What does it cost?
Porsche 911 Coupe full 9 point review
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Performance
Performance in the 394bhp S and 4S models is absolutely stunning, but even the 345bhp Carrera and Carrera 4 cars will hit 62mph in less than five seconds. The seven-speed manual gearbox is surprisingly easy to get to grips with, while the optional seven-speed PDK semi-auto flatters the driver at speed and is a natural choice for city-dwelling supercar owners.
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Ride & Handling
The 911 has a very accomplished ride, even at low speeds on poor surfaces, and there’s an amazing amount of lateral grip available; you’d need explosives to shake the thing off line. The steering could be more communicative, but it’s sharp and precise, so is still a joy to use on your favourite B-road. The Carrera 4 and 4S models have four-wheel drive to improve the already sensational traction.
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Refinement
The tyres generate quite a lot of road noise over coarse surfaces, but on smoother roads there’s little to disturb the peace. That means the 911 can play the long distance GT as well as the supercar. Don’t worry, though - the exhaust note still thrills at higher revs.
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Buying & Owning
Porsche controls its supply of cars better than most so there’s little chance of a discount when you’re buying. On the positive side, this keeps resale values sky high. Running costs will obviously be anything but cheap. However, the 911 is far more frugal than most supercar rivals.
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Quality & Reliability
The 911 is built from high-quality materials and to exacting standards inside and out. It looks and feels absolutely stunning. This latest version was too new to appear the last Reliability Survey, but Porsche as a brand finished a disappointing 20th out of 27 manufacturers.
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Safety & Security
Driver and passenger airbags come as standard, as does Porsche Side Impact Protection System, which includes thorax airbags in the side of each seat, and a head airbag in the door panels. As you’d expect, an immobiliser is standard fit too - but if you want more protection there’s Porsche’s vehicle tracking system, which makes it possible to trace stolen vehicles across most of Europe.
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Behind The Wheel
There’s a good range of seat and steering wheel adjustment, while the seats are comfortable and supportive. The dashboard layout is good, too, although the central touch-screen can be a bit fiddly to use on the move. All-round visibility is better than it is in most family hatchbacks, let alone other supercars.
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Space & Practicality
The 911 has four seats, although the rear two are so tight that they’re really only for emergencies. That aside, there’s a surprising amount of practicality, with a deep front boot offering 135 litres of space. Fold the rear seats down and there’s a further 205 litres on offer there.
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Equipment
As usual with the 911, there’s a host of options that you can add to the car that crank the purchase price up to scary levels. The car comes reasonably well equipped as standard, but it’s disappointing that Porsche charges extra for Bluetooth on all versions. You’ll also have to stump up for extras such as heated seats, metallic paint and a multi-function steering wheel.
What Porsche 911 Coupe owners say:
911 used car reviews
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Our pick of the range
Porsche 911 Coupe 3.4 Carrera 2dr
Does everything you want a supercar to do, plus plenty more besides. The 911’s sheer breadth of talent is a real achievement.
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