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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  2004 Cayenne S - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By lilly71 - November 30 - 7:43 pm

  I bought mines used 45,000 which is actually good. Had it 3 yrs and everything at once started to go and man was it costley. Over 10,000 grand in 2 months. The passenger brake goes constantly and the radio everyone I spoke to says they have issues with it. If I had to do it over I WOULD NOT GET THIS. Looks are good but so not worth the money. I could have bought a new car for 10 grand. The headlights are like 1,000 just to replace no spare tire. Batteries are like $500 Very costly to say the least.

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  My review - 2008 Porsche 911
  By James - November 11 - 6:20 pm

  This car has been my worst nightmare. Problems started at 400 miles and have only gotten worse. The car has severe cowl shake and I believe that lead to a broken driver side window.

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  Cayenne S - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Laurent - August 10 - 10:00 am

  Maintenance issues, trunk keep popping open.

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  back to the shop again - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By corsam - August 10 - 2:00 am

  5 months and 7 trips to the dealer to fix the same items over and over. Tranny has to be reflashed and the door locks still work only 10% of the time. The radio and navigation system has it days of not coming on at all. The refrig pump in the front left housing still howls like a cheat refrigeration even after being replaced.

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  Class In Itself - 2006 Porsche Cayenne
  By kinta - April 20 - 4:30 pm

  The Porsche Cayenne turbo is a great SUV. It gets the looks and questions like any other Porsche. Off roading isnt its best feature though. I prefer the Range Rover over this truck and that is why I traded it in. The Cayenne had a lot of oversteer in icy conditions. The Ranger Rover isnt as fast with the super charger, but it uses the same amount of gas and is actually more comfortable. The head room is also better in the Range Rover, but build quality is better in the Cayenne Turbo. The AWD is OK in the Cayenne, but its same as Audis. If standing out is your game and speed is the key, get a Cayenne, but for practicality and pure off road use go for the Range Rover.

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  not what I thought - 2001 Porsche Boxster
  By NAMALLA - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I have had the care for less than a year and I am already looking for a new car. My mechanic and I are on a first name basis because the Boxter is always there

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  My Boxster - 2003 Porsche Boxster
  By Moki - February 16 - 10:40 am

  During 26 months of ownership it was down for repairs for a total of 90 days with multiple problems over multiple systems from electrical to suspension and lastly a new engine. Ive received no traffics tickets in this car to demonstrate it has been pampered. Porsche did extend the warranty for two years, but have been very slow deciding how to repair, obtaining parts, and scheduling the work.

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  NIGHTMARE S - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By qpdsful - November 17 - 8:58 pm

  We just purchased the 04 Cayenne S with under 60k miles, got the extended warranty...after less than a month owning it the rear axle had to be replaced at a cost of $1400.00. 2 weeks later in the hot sun the check coolant light went on, car was in the shop for a week to replace the coolant tubes had to replaced with the aluminum tubes, a Porsche defect that they are currently avoiding, at a cost of $3200.00, exactly 1 week later while I was backing my car into the garage the steering wheel started doing what it wanted and the light came on MOVE STEERING WHEEL there was a loud noise click click click and the car died. Will not start, go into gear, NOTHING. Had to be towed back to the dealer.

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  Fun, When It Runs - 1997 Porsche Boxster
  By Michael - November 13 - 12:50 pm

  This car has a terrible engine design. The shafts explode on the inside of the engine and cost thousands of dollars a piece. Porsche just installs new engines at $20,000 plus labor a piece, so they dont mind. It is NOT UNCOMMON for a Boxster, of ANY year to blow an engine before 80,000 miles. The problem is that Porsche recommends changing the oil only once every 15,000 miles. Unfortunately, most people who drive these cars arent mechanically inclined and actually believe Porsche and then wait 15,000 miles. Problem is, if this is a weekend car, it takes two or three YEARS before they do their next oil change. The engine is practically shot by that time. If youve bought a Boxster, change your oil. If you havent, dont.

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  Too little, for too much - 2006 Porsche Boxster
  By B L - November 3 - 10:36 pm

  I traded in my Audi A4 for a Porsche Boxter. I got an automatic with the sport package along with the premium package. It has been a fun car to have but the oil changes are $700.00 every 20,000 miles, and the Bridgestone tires wore out in 18,00 miles which were $1,500 dollars to replace. The interior is cheap for a Porsche, but the sounds system is awesome (Bose).