The warm weather travel season has arrived! In addition to green scenery and hot days, this is a time of year when many enthusiast motorists think about cars that deliver a high-style, high-status and high-performance driving experience.
High-end cars rooted deeply in history tend to satisfy the above dimensions, though they're certainly not for everyone's budget. The last-generation Porsche 911 (or '997') is no exception-- even if most owners will gab for hours about how it's worth every penny.
Of course, most buy the 911 for its performance, heritage, rich racing history, and for the status implied by the badge. Owners are generally very pleased with the relative comfort factor, as well as the fuel consumption figures on most models. The lightweight 911 tends to turn in decent cruising mileage when operated by those who value their driver's license.
Being a specialized enthusiasts car, researching specific owner likes and dislikes can be a little frustrating. Like any enthusiast vehicle group, 911 owners tend to love everything about their machine, see no faults, and recommend any friend or relative with adequate cash rush out and get one. Comments like 'perfect the way it is' or 'The 911 is like a flawless gemstone' are nauseatingly common in surveys.
With some digging, you'll find owners who complain about limited trunk and rear-seat space, as well as a lack of standard features common on far less expensive cars. If you're looking for Bluetooth, navigation and satellite radio, you may be out of luck.
Other minor nuisances include the awkward placement of the key to the left of the steering wheel, and the closing of the trunk. The latter process requires considerable effort to latch, and usually leaves a smudge or fingerprints behind.
In the 45 years or so since the 911 was introduced, both little and lots have changed. The rear-engine, rear drive layout is still used to this day, and luggage is stowed up front. Fans of the 911 call this unusual drivetrain layout 'perfection', while those not keen on the brand call it a long-lived mistake. Imagine the potential conversations at your local summertime show-and-shine!
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| 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera |
High-end cars rooted deeply in history tend to satisfy the above dimensions, though they're certainly not for everyone's budget. The last-generation Porsche 911 (or '997') is no exception-- even if most owners will gab for hours about how it's worth every penny.
Of course, most buy the 911 for its performance, heritage, rich racing history, and for the status implied by the badge. Owners are generally very pleased with the relative comfort factor, as well as the fuel consumption figures on most models. The lightweight 911 tends to turn in decent cruising mileage when operated by those who value their driver's license.
Being a specialized enthusiasts car, researching specific owner likes and dislikes can be a little frustrating. Like any enthusiast vehicle group, 911 owners tend to love everything about their machine, see no faults, and recommend any friend or relative with adequate cash rush out and get one. Comments like 'perfect the way it is' or 'The 911 is like a flawless gemstone' are nauseatingly common in surveys.
With some digging, you'll find owners who complain about limited trunk and rear-seat space, as well as a lack of standard features common on far less expensive cars. If you're looking for Bluetooth, navigation and satellite radio, you may be out of luck.
Other minor nuisances include the awkward placement of the key to the left of the steering wheel, and the closing of the trunk. The latter process requires considerable effort to latch, and usually leaves a smudge or fingerprints behind.
In the 45 years or so since the 911 was introduced, both little and lots have changed. The rear-engine, rear drive layout is still used to this day, and luggage is stowed up front. Fans of the 911 call this unusual drivetrain layout 'perfection', while those not keen on the brand call it a long-lived mistake. Imagine the potential conversations at your local summertime show-and-shine!
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| 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo |