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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  Adulating over Turbo - 2004 Porsche 911
  By Vince Rodriguez - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Great Car overall, GT 2 Package is awsome

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  My dream car - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Benjamin Kim - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I never thought Id be this much happy with a car. I feel it very safe and fun driving it especially with my two kids. And I also enjoy when people recognize that you own one of the most luxurious car in the whole world.

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  2001 Boxster - 2001 Porsche Boxster
  By 2001 Boxster - June 16 - 12:43 am

  This car is a joy to drive. They did an excellent job of designing the car so that you can carry on a conversation at normal voice levels with the top down. This car makes driving fun again! This is the closest I have felt to a car - since I was a young pup and bought a new 944. I am getting tremendous gas mileage. I got over 29 mpg on a day trip a few weekends ago.

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  Amazing! - 2005 Porsche 911
  By Steven - June 14 - 4:20 am

  This is the most amazing automobile that I have ever driven. It handles like a race car, its brakes like no other car, and it accelerates like cars costing two to three times as much. This is the best sports car under $100,000 in the world, and one of the few that can handle the rigors of daily commuting.

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  Amazing - 2000 Porsche Boxster
  By tourmalet1 - June 13 - 10:00 am

  This car has to be one of the most amazing cars ever built. Brings a whole new meaning to the words "fun to drive!"

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  Great Car - 2009 Porsche 911
  By Reek - June 4 - 4:03 am

  Came from an 04 BMW M3 w/ SMG. That was a great car but SMG was primitive. Porsche is more comfortable and seems to handle better. Also quicker to accelerate. BMW was more "involved". More mechanical and more intense. Porsche is more relaxed but simply responds the more it is pushed. Overall a better performing car. BMW was "edgy" so seemed to be a real performance car...a race car for the street. Porsche seems more sophisticated. I really need to adjust my attitude. The feeling is the limits of the car are far beyond anything I can (safely) approach on the street. I need more time, then I will hang the tail out on some turns. An amazing automobile.

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  This car is fantastic, powerful, and fun - 2003 Porsche Boxster
  By Smoovee - June 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is simply great! So far this is the best driving experience of my life. You cant beat this Porsche vehicle nothing else compares to this car - overall a well built and fantastic car. Wow!

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  The Best Super Car - 911 Turbo Cab Tip - 2008 Porsche 911
  By Porscheman-WH - May 30 - 3:06 pm

  This 08 Turbo cab is my 5th Porsche, went from 06 C2 cab manual to 08 turbo cab tip and love it!! Because of the awd, it handles corners and twisty roads far much better than my 06 c2-S cab, the power is unbelievable & beyond, it feels very solid & sticks to the road. I wish it has aggressive exhaust note or at least as good as the c-2 S w/ sport chrono package. I hope that I will not miss the stick shift feel and continue to enjoy the tip S on my new turbo. Will see!

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  Guaranteed Fun! Does Not Disappoint! - 2006 Porsche Boxster
  By martini4me - May 24 - 8:20 pm

  Purchased a 2006 base Porsche Boxster with Tiptronic a couple of weeks ago. The driving experience is great! The engine is pleasantly loud. Ive found it quietest at about 65 mph, louder at low speeds in the 10-30mph range and fairly loud at 75 mph+. If youre looking for a sports convertible in the $50,000 - $60,000 range, look no further. The storage room is great with the front and rear trunks. I can get 2 sets of golf clubs in the rear (even with top down) and a nice sized medium piece of luggage in the front. Thats better than the BMW 3-Series or Audi A4 convertible, which, with top down would require using the whole back seat for storage as well. I put the top down at 55-60 degrees with the heat on, no problem!

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  What a driving machine! - 2001 Porsche 911
  By Catch me if you can - May 24 - 7:43 pm

  I thought about a Caymen S, a 993 or maybe an older air cooled 911. Then I drove the 996. Done! My 996 can be driven at 35 MPH on city streets all day long. Or on the freeway at 65 MPH. Then I downshift and push the pedal! This car is phenomenal! Suspension can be tricky on corners at high speed. Great feedback. Insane braking. Comfortable to drive. Bose stereo is very nice for a small car like this. Definitely get one if you can afford it!