I had a 06 Targa for a few years and loved it. A Sailkote application once a year eliminated all squeaks and rattles for me...

Yes it does. PASM lowers ride height by 10 mm over a base model Carrera without PASM.

After looking at several 996 C4S's (and a couple 996 turbos), I think I'm moving toward 997 territory. I prefer the updated interior/exterior and Targa models.

I am also leaning toward a Targa 4S as I love the idea of a convertible but unfortunately don't live in a climate where a convertible makes a ton of sense (Calgary, AB). This car will see temperatures as low as -10*C.

When comparing the Targa 4S to a Carerra 4S I am wondering if there is any discernible difference in performance? I am aware of the different suspension setups, but given that Calgary no longer has a track, the car will see 98% street/highway driving anyway.

What about 0-60 and 1/4 mile times? Are they any different than the standard 4S?

For what it's worth I'm exclusively looking at 2010 - 2012 Targa 4S's. Any difference among model years?

Finally, some ads I find say a 2010 Targa 4S has 355 hp, other say 385? Which is correct for the 2010-2012 model years?

Sorry OP, I don't mean to hijack your thread but I figured this made more sense than starting a new nearly identical one.

I had a 997 Targa 4S and absolutely loved the car! The best of all worlds! Beautiful panoramic view like a cab while cruising through the mountains, without the wind on the highway. Elegant at night with the city lights and the stars illuminating the cabin and snug and warm on a rainy day. I loved the light in the cabin.

As for noises, I only experienced it on freezing temperature days until the cabin warmed up.

Only incremental maintenance is wiping the targa rails twice a year with a Q-tip and McLube Sailkote (others use silicon). That takes 15 minutes.

I have a sunroof in my 993 TT and my LX 570, never open them.

Never experienced any rattles on the targa I owned, just creaks on freezing winter days until the cabin warmed up. Personal preference on a coupe would be factory sunroof delete.

Love my 2002 C2 Targa for all the reasons above.
The rattling is minimal, and being in SoCal I rarely have it closed!

Potential disadvantage to the Targa:
You'll want to put WAY more miles on it than you expect.

RE the 'roof squeaks':
They happen, if the roof's mechanical components are neglected or if someone has used a gooey (usually silicone) lubricant.
Here's the very simple fix.
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...oof-noise.html
It's a once per year / year and a half, 15 minute procedure.

Enjoy whatever you choose.

Excellent, glad to get some great feedback re: squeaks/rattles and overall enjoyment.

Can anyone speak to the performance of the Targa 4S compared to a Carerra 4S? Both vehicles would be 2010 - 2012 model year.

You won't detect any measurable difference in performance.

Looks like i'll have to be sure to test drive a Targa...

Thanks for all of the input everyone, as always you guys are the best!

lol I'm in the same boat, even if they do tend to sell for a $3-$5k premium over a comparably equipped Carerra 4S.

Honestly, when I first started looking at buying a 911 I was planning on buying an older 996 for low 30s. After I looked at a few I was like, well, maybe 40 is ok.

At this point i'm more inclined to wait as long as I have to to afford the exact car I want and now i'm shopping around 50-60 lol

Oh god, this is not a good sign for the future of owning this car :P

LOL too funny, we share the same story! :roflmao:

Just got married on May 5, no kids, no plans for kids, relatively high household income (mid 100's), small townhouse and relatively low monthly expenses. Decided maybe a 911 was finally attainable (after having drooled over them since I was 17 - am 27 now).

Looked at a few 02-04 996 C4S's, then a couple of 996 turbos. Decided I prefer the interior/exterior refinement of the 997, so now looking at 2010+ Targa 4S or Carerra 4S's.

Went from spending mid-30's to mid-70's low-80's... heh.

But damn do I love these cars!

I think performance will be the same between the two cars. The driver makes the difference and you have to be an amazing driver to approach the limits of the car. Given you are asking I am gong to assume, like me, you are no where near those limits.

When I first got my 997 Targa 4S, I wanted more raw power for the street. I looked very hard at adding a supercharger and then backed away from that. I installed an IPD Plenum, racing headers, 200 cell cats and a performance exhaust. The combination truly opened the car up and let it really breath. It was amazing!!

Weird. We really are in the exact situation. I'm 26 and i've wanted a 911 for as long as I can remember... well congrats to both of us!