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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  panamera 4s - 2010 Porsche Panamera
  By gene - June 9 - 2:00 am

  just delivered and absolutely the best car I have ever owned. Will update later. Past cars were many but mostly bmws with a couple of mbs and an infinity and quite a while ago some lexuss. The MBs transmission awful and will not ever buy another. last car was a bmw 335 coupe a truly great car. The panamera beats its performance and balance and is much more lush and sophisticated albeit much more expensive.

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  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Porsche Cayenne
  By S. K. Stallard - June 6 - 5:30 am

  This is a great automobile! I have thoughly enjoyed driving it! Its so fast its crazy, Its had some heavy acceleration and is FAST! Buy it, I got an S and love it!

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  Great Big 911 - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By Sandra Pitoniak - June 2 - 6:20 pm

  This Cayenne is just like driving my 911 only I am setting higher off the ground and I do not feel every pebble in the road surface. Great in the rain on slick roads and excellent handling in traffic. Still an obscure vehicle and no one really knows what it is, which is a plus. I like the fact that I can shift is manually. Very glad I bought the tire/rim warranty. Have replaced two tires already. Will keep you informed as the Porsche and I really get to know one another.

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  Better than an X5 - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Austinmav - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive had two BMW X5s and the difference between the Cayenne and the BMW is incredible. I wasnt hot on the looks of the Cayenne until I drove it. The power, sound system, interior comfort are all several steps higher.

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  Cayman out of Water - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Timothy Kennedy - May 31 - 5:16 pm

  This car is so fun to drive. I love the automatic transmission (cant drive a stick anymore for medical reasons). I get a lot of looks in this car.

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  Awesome car, some issues, all smile - 2002 Porsche 911
  By Wayne Chu - May 30 - 1:23 pm

  I bought a 5 year old used Carrera C2 through the local Porsche dealship with 48,000km on it. The car developed a wee-wee noise from the get go. The dealer serviced the brakes, changed the transmission but could not make the noise go away. It turned out to be the front wheel bearing. I was told this was not a common issue with this vehicle and the dealer did not see a history of wheel bearing replacement in the past. One of the bi-Xenon bulb also had to be replaced last year; it was covered under extended warranty. It was a good thing I bought extended warranty. Since then, the car is running perfect and I am enjoying it.

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  IT DOESNT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS! - 2004 Porsche 911
  By JIMT - May 26 - 10:00 am

  PRICY BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY IF YOU ARE INTO HIGH PERFORMANCE AND SPEED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS AT ANY PRICE...

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  Best SUV on the market - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By thebest2004 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Built like a tank. Anyone who claims it is underpowered clearly had never driven it before. Softer ride than V8. Turn PSM off and it can race with any exotic cars out there. The Cayenne series out there are the best SUVs in the market now. It provides conveniences of an SUV and performance of Boxter/911. Truly an engineering marvel. Lots of technology built into it. Very powerful brake, even better than the X3s. Lastly, it is similar to the VW Touraeg, but DIFFERENT. Sportier ride, and better engine throttle response. Porsche revised it to the point that its different than the V6 in the VW. Dont believe me? Go test drive both vehicles yourself.

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  nice boxster s - 2002 Porsche Boxster
  By yelloboxsters - May 17 - 5:56 am

  Only thing I could complain about the car is the very high profit margin to resell value. Mine retailed for almost 60,000 and I am needing to get a coupe (need backseat) and it only has 7,770 miles on it and the best I can get for it is 45,000. that to me is pretty poor. If you are considering buying one please buy a used one from a individual. Save yourself about 15,000 dollars and pick up a nice pre owned one. This is a review for a 2001 boxster s that was purchased new in may of 2001.

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  98 Boxster - 1998 Porsche Boxster
  By Efro - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car! Fun to drive but needs more HP.