Targa or Coupe?

BronzeOnions · Dec 9, 2009

Hi
Newboy here on the verge of starting my search for my long awaited first 911!
My question is simple - I've hired both varients and have always loved the coupe's looks the best, and found the Targa very, very noisy with windnoise over 60mph (but then it was a bit of a shed from Bespoke Car Rentals with 300,000 miles on the clock! - plus it leaked water all over me all the way over the Black Mountains in Wales!).
I am, however, tempted by the fun factor a Targa offers - roofdown action and the kids would love it, so my question is does a sorted Targa leak and what is the wind noise like at motorway speeds?
Thanks guys!

Ben

BronzeOnions · Dec 10, 2009

I will be parking it on the road some of time, so maybe you are correct

bones · Dec 10, 2009

I've owned a Targa for years and it is possible to get them watertight but it is a constant process of mainting the seals in tip top condition. They are always more noisy than the tin top [8D] . If you are parking it outside for a while buy a coupe, you don't want to spoil your first years of ownership by buying a leaky Targa, then you can investigate one in the future, nevertheless great for the summer, especially here in France!

Porker993 · Dec 10, 2009

I love the targa (my first 911 was a targa) and I love the coupe. So, the answer is, get both !

Seriously though, a coupe with sunroof is nearly as good as a targa for the couple of sunny days we've had this year.

If I was buying an older 911 now, it would be a targa. The fun factor is amazing.

hukent · Dec 10, 2009

ORIGINAL: Porker993
If I was buying an older 911 now, it would be a targa. The fun factor is amazing.

Defineately, if you leave it outside for any period of time,
fit a cover, that's what I do, no problems with leaks then.[

]

BronzeOnions · Dec 10, 2009

Now I have no idea!

911p9615 · Dec 10, 2009

Hi,this is my first answer to a question.
You ave not specified if it'w a post '93 (glass roof) or pre '93 model ?
I own a 1986 targa,well maintained,no leaks,a bit noisier tan te coupe over 120-130 km/h,
but a lot more fun,especially here in Greece.I would not trade it wit a coupe.
I've heard later models (glass roof) are better at this point.
Just get a good example or it will be costly to make it watertight

Panos

BronzeOnions · Dec 11, 2009

Thanks Panos - seeing one today at Portiacraft - 3.2 Carerra obviously!

graham tompkins · Dec 11, 2009

I have had both. The Targa is as everyone says, great fun and the roof doesn't leak if you keep the seals in good nick. Vaseline them periodically otherwise you get a bit of squeak. Noisier than the Coupe. Another tip is with the roof off block the rear mounting holes with caps and it stops the whistle. If it were a better climate here I would have kept it.
Now got a Coupe with a sun roof which is almost as good in the hot. Coupe is a better drive as more rigid for obvious reasons.
Good luck...neither are mistake but what ever you get decide on there will be times when you wish you'd got the other!
Finally, I think Coupes are easier to sell in the UK

andrew symms · Dec 11, 2009

Having spent ages looking it was a coupe with a sunroof for me, harder to find, but easier to sell.

Ask youself how often do we have a nice day when you can take the roof off? Advantage with sunroof, 1/2 hour of sunshine, just open the roof, looks like rain, close it up quickly. Not sure thats really an option with the Targa.

Any way each to their own.