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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  best looking , performing car I have seen - 2008 Porsche Cayman
  By Dan Smith - May 18 - 6:48 am

  I selected the 08 because it did NOT have all the electronic crap that they put in today. I want a drivers performance sport car that drives like a formula 1 car. I did not want a computer, phone, gizmo terminal that is to defeat the reason to have a porsche . Running Michelin PS Z tires and the car is stable and smooth all the way to 150.... I can take 55 mph curves at 100 with ease. When manual shifting I wind it to 4800 rpm and shift... and you feel like your on a rocket... in 400 yards your doing 80.... from a standing start. Gas milage, about 19.8-20.5 at speeds of 75-85 Ac is good. What I do like is the simple dash with out the screens and entertainment. Everything easy to run. Gages easy to read, I have a MBZ 250 coupe and the porsche is in the same quality range Dealer service is fantastic and I get new Porsche loaner cars wa every service. With 80,000 miles any worry about engine problems is far from a problem. Sold the car last month, because I came to the realization that I was overwhelmed by the high performance and speed the Caymen would do... Speed? In a short deserted desert road I put it to the floor....got to 155 before I backed off...it was still climbing. This is a car for the person that is on top of his driving game and skill. The car demands 200% attention like flying an airplane,if you dont have that skill level it can kill you.... This is not a daily commute driver. Its hard core performance stuff. You can keep up with Lamborghini and Ferraris if that is your wish ( top speed Porsche lists is 212 mph)

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  Porsche 997 series 1 - 2007 Porsche 911
  By mcspeed - May 13 - 2:24 am

  Ive driven this low miles 07 Carerra S Coupe for 7 months now and its a joy every time I get in it. its my 2nd Carerra, after a 96 C2 Coupe. the difference is like night and day. This car sticks like its on RAILS, even with the sport setting in off. with it on, no telling how sticky it would be, but the ride is v harsh with it on. the engine sound is beee yoo tiful!. I like it better than the sound of the air cooled cars, though some will disagree. The S type brakes are very good-they invite you to go hard into corners. I have the basalt metallic black with black leather. looks great and drives great.

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  The most satisfying car to own - 2005 Porsche 911
  By art_from_fl - May 12 - 4:00 pm

  I bought a used 2005 (997) 911 Carrera Coupe with Tiptronic 7 month ago. This is my first Porsche, and cant deny I expected to be a nice experience; this car has given me a lot of satisfaction and went beyond my high expectations. The handling at any speed is amazing.

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  World Class SUV - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Moneyman - May 7 - 2:00 am

  The handling ability of a fine sports car and the off road capablities of a tank! Fun to drive and user friendly with lots of room. Porsche has hit the mark in every area of design. They have put the fun and performance into an everyday driver!

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  Fun Machine - 2000 Porsche Boxster
  By Cory - May 6 - 2:06 am

  I purchased a used 2000 Boxster S several years ago with low mileage. Everything has been fantastic including the dealer service in Palm Beach FL. I made due with the cup holder that latches onto the driver vent as well....

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  Miss High Maintenance - 2003 Porsche 911
  By Miss High Maintenanc - May 4 - 2:00 am

  With respect to reliability, the car has been disappointing: close to $500 to fix a burned out xenon bulb; a failed rear main seal (a universal problem in 996s, 911s built from 1998- 2008, I have since found out, a lemon by any other name); failed sport exhaust cutout; failed radiators and there are 2 of them; increasingly stiff and notchy shifter; fractured dash trim (due to age) etc. Honoring the warranty has been reasonable. Noise and ride can be intolerable at times. Totally lacking in balanced handling, compared say to a Boxster or Miata, especially dangerous in very high speed curves, when camber and rear weight bias can combine to give it Corvair (or original VW Beetle) characteristics

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  Love This Vehicle! - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By SMURNIN - May 3 - 9:53 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned in my life for the purpose that I use it for. It is an SUV and it still offers all of the features of Porsche!

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  The last of the REAL Porsches - 1998 Porsche 911
  By Shistain - May 1 - 2:00 am

  1998 was fairwell to the 911(993) as we knew it. While the 911 (996) is a fantastic car it is more of a luxury automobile than a true "drivers" car. The C2S handles like a go-cart, in a good way, and rockets like a sport motorcycle. The 1998 C2S and C4S are destin to be a classic.

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  Original and Still Happy Owner - 1996 Porsche 911
  By Gerry in So Cal - April 27 - 11:16 pm

  My 993 is able to turn a really bad day into something fine in about 15 minutes. There are some great freeways and mountain roads nearby and I sometimes "race" motorcycles on the twisty bends (but I lose to most of them). This is the last of the air-cooled 911s and seems to be a perfect, rugged little tank of a car. It DOES require full attention when driving at higher speeds as it has few computer overrides to save ones butt--but that is OK. It is a third car and I drive it only on evenings or weekends-but once in a while I use as a daily driver when the other cars are in for repairs, and it seems fine for that kind of use. The local dealers service techs say that this is the best model.

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  I made the move to a 911 Turbo - 2017 Porsche 911
  By Steven Weinstein - April 27 - 6:17 pm

  I have now owned my 2017 911 Turbo for 15 very happy months.. Not one complaint in over 18,500 miles. I replaced the exhaust system with a Fabspeed exhaust and Im now very pleased with the sound under hard acceleration.. Just replaced my rear tires at 18,000 miles.. The fronts are fine and should last thru 30,000 miles. This is my 3rd Porsche in the past 11 years.. It is by far the best..