Used Porsche 911 2012-2019 review

True motoring icons are few. To make a mark, a car must have been innovative or popular or trend-setting or brilliant on the road or unfeasibly pretty, or all of those together. For an expensive sports car to become an icon requires longevity, too, and an unmatched purposefulness.

The Porsche 911 first hit the streets in 1963, and has survived through many incarnations in which it’s evolved from wayward puppy to sophisticated and unmatched supercar. The present version, codenamed 991, was launched in 2012, and facelifted in 2015, and has consistently featured at the top of our sports car category. With the present crop, it’s possible that no other four-seater premium sports car can match its all-round abilities and sheer driving pleasure. As well as the four-seater coupe, from new you could have opted for a cabriolet version or a targa-topped car.

Earlier models relied on a range of naturally aspirated flat-six engines, with either a 349bhp 3.4 or a 400bhp 3.8-litre unit in the Carrera or the Carrera S. Turbocharged variants of these engines were available in the neatly named ‘Turbo’ versions, and you could opt for four-wheel drive, or choose between a seven-speed manual or PDK automatic transmission.

The 2015 updates brought with them turbocharged 3.0-litre engines for the base Carrera and Carrera S, in two different states of tune (370bhp or 450bhp), although naturally aspirated engines were still available higher up the range in a brace of super-sporting versions, the R, the 507bhp GT3 and GT3 RS, and the 700bhp GT2 RS.

There are many different 911s to choose from, then. The base model gets 19in alloy wheels, leather seats, sat-nav and a DAB radio. The S adds 20in wheels; the T additions include a standard limited-slip differential, Porsche’s highly effective PASM adaptive damping system, 20in alloy wheels and the Sport Chrono Package. The high-performance GT3 includes a 7.0in infotainment touchscreen with sat-nav and Bluetooth, 20in alloy wheels, electric windows and climate control, while the GT3 RS comes with a PDK automatic gearbox and four-wheel steering. In the GT2 RS, you get a Club Sport Package, which includes carbonfibre-backed seats, lightweight door trims and a sports steering wheel.

On the road, all 911s are extremely rapid, both in a straight line and around a corner. Forget lurid tails of rear-engined handling, the 911 is beautifully balanced. The steering is precise and well-weighted, and the grip is phenomenal. It even rides pretty well, too, especially on the 19in wheels of the base Carrera, and with the adaptive damper set-up. Faster models are firmer, but this is a happy pay-off for the 911’s superb body control.

Inside the driving position is first class, with most of the huge range of bucket seats offering multi-adjustability. You sit low, and visibility is better than you’d expect, although reversing can be tricky. Most 911s will have been specified with a reversing sensor or camera, though. Space is fine for taller drivers, but the rear seats are best left for children or flexible adults. It’s a luxurious and beautifully made interior, too, with well-damped buttons and switches, and pleasingly dense leather and plastics.

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You’ll need around £50,000 to get yourself behind the wheel of a 911 of this generation. That’ll buy you a 2012 Carrera or possibly a Carrera S from 2012 with an average mileage for the year and a full service history, bought from a trader or an independent dealer. Spend between £55,000 and £60,000 and you’ll get a 2013 car, while £60,000 to £65,000 will see a 2014 car on your driveway. £70,000 to £75,000 will put the keys to a 2015 911 in your pocket.

Late examples from 2019 will often set you back north of £75,000, and expect to pay even more for late Turbo models, and more still for the special GT2 RS, GT3 and GT3 RS versions.

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The old adage if you have to ask you can’t afford it probably holds true here. The 911 will be expensive to run, both in terms of fuel consumption, car tax and insurance. Expect spare parts to be pricey, and servicing costs likewise. The only thing to say in the 911’s favour is that you’re unlikely to suffer much in the way of depreciation, as the Porsche’s popularity means these cars are always in high demand.

By way of comparison, the latest 911 Carrera 3.0 claims an average fuel consumption of 34mpg in its most efficient trim, and CO2 emissions of 190g/km. The more powerful Carrera S claims a high of 32.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 199g/km. Annual car tax for cars registered before April 2017 is based on CO2 emissions, and so expect your 911 to be expensive. Those registered after that date will pay a basic annual charge, currently £155 a year, but will also pay a luxury car supplementary tax currently £335 a year.

Insurance groups for the present 911s range from 47 to 50.

This 911 has been around a long time now, so it’s worth trying to buy one of the newer cars, if you can. However, many preferred the driving purity of the older versions, specifically the non-turbocharged Carrera cars. Of the modern crop, we’d stick with the base Carrera, as its performance is more than impressive enough and many will have been specified with all the options you’d need, if not want.

Our favourite Porsche 911: 911 3.0 Carrera

The BMW M4 is blisteringly quick and has huge amounts of grip, as well as the sort of eager handling that’ll please any enthusiastic driver. It’s cheaper than a Porsche 911 and has more rear seat space, although some will say that it’s more ordinary to look at.

The Mercedes-AMG GT is a stunning-look vehicle with a tremendous V8 engine under its elegant bonnet. Its handling is lively, to say the least, but its sheer speed and the exhilaration of driving this performance car will blow you away. Good value used, too.

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