[westy]

Its a tricky one.. I too need a convertible in my life and I have thought and asked many
questions about the Targa. One of my friends friend has just got a new one and has a few
problems with rattles, so my friend was against me ordering one, but his advise was to get
the coupe with the glass sun roof. I know already that a sunroof isn't going to give me the
open roof feel. So it will be either a Cabrio or Targa, I will need to test one for a weekend before i'm
sure.
My problem is that I would want a manual gearbox and looking at the 911 GTS Cabrio, yes you can have
a stick but its only a 3.0 litre engine. ( only lol 😀 )

For me to have the same 4.0 litre I have to go GT3 but they don't do a Cabrio.
Is the grass really greener on the other side?

 

[2024CaymanS]

I dunno. I like the look of Targa-ish cars but yes, many disadvantages. Also, many other options as others have mentioned.
And, now that I've dipped my toes into the convertible world (never had one before), I ain't going back. Love 'em.

Didn’t really hear anyone state any disadvantages really apart from the fact that it’s heavier. Well obviously. It’s bigger. This thread was to never compare the drives of the two cars.

 

[224 PJ]

My friend Will has a 12 month old, ex demonstrator 911 Targa and he came round this weekend to show it off/take me for a spin.
It has just about every option, including front end lift and rear wheel steer.
First impressions......in Python Green and a greenish cream leather interior it is striking.
It sounds good, even if it is s turbo.
I took him on some roads that show up ride/NVH issues and on which my 2016 build 718 performs amazingly well. Better than the 911.
He demonstrated its acceleration.. yes, well it goes, initially seems faster than the Boxster.
I was surprised by the amount of buffeting, roof panel removed.

Overall, an impressive GT car, not a sports car. The experienced convinced me that the Boxster is a "purer" sports roadster, with better ride, less wind buffett and more storage than the 911.
Would I change?
No,

Why? We have an AMG C43 for when we want a quick, AWD GT car. The 911 Targa is bigger, heavier and uses more fuel. It is, somehow, a bit more "look at me" than the Boxster S.
It is also almost 2X the price......

Fun experience: have others made a 718/911 Comparison?

 

[Viv]

1. It’s heavier than the coupe
2. The engine is still in the wrong place

I agree. And the proportions of the car are wrong - it's too long.

 

[ThreePedalEd]

My friend Will has a 12 month old, ex demonstrator 911 Targa and he came round this weekend to show it off/take me for a spin.
It has just about every option, including front end lift and rear wheel steer.
First impressions......in Python Green and a greenish cream leather interior it is striking.
It sounds good, even if it is s turbo.
I took him on some roads that show up ride/NVH issues and on which my 2016 build 718 performs amazingly well. Better than the 911.
He demonstrated its acceleration.. yes, well it goes, initially seems faster than the Boxster.
I was surprised by the amount of buffeting, roof panel removed.

Overall, an impressive GT car, not a sports car. The experienced convinced me that the Boxster is a "purer" sports roadster, with better ride, less wind buffett and more storage than the 911.
Would I change?
No,

Why? We have an AMG C43 for when we want a quick, AWD GT car. The 911 Targa is bigger, heavier and uses more fuel. It is, somehow, a bit more "look at me" than the Boxster S.
It is also almost 2X the price......

Fun experience: have others made a 718/911 Comparison?

Interesting timing, I got a call last week from my SA that moved to a new dealership. They have/had an immediately available build slot for a 2024 911 Targa GTS that the buyer backed out of. I knew I wasn't interested, but I went through a build exercise anyway: 911 Targa 4 GTS | Porsche Car Configurator. Essentially $200,000 WITHOUT including PTS Acid Green. (He didn't think PTS would be available on this particular build slot). He also indicated he could potentially get me a 911 Coupe GTS build slot that would include PTS and has LWBS as an option (the Targa does not). But they dropped the sport design exterior package for 2024 and my build for a GTS coupe in Acid Green still came in at $190k. The only good news on the pricing was that he could give me original MSRP on my 2022 CGTS on a trade in.

But, as you have assessed, the 718 is a more visceral sports car and the 911 - especially with the AWD/heavy Targa - is not. I'll be taking my wife for a weekend getaway in a couple of weeks, twice thankful that I will be behind the wheel of a great sports car on the back roads, and that my golf clubs will be behind me when we get there.

 

[ThreePedalEd]

Ha! Maybe a 2024 Targa GTS at $200k MSRP is a bargain: 2023 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS Chantilly VA | Centreville Fairfax Vienna Virginia WP0BB2A91PS233783

But it's still not the right car for my priorities.

 

[TooTurbo]

Ha! Maybe a 2024 Targa GTS at $200k MSRP is a bargain: 2023 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS Chantilly VA | Centreville Fairfax Vienna Virginia WP0BB2A91PS233783

But it's still not the right car for my priorities.

Jeez, I saw some used 992 GT3s lower than that price PTS or not

Used 2022 Porsche 911 For Sale at Porsche Grapevine | VIN: WP0AC2A90NS268417

Used 2022 Porsche 911 from Porsche Grapevine in Grapevine, TX, 76051. Call (833) 628-3564 for more information.

www.porschegrapevine.com

 

[ThreePedalEd]

Jeez, I saw some used 992 GT3s lower than that price PTS or not

Used 2022 Porsche 911 For Sale at Porsche Grapevine | VIN: WP0AC2A90NS268417

Used 2022 Porsche 911 from Porsche Grapevine in Grapevine, TX, 76051. Call (833) 628-3564 for more information.

www.porschegrapevine.com

I think GT3 buyers and Targa buyers on the opposite ends of the spectrum. GT3 buyers are looking for ultimate performance and all of the visceral things that provide the ultimate driving experience with a 9k RPM reline, naturally aspirated engine, relatively lightweight RWD. I think Targa drivers, even ewin the GTS, are looking at a more everyday GT driving experience. They might cross shop a 911 Turbo, but I doubt a small fraction of them of them would know what to do with a GT3. Porsche is masterful at creating and catering to multiple market segments and demographics with the 911.

 

[OttawaSteve]

I think GT3 buyers and Targa buyers on the opposite ends of the spectrum. GT3 buyers are looking for ultimate performance and all of the visceral things that provide the ultimate driving experience with a 9k RPM reline, naturally aspirated engine, relatively lightweight RWD. I think Targa drivers, even ewin the GTS, are looking at a more everyday GT driving experience. They might cross shop a 911 Turbo, but I doubt a small fraction of them of them would know what to do with a GT3. Porsche is masterful at creating and catering to multiple market segments and demographics with the 911.

I wonder how many GT3 buyers are really capable of driving the car anywhere near it's limits. They are expensive and hard to get, which tends to lead to well-heeled and well-connected buyers, not necessarily people that can wring out the car. I am not a track junkie, so I am relying on anecdotal evidence. Any comments?

 

[TooTurbo]

I think GT3 buyers and Targa buyers on the opposite ends of the spectrum...

The Convertible and Coupe didn't look like a GT setup with less sound deadening and stiffer setup, that's why I think those are more of a GT3 alternative and the S is a better GT car overall imo. Just read the Targa actually has a softer setup than the other 2 versions so I guess its less of a compromised GT car

 

[TooTurbo]

I wonder how many GT3 buyers are really capable of driving the car anywhere near it's limits. They are expensive and hard to get, which tends to lead to well-heeled and well-connected buyers, not necessarily people that can wring out the car. I am not a track junkie, so I am relying on anecdotal evidence. Any comments?

Chris Harris might be the only one lol

 

[ThreePedalEd]

I wonder how many GT3 buyers are really capable of driving the car anywhere near it's limits. They are expensive and hard to get, which tends to lead to well-heeled and well-connected buyers, not necessarily people that can wring out the car. I am not a track junkie, so I am relying on anecdotal evidence. Any comments?

I'd agree, and further extrapolate that 98%+ of Porsche owners of any model aren't capable of driving their car (or SUV) anywhere near its limits. The only way to really learn how to do that is on a track. I'm in that 98%+ myself, so this isn't being critical or snobbish.

That said, I think there are quite a few Porsche owners that appreciate a visceral sports car and an enthusiastic drive, even if only at 7/10 or 8/10 of the car's limit. And that's where I think the Targa GTS and GT3 are still significantly different experiences. I'd go so far to say that, other than straight line drag racing, the closest visceral experience to a GT3 isn't any other 911 variant, but rather a GT4 or Spyder. Maybe even the 718 GTS 4.0's. Lightweight, naturally aspirated, 6-speed (not 7) manual, etc. The 911 Coupe GTS comes closest, and is an exceptional performance car, but it's not a GT3.

I also agree that a lot of GT3's end up in the hands of wealthy buyers that just want to show off the thickness of their wallet, and not their real driving skills or enthusiasm. They are often the same types that would start a description of their house in terms of square feet. And wouldn't know good architecture if Fallingwater fell on them. But that's the way it goes and I'm glad Porsche makes a relatively affordable enthusiast car like the CGTS I was able to get. And doesn't require me to compromise my enthusiasm for golf!

 

[224 PJ]

Enjoy Chris Harris....and his opinions.

That was a super video, but I'm glad I wasn't in the car....my body doesn't cope with that sort of sudden change of direction! The last time, at Mercedes World, Brooklands in a AMG C43 I had to get out to be sick......very embarrassing.

 

[OttawaSteve]

The sound of the GT3 in that Harris' video makes you want that car, no matter how good a driver you are or aren't.