Targa - Are they a waste of time?

[shortlad]

I was at a TVR main dealer the other day talking about the options for where I go to if I sold my Chimaera and started to look at the T350T.

Now I love the T350 but I also like to have a soft top car so was considering the T350T. I know it's not a full convertible but thought it could be close enough.

The dealer said that the Targa wasn't worth considering if that was what I wanted as not really that effective for the convertible 'feel' so stick with the Tamora. I know this would give me the ultimate wind in the hair but I prefer (not that I dislike the Tamora) the look of the T350.

Would appreciate some views on this one!

Cheers

[raja]

targa is fine. Takes a bit of getting used to to fit it and stuff but i have the panels off at every opportunity. In my opinion whilst it doesn't give u the full roof down experience of my previous elise it still is a really amazing experience. Oh and i also had a similar choice to make regarding tamora and t350t and also thought the t350t looked better. Test drive one in the sun and then you'll know yourself.

[t40ora]

IMHO the Elise (fabulous car that it is) is not quite the full convertible experience due to the fixed rear screen. So comparison to the T350T is going to be closer than between the Chim and the T350T.

Do agree about driving both though. Today, had the top off the Tam (and back screen down) all day (approx 300 miles) and it's been fantastic.

Maybe I'm being a bit of a stuck-in-the-mud old Git, but it HAD to be the Tam for me....

[targarama]

Targas look so cool too. Roof on = coupe. Roof off = close to topless, good enough for most while keeping the roll cage.

Coupes look nice too though, the targa panels finish it off though IMO.

[sideways mostly]

had an Elly as well.To be honest despite all the canvas the Elise was closer to a targa than a full soft top-bit like the Tuscan. For the full on wig loosing moment you need a Tam ( Or a Griff/Chim)

[GOM]

We went from Elise to T350t and IMO about the same effect, but not full convertible feel. Targa is better in the winter and I just love the BatManesque looks. Try them all and decide what's best for you.

[bomb]

I love the shape of the 'T' and now feel the 'C' looks a little .......plain ??

Individual choice, but I still want the panels off whenever I can, and its handy to have a solid roof in the winter months.

Best of both worlds really.

[cdd]

I would go for a Tuscan personally for the convertible / hard top. Get the best of both worlds with great performance and looks.

[hollowlegs]

targa is great, cruising with the panels out is superb fun up here in scotland, drove to fort william from aberdeen and back last weekend and even through rain showers just left the roof open, going fast enough that the rain didnt fall into the car of course! hehe

[rustler]

I've got the Targa.

Fantastic!!

[sagaris22]

Ive had tamora and now got a sagaris and I miss the open roof..however the noise and body strangth from the hard top aid in control and handling of the car.. the tamora with nitrons fitted was very affected i felt whereas sagaris isnt in any form and feel far more secure and stable

i drive mine with both windows down all the time just to hear the overrun splutters lol

i like the 350t and would say the above all of interest as a more stable car and best of both worlds and more often wet here than sunny !!

regards
rodger

[ginner]

I had a Tam for 2 years, fantastic car, now have a T350t. I loved the look and shape of the T350 when it was launched at the motor show and the targa is an ideal compromise for me.

The T350t does feal more solid than the Tam, probably due to the full cage. I also think the boot area makes for a more useable every day car and it doesn't leak around the windows like the soft top on the Tam, but that may just have been my car, altough I did have new seals on roof / doors etc....

J

[t40ora]

I'm interested in the comments about rigidity etc. I was talking to Phil (the guy who races for Racing Green) and he said that in his opinion the Tam was much better for fast road use than the T350, which is better for track use. This is due to the flexibility of the Tam giving greater adhesion on normal road surfaces. Rigidity of the 350 much more beneficial on the track.

I'm a self confessed know-nothing when it comes to track days, and probably haven't (maybe never will) pushed my car as hard as some of you guys out there. But I would be interested in comments (not hijacking the thread!).

BTW although I really like the looks of the T350, I still wouldn't chop a full soft top in for a Targa!

[sagaris22]

id say try and drive both.. perosnal feeling and wishes are hard for others to push !! when sun shines ull always wish u had a soft top as only human !! however when overcast and cold winds and freezing bollox off you wish had a hard top !!(especially if heater fan conks out like mine had ..twice!!)

as to track and road well i can comment as i never use car on the track ..so far .. the tamor did tramline a lot and hence why i fitted the nitrons to it and yes Id say and agree the tamora was a smashign car down back roads etc as i had it set up like a go kart. the saggy on other hand doesnt like some surfaces and bottoms out easily but engine also far quicker revving etc so kinda makes up for that.

I havnt driven a 350 but have had shot in 350t and i enjoyed car for the spell i had .. not pushed to limits just a 300 mile test drive but i liked it and im sure with targa panels out would not be far off soft top pleasures

otherwise id say its your call and try and have good spin in each if dealer has them to try.

one thing id try to ensure got close ration box and raised diff as one option i now wish id got for more oomph in accelaration... next things on my hit list this end

regards
rodger

[sagaris22]

pps i still say the tamora has the nicest rear end of em all !!

[sagaris22]

sorry wrong pic i know its not my tamora ok !! lol