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:

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  coming home - 2009 Porsche 911
  By carguy - March 24 - 5:56 am

  Just bought a new 09 911S cab. Had an 08 911S cab but traded it on an M3 cab at the end of 08. Since had an 09 Jag xk cab and an 09 Jag xkr cab (ok, call me crazy with all these cars). But getting back in this 911S is like coming home. First thing I did was take a cloverleaf onto a highway at 70 mph without leaning and quickly realized what I had been missing. Jag xkr has more curb appeal, but this is just the perfect car, especially with a six speed. Car is much quicker than my 08...clear improvements to the 997 and 1/2. My wife doesnt believe that I will keep this car for a long while given my history, but I will win this bet. I am home.

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  Porsche-there is no substitute - 2005 Porsche 911
  By Tim Hagen - March 23 - 12:40 am

  Porsche is the best built car in the world. The braking, handling, and over all performane is second to none. Overall quality and attention to details create a vehile that only a true enthusiast would appreciate, and understand what a real "driving machine" is all about. Porsche has won more races that any mark, and their road cars are prove that evolution, is superior to" revolution"

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  A Blast! - 2002 Porsche Boxster
  By Greg - March 21 - 11:20 am

  I bought my red Boxster w/55k miles for weekend fun. The problem is I cant keep my hands off of it. I find myself looking for excuses to run an errand just so I can take it out for a spin. The most fun car I have ever owned. Handling, engine note, brakes, styling are all incredible.

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  One Beautiful Sports Car - 2008 Porsche Boxster
  By James - March 14 - 11:13 pm

  Just got this car and stayed up half the night driving it around with the top down. It feels so good with the top down. The handling is top notch. You can feel the quality built into this car. Drove the 370z and even though it had more bells and whistles it wasnt near as fun to drive as the Boxster S. Plus chicks love a Porsche and that alone is worth the extra coin.

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  997 TT S - 1997 Porsche 911
  By robert silverman - March 12 - 2:00 am

  What can I say? I had an Aston Martin DB7 before this car, and NO comparison. This was the car, and looks aggressive, is aggressive and most importantly, holds its value unlike the Aston.

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  Awesome - 2009 Porsche 911
  By Earfool - March 11 - 2:56 pm

  This is an amazing car. I have never enjoyed drive a vehicle as much as my 911. The acceleration is as sophisticated as one would expect from a Porsche. Its only a beast when you want it to be.

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  What a change - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By mudman2 - March 7 - 1:53 pm

  I moved from a Mercedes-Benz ML 430 to the Porsche Cayenne S mainly because my wife and daughter convinced me I was worth it. It is a stunning vehicle, the first I have owned that has been improved by the dealer using software upgrades since I bought it. I now have 35,000 miles on it and love it more now than I did when I first picked it up, another first. Its frighteningly fast when "driven." Most other drivers continually underestimate just how quick it is. The harder you push it, the more it gives, it never runs out of steam.

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  great bang for the buck! - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By richardcayenne - March 7 - 12:29 am

  I saw a beautiful 2004s on a lot and decided to take it for a spin. This is not a fake Porsche but the real deal! I drove it home a week later. A huge pleasure to drive! One worry was mpg but to my surprise it really gets 21 mpg on the highway at 65 ans cruising. Yes there are some bugs like the radio that doesn`t always work but overall I got a $70,000 car for well under 20 grand. One piece of adviceis to verify how the car was maintained and by who.

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  Magic - 2005 Porsche 911
  By H - February 26 - 3:43 am

  Id test driven other cars and was getting frustrated with their compromises. My ten year old BMW M3 was still looking very competitive! And then I drove the 911 and it had the same magic, the same quantum jump over the others that impressed me ten years ago with the M3. I had to have one.

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  What a Joy - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By sclarke - February 24 - 10:00 am

  The build quality of this vehicle is actually better than that of my 2003 SL500. The engineering is incredible-smooth ride, great handling, good acceleration, all in a sport-ute! I am very pleased with this vehicle.