Targa 4 gets run over by the Star
#1
Drifting
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Article from the Wheels section of the Toronto Star Titled 'Good Brands/Bad Cars'
http://www.wheels.ca/reviews/article/786423
2010 Porsche 911 Targa4
If we take such aberrations as the Cayenne and Panamera out of the picture, Porsche’s sports car lineup has always been at the top of enthusiasts’ lists for pure driving pleasure.
While Porschephiles argue the merits of the nimble, mid-engine Boxster/Cayman tandem, others debate the iconic, rear-engine 911 Carrera as the cat’s pajamas when it comes to driving thrills.
Yet, even within the 911 family, there’s a weak link: its name is Targa4.
Don’t let the Targa name fool you. Instead of a simple, removable roof panel like before, there’s now a complicated big hunk of glass that powers back, laying on top of another piece of glass. Not only does this distort the view out back, the box that holds the roof’s sunblind blocks rear vision as well. And the whole rig simply adds weight high in the car, exactly where every engineer will tell you that you don’t want it.
Throw in Targa4’s all-wheel-drive system that saps feel from the front wheels, and this is the sole 911 variant that can be left in the garage, thank you very much.
If we take such aberrations as the Cayenne and Panamera out of the picture, Porsche’s sports car lineup has always been at the top of enthusiasts’ lists for pure driving pleasure.
While Porschephiles argue the merits of the nimble, mid-engine Boxster/Cayman tandem, others debate the iconic, rear-engine 911 Carrera as the cat’s pajamas when it comes to driving thrills.
Yet, even within the 911 family, there’s a weak link: its name is Targa4.
Don’t let the Targa name fool you. Instead of a simple, removable roof panel like before, there’s now a complicated big hunk of glass that powers back, laying on top of another piece of glass. Not only does this distort the view out back, the box that holds the roof’s sunblind blocks rear vision as well. And the whole rig simply adds weight high in the car, exactly where every engineer will tell you that you don’t want it.
Throw in Targa4’s all-wheel-drive system that saps feel from the front wheels, and this is the sole 911 variant that can be left in the garage, thank you very much.
#4
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What a dumb ***! It's under 100lbs difference in weight. I don't know of any Canadian journalist is skilled enough to notice that weight difference.
I guess this review makes the C4s and the Turbo garbage with the AWD system too.
I guess this review makes the C4s and the Turbo garbage with the AWD system too.
Last edited by Speedyellow993; 06-16-2010 at 07:05 PM. Reason: iPhone Typo
#7
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Perhaps a Targa wouldn't be the first choice for a race car whose driver is at 10/10ths all the time, but I'm pretty sure that the performance of ANY modern Porsche is only limited by the driving skills and capabilities of the average journo. Lots of hot air in that article.
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I can't tell you how many times I've followed some guy down a twisting road in Spain or wherever on a car launch only to hear his describe squealing tires (with zero slip angle) as a "drift". LOL.
Targa is a great product and, having enjoyed one for a week here and there, it's an easy car to start to love and makes for a great DD. Not every car needs to be a thrill ride but most of these guys don't get that.
#9
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Funny thing is that in the MY10 owners manual the Targa 4S is lighter then the C4S coupe by 50lbs. Still though they both are over 3500 lbs cars unless you throw on PCCB's but what is the point in that. For better performance and a lighter car I would prefer a 996TT.
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Ok my Targa's a 996, so not a 4. But I had it out on some back roads today, top open, windows down, winding her up ... one sweet ride! Frankly I've never noticed the weight in the roof, even before I added the pss9s and sway bars. And the roof glass slides under the rear glass, it doesn't lie on top of it.
Double back window ??..... pfft!! If we was driving the car the way he was supposed to he wouldn't need a rear view mirror![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Road & Track did a comparison some years ago. The Targa was 0.1 second slower to 60 than the coupe.
Double back window ??..... pfft!! If we was driving the car the way he was supposed to he wouldn't need a rear view mirror
![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Road & Track did a comparison some years ago. The Targa was 0.1 second slower to 60 than the coupe.
#12
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Ok my Targa's a 996, so not a 4. But I had it out on some back roads today, top open, windows down, winding her up ... one sweet ride! Frankly I've never noticed the weight in the roof, even before I added the pss9s and sway bars. And the roof glass slides under the rear glass, it doesn't lie on top of it.
Double back window ??..... pfft!! If we was driving the car the way he was supposed to he wouldn't need a rear view mirror![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Road & Track did a comparison some years ago. The Targa was 0.1 second slower to 60 than the coupe.
Double back window ??..... pfft!! If we was driving the car the way he was supposed to he wouldn't need a rear view mirror
![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Road & Track did a comparison some years ago. The Targa was 0.1 second slower to 60 than the coupe.
Is a Targa as fast as a C4? Nope. Does that matter? Nope.
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I think we should publiicize this as much as possible so we can drive down the prices of C4 Targas. Personally I think they are a fantastic car and I would love to own one... so if the used price drops I may just buy one. I would happily drive a car journalists hate.
#15
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I had 10 track days on the Targa, and I was keeping up with the C2S with no problem (but I will say the RS is a completely different animal on the track, and much more enjoyable). On the street, I've never pushed the limits of either, even in my most spirited driving.
Given how many convertible tops I've bought over the year because people slashed my top either for spite or for the loose change in the ashtray, I think of the targa as 80/20 convertible. 80% of the benefits and 20% of the hassles, (recognizing, of course, that the Chicago weather limits the utility of a full convertible).