C4S vs. Targa - Thoughts?

After a few years of 964 ownership, and my 540 lease finally up this month, I'm going to roll the two into a newish Porsche. There's one issue that is distracting me from what should be a great time in my life - Targa or C4S? I live in SoCal, so the Targa would be the ticket, especially in Black. HOWEVER, the C4S is the car I drool over when I see the pics. I cannot believe how badass that thing looks. But then, on a beautiful SoCal evening like tonight, I'm afraid I'd be kicking myself for not going with the targa... Any words of wisdom for a fellow wanderer?

Get the C4S, the targa leaks like a sieve.

It sounds like you should be looking at cabs (C4S cab, maybe?). I have my second glass top Targa. I like the open feeling of it (all glass), and I like the look of it (but I like the C4S look better). Other than that, its not a whole lot more than a bigger sunroof, with the negative that rear vision when its open is horrible (dark with two glass panes plus there is an obstruction in the way too). I do enjoy it for what its worth, but I think the reason Targa sales have been so small (1,232 in the US since the 996 Targa was introduced in 2002) is that some people don't want the extra cost (and weight) compared to a coupe, and most who want an open feeling go with a cab. Just my $0.02

I went with the C4s. Orignally, I wanted the targa. I've always loved the panoramic roofs and the uniqueness of the targa was really attractive. Then I priced each one out and the C4s was a much better deal than the Targa. IIRC, the targa I optioned out came out to 76K. The C4s came out to 78K with 5K off MSRP. The C4s also has the turbo chassis and brakes, so it offered better performance. In fact, instead of going with the full opening of the targa, I went with a sunroofless C4s and never looked back.

I liked the idea of the Targa so I could get some air without having to drop the top - on the way to work, on the way to the store, run to Starbucks. Plus, no offense to anyone, but the cab is a bit less, uh, masculine looking.... I like the look of the Targa, too, the way the rear C pillar tapers into the rear fender, pretty unique looking. But that C4S has the look that I could enjoy for 10 years....

C4S, dummy.....LOL...

Get a 997S.

C4S. I looked at the Targa too, but the rear visibility thing and the complaints you hear from (to be fair, only some) owners about squeaks & leaks put me off a little. Plus, when I saw the black/black C4S that I now own, I fell in love (seriously). The best looking Porsche (IMHO) and it handles like a dream. Ok, it isn't a Turbo, but it's not like a driver like me will ever take my C4S to its limit (and if I ever get the ability to do so, there's always a supercharger ...). PLEASE make sure that you try both out for yourself though - it's the only way to find out (not that you're going to be disappointed either way!). Just my .02. Regards Deeps

ps Jyoteen - I love the second photo in your lake elsanore album - awesome

For me, the C4S was the must have Pcar for my first porsche, due to its appearance, brakes, suspension setup, and some of the standard features (eg, full leather is a must). I felt the GT cars were too over the top for my first Pcar, and the AWD setup (though heavily rear biased) would be the best car to have getting used to the rear engine thing (after 10 years of BMW ownership) even though as a purist I'm naturally attracted to RWD cars. After a bunch of track time, I'll likely step up to a GT3, but not until the 997/998 version is available. The targa is appealing for blvd crusing, but its too much a compromise in performance. Not only is it heavy, but the weight is in the worst place, up top! I drove a targa and was not impressed with the way it handled, too much weird diagonal porpoising. This is not to say its a bad car, just relative to the C4S, its clearly not the performer.

Not sure where you get this--do you have a Targa? I don't know of ANYONE with a 996 Targa that has had a leaking issue. Squeaks happen with all 996's; I think my Targa feels much more solid than my friend's Cab that I drive from time to time. To me, the driving experience comes first. I think you need to decide C2 vs. C4 first. I prefer the more responsive steering feel of the C2. Others prefer the heavier, slower steering feel of the C4

Everyone will defend what they chose to buy... As for weight disadvantage... IMHO you have to be a very "capable" driver to consistently clock differences between the Coupe/Targa/4S.... And on the street.... oh well. Each model has its own advantage/disadvantage. BTW, for what it's worth, various Porsche representatives have told me that the Targa has the "stiffest" chasis in the 996 line. I'm sure if you 'role-cage' a coupe your comparative weights won't be far off. As an aside, I would seriously consider removing (& storing) my Targa glass roof if someone came up w/ a vinyl-top solution.... Like my old Targa. Cheers & Good Luck!

To add to what I said above. First, I never had leak problems on my 993 Targa (though the roof mechanism did mangle itself once), and I have no problems with my 996 Targa (5 months so far), nor squeaks, and I understand the mechanism is better on 996. At the end of the day, the Targa is a basic 911 with a unique roof, that's all. C4S gets you 4wd, turbo brakes, wide hips, different front and back ends, and a nicely finished all leather interior (not as an option). The C4S is a GREAT looking car. I considered C4S (and the 40th) but at the time the deal on the Targa was much, much better deal (and I had a certain emotional attachment to Targas). That said, if I were you I would look first at the 40th - great car if you can still find one at the awesome deals that have been around recently (20K off sticker), and then at C4S. The 05 C4S's are out or will be in a week or so, so I would be pushing for close to 10K off sticker on an 04 C4S. But if you just love the Targa, then you should get one - nothing at all wrong with it.

i have owned both. i traded my 02 targa for an 03 c4s. both cars have different aesthetic appeal (i prefer 4s). however, the most notable difference is the drive. the 4 wheel drive gives me so much more confidence in corners - and for some reason, the car seems quite a bit more stable overall. i know the body is a little wider, but the difference seems like apples to oranges to me. drive both. then you'll see.

I had the same impression - solid as a rock!

Lap, That is one sharp looking Targa! You did that package right.

Which one? the 1985 was my 'older' one which I sold some 10 years ago and resides in the home of a good friend (says a lot about Porsche when you can sell a car to your friend and still be friends 10 years after the fact!). My new one has been modified w/ PSS-9s (the Stock suspension IMHO = crappy) & HREs. I do have some "bodywork" goodies coming soon, afterwhich I shall post more pics! Thanks again, lap

"The targa is appealing for blvd crusing, but its too much a compromise in performance. Not only is it heavy, but the weight is in the worst place, up top! I drove a targa and was not impressed with the way it handled, too much weird diagonal porpoising. This is not to say its a bad car, just relative to the C4S, its clearly not the performer." HELLO ! My Targa is far from a bvld crusier - performance number 0-62 mph: 5.0 sec. Top Track Speed: 174 mph - C4S as per Porsche 0-62 mph: 5.0 sec. Top Track Speed: 177 mph - Targa - as per porsche Curb weight 3,296 lbs C4S Curb weight 3,175 lbs Targa Also check out track-side - the Targa has better track times than the C4S - I've owned my Targa for 8 months now and she is not only sexy, but no noise or rattling going on here.

I wonder where all this racing is taking place with Porsche street cars. If you go to an ALMS race, you'll see the folly in this pursuit with a conventional car that would need to be destroyed as a 'driver' to compete. You guys are killing me with this 'bench racing'. No one ever wins in this series.

Well, my focus is on (i) a fun daily commute, and (ii) weekend track fun. By Porsche's own numbers, I think in June 2002 in Excellence, the C4S outlaps the C2 at the 'ring. 4 seconds, which translates to 2 seconds on a typical 2 minute track. Does this improvement matter to me? Yes, of course. Would I give up this performance differential to get a glass roof? No. Once you get a taste of the go-fast crack pipe at the track, 2 seconds is huge. I also think the C4S is *easier* to go fast in, with AWD helping out and better out of the box suspension. What's Trackside? They have a different assessment of the cars? The C4S is marginally slower than a C2 in a straight line, and from the numbers posted above, about the same as a Targa. I'm not really concerned with the straight line stuff. . . I bought a Porsche not a Camaro. I'm heading to the track tonight. I'll find out soon enough how this C4S goes, although I'll be on already heat cycled Pilot Sport Cups. On the street, you can't use the performance of either car w/o going to jail, so what really matters here is which one you like driving better. I liked the surefootedness and reduced porpoising of the C4S. In sum, for street and track, the choice for *me* was clear. It all depends on where your priorities lie. Anyway, all this is just my opinion. No need to be personally offended.

Great comments, every one. And Lap, that is one badass looking Targa. It's an insane choice to make - As much as I love the roof, and as much as I enjoy my evening and early morning drives with the top down, the C4S has to be the way to go - every time I see one, I think it's the best looking, most beautifully proportioned P-car I've ever seen... I'm on the hunt this month, I'll be back soon with pics!

Frayed, you're the man. Couldn't have said it better.

Thank you. I'll be here all week. (LOL) Well, my track weekend got cut short, as I have to handle an urgent project for a client tomorrow, but I did get a day of track time in, my virgin run in the C4S. I'll post on my experience in another thread, but this car is simply bad *** out of the box for track duty. I was running in 90+ degree heat, bone stock except R comps (PSCs). It is amazing from the factory, and no car I have ever been in has the proper balance of brakes, grip, neutral balance, and forgiveness as this car. I am very impressed with the C4S package on the track, and I will get faster in it once I really figger out this rear engine thing. I don't know how you can go wrong with one of these cars. Cheers.

C4S Cab would be the logical choice...had the cabs been an option for me at the time I would likely have gone that route...however the attached really sparkles!

But I wouldn't trade it for anything .... Ok maybe a GT

You know, if you're going to go from 57k (Targa money) to C4S money (65k), you're in the neighborhood of a 993 Turbo... These cars are going to be the death of me...