Initial impressions: 992 Targa4S

NIkonTom said:

I am not sure if this is the correct place for an owner to provide a review. Please forgive me if this is not the correct spot.

I can share one thought and that is that most media reviews are glowing and for the most part seem sincere. Mine is from an actual owner that has recently owned a 987 6 speed Cayman and a 981 Cayman GTS.
This is my initial review of my 2022 992 911 Targa4S
Background/Context: I am 60 years old. My first Porsche was a 2009 987 Cayman base 6 speed manual purchased about 5 years ago. My second Porsche was a 2015 981 Cayman GTS PDK purchased about 2 years ago. My daily is a 2014 Mercedes E350 (176k miles!)
This a preliminary review since I have not reached the recommended mileage (1,400 miles) before RPM’s are above 4,000. I have had the Targa since August 18th, 2022. Mileage is 723.
I will be very specific, even picky in this review, not because I am not loving this vehicle (I am!) but to provide feedback that may help others.
BUILD:
992 Targa4S
Carerra white
Bordeaux/black full leather interior
Targa roof in black
Power steering plus (here comes the hate messages!)
Wheel centers with color
GT sport steering wheel in leather
Porsche Crest on center headrests
Innodrive
911 Turbo wheels
Power sport seats 14 way
Under door puddle light projectors (my son really wanted me to get these)
Sport design side skirts
Sport Package
Premium Package





LOOKS:
I like the looks of the 911better than the Cayman from all views except the back. Nothing beats a Cayman from the rear. I do prefer the 911’s more rounded headlamps compared to the 981 Cayman as they are more traditional. I also prefer the 911’s more rounded bulges behind the headlights on the hood. The 981 had creases that I think were there to make the Cayman look more modern. I liked the Cayman 987 more from this vantage point. I am thrilled with the look of the Turbo S wheels. They are rare…why? I am glad that I chose the side skirts..pricey but finishes the look from the sides.
TARGA SYSTEM:
The Targa with the top down showing the two-tone interior is stunning. My biggest worry before owning the Targa was the potential for excess noise and buffeting when the top was down. I am more than satisfied with the Targa design. With the wind deflector up, one can literally not get any buffeting no matter where the windows are. The noise is so much less than I thought. My wife and I drove 80 miles on the interstate at about 75mph. We talked in normal voices the whole way! I am sensitive to noises and am thrilled that this is a non-issue!
INTERIOR:
fantastic. The change from the 991 gray smooth trim along the dashboard to the highly textured surface is a great improvement. I am surprised it was not an option. The fit and finish is excellent. So many expensive cars have a dash that looks like an iPad was glued on. I would never accept this. The 992 dash is beautifully crafted into the dash. The enter/exit feature of the seats is a luxury for me as well as practical in that it protects the side bolsters from wear: the seat moves back when the ignition is tuened off and the seats returns to the memory position once the ignition is turned on.
Seating: I ordered the 14 ways seats partly because the 18 ways were much more expensive and did not come with the much nicer backing of the 14 ways. The seats are comfortable but do not hug you (at least not me---5’8 170lbs. I do like the fact that they have the extension of the front under the knees. I somewhat am disappointed that they are not a bit more snug but I guess that is what the 18 ways are for.
The sport steering wheel blocks the outermost gauges more so than the standard wheel. I have viewed so many reviews that presented this situation as a big flaw. I did not think it was such a big issue. I still do not, however, the steering wheel really does completely block both outer gauges. It takes more effort than I thought to see them. The passenger can see them easily.
Back seat: There is so much more room than I thought! Even though the Targa has less space than the coupe, I was very please at the amount of space. I took my mother in law for a ride in the front seat while my wife was in the back seat. No problem (they are both about 5’2”).
There are 2 function buttons that are programmable. One on the wheel and one on the dash. The options are a bit limited. I have start/stop function “off” for the button on the wheel and “view” outside of car for the dash button.
The PCM is well designed. It is very easy to use and very intuitive. Well done Porsche!
STEERING/HANDLING
Oh my…absolutely fantastic. There is 0 steering play with perfect weighting. I cannot imagine how it could be improved. The handling is just breathtaking. I have not even been over 4,000 revs yet and I can tell this car will be a blast when I can really use the full capability.
This is the first turbocharged car I have ever owned. I do notice a bit of turbo lag but it is about ½ of a second. I think I am very sensitive to this now because I have been concentrating on feeling the difference between the Targa and the Cayman. I thought that I would appreciate the earlier on set of torque with the 911 vs the Cayman and I do. I love the power onset without having to ring out the revs. I probably would not enjoy a GT3 as much as the Targa.
Sound: Arguably, the 981 Cayman has one of the best sounds of any Porsche. I was preparing myself to experience a much less pleasurable sound. I have been pleasantly surprised at the sound that the Targa makes! It is very close to the 981 Cayman.

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CH61 said:

Congratulations on your beautiful 992 and thank you for this great review! The Targa is a rare bird and we've had very little feedback so far on that model. Like you, my first Porsche was a 987 and the second a 981. But they were both Boxsters. So the decision to get a 992 S Cab came naturally for me since I also wanted the roof mecanism to work while driving. What made you pick the Targa instead of the Cab? Was it the looks or the halfway compromise of feeling open like a "real" convertible does.

Like all of us, I went crazy deciding on every possible option but I don't regret the Sport Seats Plus which you probably would find more snug.

If you're happy now, wait untill you can rev the engine to it's limit. Just amazing and nothing compared to my previous Boxsters. The 718 GTS 4.0 might come close though. Close I said.

Congrats again and drive safe!

P.S. When the time comes and you wish to replace your daily, @yrralis1 will introduce you to the Macan Forum!

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NIkonTom said:

Thanks for your kind words. I like the Targa because it keeps the shape of the Coupe but has the open air experience.
I don't think there is a bad 911!

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CH61 said:

Agreed! With 22 different models (I think) and over 200 configurable items, there is a 911 for every taste. Despite what has been said elsewhere on this Forum (I noticed you found it), I personally really like the look of the Targa. No hump, just beautiful lines. Also very rare. I'm sure it's a magnificent beast to drive.

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NIkonTom said:

I have about 150 miles of the 1400 miles of the break in completed. I get to really drive it soon!

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NIkonTom said:

Correction...I have about 150 to go in the break in period.

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NIkonTom said:

Correction...I have about 150 to go in the break in period.

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NIkonTom said:

I am not sure if this is the correct place for an owner to provide a review. Please forgive me if this is not the correct spot.

I can share one thought and that is that most media reviews are glowing and for the most part seem sincere. Mine is from an actual owner that has recently owned a 987 6 speed Cayman and a 981 Cayman GTS.
This is my initial review of my 2022 992 911 Targa4S
Background/Context: I am 60 years old. My first Porsche was a 2009 987 Cayman base 6 speed manual purchased about 5 years ago. My second Porsche was a 2015 981 Cayman GTS PDK purchased about 2 years ago. My daily is a 2014 Mercedes E350 (176k miles!)
This a preliminary review since I have not reached the recommended mileage (1,400 miles) before RPM’s are above 4,000. I have had the Targa since August 18th, 2022. Mileage is 723.
I will be very specific, even picky in this review, not because I am not loving this vehicle (I am!) but to provide feedback that may help others.
BUILD:
992 Targa4S
Carerra white
Bordeaux/black full leather interior
Targa roof in black
Power steering plus (here comes the hate messages!)
Wheel centers with color
GT sport steering wheel in leather
Porsche Crest on center headrests
Innodrive
911 Turbo wheels
Power sport seats 14 way
Under door puddle light projectors (my son really wanted me to get these)
Sport design side skirts
Sport Package
Premium Package





LOOKS:
I like the looks of the 911better than the Cayman from all views except the back. Nothing beats a Cayman from the rear. I do prefer the 911’s more rounded headlamps compared to the 981 Cayman as they are more traditional. I also prefer the 911’s more rounded bulges behind the headlights on the hood. The 981 had creases that I think were there to make the Cayman look more modern. I liked the Cayman 987 more from this vantage point. I am thrilled with the look of the Turbo S wheels. They are rare…why? I am glad that I chose the side skirts..pricey but finishes the look from the sides.
TARGA SYSTEM:
The Targa with the top down showing the two-tone interior is stunning. My biggest worry before owning the Targa was the potential for excess noise and buffeting when the top was down. I am more than satisfied with the Targa design. With the wind deflector up, one can literally not get any buffeting no matter where the windows are. The noise is so much less than I thought. My wife and I drove 80 miles on the interstate at about 75mph. We talked in normal voices the whole way! I am sensitive to noises and am thrilled that this is a non-issue!
INTERIOR:
fantastic. The change from the 991 gray smooth trim along the dashboard to the highly textured surface is a great improvement. I am surprised it was not an option. The fit and finish is excellent. So many expensive cars have a dash that looks like an iPad was glued on. I would never accept this. The 992 dash is beautifully crafted into the dash. The enter/exit feature of the seats is a luxury for me as well as practical in that it protects the side bolsters from wear: the seat moves back when the ignition is tuened off and the seats returns to the memory position once the ignition is turned on.
Seating: I ordered the 14 ways seats partly because the 18 ways were much more expensive and did not come with the much nicer backing of the 14 ways. The seats are comfortable but do not hug you (at least not me---5’8 170lbs. I do like the fact that they have the extension of the front under the knees. I somewhat am disappointed that they are not a bit more snug but I guess that is what the 18 ways are for.
The sport steering wheel blocks the outermost gauges more so than the standard wheel. I have viewed so many reviews that presented this situation as a big flaw. I did not think it was such a big issue. I still do not, however, the steering wheel really does completely block both outer gauges. It takes more effort than I thought to see them. The passenger can see them easily.
Back seat: There is so much more room than I thought! Even though the Targa has less space than the coupe, I was very please at the amount of space. I took my mother in law for a ride in the front seat while my wife was in the back seat. No problem (they are both about 5’2”).
There are 2 function buttons that are programmable. One on the wheel and one on the dash. The options are a bit limited. I have start/stop function “off” for the button on the wheel and “view” outside of car for the dash button.
The PCM is well designed. It is very easy to use and very intuitive. Well done Porsche!
STEERING/HANDLING
Oh my…absolutely fantastic. There is 0 steering play with perfect weighting. I cannot imagine how it could be improved. The handling is just breathtaking. I have not even been over 4,000 revs yet and I can tell this car will be a blast when I can really use the full capability.
This is the first turbocharged car I have ever owned. I do notice a bit of turbo lag but it is about ½ of a second. I think I am very sensitive to this now because I have been concentrating on feeling the difference between the Targa and the Cayman. I thought that I would appreciate the earlier on set of torque with the 911 vs the Cayman and I do. I love the power onset without having to ring out the revs. I probably would not enjoy a GT3 as much as the Targa.
Sound: Arguably, the 981 Cayman has one of the best sounds of any Porsche. I was preparing myself to experience a much less pleasurable sound. I have been pleasantly surprised at the sound that the Targa makes! It is very close to the 981 Cayman.

Click to expand...

CH61 said:

You scared me for a moment. I thought you were competing with @LessKrazy1 for the least amount of miles driven since delivery. 😅 That said, the break in period seems to vary from one advisor to another. I think you're good to go.

Drive safe!

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