The Porsche 911 is a wildly popular car, as we stated at the outset, and it makes sense. It hasn’t had a terrible iteration in more over 50 years. Having said that, you must be clear about your needs before buying a 911. You should buy a 911 (1964–1989), 930 (1975–1989), 964 (1990–1994), or 993 (1995–1998) if you want the authentic 911 formula that enthusiasts like.
The 911 (1964–1989), 930 (1975–1989), and 993 are the three greatest possibilities if you want to use the 911 as an investment (1995-1998). Now, if you’re looking to purchase a 911 on a tight budget, only the 996 comes to mind (1999-2004). Check out the 997 (2005-2011) or 991 for individuals who want a contemporary Porsche but are willing to pay more for better looks than the 996. (2012-2018). Finally, the 992 (2019-Present) is promising with a variety of configurations for those who seek the newest model.
Aside from retro appeal and other things, we advise the 2011 Carrera 997, the first model in the 991 series. With standard features and roughly 46k kilometers, these are available for a cool $50,000. That is almost half of what you would pay for a 2019 model year vehicle.
The fact that there were no complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) and only one recall supports our assessment of the 2011 model. The strut pin that may fracture and cause the strut to split from the vehicle is the cause of the recall, which has only so far affected 584 units.
What is the Porsche 911’s worst year? The 996 models (1999–2004) are the worst years of the 911, we have to concur with fans (yes, the non-circular headlights were the dealbreaker for us). Watch out for the 2002 model in particular, which had 13 complaints filed against it, three recalls, and an inquiry.
In This Article...
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.
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.
What were the Porsche 911’s worst years?
Only the 1983 and 2009 models of the Porsche 911 should be avoided out of the more than 50 years’ worth of models.
According to reports, the 1983 Porsche 911 may experience head bolt problems after only 40,000 kilometers. The model from 2009 would be the worst choice because more issues have been recorded with it than any other model. This includes hoses that stall or leak.
The best approach to purchase a car is through the CoPilot app. We’ll show you all you need to know about each listing, including how long it’s been on the lot and whether or not there are comparable cars in the area for less money, thanks to technology developed using that used by dealerships.
What Porsche 911 is the least coveted?
The 996 was the first of the Boxster-related 911s with water cooling. It has been the least desirable 911 generation for a while, and pricing have reflected this
Is the Porsche 911 a trustworthy vehicle?
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.
Is the Porsche 911 used every day?
According to Porsche, “Porsches are not your typical sports cars. It’s a daily driver sports car.” In light of this, let’s examine some of the essential qualities that make the Porsche 911 a surprisingly useful high-end sports car.
Which Porsche 911 offers the best level of comfort?
The steering configuration of the most recent 911 makes it far more comfortable than previous models on highways. It feels as though you could whisper to your passenger while driving in seventh gear on a smooth surface because to how refined the comfort-spec versions are. However, lighter variants like the Carrera T have less soundproofing, which results in audible tire roar at highway speeds. The base Carrera model boasts a smooth ride for a sports car, and thanks to the included adaptive dampers, you can adjust the ride stiffness to suit your driving preferences.
Given its outrageous appearance and even more outrageous performance, the GT3 is still amazingly comfortable on lengthy trips. It is true that its strong suspension jars over urban potholes, but this only lasts a short distance before smoothing out and settling down on the freeway. The bucket seats are comfortable even for extended periods of time behind the wheel, as befits a vehicle that has an endurance-racing mentality.
How far can a Porsche 911 go before needing repair?
Yes, they are constructed to function, but they are built to function for a very long time. The lifespan of a Porsche 911 engine is rated at 100,000 kilometers and 10 years. Porsche 911s, like any other vehicle, live longer with good, regular maintenance and care. The majority of Porsche vehicles have a lifespan of at least 150,000 miles.
When did Porsche experience engine issues?
The dreaded intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing failure is the most noticeable and well-publicized problem you’ll encounter on the used market. An IMS bearing failure can result in a loss of the engine timing, which would completely destroy the engine. A Porsche engine replacement is not inexpensive, as you might expect.
The M96 and M97 flat six-cylinder engines used in 911s, Boxsters, and Caymans between 1997 and 2008 frequently experience IMS bearing failure.
However, the 996-era Porsche 911s and 986 Boxsters experienced the most significant IMS bearing issues up to 2006. Despite the significantly lower IMS bearing failure rate in the later year samples, it is still feasible.
Before buying a car, it’s crucial to check the VIN and service records. It is best to budget for an urgent replacement of the IMS bearing if you locate a car in this time frame that you are interested in purchasing. It might cost up to $2,500 to have an IMS bearing replaced by a skilled mechanic.
The cost of replacing an engine, though, can be more than triple that. As a result, it is imperative to replace the bearing before anything else.
You would be hard-pressed to identify any significant failure areas of Porsche flat engines if the age of IMS bearing problems were excluded. Given their great performance, Porsche engines are known to be remarkably durable whether they are new or old.
Some more recent models hardly ever have “bore score,” which is the engine cylinder walls scraping together as a result of inadequate lubrication.
However, if a Porsche has been well maintained, you won’t likely encounter any significant problems.
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.
Which Porsche is the most desired?
There were just 22 Carrera 4 Lightweights produced. Surplus components from the 953 Paris-Dakar project were used to construct the automobile. Fiberglass was heavily utilized to reduce the weight to 2,315 lbs. Additionally, it had a short-ratio gearbox, a four-way adjustable differential, and a bare cabin.
Porsche never saw any financial benefit from the Leichtbau, although it did keep the engineers at Weissach busy after the 959/961 development was completed.
Which Porsche requires the least maintenance?
The annual cost of maintaining some Porsches should be between $200 and $600 to be reasonable and affordable. Taxes, fuel, and bodywork repairs are not included. The price may exceed $1,000 if you take it to Porsche or Porsche-approved businesses.
One of the less expensive Porsches to maintain is the Boxster. If you continue receiving regular annual services over a ten-year period, the cost is between $550 and $700 annually.
Some of the fixes you might need to do are listed below. Additionally, costs will change based on your location, the age of the model, and whether you are taking it to a Porsche service center or a neighborhood mechanic.
In place of:
- Sensor for Cam Shaft Position
- Control Body
- Joint Ball
- assembly of the CV axle/shaft
- the control arm assembly
- Assembly of Struts
- Oil Pan and Gaskets for the Oil Pan
- Bulb Headlights
- hose under the power steering
- Spiking plugs
You must also complete the following: