I agree, Targa's are terrible looking cars... just look at mine!
Seriously though...
I had two coupes (1969 and a sunroof 1975) before my Targa and yes, both coupes were stiffer but the Targa only suffers in comparison to a 911 coupe. It's much stiffer than most other open top cars. Even been in a Miata? I owned a 1990 model and that thing was terrible for cowl shake. Ended up driving it with the hardtop installed most of the time to give the wet-noodle body some rigidity. Anyway...
I had never really liked the way the Targa's looked until I started seeing early ones around with the stainless targa bar. The added piece of jewelry really makes the car, and adds a flair that no coupe of the same era can match. Plus, as mentioned may times above, there is nothing like the wail of the flat-6 pouring over the top of the car and into the open cockpit. Porsche-gasm!
At the end of the day, it's still a 911 regardless of body-style and therefore is the pinnacle of automotive style and design.
