I mistyped -- no heated seated or cooled seats on the Carbon Fiber bucket seats.
Yes-- my Targa does have heated and cooled seats.

The Sport seats are okay-- but the base comfort seat as it is called is definitely more comfortable to sit in for longer rides.
Personally I don't even see that much difference between the sport and comfort seats other than the sport seat has larger wings on the sides that if you are a larger guy can push on your shoulders --

Overall -- owning all three seats -- in three new cars-- for me personally the base seats are the best. Sometimes Porsche depends on the King's coat concept-- if you pay more for an option than the base alternative, they know most guys will "feel" the difference in performance and utility is greatly improved.

 

I've had lots of seat time in most of the seat options. Personally, the 18 way sport plus seats are the best blend of "sport" and comfort to me.

The non-Sport Plus seats (the base and 14 way with less bolstering) don't look very good to me... with less side and seat bolstering, they look less suited for a performance car. More like something you would see in a base BMW or Audi. I get that it's not about looks but they just look too plain to me in the car and, other than being cheaper, I don't see any advantages to them given how comfortable the 18 way seats are. I would take the basic 4-way Sport Plus seats versus the 14 way sport (non-plus) seats.

If I had to rank them...

1. 18 way sport plus... best all around blend of comfort, looks and support
2. 4 way sport plus... if you don't need memory functions
3. Bucket seat... if you are spending a lot of time at the track or aren't in and out of the car a ton
4. 14 way sport seat
5. 4 way sport seat

If I was in the market for a used 911, I would not buy one with the less bolstered non-plus seat. IMO, the Sport Plus options are the goldilocks options for the 911.

 

I have a 4-way and am happy with it, but I am the sole driver. Otherwise, memory seat function in 14 or 18 way become important.

 

the 14 or 18 way seat functions are not a big deal -- in my GT4 it has the bucket seats and they slide manually and they rise and fall with a button -- but that is it.

The difference in the look between the sport seats and the comfort seats is rather small as well -- and less padding in the sport seats overall. Also depends on how large a guy you are I suppose. But I have all three seats and they all work fine in three different cars and I find the COmfort seats are just fantastic -- I can drive my Targa with the comfort seats for 8 to 10 hours in a day and not have any issues. The bottom of the seat sliding in and out is the one feature that I find makes a big difference if you have long legs --and that feature is on both the 14 and 18 way. THe bucket seats are surprisingly comfortable despite not having adjustment ability at all - except up and down and back and forth. But even for me at 6'2" and 275 lbs - the bucket seats are comfortable for short excursions -- once you get your butt in the seat. Getting in is a fall into sort of thing but getting out can be a problem until you figure out a routine that fits you. The four way seats would work just fine for a car with one primary driver.

 

My decision became even more complicated. I did the Porsche Driving Experience. I went for fun, but now have more questions than answers. I did the Carrera S with manual, GT3, and Turbo S. Tried the 18 way and 14 way. I preferred the 18 way, but now I only want a GT3. I'm going with those seats. I was surprised how different car drove. I understand so much more why the 911 is amazing. I also realized how great the PDK, which I never thought I'd like over the manual. Maybe the manual on a GT3 is better, but wasn't too impressed with it on the C2S. PDK was way more fun for me. Anyway, thank you everyone for the insight. Also, thank you to the person who shared their interior color choice with the black and white interior. That came out really nice. Many times, the multicolored seats don't do it for me. That looks special though.