Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 is a two-door luxury sports coupe that has set the benchmark for handling and performance for nearly four decades. True competition is hard to find for this rear-engined car, but the Jaguar XK/XKR, Chevrolet Corvette, and Audi R8 all present solid alternatives. Prices run from $77,800 to more than $245,000 depending on the model chosen.

Since 1963, the 911 has seen nearly endless permutations, but only five major generational changes. The original 911 ran from 1963-1989 in its core form with a variety of rear-mounted engines, including turbocharged variants. It established the fastback, sloping hood, and bulging fender look that has defined the car's exterior appearance ever since. The second generation 964 series 911 ran from 1989 to 1993. It added four-wheel drive as an option, an automatically deploying rear spoiler, ABS brakes and power steering. These all served to improve handling, performance and daily usability, but somewhat softened the 911's image. The third generation, or 993 series, 911 saw an all-new front- and rear-end treatment, though the spirit of the original still showed through. A new multi-link rear suspension improved handling, and the chassis was improved for further gains. This was the final generation that used an air-cooled engine.

The fourth-generation 996 series 911 moved to a water-cooled engine, but kept the famous flat-six layout. It also was the first complete redesign of the 911's exterior, each body panel different yet adding up to a look that still adhered to the basic 911 formula. All-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, turbo, twin-turbo, GT3 and GT2 variants offered a wide variety of performance options, while all relied on the same core underpinnings.

 The 997 series of the 911 Carrera began its run in 2005. Initially offered with a 3.6-liter boxer six-cylinder, the 997 911 upgrades to a 3.8-liter engine in the Carrera S. Available in both coupe and cabriolet forms, the 997 911 can also be had in no fewer than 17 variants, including the Carrera, Cabriolet, Targa, and Turbo each offering all-wheel-drive and sportier 'S' variants, plus the GT3, GT3 RS, and the just-released GT2 RS. This wide variety of engine, drivetrain, and body layouts makes the 911 one of the most flexible sports cars on the market, ranging in power from 345 horsepower in the base Carrera to 620 horsepower in the GT2 RS. Transmissions available include a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed dual-clutch Porschedoppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission.

For the 2012 model year, Porsche has introduced the 991 series, though it will continue sales of 997 models as well. The new 991 boasts upgraded engines, a new seven-speed manual transmission, a revised PDK dual-clutch transmission, a wider front track and longer wheelbase. In addition, the 991 911 is about 100 pounds lighter than the 997. A heavily revised and improved interior makes it the most comfortable yet, and the improvements to the chassis and powertrain make it the most high-performance production 911 as well. The Carrera, Carrera S, and Cabriolet models are the first of the 991s to market, with the rest of the line to make the transition over the coming year.

Porsche also offers a nearly infinite variety of color, material, and equipment variations, and is happy to custom-configure a car to an individual buyer's design, making for even more possibilities in purchasing a 911.