Sports bucket seats or Adaptive sports seats
Discussion
Simple question really, which would you spec on a new 991 Targa 4s? I have tried both in the showroom but not had any decent seat time. The sports buckets I like as I love to feel like I am sitting in a car not on it, but I am not sure how comfortable they would be over longer journeys. The adaptive sports seats (18 way electric) also seem nice but are they overkill considering once I have found a comfortable position I am unlikely to change them again. Plus they must weight a tonne on what is already a heavy car.
So any anecdotes and pluses and minuses on ether choice please would be welcomed
So any anecdotes and pluses and minuses on ether choice please would be welcomed
Edited by Streetrod on Monday 8th February 14:09
One thing I like that might not be immediately obvious with the 18 way seats is the memory function.
If you share the car with someone else like I do I really appreciate the seat going back to where I want it rather than crushing my ribs on the steering wheel when I get in after the other half has been driving it.
I'd say the adaptive seats suit the character of a Targa 4s more than buckets.
I have 18 way adaptive in my Cayman S but have ordered buckets for my GT4 since they suit the character of the car better, and the new 918 Style buckets have electric height adjustment. The deal-breaker for buckets in my Cayman S was no height adjustment.
Either way I don't think you can go too far wrong.
If you share the car with someone else like I do I really appreciate the seat going back to where I want it rather than crushing my ribs on the steering wheel when I get in after the other half has been driving it.
I'd say the adaptive seats suit the character of a Targa 4s more than buckets.
I have 18 way adaptive in my Cayman S but have ordered buckets for my GT4 since they suit the character of the car better, and the new 918 Style buckets have electric height adjustment. The deal-breaker for buckets in my Cayman S was no height adjustment.
Either way I don't think you can go too far wrong.
The buckets are amazing and far more comfy than you might believe, but I think the Targa models are pretty much the least suited to having buckets in the whole 911 lineup as its the luxury/pretty model, so as much as I love them, if it was my Targa then I'd spec the 4-way Sports Seats Plus I think.
Having owned both these and the 18-way seats in the past (in 997 gen cars) I felt the 18-ways did little extra in either comfort or support so just didn't really give value for money. The Sports Seats Plus are almost £2k cheaper than either of the options you have shortlisted.
Having owned both these and the 18-way seats in the past (in 997 gen cars) I felt the 18-ways did little extra in either comfort or support so just didn't really give value for money. The Sports Seats Plus are almost £2k cheaper than either of the options you have shortlisted.
Compared to the 997's compartive seats, the adaptive sports seats in the 991 virtually feel like bucket seats.
I suppose i should fess up and say i am THAT guy with a GT3 without buckets, but i found them great for trackdays and i share the car with my dad a lot so it's useful to have the adjustability.
I also agree that the buckets don't really sit the Targa anyway; they'd look out of place. They do suit the GT3, but my personal view is that they are a bit wannabe racing driver.
I suppose i should fess up and say i am THAT guy with a GT3 without buckets, but i found them great for trackdays and i share the car with my dad a lot so it's useful to have the adjustability.
I also agree that the buckets don't really sit the Targa anyway; they'd look out of place. They do suit the GT3, but my personal view is that they are a bit wannabe racing driver.
I have adaptive seats in my GT3, they are very comfy and the adjustability is nice on long drives but I understand they are the 'wrong' seats in a GT3.....unless you are of a certain size then they are perfect 
If I were in your shoes speccing a 991 Targa then I would order the adaptive seats as I think they suit the character of the car better than buckets.
I drove a GT3 with the full bucket seats and harnesses once. They were amazing! You really feel like you are strapped onto and into a missile and I dare say your driving character changes too.....you do feel quite invincible strapped into a bucket seat with a roll cage wrapped round you
As a side note, I removed the adaptive seats once when doing some work on my car, they weigh a ton!!!
If I were in your shoes speccing a 991 Targa then I would order the adaptive seats as I think they suit the character of the car better than buckets.
I drove a GT3 with the full bucket seats and harnesses once. They were amazing! You really feel like you are strapped onto and into a missile and I dare say your driving character changes too.....you do feel quite invincible strapped into a bucket seat with a roll cage wrapped round you
As a side note, I removed the adaptive seats once when doing some work on my car, they weigh a ton!!!
Hope you don't mind me just asking a quick question off topic that might help your decision. I have the Adaptive Plus Seats having just sold my C2 with 14 way seats and I am convinced that the 18 ways sit a tiny bit higher than my 14 ways. Do the buckets sit lower still or is this all in my head?
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