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It’s cliche, but you really should experience both for yourself. Internet advice on this topic is not likely to help you much. For the most part, targa guys love the targa and cab guys love the cab and road noise is very subjective.
It’s cliche, but you really should experience both for yourself. Internet advice on this topic is not likely to help you much. For the most part, targa guys love the targa and cab guys love the cab and road noise is very subjective.
I agree with this ... I thought I wanted a convertible, sat inside with the top up and hated it almost immediately - I felt claustrophobic. However, we went for a test drive and ... I hated it even more - felt too exposed.
We went for a ride immediately after that in a Targa and I really loved it - BUT, the buffeting was too harsh.
So the happy medium for me is a coupe with a glass top
I have a Targa and a BMW convertible (Z8) so not a direct comparison, but as mentioned above, you absolutely need to go and experience both with some extended driving in different outside temperatures. The Targa is much more cocooned, especially with windows up than a convertible would ever be and the experience is different. Not better or worse, just different. I am obviously lucky to be able to pick and choose based on what I feel like at the time, but you rwally ned to decide for yourself.
To a convertible person, Targa ends up being a gimmick which only takes you half the way there.
Three ways to tell if your convertible person
1) you're attracted to motorcycles
2) You like to drive with your window down to the point where your passenger says "Put the damn window up, will yuh?"
3) You hate seat belts because they're too confining.
I’ve had 2 991 convertibles. Liked it but then this last one is a targa. I’ll never go back to a convertible. The targa is truly a great compromise that coupes you and coupe feel when the top is up. Meaning you feel like you’re in a traditional hardtop coupe and with the top down you get the topless feel like a convertible.
its the rear window on a targa that is key. With a top up on a cab you have little visibility because the rear window is so small in comparison. I have amazing field of vision in my targa. Also the fabric/rag top feel of a convertible When the top is up reminds you there is a compromise.
I get buffeting slightly at 40 mph or around there but that’s it. And who stays at 40 mph...
I won’t do a cab again. I’ll always have a targa from here on out. I probably won’t do a coupe again either unless it’s a GT car.
Targa looks great top up or down
It's louder than I expected with top down
top up and it's coupe like inside.
Also own a s2000 and had an Elise. So I'm an open top guy. Targa is very open and airy.
Doesn't feel like a convertible compromise at all.
To a convertible person, Targa ends up being a gimmick which only takes you half the way there.
Three ways to tell if your convertible person
1) you're attracted to motorcycles
2) You like to drive with your window down to the point where your passenger says "Put the damn window up, will yuh?"
3) You hate seat belts because they're too confining.
Cab for me, but this is going to be a very individual decision. I'm actually on my third convertible. Started with an S2000, which I had for 18 years. I bought it for the engine and handling, it just happened to be a roadster. Then I absolutely fell in love with top down driving. The wind, the sounds, it's as good as therapy to me. Then we bought a 997.2 cab. Recently sold both and got into a 991.2 cab. Pretty well decided we'll always have a convertible in the fleet, but we live in a S FL where the climate is well suited for it.
I've also driven a Targa, and it didn't have the same open feeling. I'm sure I'll be crucified for this, but the silver arch to me just looks a little old fashioned, and doesn't really do it for me. Rearward visibility is much better, but that doesn't really bother me. I suspect I've just adapted to it after ~20 years driving convertibles. As Enzo once said, "what is behind you does not matter".
991.1 cab owner here. Am very fortunate to live in an area with great weather, so have never driven with the top up. Sitting in it with the top up, you become very aware of blind spots and lack of visibility. Never considered the Targa....
Targa looks great top up or down
It's louder than I expected with top down
top up and it's coupe like inside.
Also own a s2000 and had an Elise. So I'm an open top guy. Targa is very open and airy.
Doesn't feel like a convertible compromise at all.
And that bar...
So classic and classy!
How lovely!
I've had coupes, cabs and a Targa (much like the one above but it was more stock than this one).
At one point many years ago, I had an '87 Carrera Coupe and an '88 930 cab at the same time. One of each be my choice if space and money weren't concerns.
For me, I never really warmed up to the Targa all that much. In spite of the huge glass, it never felt very open to me - more like a giant sunroof. So I traded it on an order for a late 991.2 cab, the car I have now. What I prefer about the cab is it can be completely open or, if you put up the windows and the power windscreen, it's very much like a Targa - easy to carry on a conversation and little wind buffeting.
There is no question in my mind that the Targa looks "cooler". I would prefer a power retractable hardtop than that large piece of fabric to care for in the cab.
Another plus for the cab (to me) is that with the SmartTOP module, you can one touch raise and lower the top up to about 30mph. I think it's more like 4 mph with the Targa (and I always came to a complete stop for fear of throwing that mechanism out of whack).
Cabriolet, why settle for half an open roof when you can have the whole thing down. I'm on my 4th Porsche cab and had 2 Corvette convertibles previously. There is no substitute!
Def drive both and see what you like.
I did add the little wings last week and that's helped with the buffer. It's weird never actually felt the wind but would hear it. Now that's gone
Def drive both and see what you like.
I did add the little wings last week and that's helped with the buffer. It's weird never actually felt the wind but would hear it. Now that's gone
05-14-2020, 11:40 PM
