2008 Porsche 911 Review

The 911 is Porsche's flagship sports car that has been around since 1964. Favored for both its performance and daily drivability, the 911 featured an air-cooled engine until 1999. The current generation was unveiled in 2005, with the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S making a comeback the following year. The 911 Turbo and GT3 were added in 2007.

The BuyingAdvice Team Says:

The Porsche 911 is THE classic sports car, and sets the gold standard by which all others are compared. To this day, its acceleration and pure agility are hard to top. With its wide range of options and features, you're sure to find a 911 you like.

What's New For 2008:

The GT2 has returned to the lineup. It features a 530 hp engine that exceeds 200 mph. Tire pressure monitoring is now standard.

Request a free, no-obligation, new 2008 Porsche 911 price quote or choose any other model you're interested in and receive the Buying Advice Team's Insider Report for New Car Buyers.

Vital Stats

Starting MSRP:
$90,400

Rebates & Incentives:
no

Seats:
4

Gas Mileage:
18/25

Engine:
3.6L H6

Horsepower:
345@6500RPM

Torque:
288@4400RPM

Transmission:
6 Speed Manual

Drive:
RR/AWD

Fuel Capacity:
18

Fuel Type:
gasoline

Basic Warranty:
48/50000

Powertrain Warranty:
48/50000

Rust Warranty:
120/Unlimi

What is the Predicted Reliability:

J.D. Power gives the 911 3 stars for overall dependability. Problems with the 911 since 1999 include stuck convertible tops, stuck doors, engine misfires, inaccurate fuel gauges, and fouled spark plugs. It's been recalled four times for inaccurate fuel gauges, clutch leaks, fuel leaks, and weak front seat backs. Expect above average reliability.

Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:

Crash test scores are not available. Anti-lock brakes, full side airbags, and stability and traction control are standard, except for the GT3, which lacks stability control.

Pros and Cons:

Pros
+ Superb handling
+ Tons of options
+ Fantastic acceleration

Cons
- Noisy
- No Bluetooth
- Small seats

Head-To-Head Competition:

The BMW 6 Series 650I has a larger engine with 35 more hp and a bigger trunk, but costs a couple grand more and gets slightly worse gas mileage. The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has a bigger engine with 180 more hp, but costs a few hundred more. The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 55 AMG costs far less, and has a V8 with 30 more hp, but the gas mileage is slightly worse.

What Others Are Saying:

"As might be expected, the 911 Turbo has few flaws and a heap of driving excitement. Though an increasing number of buyers are choosing the Tiptronic, die-hard enthusiasts likely will stick with the more satisfying manual gearbox. The linkage is stiff, but you'd have to be a rank amateur to miss a shift, and the ratios are well matched to the engine's massive torque." - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

"This car [GT2] is quite simply insane and, frankly, kind of scary, not because of any dynamic flaw but because of the way the stupendous forces in hand are delivered with such seeming effortlessness. To begin with, everything is ultra-hard: the seats, the suspension, the steering and brakes, the monocoque chassis that feels made entirely of Higgs bosons. All the slack, wobble and flex has been scourged from the car, leaving -- as the only tactile source of elasticity -- the throttle...The GT2 is too bad a monkey for me." - The L.A. Times

"But what marks the prime tangible, repeatable, inimitable, decisive difference between the GT2 and lesser versions of the 911 is its exceptional clarity of motion. Performance is instant, linear, and seemingly inexhaustible. Handling is intuitive, ultrasharp, and totally uncompromising. Get it right, and feel like the king of the road. Get it wrong, and prepare to spend years restoring your damaged ego." - Automobile Magazine

Read more about the 2008 Porsche 911 at the Porsche manufacturer web site.

Published on Friday, May 30, 2008 - Email to a friend

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