My Top 5 Porsches: 40 Years Behind the Wheel of the 911 Icon
For four decades, I’ve had the privilege of driving some of the greatest sports cars in the world, but few have captivated me quite like the Porsche 911. It’s a name that evokes a sense of heritage, precision engineering, and driving purity that’s hard to replicate. Looking back, I’ve sampled dozens of 911 variants, each with its unique character and quirks. From the raw, uncompromising beasts of the early days to the sophisticated, technologically advanced machines of today, the 911 has continuously evolved while staying true to its roots.
I still vividly recall my first encounter with a 911 back in the late 1970s. It was a white, 3.0-liter Carrera with black Fuchs alloys—a car that defined the essence of the 911. No power steering, no rear wing, just a five-speed manual gearbox and a raw connection to the road. It was fast, undeniably so, but it also demanded respect and understanding. While it shared the showroom floor with the more powerful and technically superior 944 Turbo, I was drawn to the 911’s imperfect charm. As I put it in my original write-up: “The gloriously imperfect 911 Carrera is a sports car of a different age and reflects different values. It’s not tailored to meet the needs of most drivers. It demands understanding and respect. That’s why I’d take it home.”
Even after 40 years, the 911 remains one of the few new cars I’d happily spend my own money on. Of all the 911s I’ve had the pleasure of driving, a handful stand out as truly unforgettable. Here are the five Porsche 911 models that have left the most lasting impression on me throughout my career.
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My Top 5 Porsches: 40 Years Behind the Wheel of the 911 Icon
For four decades, I’ve had the privilege of driving some of the greatest sports cars in the world, but few have captivated me quite like the Porsche 911. It’s a name that evokes a sense of heritage, precision engineering, and driving purity that’s hard to replicate. Looking back, I’ve sampled dozens of 911 variants, each with its unique character and quirks. From the raw, uncompromising beasts of the early days to the sophisticated, technologically advanced machines of today, the 911 has continuously evolved while staying true to its roots.
I still vividly recall my first encounter with a 911 back in the late 1970s. It was a white, 3.0-liter Carrera with black Fuchs alloys—a car that defined the essence of the 911. No power steering, no rear wing, just a five-speed manual gearbox and a raw connection to the road. It was fast, undeniably so, but it also demanded respect and understanding. While it shared the showroom floor with the more powerful and technically superior 944 Turbo, I was drawn to the 911’s imperfect charm. As I put it in my original write-up: “The gloriously imperfect 911 Carrera is a sports car of a different age and reflects different values. It’s not tailored to meet the needs of most drivers. It demands understanding and respect. That’s why I’d take it home.”
Even after 40 years, the 911 remains one of the few new cars I’d happily spend my own money on. Of all the 911s I’ve had the pleasure of driving, a handful stand out as truly unforgettable. Here are the five Porsche 911 models that have left the most lasting impression on me throughout my career.
The 1975 Porsche 930 Turbo: The Original Widowmaker
In the annals of automotive history, the original Porsche 930 Turbo holds a legendary status. When I first tested this iconic model, veteran journalists spoke of it in awe, describing a car that demanded the utmost respect and concentration. It was, they claimed, a “widowmaker,” a car with a split personality that rewarded skill and punished carelessness. It took me 35 years to get behind the wheel of one of these legendary machines and discover the truth for myself.
The car I drove was one of the first 30 production Turbos ever built, now a prized possession in Porsche’s classic fleet. Stepping inside, I felt the weight of its reputation. I started cautiously, easing into the throttle, trying to understand the engine’s power delivery and build a mental map of its character. To my surprise, the 3.0-liter flat-six was remarkably tractable at low RPMs. It was happy to hum along at 2,000 rpm in top gear, trundling along at a modest 45 mph. But when the engine hit 3,500 rpm, the turbocharger spooled up, delivering a palpable surge of torque. I expected a sledgehammer blow, but instead, I found a smooth, progressive acceleration that was surprisingly manageable.
The trick to driving the original 930 Turbo smoothly is keeping the engine above 4,000 rpm. This keeps the turbocharger energized and ensures consistent power delivery. While there’s noticeable turbo lag by modern standards, it’s manageable. Even today, this 911 is an impressively fast car on the road. First gear hits 50 mph, second gear takes you to 90 mph, and third gear redlines near 130 mph. This means you can destroy most winding roads using only second and third gears. With a mere 256 hp and a weight of just 2,513 pounds, the 930 Turbo excels at cornering. Half a century ago, its performance would have been considered otherworldly.
The 930 is more than just a powerful car; it’s a visceral experience that connects you directly to the mechanical workings of the machine. It demands your full attention, rewarding skilled drivers with an exhilarating rush of acceleration and a feeling of mastering something truly special.
The 1996 Porsche 911 993: The Pinnacle of Air-Cooled Excellence
For Porsche purists, the 993-generation 911 represents the last of the truly analog era—the final chapter of the air-cooled flat-six. When I first drove it in 1994, it was the 911 of the future, a car that pushed the boundaries of physics and engineering. While the 993 still retained some of the classic 911 quirks, such as the “pat-pat-patter” front end that required precise loading on corner entry and the playful rear end that danced through rough turns, it offered a much more balanced and forgiving driving experience.
The key to the 993’s success was a groundbreaking new rear suspension. Porsche replaced the semi-trailing arms of old with a sophisticated multi-link setup. This design allowed for subtle initial toe-out on corner entry, which then transitioned to progressive toe-in as lateral loads increased. Crucially, it significantly reduced the camber change that had plagued 911s since their debut in 1963. This engineering innovation was combined with a new, quicker steering ratio of 2.5 turns lock-to-lock, making the front end feel much more precise and responsive.
Powering the 993 was a revised 3.6-liter flat-six engine that delivered 268 hp at 6,100 rpm. Lighter internals, a Bosch Motronic 2.0 engine management system, and a new dual-exhaust system made the engine rev higher and more eagerly. The engine was responsive, smooth, and engaging, offering a satisfying soundtrack that perfectly complemented the driving dynamics.
Compared to its predecessor, the 964, the 993 was a revelation. It wasn’t just the engineering upgrades under Ulrich Bez, who would later lead Aston Martin; it was also the exterior redesign orchestrated by design chief Harm Lagaay. Lagaay corrected what he saw as visual flaws in the 964, giving the 993 a more cohesive and balanced silhouette. The interior was also cleaner, with fewer buttons in random locations.
The 993 was a 911 that was faster, more forgiving, and infinitely more desirable than ever before. It represented the perfect blend of classic 911 character and modern engineering, creating a timeless icon that remains highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts today.
The 1996 Porsche 911 996: The Car That Saved Porsche
When Porsche introduced the 996-generation 911 in the late 1990s, it was heresy to some. The decision to install a water-cooled flat-six in the rear of the 911 was seen by many purists as automotive sacrilege. However, the 996 was more than just a redesign; it was the 911 that saved Porsche from financial ruin.
The 996 was engineered and developed under the leadership of Porsche R&D chief Horst Marchart, and it was a clever and efficient design. A key innovation was sharing 38 percent of its parts with the all-new, lower-cost mid-engine Boxster. Iconoclastic Porsche boss Wendelin Wiedeking recognized that the Boxster was essential to keep dealerships busy while the aging 928 and 968 models were phased out. “We did two cars for the price of one-and-a-half,” design boss Harm Lagaay said with a smile after the company unveiled the 996.
While the media focused on the 996’s relationship with the Boxster and the water-cooled engine, the car’s true significance lay deeper. In 1994, it took Porsche 130 hours to build a 993-series 911. By contrast, the 996 took just 60 hours to manufacture. The modern 911 had arrived: roomier, equipped with the all the features expected of a late 20th-century sports car, yet still instantly recognizable as a 911.
Most importantly, the 996 still drove like a 911—only better. There was a new level of sophistication in its operation, but the 996 retained the precise tactility and urgent response that made the 911 unique. It drove like a race car for the road, offering exhilarating performance with a level of refinement that appealed to a broader audience. Along with the original Boxster, the 996 was instrumental in saving Porsche from extinction, proving that the 911 could evolve without losing its soul.
The 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 991.2: The Base Model That Stole My Heart
Out of all the 911s I’ve driven, it was a base model 991.2 Carrera that truly captured my heart. It seemed that everyone else felt the same way, based on the feedback I received from colleagues at the time. Press fleets typically feature high-spec cars laden with options, presumably because automotive PR departments believe such things impress us. So