“One does not tamper with success.”
The storied Carrera name returned to Porsche’s 911 for the 1984 model year with big changes in the engine, suspension, and brakes.
The Carrera’s new engine was the 200 bhp 3.2 liter/193 ci flat six with Bosch Motronic fuel injection. With the standard Getrag five-speed manual transmission, 0-60 mph came in about 6.3 seconds, with a claimed top speed of 152 mph in the 2,866-pound curb weight Carrera Targa (the 2025 911 Carrera Targa is about 3,772 pounds). Fuel mileage was 19 city/32 highway by the day’s standards (15/23 by today’s measures) with premium gas. With a 21.1-gallon gas tank, a 911 Carrera’s proud new owner could expect a range of between 365 and 435 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.
The 1984 911 Carrera Targa‘s base price was $33,450—about $107,300 in 2025 dollars and approximately 39% less than a 2025 Porsche 911 Targa 4S goes for. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included halogen headlights, fog lights, and tinted glass, and power vented disc brakes on all four wheels. The front 185/70VR15 tires sat on 15 x 6 inch alloy wheels, while the rear 215/60VR15 tires were mounted on 15 x 7 inch alloy wheels (Pirelli still makes these tire sizes). Inside, reclining front bucket seats, a leather Sport steering wheel, power windows, and air conditioning (said not to be very capable) were included. A stereo was not included—Porsche evidently assumed that 911 buyers had their own ideas about what should be in that part of the dash—and Crutchfield still provides. Stuttgart did deign to provide “4 speaker stereo preparation with automatic power antenna.”
Options & Period Reviews
Exterior and mechanical options for the Targa included a limited slip differential ($590), front and rear spoilers ($1,325), and 16-inch forged alloy wheels (6 inches wide in the front, 7 inches wide in the back—and setting the buyer back $1,580). Inside, options included automatic heating control ($485), automatic cruise control, power door locks, a passenger power seat, an alarm system, and a Blaupunkt Monterey digital cassette radio.
Period reviews were enthusiastic. Car and Driver stated that the 911 Carrera had “rousing performance.”
The View From 2025
It’s little surprise that eighties 911 Carreras have maintained their value quite well. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa in #1/Concours condition is $126,000, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $60,000.
Porsche 911 Carrera Targas have (of course) excellent club support from many sources and are often available in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. As I update this blog entry in April 2025, a Moss Green Metallic 1986 Cabriolet with black leather seats is for sale on Hemmings, asking $60,000.
Make mine Gemini Gray Metallic, please.
This is the first 911 Targa I have blogged about. Other eighties 911 models I have written about include the 1980 SC coupe, the 1985 Carrera Cabriolet, the 1986 Turbo coupe, and the 1987 3.2 Carrera coupe. Other eighties Porsches I have covered include the 1980 924 hatchback coupe, the 1982 924 Turbo hatchback coupe, the 1982 928 hatchback coupe, the 1986 944 Turbo hatchback coupe, the 1987 928 S4 hatchback coupe, and the 1988 944 hatchback coupe.
Eighties Cars 