After 25 years, they've gone soft on the 911

Advantages: Perfomance, handling, looks, value
Disadvantages: None so far

...After a couple of month's ownership of my new 911 Coupe, it's time to put pen to paper. I've owned Porsches for nearly twenty years, 924, 944, 944S, 911 Carrera 2 (964) 911 Carrera 2 (993) and this one, 911 Carrera 2 (996). Because Porsche were smart and reduced prices (twice) over the last eighteen months, my new car cost no more than my last one did in 1995, and the spec is much better. The downside was that it was 6 months from order to delivery through the main dealer in Guildford. Historically, the 911 has had the air cooled six cylinder 'boxer' engine, which sounds like nothing else on the road. Due to new EC noise emission laws, Porsche could not develop the engine to comply, so the new car has a water cooled version of the same boxer layout. Somehow, it has lost the 'edge' in terms of throttle response, and certainly...

pwebb 16.03.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 Coupe

911 Heaven

Advantages: True Drivers Car
Disadvantages: Doesn't suffer fools

...designated number which distinguishes each generation. For example, my first 911 was a 1990 Carrera 4 (factory designated 964) which replaced the 911 Carrera Supersport in 1989/90 (G/H Reg), and my second a 1995 Carrera 2 (factory designated 993) (sloping headlamps, more rounded shape). The 993 replaced the 964 in 1994 (M reg). It is common among Porsche owners and dealers to refer to the cars using their factory designated number. The very latest cars are designated 996. In this op we are discussing the 964 and 993. The 964 could be bought in several variants; the bog standard 911 Carrera 2, the Carrera 4 (4 wheel drive), the RS (RallyeSport - a lightweight C2) - and of course, the outrageous Turbo. "Carrera", by the way, is the name of a road race in Mexico which Porsche dominated in the late fifties. Traditionally they only used...

tagheur 06.11.2002 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 Cabriolet

The Turbo Rides again

Advantages: Great car
Disadvantages: Price

...a real race car. In fact, Porsche were one of the first to experiment with Turbo powered engines. They evolved and did their research with the MaClaren Formula 1 team in the early and mid 80's. Winning many races and a few championships before being outlawed in the sport. They made the successful transition to the road and soon appeared in cheaper marques such as Ford and Audi. In fact Renault were one of the main pioneers. Still Porsche were the only ones to have true success at a higher level. As far as racing goes , the 911 Turbo is ideal for certain racing on closed circuits and is has many of its own championships and race meetings around the world. Internally, the Porsche is essentially a 2 seater. There is a back seat but its not even worth trying to sit on. Its more of a parcel shelf. The interiors are...

andycharger 06.06.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 Coupe

Porsche 944 - The cheapest car on the road!

Advantages: Great handling and reasonable running costs
Disadvantages: Can attract unwanted attention

...The extravagant claim in the title is based on the fact that these cars no longer depreciate noticeably, and can be driven on classic insurance. They are also very long lived and generally reliable, and don't do too badly on fuel. Essentially you can run an old Porsche for a fraction of the cost of a new Mondeo! The text below describes the features, weaknesses, and benefits of the 944 model variations. First a bit of history. The Porsche 944 was introduced in 1983 based largely on the earlier 924 model. However the 944 included many changes and upgrades compared to the earlier model, the most obvious visual clue being the flared wheel arches to cover the wider track of the new model, the air dam and the rear spolier. Perhaps the biggest change however was in the engine department. The 924 used a VW derived 2 litre engine, but...

peteshone 10.05.2005 (23.02.2007) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Porsche 944 Coupe

Porsche 944 Review

Advantages: Fun to drive-decent gas mileage
Disadvantages: expensive to maintain

...I have had two 944s over the past few years. This little review is to forewarn any prospective 944 buyers as to what they might be getting into. I loved these cars. They are fun to drive and somewhat entertaining to work on. If you don't know anything about auto repair or don't want to learn you better have a very good paying job or a sugar daddy. These cars are not cheap to maintain. If you plan on letting a Porsche Shop take care of your maintenance you better just buy a new car. Labor rates on these cars are extremely high and Porsche OEM parts are out of sight. If you are thinking of buying a 944 you definitely want some documented maintenance history on the car. These models have rubber timing belts and have Zero valve clearance. This means if you break a timing belt the pistons crash into the valves virtually destroying...

thill944 26.08.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Porsche 944 Coupe

Supercar at home in town or country

Advantages: Looks, performance, build quality...
Disadvantages: Not a friend to the green lobby

...the passenger door, which is quite cute. You can fit a couple of saddles or a bale of shavings on the back seats which is pretty good for a supercar. Mind you, to be fair, we used to get a bale of hay in the boot of the TVR... The Porsche boot is perfectly adequate but your golf clubs will need to go on the back seat. I cannot say that the 911 Turbo is cheap to buy or run but it provides pretty good value for money in its class. Servicing and repair costs are not on the Ferrari scale and over the lifetime of the car, the Porsche probably works out cheaper than a TVR as you do not spend so much time in the garage. I'm afraid that I've never got into the "what type of wheels has it got" thing, bit I am informed that they are very nice too... The Porsche gives you a feeling of safety both as a driver and as a passenger. Build, wheels and brakes...

catshark88 15.05.2007 (10.07.2007) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe

Thinking man's 911.

Advantages: Looks, practicality, modern feel, classic insurance, brilliant track car.
Disadvantages: Previous owners will have been poseurs so mechanics often neglected.

.... You can of course keep costs down by using indepent specialists, and in fact Porsche prices are from my experience good value, but they are just not simple cars to maintain. Remember what a previous owner hasn't spent, is money that you will have to once the V5 is signed over to you. I fell for this myself and this is partly why I am writing this review. My own car has cost me £2000 to get it to where it today for the simple reason that the previous owners have been more interested in looking good in it than ensuring it is mechanically roadworthy. As a result, although it had been regularly serviced, some major mechanical assemblies that should have been replaced sooner have been ignored. Most notably, the previous owner drove it for 18 months without a functioning handbrake. And I made the (incorrect) assumption that this would be...

cherry_chariot 31.07.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Porsche 944 Coupe

A convertible Dream car.

Advantages: Ageless piece!!!
Disadvantages: Pricey!!!

...The shape may have stayed the same for over 30 years with a few rounded and modified pieces but the porsche magic shines through. You can keep your Ferrari's and Lambo's. Give me a 911 anyday. I love the little spoiler that goes up and down depending on what speed you are going. I like the looks people give you when you drive it. It has to be the definative car on the road. It is ageless. It is gorgeous. It is what I want to spend my inheritance on despite the fact my conscience is telling me otherwise. IT is a very quick very chique operator on the road that never ceases to turn heads. I love this car!!...

andycharger 21.08.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Porsche 911 Carrera 3.4 Cabriolet

Carrera or Kona?

Advantages: Great for downhill
Disadvantages: suspension no good for road.

...The old Carerra bikes seem to be doing well for themselves of late, Halfords still arent offering them though at a reasonable price. The Carrera is what I would call an entry level bike, the bikes are built in the same factory as Kona so expect the same level of workmanship you would from a top name like Kona. This bike comes with the Tough 4 bar link full suspension 7005 aluminium Bi-axial tubed frame. Suntour XC60 fork, 27spd Shimano Deore transmission, Tektro IO Disc brakes, FSA Alpha drive chain set, Tioga double butted handlebars, Tioga stem and seatpost, Tioga Factory Extreme 2. 1 tyres, Shock comes with adjustable pre-load and rebound damping. This bike is meant really for downhill racing but does well on dirt riding. The gears are Shimano Deore which are a sturdier gearing than the standard Shimano, which is what you will need...

sybenn2003 29.06.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Carrera Banshee

Rendering driving into an artform

Advantages: speed;handling;comfort
Disadvantages: zippy zippidy yack

...In the road of life, there are cars that take you from A to B and than there are cars that make life worth living. I personally don't even consider the Boxter as a real Porsche, so I am going to let you decide which category the 911 belongs to. Porsche is one of the most famous sports cars throughout the world, its name sitting next to Ferrari and Lamborghini even though it is not a car that is as outrageously priced as its Italian competitors. Completely redesigned in 1999, the new Carrera looks like a squashed up version of the beetle. Its not as round as the beetle, but it is undoubtedly as cute. It being a sports car, its edgy ends do give it a slightly more aggressive look and the large dual exhaust pipes do nothing but add to this factor. But overall, the Porsche is a cute car, neither aggressive looking as American Sports cars...

Skyth 17.03.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2