Porsche 911

Overview: Is the Porsche 911 a Good Sports Car?

The iconic Porsche 911 represents the benchmark for dual-purpose sports cars that balance track-honed performance with daily driving civility. Offered as a two-door coupe, convertible, or Targa body style, the rear-engine 911 seats four passengers and has a lineup of horizontally opposed six-cylinder engines that put power to the rear or all four wheels. Numerous Porsche types, like the hardcore GT3 and GT2 RS models or the breakthrough Carrera RS 2.7 (with the ducktail rear spoiler), push performance to supercar levels. At the same time, the base Carrera models deliver accessible thrills echoing Porsche's long motorsports heritage.

Although the Porsche 911 has been sold for 50 years, this overview covers more recent versions:

• Sixth-generation Porsche 911 (997): 2005-2012
• Seventh-generation Porsche 911 (991): 2013-2019
• Eighth-generation Porsche 911 (992): 2020-Current

Other new Porsche options include the Boxster, Cayman (including the high-performance GT4 edition), Cayenne, Macan, Panamera, and the all-electric Taycan.

Note: Equipment, features, and trims can vary by model year. Always confirm these details when looking for used Porsche 911 cars for sale.

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Related: The Best Year For The Porsche 911

Key Features

The Porsche 911 offers:

• Two-door coupe, convertible (cabriolet), or Targa body style
• Flat (boxer) six cylinder engines, including turbocharged options
• Manual transmission or automatic transmission
• Rear wheel drive or all wheel drive (AWD)

Trims

The 911 lineup spans a dizzying array of sub-models, from the standard Carrera, Carrera S, and 4S to the Targa 4 and 4S, up through GTS, Turbo, and GT3 variants focused on various combinations of performance and style. Special editions like the Sport Classic and Sally Special add collectibility.

Comfort, Technology & Cargo

The small cabin makes for comfortable but not generous front-row accommodations. The second row (on equipped 911s) is best left for packages and small luggage. Even base 911 models are well-equipped with leather upholstery and automatic climate control. Newer editions get (as standard or optional) an infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, navigation, and the Connect Plus Module with wireless internet access. Available premium package upgrades include 18-way adaptive sport seats and a Burmester surround sound system. Driver assist tech includes automatic emergency braking and lane change assist. The front trunk offers modest amounts of usable cargo space.

Review: Which year models of used Porsche 911 to avoid?

How It Drives

With Porsche 911 horsepower ranging from 325 to 700, this legendary sports car provides stirring acceleration courtesy of rev-happy flat-six engines. The responsive manual transmission engages drivers, while the PDK dual-clutch automatic enables lightning-quick shifts. Available all wheel drive improves handling, while standard features like Porsche Active Suspension Management deliver a world-class driving experience.

Safety

The Porsche 911 has not been evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Reviews

Most Porsche 911 model years have an average rating of 4.9 on Kelley Blue Book, a near-perfect score. Owners praise the 911’s performance, quality, and reliability. The ranking drops to 4.0 for the eighth generation, with criticism concentrated on the car’s comfort and value.

Learn More: Which used year model of Porsche 911 is the best value?

FAQs

How long do Porsche 911s last?

With proper maintenance, 911 models often exceed 100,000 miles before major repairs. Carefully documented service records, low mileage, and accident-free history make for the most desirable examples of a Porsche 911 that are used.

How many Porsche 911 models are there?

The 911 lineup currently spans 21 distinct variants, from the base Carrera to the track-ready GT3 RS. Over the car's six-decade run, Porsche has offered countless limited-production trims.

Is the Porsche 911 supercharged?

No. Depending on the model and year, the 911 uses a flat-six-cylinder engine that’s naturally aspirated (no turbo) or turbocharged. Aftermarket supercharging is a popular discussion topic on enthusiast forums like Rennlist. The Porsche 911SC from the 1970s and 1980s isn’t supercharged. The SC means “Super Carrera.”

Is the Porsche 911 discontinued?

No. Although Porsche sells more SUVs than sports cars, the company continues to build the 911. The all-new 992 generation debuted for the 2020 model year.

How much is a Porsche 911?

Porsche 911 prices begin at $114,000 for new models. A review of CoPilot’s national listings shows that pre-owned 911s range from $32,000 to $400,000, depending on age, mileage, condition, body style (coupe, Cabriolet, or Targa), equipment, and edition. Models like the GT3 Touring and the Carrera GTS are among the sought-after Porsche types. The Boxster is the least expensive Porsche sport car, but is not 911-based.

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