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Hi, I'm looking at purchasing a low mileage 6spd targa C5, in the pewter color. I've found two real nice low mileage examples. One is a 2000 with 18,000 miles for 25,000, and the other is a 1998 with 25,000 miles for 22,000. I cannot see any difference between the two, other than the 2000 has side moldings. Is there any differences that would make one of these models a better choice than the other, other than saving 3,000? I would appreciate any learned opinions on this. Thanks, Mike
If you don't intend to modify it save the money and buy the 98. Then again, the 2000 will always be worth more at resale time.
The main differences in the years are fairly minor and transparent to the average user. The 98 uses paper blocker rings in the tranny. Not to worry about those really - they wear like iron according to Rodney at RPM transmissions and they've held up fine on my transmission. The other change is in the PCM. In 99 they upgraded the PCM ( the main engine computer) to a faster processor and more refined tuning tables. Not an issue unless you intend to put a big cam in there and still only a small issue.
Now I do believe the 2000's had an oil buring issue around the rings. Maybe others will pipe in about that. You'll want to see if that car had/has it and whether it been covered under warranty already.
Don't forget the issues with the tac/traction control module on the 97 & 98's! I would check and make sure that issue has been fixed. I know my 97 had problems in this area and it was quite an annoying issue. For that narrow of a price difference I would go with the 2000 unless the 98 had more major mods.
I'm at my limit now to as what I can afford, actually a bit past it, but what the heck. I'm going to go check both cars out tomorrow, and will probably pull the trigger on one or the other. Two last questions, do you think that those prices are in order for these low mileage cars, and, are there any particular items I should be checking when I look at these cars? Thanks, Mike?