Targa Roof Care & Maintenance Tips + Avoid Doing This! Porsche 911 Targa 4S 997 Gen 2 and 997.1

In this how to guide, I demonstrate how to care for and maintain a Porsche 911 Targa Roof and what things to absolutely avoid doing to your Targa roof. This applies to a Porsche 997-series Gen 2 911 Targa 4S, Targa 4 and also the 997.1.
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[@PaulBerry-d1x]

It's been 10 years since I had a kid and sold that "Mondeoesque" 996 Targa in 2014 to finally get back into a 997.1 Targa C4S with a factory X51. As you say, the connoisseurs 911, I prefer the gentleman's 911.. I love your content, one of the last naturally aspirated, just like my car... Keep up the good work

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Thanks Paul, enjoy your Porsche! Raj

[@johnnycashlesscomedy8616]

Raj thanks for making this video. I had asked about making some thing like this a while back as my 997.2 Targa 4S roof had gotten a little noisy when closed, driving over rough roads. I’ll have to check if the Wurth lubricant I used is considered dry or not, and will clean out the tracks and apply a dry one. The Targa is the only model of 911 that’s really practical for a one car owner. I have gotten a mountain bike with front tire removed into the car, a 49” tv in the box, and I regularly use the car to transport my gear for film shoots, including C stands (grip stands). To protect the car I’ve it fully wrapped with STEK film and ceramic coated. While the newer Targa designs are certainly beautiful, they don’t have the practicality of the older Hatchback. Needless to say mine is not for sale and won’t be for many decades.

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Thanks Johnny, yes I remember our conversation, your use of your incredible Targa in filming is of great interest to me too! Thanks, Raj

[@zagatoalfa]

Curios, do you get the bike in from the seats or through the hatch?

[@JonathanJacobs]

Good tip on the dry friction free graphic lube for the rack. Silicon and oil gum it up and will cause a leak. Question: any tips for clearing the drains in the A B and C pillars from the glass roof tracks? Logged drains are the main reason these roofs leak I think.

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Thanks Jonathan, sadly I have no specific tips about keeping them clear. Sorry! Raj

[@peterbest5938]

Fairly rare model to find 👍

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Yes they are very hard to find Peter! Cheers, Raj

[@michaeltrivett2872]

Really interesting.Thanks

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Thanks so much Michael! Raj

[@MichaelWilliams-xw2ko]

Love the 997 vids! I have a 997.1. Do you have any roof shade replacement tips? Mine is clicking and not moving at all. Targa glass is fine.

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Thanks! No advice sadly on the shade not working, sorry about that! Raj

[@go4384]

Why aren't these more popular and why did they change this design? Seems pretty awesome to me. The big problem is the bigger weight of the AWD - would love to see this design on a RWD with lower weight.

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

They were an expensive model compared to the Coupe or Cabriolet, from memory around 10 percent. Also maybe Porsche only offered a small number of build slots on the production line for Targa models. Cheers, Raj

[@JonathanJacobs]

Very rare and more expensive. The roof design was also prone to leaking when not taken care of properly.

[@cboria148]

Raj, my 997.1 Targa 4S has some sort of leak. When it rains hard and it's parked outside, a small amount of water accumulates on the driver side (LHD) rear seat and a bit on the shelf. I suspect it means the gaskets are worn, but wondering what you recommend doing to properly diagnose and address the issue (rather than costly trial and error that doesn't lead to issue actually being fixed) :)

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Lookup 997 convertible leaks, they have drains that block and let in water through the speaker grills on the rear side sections. That would be my guess but speak to a local Porsche specialist that is familiar with this issue is my recommendation 👍🏻 Cheers, Raj

[@grossini]

Thank you for your suggestion. In my TARGA 2010 Mk2 4s I have a problem with the roof curtain: when I open it it is not pulled in but it hangs ... after a few minutes it is rewound very slowly ... can you give some suggestions to repair it? Thanks from Italy

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Hi Giuseppe, you’ll need to get a Porsche specialist near you to take a look at it, I haven’t come across this issue before. Thanks, Raj

[@dylansadventures1156]

Great video! Just bought a .1 Targa and my hatch doesn’t pop out far enough to open - the soft close catches it and sucks it closed. If I press up on the glass from inside the car while hitting the button, I can “help it” to where it can open. Any ideas?

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Sorry to hear this, I haven't come across any issues with the rear hatch, sorry about that. Raj

[@markcameron360]

...have you looked at the gas springs, are they not pushing the hatch up sufficiently?

[@mjhannaman]

I thought this was an issue with my .1 Targa hatch as well. I discovered that I needed to lift the hatch switch for about 5 seconds, rather than just one brief pull, and that signals it to release the locking mechanism instead of "sucking it" closed again. Hope that helps!

[@justinhe7183]

hi i just find my targa roof gets a bit leak when raining does it have to change the whole roof to fix or anything else can be help？thanks

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Hi Justin, there are drainage channels that can be cleared out by a Porsche specialist. Good luck, Raj

[@banguptothegospel]

Hi - my Targa 997.1 roof is jamming unfortunately. the fabric that runs in a runner towards the rear of the car has come out of its runner about 40 cm from the end and jammed, and I can't pop it back in. (I think a heavy box in the back knocked against it going round a corner and pushed it out of the guide runner) any thoughts on how to get it back in? Thanks Paul

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

I am so sorry to hear this, best to get a Porsche specialist who is familiar with this roof mechanism to look at it in person. Sorry! Raj

[@Sweetatblue666]

Can they be daily car , reliable

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Most definitely, as long as the one you buy doesn't have a squeaky roof! Raj

[@MrBatwa]

Would never 👎 buy a targa!!!! Too many things that will break over time!

[@MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE]

Thanks MrBatwa, they are more complicated for sure, much rarer too than others, possibly for this reason as well. Regardless, they have a big following from experience. Thanks, Raj

[@jimgraves665]

I bought one 2.5 years ago. a 2012.. not once have i had to think about roof problems... I cant you how many times I have appreciated the fact that I can lift the rear glass for storage.... grocery stores, kids backpacks, etc. etc........