911 coupe vs targa vs cabriolet?

[megerian]

I love my cab, so call me a pansy all you want. Nothing quite like a spirited cruise through the countryside with the top down and the sun shining. Plus, the wife likes it.

[Joe Bob]

[5String43]

The top on my Targa does not leak, neither does it rattle - though it will emit the odd creak and groan from time to time.

I'm 6 feet four inches tall, so it's what works for me. I can't sit in a sunroof coupe without my head being in hard contact with the roof. There's just more vertical space in a Targa or cab.

Plus, when the weather is nice and the top is off/down, there's no better way to drive, especially since the air conditioning systems in these things is marginal, at best

As far as ugly is concerned, I agree that Targas don't have the classic lines of the coupe, for sure. But to call a Targa ugly is a bit of a reach, I should think.

[Bob Kontak]

Targas and cabs have less foot room for the left foot due to added bracing.

Targas and Cabs (I think cabs but not absolutely sure) have an issue with the windshield to top seal. Porsche makes the new seals in the 964 seal thickness size and you have to trim this 964 seal to fit the earlier channels properly. You do not want to do this. Another way to say this is of you but the Pelican seal for an 83 you get a too-fat seal and you have to trim it and it is not pretty unless you are experienced. The correct seal sizes are available but make sure you ask before you buy.

The tops on the Targas, if never having been done, need full professional reconditioning - webbing, etc. Not obtaining proper glues for the DIY-er doing this project will cause problems later when the car bakes in the sun. You must use the tougher German vinyl vs the thin domestic vinyl or your Targa top skin will stretch in the heat and balloon up from the roof vacuum created when you drive on the highway.

Door windows on a coupe are guided on their way up. Targas and Cabs are "on their own" and can be tougher to align properly.

When I put jack stands under my Targa, the doors don't open the same way as when the car is on the ground. They kind of get stuck - very open-able - but there is a friction drag from body flex. Not sure if the Cab has more bracing that will offset this. There are inexpensive kits that help with the flex some. Most say they like it. Available from Pel Parts.

I am 6' with a long torso. I do not have head room issues. I have read but do not know for sure that the coupes with sunroofs can cause headroom problems for tall peeps.

Targa wind noise is annoying and adjustments are do-able. But, if you are starting with a tired top it can be frustrating. Car washing takes extra drying on the inside with a towel.

Coupes have headliners that can be nasty to replace. Sunroof motor and hardware can be added maintenance but I don't read a lot of issues with the 911 like I do the 944 sunroof.

FWIW. Coupe doors sound better when they shut.

Cabs and Targas do not visually carry a tail as well as the coupe. The lines are disrupted to begin with and the tail busts it up further. Not ugly, just busy. However, a tail/nose spoiler combo is really nice for stability for any of the models.

I would buy a Targa again after 15 years of living with their idiosyncrasies. Just like them.

[BK911]

I have coupes and targas, so best of both worlds.
If I could have only one?
Targa!!

[Bear911]

I wonder if anyone that has owned a well sorted targa would honestly be able to say that they wouldn't have another one?

[pegasus9]

I've had both. Targas are equally as fun (if not more) just in the fact that you can hear more of the engine when it roars with the top off.

But I love my coupe.
Purity in the lines and I don't miss the squeaks and rattles.

[Nick Triesch]

I love all 911 cars but to me the Coupe is just much more pretty with that great smooth roof line. The Targa just goes flat for a bit so the curve goes away. Hey! I have a sun roof! But I will tell you....I would have bought a Targa if the price was right!! Just not that big of a deal.

[motorcop]

Originally Posted by megerian

I love my cab, so call me a pansy all you want. Nothing quite like a spirited cruise through the countryside with the top down and the sun shining. Plus, the wife likes it.

Ditto to that!!

[SuperOldSchool]

I love my Cab on a sunny day or warm night. I am ok being a pansy.

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by jrolstin

Couldn't have said it better myself...

+2 IMHO, why have all the hassels, if you want to be outside go sit at the beach

[Hugo930]

They all suck
They're all great
Some suck
Some are great

Whatever you wish.

[LuftWaffle]

If you're tall you will appreciate the additional headroom in a Targa or Cab. The "hardcore" types that dismiss the open cars are often short and insecure in their manhood...

[westcoast911]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

Personally I wanted a cab because the weather in SOCAL simply lends itself to it.
Other than riding my motorcycle with my wife in the back very little beats driving the cab on the Pacific Coast Highway and some of our canyon roads or having an after dinner "stroll" on a warm Summer night... It is just a very sensually rewarding experience, especially as my better half doesn't mind the speed at all.
A Targa would have been nice too, but the cab presented itself first.
A coupe would be a nice addition in the garage, but not a replacement for the cab.
Of course if I lived in a region with a "driving season" things would be different.

Here on the Westcoast...AKA wetcoast,we have alot of rain. I prefer the looks of the coupe,and I intend to do some DE days,and Autocross the car. In many ways,the coupe makes more sense, but I wanted some real world feedback. We are downsizing from a fleet of 5 cars,to 2. So I am going to daily drive this car,and ask it to do alot of other things. The open air of a targa or Cab,makes the car that much more useable...or should I say enjoyable,but not at the sake of a miserable driving experience the rest of the year,and if it really takes away from the handling characteristics of the car. The last and final piece,is that I am tall,so for a coupe,I need a car without a sunroof...otherwise my head touches the cieling. I am assuming that Cabs and targas have more room.

[dshepp806]

Coupe....

Doyle

[MMiller]

^^^ That's right

Mike

[westcoast911]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

My cab was a Zone 8 AX champ....def not a pansy wagon.....

I want to hear more about this car! What mods have been done to stiffen the car ,if any?

Doesnt look like a pansy wagon to me either.

[Reiver]

For purists hard tops have always offered a sturdier platform for handling and Porsche's are all about handling.
When the factory raced 911's (or anyone serious) they used Coupes.
When you cut a hunk out of the middle you get flex....Targa's/Cabs are for cruising and that's what they are designed for....summer fun.

[Paul K]

I've had both.

Targas are nice if you get the top rebuilt & adjusted so it fits right.

They suck at anything over 45mph with the top off (even with the windows up).

I went with a coupe this time and don't miss the targa.

Drive both. You'll soon figure it out.

[Lukesportsman]

I've got a SawZall if I ever change my mind