HueyN

All,

I got a ride and drive in a friend's '87 targa a month or so ago. I found the wind noise a little bothersome. I've never owned a targa so, it might be me that's not used to it. Or it could be that my friend's targa top was a little old.

My question to you guys would be: Are all targas that wind-noisy? Or, can it get pretty close to the quietness of a coupe?

Thanks in advance!
-Huey

wwest

The legacy Targa is quieter than a convertible but noisier than a coupe.

Absolutely excellent compromise IMMHO!

Blasting across MT, SD, WY at 100MPH+, Kansas at xxMPH, I simply turn the Kenwood CD up louder than the wind noise and enjoy!

And actually with the top open theh Targa has a lot less wind noise than the convertible.

My 78 SC is at:

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

The Wimbledon Green one would have been a Targa (NEVER a convertible) if Porsche still built the legacy style.

993chaz

Having owned 2 Targas, I'd never buy one again. I had many leaky and noisy drives. They are not very good in rainy weather, also as there isn,t a tight seal the windows seem to fog up very easily, especially on coder days. Now if this is going to be mainly a garage queen who cares. Personally I would go for a coupe for every day driving, if for a garage queen go with a convertible. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Roamer

I have owned a targa for 9 months and would highly recommend one. Yes they are noiser than coupes, but less so than cabs. When the top is off it is actually quiter than a coupe (no resonance) and offers much of the "wind-in-your-hair" experience of a cab. I have had no problems with rain, and I have driven in driving rain storms without complaint. I also have had no problems with window seals/fogging, it might have been that 993chaz had bad seals and/or windows were adjusted improperly. Also, the rigidity limitation is overblown IMO, a couple of braces will help with this.

In sum there is nothing like a solid car that you can take out and get the wind in your hair, something a coupe or cab owner can't do. Donahue called targas the best of the 911s, and I think he knew what he was talking about.
Good luck.

Chris Martin

The targa will be noisier than a coupe, but it doesnt have to be loud or leak. While not always easy and/or cheap, the top can be adjusted/repaired to seal tightly. Dont forget that you gain a little headroom with a targa as well. I've thought about swapping out my coupe a few times to gain the extra room.

Tom F

I've got one of each, coupe and targa, and I would find it harder to give up my targa. One small leak along the front edge of the driver's door where it meets the windshield. It only leaks when parked for a while in driving rains - not a big deal. The fix is a new windshield seal, and I don't feel like trying to fit one of the replacements. Wind noise not an issue since I recovered the top (yes, on my own). Flex is only noticeable when it's on jackstands - then the rear door gap opens up a mm. There is no problem with performance and flex. Two of the fastest cars that I know of in the local PCA are SC targas. They've both done a ton of autocross and track time.

marc 1xx1

Huey:

It comes down to this, either your a Targa person or you're not a Targa person. It is kind of like that dog/cat thing.

Yes they are noisier than a coupe, yes they leak, and no they are neither coupe nor cab.

Remember this: After a while, you don't even hear the wind noise (install a performance muffler and SSI) and with the windows open and the top off, it just doesn't matter. Second, drive your other car(s) in the rain.

I have replaced all seals, reskined my top and a bunch of other stuff (technical term) and it still leaks (air and water)! However, I still love this car.

For me it is the best of both worlds and it is an open top car that can go to the track. It is a joy to drive and is very competitive against coupes autocrossing or at DE.

Yes the car does flex a bit, however I have found it to help in autocross. Add a camber truss to tighten up the front end.

Do I like my coupe, SURE!!! But they are very different cars. Oh and by the way, the wind noise in the coupe is worse with the windows open than in the targa with the windows open and the top on or off.

I also own a convertable (another marque) and would never consider owning a Porsche cab. Afterall you can't take an 'open' P-car to the track. So why bother?

My .02 to you is first figure out if you're a Targa guy or not.

Good luck and you really can't go wrong either way!

marc <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

85targa911man

I tend to agree with Marc. Targas can be noisy, particularly if the targa top frame starts to bend or loosen up with age. Air whistling through a gap between the front lip and the windshield frame is usually the source of wind noise. But a well-fitted top reduces the noise to a level a little louder than a coupe but not as loud as a cab. I suggest riding in a few targas, hopefully at least one with a decent front-roof-to-windshield seal, to see what you think. My targa prbably falls somewhere in the middle as far as noise, but I would still not switch to a coupe because of the appearance and experience of the car with the top off.

MikeF

Having owned all three (930 coupe, 964 cab, and 911 Targa), the Targa is clearly the best of all worlds for me. I've had my top reworked by Dan Petchel and it fits tight and there is very little wind noise (although it squeaks a bit when turning out of the driveway when the weather is cold).

Really, it depends how you use your car. Mine is a weekend, nice weather car that is used for DE about 4x per year. I feel I have it all (except for the power of the 930)...open top driving, track prowess, and great looks. Of the three, the Targa is clearly the keeper for my needs. After having my suspension updated (22 & 29 t-bars, Konis sports, lower, align, cornerbalance, etc., it is the most fun car I have ever owned!

Ed Hughes

Unlike 993chaz, I'd highly recommend a Targa. Although that being said, I've always lived in "fair weather" places. I'd always liked the looks of the coupes better, but this summer, I got a deal on a Targa that I couldn't resist. It is the best of ALL worlds. I don't have a lot of wind noise, IMHO, and whatever is there, is covered by the music of the exhaust (Euro pre-muffler & Bursch muffler).

cmoss

Having owned a '80 SC Targa I can say that it starts noizy and gets more so as the seals/weather stripping etc. age. Look on the bright side--if your radio breaks, you'll never know!
Cheers,
Chris
ps it'll leak too.
pps still, it's a winner in my book.

dgcate

Mine, you can't hear yourself think above 70 mph, but no leaks ('89 w/32k).

I owned an '87 10 yrs. ago that was as quiet as most coupes, but it leaked.

Coupes for winter, targas for spring summer fall!

Cracking the pass. window seems to soften it some.

dgcate

PS...Having owned a coupe and targa, Targas' the way to go.
David