991.2 Targa 4 GTS or 992 Carrera S Dilemma

[markccp]

Hey all, I am new here although I have previously owned a 718 Cayman S from new until last Christmas. I loved that car, but with two little ones (2 and 3) I needed to be sensible and get something more suitable. I have a Mercedes GLC63S for my daily driver, and its perfect for the kids, but I have been hankering for a 911 (most often a targa) since I was a kid and my wife has said with everything going on in the world right now, that life is too short and to go for it so I am in the market to spend £100k on a 991.

My issue is, I can get a fantastic spec Targa 4 GTS for £100k, with very low mileage (circa 2/3k) but I can also get a one year old 992 for the same money in Carrera S form (spec not as good, but by no means basic).

The Targa I have found is black on black on black. The Carrera S is crayon with the spyder wheels.

What do you guys reckon I should do? Any suggestions?

Help needed!! ????

 

[pwebb]

If you have always wanted the Targa then it's a no brainer. The 991.2GTS has a superb spec as standard, and the power and performance is not that dissimilar to the 992.

The 992 has incremental improvements all round, but particularly the tech in the interior has moved things on considerably.

If that doesn't bother you and black/black/black floats your boat then the Targa sounds the one for you.
The 992 colour and wheel combo is more to my personal taste, I find the black wheels make the wheels visually disappear in the arches.

Be aware that the kids might find the rear seats in the Targa a little more cramped than in the Coupe. I think, from memory that there is reduced space, as in the convertible.

If you get the chance to test drive the two to compare, you may find there are handling differences you hadn't appreciated. The 992 C2S is 100kg lighter and that extra weight in the Targa is mostly above the belt line (plus the 4WD gubbins).

Both excellent cars, of course, so good luck with whichever you decide on.

 

[markccp]

I am adding in the images so you can see my dilemma...

 

[Peter_Bull]

I agree with all that has been said so no need for me to repeat.

The 991 Targa is definitely not as good at handling on the 'edge' as it were. I drove one on the factory track at Leipzig and, with my limited abilities, it’s the only 911 I almost lost control of. IMHO the balance of the car is nowhere near as good as the coupe.

That’s said it’s a terrific car for cruising albeit rather noisy with the top retracted at any reasonable speed.

Having driven both the 991 Targa and the 992, for me the latter is at another level. As it should be.

 

[geoff lane]

You need to drive them both ideally back to back as they will be quite different particularly if the 992 is 2 wheel drive.
When you have driven them you will know, buy the car for you there is no right or wrong.

 

[SteveJC]

Having owned and driven a 991.2 Targa GTS for the last 3 years I can only give it praise and if I'm honest not 100% sure I have done the best thing in letting it go, will only really know when the new one comes in October ( Turbo S).
It was a great car fantastic retro looks and great to drive at all levels plus plenty of power. It came to its best on nice sunny days especially through nice country roads, but we have also drove up from Monaco using part of the Napoleon route on lovely fast roads through sunshine and snow over the mountain with the roof open ( heat on of course).
The 992 is a better drive, but not by much. The one thing that no one has mentioned is resale value, don't know how long you would keep either or whether it matters to you but the 992 will probably lose more but saying that all Porsches seem to be moving quickly.
The one downside to the Targa it can be noisy in some conditions especially on a blustery day on something like a motorway, which we just kept the roof closed in those conditions, it was then like driving a coupe.
All the best with your choice.

 

[markccp]

Thanks all

This is such a tough decision as I cannot drive them back to back - the 992 is beautiful inside no doubt, but I have a daily driver that is all singing all dancing in terms of tech spec, I wanted this for pure driving and I can't get my head away from the Targa - BUT, and its a big but, its an older shape car and I don't know if thats stupid.

 

[geoff lane]

Thanks all

This is such a tough decision as I cannot drive them back to back - the 992 is beautiful inside no doubt, but I have a daily driver that is all singing all dancing in terms of tech spec, I wanted this for pure driving and I can't get my head away from the Targa - BUT, and its a big but, its an older shape car and I don't know if thats stupid.

You say you cannot drive them back to back but the Targa you like is from Romans and they also have a 992 S in silver so I suggest you arrange test drives and make your decision.

 

[oliver]

I still find the 992 has moved too far from the 911s I grew up loving and eventually owning and driving.

It is a big car, with a lot of tech and an interior that I would expect on a luxury saloon. Some people may love it, but for others, newer isn't always better. However, neither would I consider the Targa to be '911 purity' - although, granted, quite a looker

 

[mclark]

Hi Mark

As the car is a weekend toy, I would go for the Targa. I would also consider the NA 991.1 so that you can hear the great exhaust sound. I swapped mine last November for a 991.2 GT3, the GT3 is great, but the Targa was more fun and I miss it.

When you test drive the Targa, have a play around with both positions of the wind deflector and lowering the windows by an inch. The salesman probably will not know about the two positions, but it makes a huge difference.

 

[911Time]

Can't add a great deal to what's been said but your wife's right, life is too short, so why not have the car of your dreams and if that's a Targa, have a Targa.

Handling wise, there are differences between the Coupe and Targa but the latter is supposed to be a different kind of vehicle for a different kind of experience, so there will be some compromises but how often are you likely to be REALLY pushing it on the road and would you track the Targa??

I'm a big fan of the NA engine in the 991.1 and the sound is addictive (esp with PSE) - the 3.0 turbo in the .2 has more low down torque but lacks the soundtrack and I'm not sure whether the turbo whistle would be more if a factor when travelling with the roof off?

My take on it is to follow your heart, forget the coupe and try out a Targa .2, as well as a .1.

Let us know how you get on. Happy hunting

 

[Mac_GTS]

Hi,
I think you would find that the rear seats in the Targa are the same but the headroom is restricted due to the roll bar.
Ok for kids below about 10 years old I'd guess.
I'd agree with the other posts that the Targa is more of a GT than road racer.
Having said that I love my 991.1 especially with the sports exhaust on....
Good luck!

 

[gouldian]

Hi,
I think you would find that the rear seats in the Targa are the same but the headroom is restricted due to the roll bar.
Ok for kids below about 10 years old I'd guess.
I'd agree with the other posts that the Targa is more of a GT than road racer.
Having said that I love my 991.1 especially with the sports exhaust on....
Good luck!

 

[GregC1]

You won’t be disappointed by the targa . I have a black on black 991.2 4 GTS , its amazing ! You’ll hear about weight , not as good as a coupe but unless you live on the track you will have more fun with your targa , I use mine every day all year round , goof clubs and trolley in as well . That roof stops people in their tracks when it goes up/down !

 

[gouldian]

Got a 1 year old 4500 miles 911.2 Targa 4S in night blue metallic with graphite blue/ crayon interior in January 2019. The owner had ordered the new 992 but fortunately when ordering the Targa had ticked virtually every box. I wanted a 911 but the soft top version does not look right to me particularily with the roof down. Coming from the 981 Boxster S I am happy to get blown about a bit and despite the often adverse comments re buffeting and wind noise, the only time my wife has felt it uncomfortable was on the autobahn roof open at 150 mph.
The car is simply brilliant in every thing you want it to do and the added bonus is rarity. In nearly 2 years of ownership I have only seen four! Do not get one if you are shy and retiring as people always want to talk about it and as an earlier poster said, the theatre of opening and closing the roof will bring requests to do it again from Dad’s with kids.
Black with black wheels looks great and to top it off get the garage to paint the GTS in red to match the brakes.
Confident that you would absolutely love the car. I’ll be driving around the South Downs tomorrow and grinning from ear to ear. Roof open of course!

 

[AB2012]

As you say, life is too short, but also nothing has to be forever. So go for the car of your dreams now, and then if you change your mind later, you can always move on. Also I wouldn’t worry about it being a last generation model. There is a reason 70% of 911s are still on the road, and you’ll get lots of respect whatever choice you make. I bought a 997 just after the 991 launched, and most people ‘out there’ didn’t realise it was the old model, even when it reached 7 years old and I swapped for a 991.