Since the glasroof Targas were introduced, the car has always been very different compared to the rest of the range. Some people hate it and others love it, but you rarely find opinions in between those two extremes.

Senator: looks like you'd be better off with a Cab, the Targa doesn't sound like being the right car for you. Personally, having owned a 996 Cab and driven a 996 Targa, I know I prefer the Targa for two reasons:
1. I find it much more practical - the roof can be opened/closed whenerev I want and even with the roof closed, the amount of light coming into the cabin makes it feel open.
2. I think the Targa looks very different to the standard Coupe or Cab shape. To me, it feels more exclusive and more beautiful.

I for one certainly hope they make a 997 Targa and I have no doubt that if they do, it will be a futher improvement. Just look how much the base Coupe has been improved from 996 to 997...