I had 996 Targa, now I have one generation older :)
996 is a great car, facelifed model is pretty the same as 997 mk1 except better look. But from the other hand side, I can't go through crappy rubber-covered buttons in 997/987.
I may be a Antichrist here, but I'd check the MX-5 - the driving pleasure is pretty high at the price level.