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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  World Class Sports Car - 1999 Porsche 911
  By rh888888 - March 8 - 8:33 pm

  I have always thought Porsches were ugly and never got what the hype was about, until I drove my buddys. It only took 15 miles and I was hooked. I "GET IT" now and will never own any other brand of sports car. I suggest getting a warranty though. Minimal problems are expensive. Also buy one with good tires they are $250 each for the rear.

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  Best car on the road - 2004 Porsche 911
  By porshe - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. When I run it hard it handles the road like nothing out there. It feels like it is part on my body. Outstanding in every aspect.

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  Water Leaks - 1998 Porsche Boxster
  By CrPlater - March 6 - 7:10 am

  Lots of fun to drive but, water leaks into the area underneath the seats. Electronic control box is there and expensive to replace. Once it gets wet its shot. There are drain tubes that have to be kept clean - and even then, a heaving rain will still leak in.

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  Great ride, poor quality and reliability - 2009 Porsche 911
  By david - March 4 - 2:36 pm

  Leased a car in April of 2009. After 1,500 miles had to replace a front strut. After it was replaced there appeared an annoying shaking and vibration in the steering wheel. Went to 2 different dealerships and no one can fix the problem. Otherwise, car offers amazing ride, especially in Sport mode. Recommend this car if you do not mind spending at the service shop at least twice a month.

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  Great Roadster by Porsche - 1997 Porsche Boxster
  By Legion - February 17 - 2:56 pm

  I have had my 1997 Boxster for 5 years, I have a blast with this car, the engine note is music to anyone lucky enough to hear it. This car has been very reliable, this was the first year for this car and it was made in Germany, newer ones are made out of the country and still have great quailty and reliability. This car is great for a get away weekend or a nice sunday drive. This car also functions well as a daily driver. Two trunks give you plenty of room for shopping and getaways! On the track this car comes alive, with its mid engine design, it gives even the most basic drivers a sure footed feel. The best roadster of the bunch, this car is very well regarded in Europe.

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  Downsized on Retirement - 2016 Porsche Cayman
  By Gerald B. B. Keane - February 16 - 8:05 pm

  Upon retiring, I didnt need a boat-of-a-car anymore, so I decided to downsize. The Caymans the perfect choice. I considered a 911, but it may be a two-seater, but it feels and drives like a bloated Buick. Although I come from a Lexus family (5 cars, 48 total ownership years), Im not accustomed to the design and build quality that Cayman gives. It is rock solid and is a pleasure to drive. The gas mileage is much better than my last Lexus, and its performance, as expected, blows it away. I specially ordered a manual transmission and have no regrets. This car doesnt deserve a namby-pamby automatic transmission. Ill admit its not that easy to get in and out of, but thats the sacrifice you have to make to own a car that catches your eye every time youre near it. A friend recently was torn between a Corvette and a Porsche, to which my response was "Why would you consider buying the best hamburger McDonalds makes over a steak at the states best steak house?" A Corvette over a Porsche? No rational person could make that choice. (The friend ended up cancelling his Corvette order and bought the Porsche.) Ive had my Cayman for 9 months now, and I have no reason to change any of my earlier opinions. Its worth every penny of what I paid. Why would anyone buy anything else?

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  Great car - 1999 Porsche Boxster
  By Susan - February 15 - 11:30 pm

  Ive had this car 6 years and have really loved it. Mechanically, Ive really havent had any big issues outside of changing 7 headlights (this may be specific to the electrical system in my car). Also if you are hit and run while parked, I promise no one is going leave a note with insurance information (happened twice). Lastly probably as a result of the beautiful aerodynamic body design, I have had more dings in my windshield than I can count (I have 5 right now - Ill get to 6 and change out the windshield again). If you can see past these very minor issues, I would guess youd be very happy to own this car. I have been.

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  Great car - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By pbschroeder - February 7 - 11:30 pm

  We have had this car for about a month. It is much faster than our 06 Boxster. The engine sounds great. We have an automatic, which makes it a bit of a gas hog, but it shifts quickly and rockets away from the line.

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  Nothing Better - 1999 Porsche Boxster
  By Rob Wilson-Black - February 6 - 3:43 pm

  The Boxster is a great every day driving car, but ice can be a challenge without specific tire changes. Be careful never to let water into the air intakes on the side of the body, especially while washing your car, as this can lead to serious engine trouble. The classic body holds its beauty and theres nothing more fun to drive, except for the 911 obviously. This car is great for kids in the passengers seat because one can off the airbag. The 1999 year is among the best for engine reliability and Consumer Reports agrees with that in years past. What a value for the dollar. It loses only about $3,200 dollars per year in value. It is the cheapest sports car and there are tons of used ones are out there. European delivery was the best.

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  Flawless Reliability - 2002 Porsche Boxster
  By william travis - February 6 - 3:46 am

  This car has been an amazingly reliable vehicle. I have had it for 4 years and have not had to return it to the dealer once for service. The radio had some problems and the dealer got a little snippy but I managed to fix it myself.