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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  Like no other - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By carfan - November 19 - 2:00 am

  7th SUV owned and while the Cayenne costs lots more,you get lots more. Sports car performance and handling highest of "tech", great utility and one of kind looks. Being able to light up the tires on a 6000 pound vehicle is well......fun.

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  finally bought one- 2002 Boxster base - 2002 Porsche Boxster
  By tjw914 - November 16 - 6:31 am

  This is my 4th Porsche. Its been about 6 years and 2 motorcycles since my last one. Ive owned a 76 911 Targa, and 2- 914s. My "new" Boxster is the best of both worlds. Power of my 70s 911 and mid engine handling of the 914. Every time I think I might be pushing too hard on it, it hunkers right down and just goes! At some point when the right S model comes along Ill trade this for one, but for now, its just a fun responsive exhilarating ride!

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  Very Disappointed - 2013 Porsche Cayenne
  By dante - November 14 - 1:34 am

  So, let me see, after less than six months of ownership and less than 3,000 miles of driving, this is what has gone wrong with my new 2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo: after bringing in my car for loud clanging noises when I backed the car up, they replaced my entire catalytic converter. Ten days later, due to different clanging noises, they replaced all of my muffler tips and replaced my electronic key fobs as the car was not recognizing them. Are you kidding me? I should have bought the Range Rover Sport for $40,000 less from the dealer less than a mile from my home. My neighbors who have bought Range Rovers have reported no such major repairs and certainly not to a brand new vehicle.

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  great - 2004 Porsche 911
  By szr - November 13 - 2:00 am

  its all around great

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  V6, still sounds like a Porsche!! - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By J-DUB - November 13 - 2:00 am

  This car is sooo sweet.. Love the exhaust note, sounds like a Porsche..haha.. Interior is classy and well built. Overall car is wonderful.. Well worth the price. Lots of standard equipments. Very fun to drive.

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  2001 996 Cab - 2001 Porsche 911
  By lfbmdpc - November 12 - 10:00 am

  Nothing new to add that hasnt already been said

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  Its a wonderful car! - 2005 Porsche Boxster
  By T L Weiss - November 11 - 2:20 am

  I could not imagine my life with out it! I thought my Audi TT was great and before that my BMW but I drove my Boxster cross country in the winter into the northeast and it was a delight!

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  This Awesome Car Called the PORSCHE - 2004 Porsche CARRERA GT
  By midgetfighter27 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is perfect. It handles better than any car in its class. It is very fast and gets great gas mileage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

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  Awesome Car - 2004 Porsche 911
  By Manni - November 7 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle defines cool. What a special car!

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  Porsche - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Fifth Porsche - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Having previously owned 4 911s, I had some trepidations about buying a "Sport Truck"...Pros: incredible brakes, awesome exhaust sound, tremendous handling, comfortable and functional interior, nav system easy to read maps, sound system referred to a rolling nightclub by one passenger (14-or 15 spekers and in excess of 300 watts if memory serves), nice roll-up luggage or pet screen for rear cargo space plus screen..Cons: crappy gas mileage (11 mpg), nits include no automatic headlights, (although the bi- zenons are cool especially cornering lights) limited legroom in back seat and uninspired exterior design