk]

I think that you are close. But why would you want to swap. The Carrera will not give you anymore satisfaction, imo. Also if you would want the G5 you need to look for model year 87 to 89. The G5 is not better for a standard car, imo.

[Matt Monson]

You're in the ballpark but I personally don't consider the 3.2 Carrera worth the premium at today's prices. You can buy a rough project Midyear for the price difference. Or put $10k into your existing car and make it whip the arse of a stock 3.2 Carrera, performance wise.

[PushingMyLuck]

As a seller who is in no hurry, you can just list the car with a very aggressive asking price.
If someone bites, then it's time to shop for a 3.2. If not, you've lost nothing.

If you sell high, and buy low, you might even arbitrage the situation and make a few bucks.
Here is an 86 Targa with similar miles that just sold for $22k
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-PORSCHE-911-TARGA-/331143498260?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STR K%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=IjkCSBhyiaqK0jLLqFBzmj vdXsE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

[vracer]

Have you actually driven the later cars? I agree with your Targa 'fetish', and I have an '89, but the cars got heavier and less nimble. I understand new-car-it is, and succumb often, but you might have the better car for you in your garage right now.

[COLB]

I am guessing that I might pay $32000 to $38000 for a late '80s Targa.....am I close?

You might if you buy it off the "floor" of a dealer, but you woudn't have to pay that much unless you are looking for a pristine, low mileage example.

There are certainly a lot of Targas trading under $30k.

I haven't driven enough 911s to make really good "side-by-side" comparisons, but I found stock US Carreras to be significantly quicker than stock US SCs -- and that impression is borne out by the numbers.

Targas are apparently the heaviest variant, and the difference in weight between the 83 and 88 cars is more than made up for in HP:

1983 Targa: 2855lb curb weight; 180 HP, 189 lb/ft; 15.27 lb/hp

1988 Targa: 2976 curb weight; 217 HP, 195 lb/ft; 13.71 lb/hp

The source is the Excellence website. Weight numbers tend to be all over the board, and vary extensively by publication -- not to mention options.

However, if you have a Euro-spec SC making 204 HP, and have bumped your power up a bit with options like upgraded exhaust and maybe trimmed some weight (like A/C delete), the performance difference is probably minimal. Of course, the same performance mods on a Carrera will retain that edge.

Obviously, straight-line performance is not the same as being "nimble" -- it is possible the lighter cars handle better, but I never noticed any difference in street driving.

The difference, as Matt mentions, is that the higher price (and transaction costs) can buy you enough upgrades to get your SC into Carrera performance -- unless it is just a matter of wanting a "newer" car.

Personally, I like the G50 much more than the 915, and believe the Motronic is a little less finicky than CIS -- especially after long layovers.

[Sunroof]

The SC with the 3.0 liter, CIS is a great car and with only 78k on your odometer you have many miles to go on that engine. So consider the mileage on sale and purchase. Your mileage is way below average so you can ask a higher price, but if your looking for something comparable in the 87 89 range with the G50 you'll pay a lot more.

Take the advice offered here on the Carrera's versus the SC Targa's and hang on to that beauty you have and enjoy it. Is your 3.0 equipped with the hydraulic chain tensioner update and a pop-off valve? Two essential upgrades for the 3.0's (SC's). Is having the CIS versus the DME keeping you up at night? Is the 915 tranny an issue?

The SC's are the best cars to ever come off the line. I know, because I owned a 1979 for many years and loved it. They have more "nervous energy" then the 1984 and on Carreras. The best Porsche put out. So give it a big hug and relax................you have a great car.

Bob
Porsche owner for over 40 years.