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Targa 4 GTS?

kjhurley

PCGB Member
Member
I am currently considering the pros and cons of purchasing an approved 991.2 Targa 4 GTS to replace my current 991.1 Carrera 2S Cab.

Based on the type of spec I am looking for, the choice of cars available is not vast, so coming down to a shortlist has not been too tricky.

I went today to test drive one which spec wise pretty much ticked most boxes (and actually an extra one in that it had ceramic brakes) and I enjoyed the drive. However, one of its key features is an exterior painted in an unusual colour to sample flat shade of bright orange (I forget its exact name but it’s not Lava Orange), together with yellow seatbelts inside. Not my ideal combination, but it certainly made it stand out from the crowd and it actually grew on me by the end of the demonstration.

So, I am interested in an unscientific straw poll from you 991 aficionados! Is this something you would recommend me pursuing or should I pay heed to the normal sage advice and stick with a more standard exterior colour to make a future sale more straightforward?

Any advice welcome!

Many thanks.
 
Keith

If you visited the OPC tomorrow to have another look, and it was sold. How disappointed would you be? That might be the answer.

For what it is worth, I think a Targa or a GT3 can get away with a bolder colour. The Targa, because of the black roof and rollover bar tends to break the colour a bit.

By the way not many salesmen know about the two positions of the Targa’s wind deflector. I find if you play with its position, and lower the windows slightly it changes the air noise and buffeting, which the car has been criticised for. I would love to hear your thoughts!

I replaced a cab for the Targa, and love it.

Mike
 
Thanks, Mike. I am still pursuing the purchase which ultimately will depend on the dealership coming nearer my budget in terms of making the change!

Interesting about the wind deflector. I did find it pretty noisy on the test drive when compared to my Cab and as you said the salesman did not highlight the fact that there were two positions for the deflector, although I think I had seen something about it online. Presumably this is something you have to do manually?

How have you found driving the Targa with its extra weight when compared to your previous car?

Cheers,
Keith
 
Hi Keith

Yes you are correct the wind deflector is manual, just a gentle push down locks it it he down position, a further push down allows it to spring back. In the up position, you get more noise but very little buffet, in the down position the noise is better but you then get an increased amount of buffet. I tend to use it up when it’s cold outside, and down with warmer weather and just lower the windows slightly.

Re the weight, my cab was a 997, the Targa a 991 so has more power to offset against the weight. Around the track at the PEC, I really can’t tell the difference, more a reflection on me not the car! My car does have PDCC, which I feel does make a difference.

ATB Mike
 
It’s a great looking car having just found it on the AUC site. I am biased though as I have a Lave Orange GT3 with yellow belts and stitching! Targa wears it well I think because being a Targa it breaks the colour up. I don’t think bright PTS colours work well on a Carrera personally...don’t like Lava Orange or Miami Blue...can’t really say why!
 
Thanks very much to those who replied to my post. I am assuming (maybe wrongly!) that a null response may indicate that the colour is perhaps not to your taste...

Anyway, after careful consideration I have gone for it and all being well, I will pick up the Targa next Saturday. I can’t wait and will be sure to post some pics in the owners’ car section of the forum after I have picked it up.

in the meantime, I am looking forward to the Cotswold Rally this Sunday which as it has turned out will be practically my last sortie in my 991.1 C2S Cab. Look forward to meeting any of you also going on this.

Keith
 
Hi Keith. Congratulations on your purchase. How are you getting on? I have a Targa 4 GTS in Lava Orange bought in July 2018 and love it. Originally ordered a coupe, didn't even consider the Targa but then due to availability it started to look like the coupe would never arrive and I didn't want to fall into having to have the 992. The Targa GTS came up and I jumped at it. Took delivery on the first day of the heatwave last year. I cant believe I almost ended up without a Targa roof. It absolutely makes the car. Roof up in the winter, roof down on those lovely sunny days (or roof down on dry winter days with heater on and heated seats [;)]). The car had the GTS interior package so Alcantara everywhere. I have had the seatbelts changed for lava orange and also the door sills to illuminated carbon. Both make a huge difference to the feel of the car (and the speed lol!!). 3500 miles now on the clock and loving it. Hoping for a European jaunt later in the year. Enjoy your Targa.
dateposted-public

 
Hi Chris, it’s good to hear from you.

I am getting on great, thanks, and am loving the car. I have not been on too many long drives as of yet, but have tried it on a few familiar roads nearby and have had a chance to have the roof down on a number of occasions. We are coming up to Chatsworth for the PCGB organised pageant at the end of June and are also taking the car down to France for our summer break in August, which should be great.

It’s interesting to experience the difference between the 991.1 and the 991.2 variants. Whilst it is true that the normally aspirated engines make a great noise, I am finding the low end torque provided by the turbochargers in the 991.2 really useful in day to day driving and the acceleration has to be felt to be believed! With the roof down, I have been experimenting with the 2 wind deflector positions to see which one is best, but so far, so good!

I may already be biased, but I agree with some of the other feedback I have received that Orange really sets off the Targa well, in a way that it probably wouldn’t do on either the Coupe or Cabriolet; the black Targa bar on the GTS really helps in complementing the colour in my view. As you can see from my original post, mine has also got the yellow seatbelts which are pretty distinctive whilst it has a leather interior rather than the Alcantara one, which I think I personally prefer.

Hopefully we can meet up at some PCGB event in the near future and further compare notes!

In the meantime, I hope you are able to go on your European jaunt. I am not sure if you have already done this, but I would heartily recommend the PCGB Factory Tours that Richard Watling helps run, one in April/May time and the other one in September/October each year. I went on both last year in my C2S Cab and thoroughly enjoyed them, both for the chance they gave for some long drives as well as the opportunity they gave for us to meet some other PCGB folk which we wouldn’t ordinarily have bumped into at some great locations. The chance to try out the de-restricted sections of the German Autobahns was another highlight which I was very happy to take advantage of, as was the time we got on the Leipzig test track with an assortment of 911s, Caymans and Boxsters :)

All the best,
Keith
 
Hi Keith. Great to hear back from you.

very jealous of all your experiences to date. Ive had the Targa for almost a year now but am yet to have any adventures. Joined Porsche Club GB a month or so ago but concious of being a newbie so looking to get aclimatised before diving all the way in.

I havent driven a normally aspirated 911 so dont have the comparison you have but agree with the torque at all rev bands. So drivable and exciting all of the time. Orange definitely a great colour. I believe Lava Orange was originally GT3 exclusive? Would def be great to meet up at some point and exchange stories and view points. Do enjoy Chatsworth and im sure ill be attending those meets in the near future.

Carry on enjoying the Targa. Its a very special car (just had a recall on mine re the roof so if you havent already, may be worth checking to see if yours is affected? Literally arrived in the post yesterday).

Regards

Chris
 
Hi Chris,

Thanks for the information about the recall re the Targa roof. I got my letter in the post today and have it booked in for the end of the month.

Let’s hope there aren’t any more letters on the way!

All the best,
Keith
 
kjhurley said:
Hi Chris,

Thanks for the information about the recall re the Targa roof. I got my letter in the post today and have it booked in for the end of the month.

Let’s hope there aren’t any more letters on the way!

All the best,
Keith


 

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