How to pick from the 50 Porsche 911 versions produced over the years
In This Article...
The Initial (1964-1973)
Porsche realized the four-cylinder 356, its original sports car, was getting dated by the late 1950s. The company required a new model with better performance and comfort, and it debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963. The Porsche 901 kept the rear-engine, 2+2 configuration of the 356 but added svelte bodywork, a five-speed gearbox, a McPherson strut front suspension, and most critically, a new overhead cam air-cooled flat-six to replace the outdated pushrod flat-four.
Only roughly 60 of the 901 models were finished by Porsche before Peugeot took legal action, claiming ownership of all three-digit automobile model designations with a zero in the middle. Porsche had started production of the 901 in 1964. As a result, the 911 became the name of the new Porsche. A dogleg five-speed transmission was mated to a 2.0-liter flat-six engine that produced 130 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque.
Porsche significantly upgraded the 911 in 1969 by expanding the wheels and extending the wheelbase for better stability and handling. In order to save 22 lbs, the aluminum crankcase was swapped out for a new magnesium one. Additionally, fuel injection was fitted to high-end vehicles. The 911 E, which stood between the entry-level T and high-performance S, took the place of the 911 L.
Engine capacity increased from 2.0 to 2.2 liters for 1970, and then to 2.4 liters for 1972. The redesigned 915 gearbox, which has a traditional five-speed shift pattern and replaced the dogleg 901 gearbox, is frequently criticized for its ambiguous shift action.
The Carrera RS 2.7 was released in 1973 as a homologation special, ten years after the 911. The RS, which was essentially a lighter 911 S with wider fenders to fit 15×7 wheels and a larger 2.7-liter 210-hp flat-six, debuted the now-iconic “Carrera” side stickers and ducktail spoiler. With fewer than 1600 produced, it represents the apex of early 911s and is highly prized by collectors.
As the rarest and purest of the breed, early 911s are now highly desirable. Expect to pay at least $50,000 for a nice one. The most expensive cars are high-performance ones like the S and Carrera RS, while a nice E may easily cost upwards of $100,000. Also, don’t forget the T. Despite being the least powerful, it is nevertheless quite adjustable, just like all other early 911s. There isn’t a bad example in the group, so pick the one that best suits your requirements and price range.
- The 911 won over racers’ hearts right away. The incredibly light 1967 911 R was the first homologation special. Just 24 were produced.
- Porsche made several odd attempts to control the rear-engine characteristics of the early 911. To improve weight distribution, the factory temporarily installed lead ballasts behind the front bumpers, and versions from 1972 had an oil tank in the right front fender.
- Although early 911s are among the most expensive and desirable cars, market modifications are not always frowned upon.
- Previously seen as unpleasant, the lighter 912 now has a fervent fanbase.
What should I purchase?
It goes without saying that this is a very subjective topic, but the most crucial thing is to do your study. Determine your car’s intended use: will it be for daily driving, weekends away, track days, or vintage rallies? Set a spending limit and check to see if the shoe fits.
People today are spending a lot of money on air-cooled 911s that 10 years ago might have only been worth half or a quarter of what the market now estimates. The most valuable and uncommon models have had a trickle-down effect, and now vehicles produced in far greater quantities that were frequently overlooked in the intervening years are being sold as reliable investments. Perhaps they are not.
Also keep in mind that there are now no deals to be had as the market is at its high. For the foreseeable future, whatever you pay on an older or classic air-cooled 911 is probably the maximum amount it will be worth. All except the most prized automobiles may suffer in a downturn, but you can be sure that a vintage Porsche 911 will always be in high demand.
The Best Porsche 911 Models Are Used, Why?
Since the Porsche 911 entered the lineup, there have been countless versions of the vehicle. Why are used Porsche 911 models the best? is one of the most frequently asked questions we get at Porsche of Colorado Springs when customers are considering a Porsche 911 model. They are a classic, thus the answer to this is straightforward. Since its inception, this amazing sports automobile has stood out, and the 911 has long dominated its market. Whether you are a collector or just an enthusiast, the 911 is one of the best Porsche vehicles to buy on the used market for a number of reasons. There is no wrong decision when selecting a used 911 from the lineup of Porsche vehicles.
Who buys a 911 Porsche?
The car industry undergoes what seems like limitless amounts of research every year, much like any other retail business. Some of that research focused on the Porsche brand, and market data was compiled to determine the typical age of Porsche buyers and owners. The answer varies based on the model rather than being a single, obvious number. Customers of the popular Porsche 911 model are typically between the ages of 46 and 65, with 52 being the average age. Contrarily, people who are 47 years old or between the ages of 36 and 55 are more likely to purchase a Porsche Boxster.
What is the value of a used Porsche 911?
A Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet and a Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet are two of the 1,601 used Porsche 911 vehicles that TrueCar has available for sale nationally. A used Porsche 911 presently costs between $17,997 and $436,185, and has a mileage range of 5 to 155,943. By entering your zip code, you may find used Porsche 911 inventory at a TrueCar Certified Dealership nearby by viewing the closest matches. You may acquire a used Porsche 911 remotely and have it delivered to your house in the continental United States with the help of TrueCar’s 9 models that are available to buy from home.
Is a Porsche 911 expensive to maintain?
We looked at how frequently the vehicle required major unplanned repair over a three-year period to determine the frequency of major maintenance. This “serious” maintenance item is a costly system breakdown that needs to be repaired (often a part or component costing above $1,000).
It should be emphasized that even while we analyze this data by make and model, driving style, vehicle condition, and mileage undoubtedly affect outcomes. Different frequencies of maintenance are needed depending on the vehicle. While newer cars can go longer between services, older vehicles may require more frequent maintenance.
The frequency score can be used to determine how long a vehicle can go without maintenance. A frequency score reveals how frequently a certain vehicle needs major repair over a three-year period. If an automobile has a maintenance frequency score of 3, for instance, it needs major repairs every year because the score is calculated over a three-year period. The longer it can go without major maintenance services, the closer the frequency score is to 0.
The frequency score for a Porsche 911 is 1.44. This means that the Porsche 911 performs much worse than average given that the industrial average is 1.3. The breakdown of all manufacturers and models is shown in the chart below.
It’s important to note that there are many trustworthy cars that could also need frequent, yet reasonably priced maintenance. For instance, many domestic brands have higher maintenance visits but lower overall costs (since labor and parts expense are typically cheaper for domestic brands). This doesn’t imply that cars break down less frequently, but it does show that when they do, the problems are usually fairly simple to remedy, which is perhaps even more significant.
How much does Porsche 911 insurance cost?
The smallest Porsche SUV, the Macan, is the least expensive to insure; a full-coverage policy typically costs $190 per month. On the other hand, insurance for Porsche 911 sports cars is the most expensive. The average monthly insurance premium for a 911 Carrera is $323, while that of a 911 Turbo S is $373.
Porsche models with lower MSRPs and faster 0-60 times typically have reduced insurance costs. There are two exceptions, though: the Panamera and Taycan Turbo.
Porsche’s electric sports car, the Taycan Turbo, accounts for its rapid 0-60 time. Due to their expensive equipment, which can be expensive to fix, electric automobiles typically cost more to insure. The Taycan Turbo, in contrast, offers more cheap insurance rates than the Panamera and 911 variants.
What Porsche 911 is the least coveted?
The 996 was the first of the Boxster-related 911s with water cooling. It was for a while the least desirable 911 generation, and costs reflected that. Honestly, the normal versions have been great deals.
Which Porsche 911 generation is the best?
Because it is the newest and best 911, the Porsche 992 ranks in the top 3. It has many advantages, but only time will tell if it becomes a classic like the vehicles mentioned above. There are numerous models and two transmissions—a 7-speed manual transmission and an 8-speed PDK dual clutch transmission—to choose from (yes thats right, 7). The non-turbo engines have a horsepower range of 380 to 450, but if you choose a turbocharged engine, that range can increase to 641 horsepower.
How dependable is the 911 Porsche?
According to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which was just issued, the Porsche 911 is the model with the best ownership experience. The sports car legend won the study’s top prize for the third time in the last four years, making this the second year in a row that it had done so. In the category of Upper Midsize Premium SUVs, the Porsche Cayenne was rated as the most trustworthy vehicle.
As we persistently focus on meeting and, ideally, exceeding the expectations of our consumers, it is pleasant to see the efforts of so many colleagues, both here in the United States and in Germany, said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, Inc. “The top rankings this year for the Porsche 911 and the Cayenne reflect our commitment to designing and delivering exciting vehicles that their owners can rely on, drive after drive,” the company said.
The 33-year-old study counts the problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) that three-year-old automobiles’ original owners encountered in the previous year. A lower rating indicates greater dependability. The research for this year used automobiles from the 2019 model year.
The Porsche 911 had the fewest PP100 of any model across the whole automobile industry with 94. Porsche finished third overall among luxury brands.
On a Porsche 911, what does the S stand for?
The Type 547 four-camshaft engine created by Dr. Ernst Fuhrmann was first known as “Carrera.” Later, Porsche added this suffix to its most potent engine models, such as the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 and 356 A 1500 GS Carrera. However, the term “Carrera” has virtually come to be used interchangeably with the 911 model line. The Carrera Panamericana, a Mexican endurance race in which Porsche achieved significant victories with the 550 Spyder, inspired the name of the vehicle.
The E-Hybrid vehicles also contain an electric motor, which produces higher thrust while also generating less CO2, in addition to the combustion engine.
The body of the Panamera Executive models has been enlarged by 15 cm, especially for the benefit of those riding in the back.
Gran Turismo Sport, or GTS, was first a homologation class in auto racing. This term was first applied to the 904 Carrera GTS in 1963. The 928 GTS brought back the custom in 1991. The extra sporty and expensive models of a Porsche model series are currently identified by the GTS suffix.
The RS is a street-legal vehicle that was derived from the motor racing version (RS stands for RennSport, which means racing sport). However, the moniker is sometimes used to automobiles that are exceptionally sporty, like the 911 RS America.
The RennSport Rennwagen (RSR) is a version intended solely for competition and is not permitted on public streets.
S for “Super” or “Sport”: a more potent engine version. Today, the S is always associated with “Sport,” and in addition to the more powerful engine, it also comes with improved equipment above the base model.
The name was originally used to describe open, lightweight carriages that could fit two persons. The name “Spyder” at Porsche refers to open mid-engine sports cars, much as the term “Roadster.” The 550 Spyder from 1953 is the famous forerunner of the 918.
Known for its characteristic roll-over safety bar and fixed roof part, the 911 Targa is an open-top version of the 911. The name, which translates as “plate” in English, comes from the storied Sicilian road race Targa Florio.
These vehicles’ engines use exhaust gas turbochargers, which give their performance a significant boost. Since 2015, an exhaust gas turbocharger has been standard on all Porsche models.