[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by legion

In general, convertibles are heavier and have a more flexible chassis than their hard-top counterparts. They are usually designed for people who put "look at me" above performance. In general, convertibles do not make good sports cars or ruin an already good sports car. This is a pretty purist sports car crowd on this board.

I'm hardly someone that considers myself to be a "look at me" type, I bought mine since it was something I saw as a kid and liked. I do find the Targa top to be a bit of a PITA when removed and surely the car does lack in stiffness. I had no idea about performance driving or any of that when I got my Targa. To do it again (with an open top car) I would prefer one of the 996/7 variants or a Boxster so as not to mess with the top. I heard a guy once say that he gave up motorcycling and his Boxster was as close as he could get to that feeling of open road freedom.

I think some of the fussing on the board is more due to the anti- "look at me" aspect as opposed to the structural inferiority.