911 Targa vs. Cabriolet: The Great Open Air Debate
Rennlist members mull the pros and cons of Porsche’s 911 open roof variants, and the results are rather interesting.
If you’re the type who likes the feel of wind in your hair (if you still have some), you’ve undoubtedly mulled over the choice between a 911 Targa and a Cabriolet. Both offer similar open air experiences, after all, albeit in a much different manner. So which is best for you – a moving hard top panel or old school retracting soft top?
Instead of polling friends and family, forum member Zeus993 decided to gather up opinions from actual owners. So he posed the question in this thread recently.
“Considering a 991 cab but there’s also a beautiful black over black – bordeaux targa on the lot. Any thoughts on the open-air driving experience? Is it enough with the Targa? Wish for more of the top off I.e. a cab? Thanks in advance…”
As you might imagine, it didn’t take long for several folks to chime in. After all, we Porsche fans tend to be passionate about our preferences. But a few obvious distinctions between the 911 Targa and Cabriolet quickly emerged.
“Now that is a tough choice,”9ELOVIN admitted. “Both cars are beautiful but the Bordeaux red in the Targa is especially beautiful. It appears you have had cabs before so you know what that feels like. Most of the automotive writers complain that the Targa is very noisy when open at speed. And by noisy I’m referring to wind noise. So, I would recommend driving one to see if that bothers you. If not, you may have a coin flip in your future. Good luck with your purchase”
Despite the road noise complaints, most 911 Targa owners seem to disagree. One thing they do agree on is that it provides a couple of distinct benefits over the Cabriolet, however.
“Love the Targa,”Al.Fresco said.“Have had cabs before (non 911’s but cabs) and I am never wanting more when I have the Targa lid down. Another huge benefit is the visibility with the top up. Top up Cab visibility sucks….top up Targa visibility is great. And to me….the Targa is certainly the better looking of the two, top up or down.”
“I took delivery of 2017 Targa two weeks ago, aesthetically the best-looking 911 IMHO,” adds 72offsuit.“The top mechanism is fantastic to watch and at every cars and coffee or PCA run people ask to see a live demo. Is it noisy? For me no better or worse than Cab, I find that lowering the windows reduces the wind buffeting. Top up it is quiet and stable. The ride feels bit “softer” maybe it is the extra weight or suspension adjustment for the model. You don’t see another one every day vs. coupe or cab if that matters to you. I do not track my cars, so a GT cruiser suits me perfectly. Really can’t go too far wrong either way. No regrets here, I would make the same choice every time. Test drive both on the highway and back roads, best of luck whichever you may choose.”
“I don’t find the Targa any noisier or any more buffeting up to 75MPH on the freeway than I did in either of my 981 Boxsters, even with the windows up,” says Keadog. “As I’ve written elsewhere, the only thing that bothers me is the need to be at a stop to put the top up or down (but of course I knew that going in).”
Not everyone agrees, of course. Some folks are just simply rag top fans who don’t see the point of a vehicle like the 911 Targa.
“The only reason to select a Targa over a convertible is because you like to look at a Targa more than you like to look at a convertible,” fuddman adds. “All other comparative characteristics, it seems to me, favor selecting the convertible. Full disclosure: I am a convertible person.”
But Al.Fresco points out that maybe the wind buffeting issue reported by others might have more to do with where you sit.
“I think the noise/buffeting issue is a seat position thing. I am 6′ and position the seat forward enough so that my left foot can easily and comfortably fully seat onto the dead peddle with a comfortable amount of knee bend…no buffeting heard by me. If however, I was to be a seat way back and legs straight sort of driver, I would indeed hear much more noise/buffeting as the closer your head is to the Targa bar, the more noise/buffeting you will experience. I think seat location is the difference between why some say they experience no buffeting and others say its really bad.”
One thing’s for sure – everybody has their unique opinion on the matter. But kyrocks sums up their pros and cons quite nicely, we’d say.
“Targa wins in looks. Way better open air experience for you (and all passengers) in the Cabriolet. Electric windscreen in Cabriolet definitely reduces wind noise compared to Targa. Cabriolet top can be put up or down when moving; Targa top cannot…must be stationary and takes longer. You choose. Both awesome cars.”
And that last point pretty much sums things up. There’s no real loser here, no matter which option you go with. But we’re curious to know, would you recommend the 911 Targa, or stick with the traditional Cab? Be sure and chime in with your thoughts here!
