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:

• 

  quality not compromised - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By markyami - October 28 - 12:00 am

  the cayenne s is a pleasure for four out of the five senses. The looks exterior is unique to other SUVs with its defined lines and aluminum trim work, and the interior is comfortable with instrumentation placed with the driver in mind. hearing the engine when you step on the gas with the true Porsche sports car sound will bring out the kid in you. the Smell of the quality leather interior continues well into ownership. the feel is the most adrenalin rushing part of the car. Acceleration, handling, stability, and braking is every bit as sport car feel as a corvette, with a seating for five, four wheel drive, and a comfortable ride, you know you bought the best of both worlds.

• 

  Fun, fun, fun, fun.......... - 2006 Porsche Boxster
  By FurnitureGuy - October 24 - 6:36 pm

  I traded in my BMW 330 for this great machine - passing up the BMW Z4. All it took was one test drive and I was hooked. Driving the twisties is as fun in this car as it is on my motorcycle! Top down, wind in my hair, the sweet music of the exhaust - could you ask for more? The BMW was comfortable, but this car rocks! We get a little bit of rain here in Oregon, so not having to stop to put up the top when it sprinkles is a plus.

• 

  Porsche Cayenne! - 2008 Porsche Cayenne
  By gte864f - October 24 - 2:20 pm

  As a current owner, let me tell you what options you should pass on. Skip the Cargo system and any type of upgraded wheels. You will save a few dollars if the car comes with the Preferred Pkg or Preferred Pkg plus. It’s more if you select all the stuff that comes in these packages a stand-alone. In the USA, the Cayenne will be more than enough power, especially in sports mode. There is a slight delay in the acceleration when you press on the gas but once its in the optimum power band the acceleration is linear. If you don’t need a Nav and all the other options I would opt for the Cayenne S. The difference is very noticeable. Love the car and the Look. Wood Package is a must have!

• 

  Boxster - 2002 Porsche Boxster
  By Scooby-Doo - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This is my 1st Porsche and the car and service from the dealer is great! If you are shy do not buy a boxster, you get a lot of looks and coments when driving this car - ALL GOOD! Got rid of a chrysler sebring conv to buy my boxster - best thing I ever did! The quality of the fit and the manufacturing of the Boxster is totally different to any USA car I have ever had. If you can afford the 18" wheels it makes the look and handling better. Also heated seats makes driving with the top down at night nice. They have 2 settings - hot gets really hot all the way up the back of the seat.

• 

  Fun in the sun, but lacks torque - 2000 Porsche Boxster
  By Dave Kalz - October 24 - 10:00 am

  My Boxster has been a great car. The most confidence inspiring and best handling car that Ive ever owned. I also have a Viper GTS and the Boxster instills much more confidence - though it doesnt have the torque or sex appeal of the Viper. Still, its a fun car - very useful for every day driving. I used to own a Miata - which was a great car, but was frustrating to drive because of its lack of power. Think of the Boxster as a better Miata. It goes faster and can handle the turns faster - but the over-all driving experience is very simiilar to the Miata. Whether the Boxster is worth the extra 20K over a Miata could be well argued, but hey, its a Porsche.

• 

  I grin every time I drive this car!!!! - 2001 Porsche 911
  By SilverBlue - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I recently bought this used car from a dealership. Paid for the certification to get the extended warranty. Im sure it will pay off down the road.

• 

  Speechless - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Young Chul - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Its sleek design inside even my children like it, watchin cable telvision in daddys car, no wonder why the always want to go in my S=UV

• 

  Still Tops in Anybodys Book - 2006 Porsche 911
  By Zeek - October 18 - 1:23 pm

  This car is just plain excellent, as I have come to expect from Porsche (this being my 8th one). I bought the Carrera S only because there was no Turbo available at the time, My Turbo should be arriving any time now. The phrase "Porsche, There Is No Substitute" is very fitting for this, and all their cars.

• 

  Whats not to like - 2002 Porsche 911
  By Wm2001 - October 14 - 10:00 am

  True exotic class sportcar with everday reliability. Rides best at high speeds. Beautiful exterior design, matching a superb ride. Ahh, theres nothing better than German suspension. The AWD C4S has nothing but stability, making that 25 mile an hour turn a work of art at 50 mph.

• 

  Love this car!!! - 2000 Porsche 911
  By Pronounced_Porsh-A - October 8 - 10:00 am

  The sound of acceleration is intoxicating, as is rolling through a slow-speed zone in first or second gear. This car turns heads. One minor problem is lack of a cup holder. One MAJOR problem is that every 20 year old idiot in a honda will tailgate you, as well the never will afford a real car minivan driving middle age losers (male and female). Cannot tell you how many times I have been driving merrily along and some MORON pulls up next to me and starts revving his engine: especially contractors in pickups trucks. Gas milage: unbelievebly good. I just re-tread with factory spec tires, and the cost was under a grand.