porsche997

Newbie question here: I am really confused on what the difference is between a 2011 or 12 997 911 4s and the targa 4s. They have the same amount of horespower and engine specs ect. But the targa is a couple thousand $$ more. I know there is defenitly something completely different but I'm not sure what it is. I feel like a dummy for asking this
Thanks guys.

docfink

The targa has a roof that folds back, exposing a wide-open space that is bigger than a typical sunroof.

porsche997

So it would be similar to a panoramic sunroof? I'm guessing it gives more of that open air feeling. Is it made of glass?

2005997carrera2

It's glass -closed http://press.porsche.com/admin/presspics/335.jpg, -open http://world-viewer.com/data_images/...arga-4s-07.jpg , also makes the car considerably heavier if i'm not mistaken, but still a cool feature.

okbarnett

its for looks and it costs more

porsche997

it costs about $8000 more. Sorry but I cant justify that It also seems like it doesnt make the sunroof 'aspect' of it any larger but I guess I will have to see it in person. Thanks so much for making it much clearer to me. Now the real question is 997 vs 991... hm. But I wont get into that on here because I see there is much 'heated' debate!

Iceter

Besides the extra-large sunroof (which is MUCH bigger than the standard coupe sunroof), the rear glass on Targas opens like a hatchback. It's pretty convenient.

Spokane5150

Are you sure the 997 has a hatch? I know the older cars did but I thought the 997 slid back instead of manually removed.

PAJ

The top slides back under the rear glass. In addition, when the top is closed, the rear glass can be opened like a hatch. I just purchased a 997.2 Targa 4S and took it on a 1900 mile trip with two of my kids. The hatch feature was a dream. It allows easy access to the storage area behind the rear seats. In fact, tonight I was able to drive my Targa to my hockey game only because I could fit all my gear in the back through the hatch. No way I would have been able to do that in a coupe.

This is my first Porsche, so I can't make a knowledgeable comparison between a coupe and Targa, but I will say that the Targa 4S is an absolute blast to drive and the added utility will allow me to enjoy the car more than if I had a coupe.

This much is true IMO, either way you can't go wrong.

MSR Racer

I have a 997.1 C4S Targa my self. Its a great daily driver but not the best track car only because it is difficult to do even the simplest mods because of the Targa roof. All most all standard interior safety equipment and mods are designed for coupes. So if you are planning lot of DEs, stay away from the Targa and from the C$ for that matter.

Suns_PSD

I love the Targa as the opening is huge. But I dislike high placed weight and C4 so coupe it is.

07C4S

I drove several 4, 4S, Targa, and Targa 4S cars (mostly .1s) before buying my 4S coupe. Initially I was hot for the Targa but when pushing it hard I noticed more creaks/groans. I then figured out the roof rack wasn't possible on the Targa - which makes the coupe a better daily driver. The combination of both was why I got a coupe.

Ghosteh

Considering what it is (an entirely different roof), that's NOT a bad price (And I'm not so sure that it acutally is $8k, especially if you're looking at used). Typically, even with GM cars, a removeable or convertible roof costs $8-10K more.

Heck, the sunroof on my daily driver Prius cost $3500! (but it did include a solar cell & fan package & navi)

Steve/K2WE

I've owned my 997.1 Targa 4 for almost 5 years now. I have th say, the rear window hatch is an amazing feature. I travel alot and it makes it so easy to load bags. Otherwise you have to pass the bags behing the seats which is a real pain. I just took a 60 mile trip and had the roof open all the way. I love it.. I've driven both a 997 without the Targa roof and my car and I can't really tell any difference in track use even with the extra weight. I believe 1760 Targa's were made in 2007 and less than 800 are in North America. I have seen less than 5 in the past 5 years. The new 991 Targa model really looks chaep. The roof slides out and above the roof to provide extra head room inside. I'm 6"1" and I have well over 4" between my head and the closed roof. I have just shy of 67k on my car and I'm very happy with it.

Steve in Saratoga Springs, NY

Minok

1) The roof panel from above the rear-view mirror, from door to door, all the way to the seatbacks, that whole panel will retract into the back of the car, giving a wide open space above. It is a glass panel and has a seperately operated sun screen that can retract.

2) This panel makes the car a bit heavier, with a slightly higher center of gravity. For non-racetrack driving, this is not noticeable. Also, because of this panel roof, the roof does not have the mounting fixture points to put a roof rack on the car the way the Carrera Coupe' does. However there are tail hitch options if you really need a rack to haul big things (from a 3rd party: willwood)

3) The rear glass, when the targa roof is closed, pops open in hatch-back style, which makes it SUPER easy to get large things into the back, like golf clubs, flatscreen TV mounts in a box, etc. Its way easier to load things onto the folded down back seats this way than having to get things in via the doors behind the seats.

Other than that they are identical.