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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  Pure Fun - 2003 Porsche 911
  By Ken - September 9 - 11:43 am

  I have had sports cars in the past; corvettes, BMW M3, 500SL. NOTHING comes close to the pure fun of a Porsche 911 Cabriolet. Everybody else on the road is there only for you to pass them. Takes the corners impossibly well. Exterior design that you never get tired of. I have had Mercedes for many years and I am impressed with the ergonomic design and build quality of Porsche, absolutely on a par with MB (or better). If you have never driven a 911, you dont know what you are missing. I will say that I test drove a couple of coupes and really didnt fall in love until I drove the cabriolet. Top down is a car driving sensory overload.

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  my first porsche - 2000 Porsche Boxster
  By ccmcgee - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I entered my 30s and decided to leave behind all that went with my 20s especially, my 95 toyota camry. Am I ever glad that I did. Driving the Porsche Boxster S is like being transported from the mundane to the extraordinary. Im afraid that I will overuse the convertible top. Ive yet to feel even a bit of buyers remorse.

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  A Totally New Boxster That Will Thrill - 2006 Porsche Boxster
  By David - August 18 - 9:16 pm

  This is my second Boxster and fourth Porsche. My last one was a 2002 that was great but this 2006 is a totally different car. I am more impressed with this car than any I have ever owned, including a new BMW Z4 3.0 that I bought last March (2005). The interior is much higher quality that previous years. The car "breathes" as you accelerate with the silky smooth 5 speed transmission. The Bose stereo is exceptional! The price was a true value. I highly recommend this car with great enthusiasm.

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  porsche turbo cpe - 2003 Porsche 911
  By s.dworkin - August 11 - 2:00 am

  great car. lots of fun,great appeal, plenty of power, very comfortable,the best car Ive ever owned and Ive owned over 50 cars in my life. The car is so unlike the Porsches of old. love this car

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  GTS "The Best Cayenne" version - 2009 Porsche Cayenne
  By Ecos - August 10 - 7:36 pm

  I had two BMW X5 before I got this GTS, and even though the X5 was THE benchmark of the luxury/sport SUV sector, it was dethroned by the Cayenne GTS. For all of us who enjoy driving sports cars “and” also like to go out with the family, a 911 is no option; this GTS model drives like a true Porsche, not like the other versions of the Cayenne that drive like a SUV built by Porsche. Handling, handling, handling, the Turbo is very fast but falls short in crisp maneuvering. For me the GTS is the perfect balance, it has enough HP (405) and scalpel sharp handling. I got it in GTS Red color, every time I stop at a traffic light, people keep nodding in approval, and giving thumbs up.

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  Its hard to do better. - 2000 Porsche Boxster
  By Sabastian - August 10 - 3:16 pm

  This car was purchased about a month ago with around 34,000 miles on the clock, but I have to say that it feels and drives like a brand new car. The steering is direct and full of feel. The engine pulls urgently from 3,500rpm and sounds fantastic doing it, and the 6-speed manual is a model of precision. The seats are comfortable, and the interior still looks great even eight years after the car was built. I would have no trouble recommending a Boxster S to anyone in the market for a two-seat drop top.

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  Cayenne S V8 POWAH! - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By Sean - August 8 - 4:03 pm

  Ok so i bought this car as a Christmas gift to myself and I have loved it since day one! Its fast sporty and fun to drive. I would have bought the turbo but it has really lag. I have taken the Cayenne off road numerous times and it has held up well. Im very pleased with this car. Fuel economy is poor but it is a V8 and Im coming from a V6.

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  a lifetime looking for you and you only. - 2005 Porsche CARRERA GT
  By dustinhulgan - August 2 - 7:06 am

  The carrera gt is by far the best car I have ever had in my possesion. Its fast, best handling in all-around conditions amd out does any other car in the world. The f50 the vviper ,05 corrvette full stock none of these cars even share the same road.

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  The Car - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By fcompagnino - July 30 - 9:20 pm

  This car is just a pleasure to drive also its power is amazing...i also like the luxury features

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  its awesome - 2002 Porsche 911
  By tbleo - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Just one drive is all that it will take to understand.