Overview & Reviews

Porsche cars have a virtually untarnished reputation and are considered among the finest performance vehicles in the world. It's a reputation that's well-deserved. With razor-sharp handling and power aplenty, Porsche vehicles offer a driving experience like no other. It's little wonder that, for many, the marque has come to define the sports car category. For years, the only Porsches available were sleek sports cars, but the manufacturer recently expanded its lineup to include other types of vehicles.

The brand has its roots in the Porsche Engineering Office, founded in Stuttgart, Germany, by Ferdinand Porsche in 1931. Porsche brought with him years of experience as an automotive engineer; in the '20s, while employed with Daimler, his skill was tapped to create Mercedes' iconic SS and SSK sports cars. Porsche has long had close ties with Volkswagen, and the first Porsche vehicles were small two-seat sports cars that were largely based on VW chassis. From 1948-'50, most of these early Porsche cars (the brainchild of Porsche and his son Ferry) were actually built in Austria before production was switched to Zuffenhausen, Germany. Ferdinand's first real production car was the VW Beetle, so it was no surprise that his sports cars used those components and had their air-cooled engine mounted in the rear.

The 1950s saw the birth of two icons, the 356 Speedster with its low-cut windshield and the lightweight, midengined 550 Spyder. Both cars helped Porsche rack up a multitude of wins on the racetrack. In the mid-'60s, the 356 made way for the revered 911. Powered by an all-new six-cylinder engine, the coupe scored two consecutive wins at Monte Carlo. Following in the footsteps of its predecessors, the 911's air-cooled flat-six engine was located in the rear of the vehicle.

By the time the '70s rolled around, Porsche had introduced the 914 (the "affordable" Porsche with a midengine design and a targa top), the mighty 911 turbo, the disrespected 924 (powered by a weak front-mounted, water-cooled inline four) and the flagship 928 (front-mounted V8, four-seat coupe). The '80s saw the birth of the 956, a car that went on to become the most successful racecar of all time. The twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive 959 was also launched; it became the first sports car to win the Paris-Dakar Rally and the street version could hit nearly 200 mph. The athletic 944 debuted in 1983, as did a convertible version of the 911, something that had been missing for some years. The '80s also saw the rebirth of the 924, now with some muscle courtesy of the 944's strong-for-the-time (147-horsepower) inline four.

By the early 1990s the 928 had been discontinued and the 944 was replaced by the similar 968. Because of a lack of dynamic product and a tough market climate, Porsche was suffering financially. The company's savior, the Boxster roadster, debuted in 1997 and brought back the spirit of the old 550 Spyder. In 2003, Porsche committed what purists considered a sin as the company brought the Cayenne SUV to the market. However, once those enthusiasts discovered the Cayenne's sporting performance (especially in 450-hp turbo form) all was forgiven. The following year, Porsche brought out the ferocious (605-hp) Carrera GT supercar.

Today, Porsche's lineup is quite broad for a specialty automaker and now even includes a luxury super sport sedan, the Panamera. Throughout its history, Porsche has exhibited amazing resilience, weathering changes in consumer tastes and the economic climate. As such, it's safe to assume that this ever-robust company will continue to be known for making vehicles that excel at performance, luxury and usability.

User Reviews:

• 

  My Search Ended With This Car - 1999 Porsche 911
  By Bigditchdigger - May 31 - 10:00 am

  I am 50 years old and have driven sports cars since I was 15.From MG to Ferrari.I always looked upon Porsche as a big volkswagon,boy was I wrong.This is the sports car they can bury me in.The only thing wrong with it is you cant help but drive it fast.It is adrivers car,not a luxury coffee cup cell phone talking cruiser.

• 

  cool - 2003 Porsche 911
  By compute69 - May 31 - 10:00 am

  this car is fun to drive.if u want to steet race this is the car to do it in. this is real fast

• 

  The true ultimate driving machince - 2003 Porsche 911
  By joe pors - May 31 - 10:00 am

  It is a fun car to drive. It is the best car Ive driven in terms of response and handling performance. Even the radio was better than I expected. A truly dream car.

• 

  MY SUNDAY DRIVER - 2003 Porsche 911
  By CRAZYREX - May 31 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR ALWAYS DID SINCE I WAS LITTLE. AND I ALWAYS WANTED THIS TO BE MY FIRST CAR SO I WORKED 2 JOBS FOR 3 YEARS TILL I TURNED 21 AND ON MY 21ST BIRTHDAY I BOUGHT MY DREAM CAR..

• 

  coooooooooool - 2003 Porsche 911
  By heno - May 31 - 10:00 am

  eye catcher,exotic,sexy all a man wants

• 

  Carrera S Coupe PDK - 2017 Porsche 911
  By RANDY MCCOY - May 24 - 3:10 pm

  There really is no substitute.

• 

  Everything I Wanted (and expected) Plus More! - 2018 Porsche Panamera
  By JC - May 23 - 12:27 am

  While I have only had the car a few weeks, it is everything I expected. Luxurious and refined when desired or a "beast" when you want performance. (Just choose regular, sport, sport plus or custom driving mode.) The car grips the road, including corners, like no sedan I have ever driven. The seats are ultra-comfortable, front and rear. My ratings on reliability and value are only four stars because it is too early to know. Overall I am very pleased with zero regrets. Dont waste another moment spoil yourself today.

• 

  Nice Ass Ride - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By MartinByun - May 18 - 2:00 am

  I love the style it bring to you. You get many heads turning when you drive this Cayenne. I love the way that you can have best of both worlds by having a sporty mid SUB.

• 

  Gone To Heaven - 2006 Porsche 911
  By Wrinkledoc - May 15 - 7:36 pm

  This car is too fun too drive. It looks great, drives great, sounds great. Whats not to like? I feel like I have died and gone to automotive heaven.

• 

  for the fun of it - 2004 Porsche Boxster
  By DenDen - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Im 57 and this is the most fun driving I have ever had...and...Ive owned Corvetts, Mustang GTs, Fiat, Alpha and Audi TT