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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  Great Car thats Fun to Drive - 1997 Porsche Boxster
  By GMc - May 6 - 6:33 am

  I have totally enjoyed the car for six months now. Other than the classic ignition switch falling apart (which took 15 minutes to get fixed), this car has been a pleasure to own. Buy one if you can find a very clean low miles car.

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  Fun to drive - 2003 Porsche Boxster
  By Sekhar - April 18 - 10:00 am

  Absolute blast to drive. Excellent acceleration and superb brakes and feels rock solid at all speeds. This is my every day car and it is such fun to drive. Turns heads all the time. The exhaust note is exhilerating and I often turn off the stereo just to hear the exhaust note.

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  Amazing Automobile!!! - 2016 Porsche Panamera
  By Smrt5033 - April 14 - 3:10 am

  I Love this vehicle...true Sport car with room for four!!!! Great handling, comfort, and you will fall in love with this vehicle!!

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  Worth every penny - 2012 Porsche Cayman
  By Ken - April 13 - 12:12 am

  This is a super car, fun to drive, surprisingly comfortable, quick and responsive. On the downside it is expensive to repair, but with extended warranty there are less worries.

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  amazed - 2004 Porsche CARRERA GT
  By ladeezman427 - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven my Porche and i find it extremely well built and great handling

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  A true sports car - 2004 Porsche Boxster
  By Barry Wetsell - April 6 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Porsche, and it will not be the last. The dealership delivered my car on a hot September day around noon. The seal gray exterior, black cabriolet top, and 18 inch Carrera wheels looked phenominal. Every time that I look at this car I consider myself fortunate to have been given the opportunity to experience such a wonderful motorcar. Porsche has been able to capture the essence of a sports car with a somewhat primitive interior, drop dead gorgeous looks, and unbeatable performance.

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  C4S - 2004 Porsche 911
  By trobodoc - April 6 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Porsche. I drive it at club driving shcools and it is the fastest car I have owned on the track because of the 4 wheel drive system. The brakes are superb and the car is very predictable. I drive it daily to work, though not in snow or on ice. It has sport exhaust option but I should have had seat heaters. Xenon lights are excellent.

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  WOW! - 1996 Porsche 911
  By CA Gold Coast - April 4 - 10:00 am

  What a great car! This car is enjoyable to drive at all times, even stuck in traffic. The 993 is a beautiful no nonsense execution of the all time German speed appliance. Add a strut brace for better handleing. Repairs and observations: Brakes are expensive-plan on $500 for pads if you se good ones. Tires-rears last 14K if you are lucky. A/C is not the best Oil change is $200

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  awesome - 2004 Porsche CARRERA GT
  By Emma and friends - April 1 - 10:00 am

  i love this car

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  Wish I could afford the turbo!! - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By atomicfoto - April 1 - 10:00 am

  This has really changed the porsche market. I really have enjoyed it so far. I look forward to moving up to the "s". I have not had any problems yet.