Targa...why or why not?

[Doug&Julie]

Originally posted by LeeH
Why? Here, let my daughter explain it:

That is adorable!

[jfw834]

in SoCal, i couldn't imagine life without a targa, so if i can have just one 911, it must be a targa/cab. (this is my situation) on the other hand, almost anywhere else where winter is actually a "season" when temp changes and weather sucks the majority of the year....etc., i would consider buying a coupe .....there is just something so spiritual about hearing that flat-6 engine roar behind you with the fresh air in the cabin and the sun on your neck....I can't ever achieve that in a coupe the same way.

Originally posted by 84porsche
Targas are the best especially the Guards Red ones.

right-on brotha....

[JonT]

Another 3.6 targa. Great on the track, perfect for a sunny day cruise. When the weather is nice its a hard feeling to beat cruising with the top off on a twisty road.

[KobaltBlau]

very nice, JonT! I hope to see you at a DE here in colorado one of these days. this year's schedule is at http://vista.pca.org/rmr

edit: dang, that's a longer drive than I thought. still, maybe sometime!

[racerdoc911]

Right now, I live in New Jersey, but I am moving to SoCal in the next few months. Even when its cold, even snowing, you can take the top out of a targa and listen to the sweet six sing. The echo of the engine on the snow is quite amazing. Try putting a cab's top down in weather below 50 degrees, and you are asking for mucho trouble.

[JeremyD]

Targas Rock - The best combination of open air feeling with the added security of the targa bar.

My old 964 Targa


Gotta tell you that for DE - I wish I had my old Targa back. Even with the DAS rollbar - I still feel a little neked. But if you want to feel like a rock star - drive a cabriolet...

[Hugh R]

Now bra-less, I gotta take more pictures

[Aussie]

I guess it all depends on personal preference and what you intend to use the car for.

I would prefer a targa over a cab, I think they look much better.

However I would prefer a coupe over anything!

[speeder]

This is one of those semi-pointless threads that recurs whenever things get a little slow around here; how can anyone truly be right or wrong in this deal??

We're talking about matters of taste, and they are not really debate-able(?) Do you like the looks of the targa? If you can live w/ the looks of it, and like to drive w/ the roof off, go for it! They are definitely the most plentiful and cheapest variation of the 911 in the used market, but their numbers also attest to their popularity when new. Remember, they were slightly more expensive new than a similarly optioned coupe, (~$1000).

I like them OK, but the lines of the 911 are too important to me and most design-type people agree that the rear side windows and roofline of the 911 coupe combined w/ the rear fenders is the signature of the (close to perfect) design, even the rear glass w/ the little vents above it are beautiful. If none of this makes sense to you, definitely ignore me here.

I should add that I am not a big open car fan, I generally hate convertibles and like to be *cocooned* inside of the car w/ a dark interior and tinted glass. I never even opened my sunroof much, but I appreciated that it opened and closed w/ a touch of a button. We get mucho sun here in SoCal, it is not a precious commodity.

Targas look like an Easter basket to me, but as they say in the used car business, "There is an ass for every seat"....

Get what you like, but since everyone is posting targa pictures, chew on this:

[svandamme]

ok , the 911 lines are bit nicer on a coupe ... but hell , when you're driving it .. you don't see those lines...
at that point the fun of topless in nice weather beats coupe driving every time...

it also beats the cab because you don't have much turbulence around your head, you don't need a wind deflector thing , that rear window does it for ya... and does a great job too...

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by svandamme
it also beats the cab because you don't have much turbulence around your head, you don't need a wind deflector thing , that rear window does it for ya... and does a great job too...

Actually my cab is quieter than my Targa with the top up or down... Go figure.

[svandamme]

Originally posted by Jeremy964
Actually my cab is quieter than my Targa with the top up or down... Go figure.

@120 mph?? do you use a wind deflector?

[wholberg]

Maybe the potential buyer is overthinking this a bit. Go into your new car search with an open mind. Test drive everything and buy the one that speaks to you.

Sometimes the car picks the person.

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by svandamme
@120 mph?? do you use a wind deflector?

Ok not to 120 - but usable traffic speeds yes, It's quieter at 60mph top up and down - quieter to around 100. After that they both have a roar.

The only negative I had re: the Targa (I could live with the noise) was that the top was heavy and was not easy for my wife to get on and off. I usually just left it off and in the trunk when she took the car and hoped for no rain. With the cabriolet, even with a manual top - she can raise and lower it much easier. No wind deflector. No tail.

[svandamme]

ehm... i find 120 very usable

[safe]

I just love my targa more and more...
Sure the coupes lines are sweeter but I would take a targa over a cab any day.
Also, Porsche almost equals Targa. Everyone knows what a targa is.


My precious, soon with refinished 16" fuchs.

[donstevens]

I have had both. I am a coupe guy but I must say I liked my Targa more than I ever thought I would.

My top did not fit well so I took it off and left it off. If it wasn't nice enough to drive with top off, we did not take it out. I did feeze my @ss off one time driving back from Sebring in the winter.

I like the photo of the little girl in the Targa with the roof off. That should help you make your decision.

Don

[JeremyD]

Don you'll have to come to one of our Tampa Bay Area get togethers...

[speeder]

Originally posted by svandamme
ok , the 911 lines are bit nicer on a coupe ... but hell , when you're driving it .. you don't see those lines...

This is true, but you must realise that this statement sort of negates the value of beauty in general, (can't see my house when I'm in it, etc...), , but to each their own of course.

I once met a girl who I swear was the inspiration for the invention of the dimmer switch.

[JeremyD]

Is a coupe in the Museum of Modern Art? No - Is a Targa? Yes! Enuf said...