kokkelix

I am currently planning on buying a Porsche 911. I've been looking for a coupe model, but today I saw a really nice SC targa for sale. I had a test drive today and the roof seems to be OK (no noise or leaks).

I like the looks of a coupe better, but are there any other major differences? Are performance and handling different? Is there more maintenance to do with a targa?

I live in Finland and there are only few days a year when you can drive the roof open.

hoffman912

well, targas have alot of flex. the coupe has a stiffer chassis. no matter what kind of strengthening you do to the targa, it still wont be as stiff as a coupe. this comes into effect on handling

Carrera GT

In my humble, the Targa is only for people that really prefer it. All Targas have a distinctly different shape with a square roof line in the early 911's and a sharp point to the window line in the modern 993's and 996's.

As mentioned, even in the much stiffer 996 chassis, there's less torsional strength (stiffness) so that makes for some creaks and squeaks as well as some loss of handling precision. Plus the added weight penalty in terms of acceleration, braking and so on.

I looked at a zero miles 993 Targa (a friend was selling) and I liked it a lot and the 993 all-glass roof idea is fun, but as soon as we drove over a gutter back into his driveway and everything creaked and groaned as the car twisted itself, one wheel at a time, over the gutter, I knew this was not the car for me.

As for maintenance, I imagine nothing much. I have a strong preference for the classic 911 outline that's broken by the early 911 Targas. Other than that, it's just about chassis integrity and the extra weight.

Cheers,

kokkelix

What is the price difference between a targa and a coupe? How much less should I pay for a targa?

RJT

The same year, same condition Targa vs. Coupe prices would be pretty close, but a Targa generally is less desirable and should not demand the same money. IMHO. The Targa that does NOT have wind leaks OR water leaks is a rare car!
Robert <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

dgcate

A note on wind-noise...

My 89 targa also seemed relatively "quite" below around 70 mph (which is as fast as I test drove it). After I bought it, I find it gets exponentially louder the faster I go over 70. At 85 to 90 mph the thing literally starts screaming. "Test-drive-it fast" to check the wind noise.

willwest

Well....

I bought my first Porsche in 1983, a 1978 SC Targa with 37k miles. Now 92k, still have it, likely always will. MUCH better choice that ANY Cabriolet, and don't get one of the "new" glass top duds.

When I have the top off I typically turn up the Kenwood and make no notice of any wind noise. Even up into the 120+ MPH range the wind noise is not excessive.

With the top on it is quieter than ANY convertible I have ever driven but of course not as quiet as the coupe.

Keeping mine leak proof has been a piece of cake.

It's at:

<a href="http://www.hobbystage.net/porsche/wwest" target="_blank">http://www.hobbystage.net/porsche/wwest</a>

HarryD

IMHO, There are two types of people, those that like Targas and those that don't.

If you are one type, don't try to be the other. Each car has it's unique set of charms. For me, part of the magic is in the Targa top. Even here in the rainy NW USA, I have enough days to enjoy the open top.

Decide what you want. There is no need to apologize to anyone. <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />

john d 81SC

FWIW...
I chose a Targa because all the coupes I drove that I could afford at the time (76-83), my head hit the roof (they were ALL sunroof - the non-sunroofs were not only rare, but at the time I wasn't even aware that they existed). I'm only 6'2", but long in the trunk,so the Targa provided me the necessary headroom. As far as leaking - I 've only been caught in the rain 5 times in 3 years, and so far, leaking hasn't been a problem. Wind noise, to me, is relative. Since I try to drive only on 'nice days' (throughout the year), I do so 'topless' as much as I can, so even at 75mph +, I don't really notice any siginificant db increase. HOWEVER, that may be my 'selective hearing', because the exhilaration of simply driving my 911 puts such a smile on my face, I'm not aware of those kind of 'negatives'. In Finland, where the 'nice days' may be significantly fewer and far between, may present a whole different atmosphere, so your 'topless' opportunities may not make sense for a Targa. If your head doesn't hit the roof, for the tighter body w/o the flex I'd go for a coupe 'in a heartbeat'- especially if your even remotely considering Driver's Ed events.

Drew Theodore

Get what you want, don't settle for something because it is available and/or a good deal. If you settle for something, you will look back on your purchase and wonder.

JeremyW964

Even though I now own a cab, I believe that the Targa is still the best of both worlds. Top off enjoyment but safety of the Targa bar. You can DE with the Targa - with a cab you need a bolt in roll bar. My old Targa (1990 C2) was very rigid - much more so than my cab. Is it as rigid as a coupe? No, but most amateurs at DE will never be able to explore the chassis to the limits anyway...

As far as looks, it's all subjective. They don't have a 911 coupe on display in the Museum or Modern Art in New York, they do have a Targa.

Roamer

I was in your shoes not too long ago and originally was looking for a coupe. However, being 6'3", the coupes felt a little tight. A targa gives you a little more headroom and the wonderful ability to take the top off an enjoy the sights, sounds and smell of an aircooled engine screaming through the backwoods.

As for chassis stiffness, it is OVERBLOWN, period. Are Coupes stiffer, yes, a little. Does it affect handling, yes, but only in EXTREME track conditions, but even there, the driver makes a FAR greater difference. There are plenty of targas racing that are just as competitive as the coupes. As for weight, older, non glass targas are only slightly heavier than coupes and if you add a roll bar to a coupe, the coupe and targa are about equal.

In the end, take both out, see which one YOU enjoy more and be done with it. For a fun car, I would go for a targa, if you want to race, strip out a coupe.

Good luck!

craigg

I TOTALLY agree with Roamer. He is right on ALL counts.

By the way, the Targa has a noticibly bigger rear window which makes visibility much better than the coupe.

kokkelix

Thank you all for your very good comments.

I think I'll pass the targa and try to find a decent coupe.

steve911

As HarryD said, IMHO, There are two types of people, those that like Targas and those that don't.

Go with what you like best.

for me, one word: TARGA