Angus MacKenzie’s Top 5 Porsche 911s of All Time
Four Decades of Driving Perfection: The 911 Models That Defined Automotive History
For nearly half a century, I’ve had the privilege of testing some of the world’s most extraordinary machines, and few possess the captivating allure of the Porsche 911. The moment I first experienced a classic 3.0-liter Carrera—a raw, analog experience defined by precise feedback and visceral connection—I understood the legend. While a contemporary 944 Turbo might have offered superior performance on paper, the 911 carved a place in my automotive soul that no other car could claim.
It’s difficult to reconcile that four decades have passed since that initial drive. In that time, Porsche has tirelessly refined its iconic silhouette, moving from the pure, driver-centric principles of its origins to the technological marvels of today’s lineup. Yet, the Porsche 911 remains the ultimate sports car, a benchmark of performance, design, and engineering that has weathered the shifting sands of the automotive world.
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Angus MacKenzie’s Top 5 Porsche 911s of All Time
Four Decades of Driving Perfection: The 911 Models That Defined Automotive History
For nearly half a century, I’ve had the privilege of testing some of the world’s most extraordinary machines, and few possess the captivating allure of the Porsche 911. The moment I first experienced a classic 3.0-liter Carrera—a raw, analog experience defined by precise feedback and visceral connection—I understood the legend. While a contemporary 944 Turbo might have offered superior performance on paper, the 911 carved a place in my automotive soul that no other car could claim.
It’s difficult to reconcile that four decades have passed since that initial drive. In that time, Porsche has tirelessly refined its iconic silhouette, moving from the pure, driver-centric principles of its origins to the technological marvels of today’s lineup. Yet, the Porsche 911 remains the ultimate sports car, a benchmark of performance, design, and engineering that has weathered the shifting sands of the automotive world.
Over my extensive career as a automotive journalist, I have evaluated dozens of 911 iterations. While the 964 generation briefly raised concerns about the marque’s future, Porsche consistently delivered models that upheld the 911 legacy—cars that are both relevant and exhilarating. Even after 40 years, I would still happily spend my own money on a new 911. From the legendary road-going racers to the sleek, modern cruisers, here are the five Porsche 911 models that stand out in my memory as the most exceptional drives of my career.
The Original 911 Turbo: A Widowmaker Reimagined
Before I ever sat behind the wheel of an original Porsche 930 Turbo, I heard tales from seasoned road testers describing a car that demanded the utmost respect. They spoke of a raw, binary power delivery where the margin between corner-entry understeer and corner-exit oversteer required lightning-fast reflexes and unwavering confidence. This was a machine that punished mistakes and tolerated no sloppiness; the whispers called it a widowmaker. It took me 35 years to get behind the wheel of one and truly understand its legend.
The car I drove was one of the first 30 production Turbos ever built, now an esteemed part of Porsche’s classic collection. Naturally, given its fearsome reputation, I approached it with extreme caution, carefully modulating the throttle and watching the tachometer. I wanted to build a mental map of the torque delivery before pushing its limits. Much to my surprise, the engine was remarkably tractable at low RPM, settling into a relaxed murmur even at 2,000 rpm in top gear, cruising at 45 mph. Once the engine hit 3,500 rpm, however, a noticeable surge occurred as the turbocharger fed 0.8 bar of pressure into the induction system.
The sledgehammer blow I had anticipated was absent. Instead, I discovered the secret to mastering the original 911 Turbo: keep the 3.0-liter flat-six spinning above 4,000 rpm to keep the turbo spooled. There is undeniable turbo lag—significant by modern standards—but it is manageable. Despite being more than 50 years old, this 911 is impressively fast. First gear reaches 50 mph, second hits 90 mph, and third surpasses 130 mph, meaning it can devour challenging roads using only second and third gears. Although its output is just 256 hp, it weighs a mere 2,513 pounds, allowing it to carve through corners with ease. Half a century ago, its performance would have seemed otherworldly—a pure sports car designed for drivers who understood true speed.
The 993-Generation: The Last Air-Cooled Masterpiece
For Porsche purists, the 993 represents the ultimate expression of the 911. This is the air-cooled 911 you drive with your knuckles grazing the dash, the snarling mechanical symphony of the flat-six a constant companion. However, when I first drove it in 1994, the 993 was the 911 of the future—the first iteration to seriously challenge Isaac Newton’s laws of physics.
While the front end still demanded commitment and the rear end could still dance on rough surfaces, the 993 achieved a new level of harmony between the front and rear axles. It maintained its classic 911 DNA but within a vastly superior performance envelope. The secret to this transformation was a new rear suspension system. Replacing the semi-trailing arms of previous generations, the 993 featured a sophisticated multilink setup that allowed subtle initial toe-out under corner entry, followed by progressive toe-in as lateral loads increased. Crucially, this design significantly reduced the camber change that had historically been the Achilles’ heel of 911s since 1963.
This engineering breakthrough was complemented by a revamped steering system. At just 2.5 turns lock-to-lock, it was 16 percent quicker, making the front end feel incredibly decisive. Paired with a new six-speed manual transmission, the 993 perfectly utilized the 3.6-liter flat-six. Thanks to lighter internals, a Bosch Motronic 2.0 engine management system, and a dual-exhaust setup, the engine offered a higher redline and increased torque. Compared to the 964 it replaced, the 993 was a revelation.
The 993 wasn’t just about engineering brilliance led by Ulrich Bez (who later headed Aston Martin). The exterior redesign, overseen by chief designer Harm Lagaay, corrected the visual flaws of the 964, a model Lagaay felt was too tall at the front and pulled down at the rear. The interior was also modernized, reducing clutter and making the cabin more intuitive. The 993 offered faster performance and greater forgiveness, but most importantly, it was more desirable. It remains the best Porsche for those who cherish air-cooled engines and the purity of a classic sports car.
The 996-Generation: The 911 That Saved Porsche
At the time of its debut, the 996-series 911 was met with near-heretical condemnation. Porsche’s decision to install a water-cooled flat-six in the tail of its iconic sports car was the automotive equivalent of Bob Dylan trading his acoustic guitar for a Fender Stratocaster at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Yet, to me, the 996—the first clean-sheet redesign of the 911 in 34 years—was a genuine hero car. This was the 911 that quite literally saved Porsche from financial collapse.
Engineered under the direction of R&D chief Horst Marchart, the 996 was a marvel of automotive efficiency. It shared 38 percent of its components with an all-new, lower-cost, mid-engine roadster that would become known as the Boxster. Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking knew the Boxster was essential to give the company dealers something to sell once the aging 928 and 968 models were discontinued. As design boss Lagaay later commented with a smile after the company unveiled the 996, \”We did two cars for the price of one-and-a-half.\”
While media attention fixated on its relationship with the Boxster and the switch to liquid cooling, the 996’s real impact ran much deeper. In 1994, it took Porsche 130 hours to build a 993-series 911; the 996 took just 60 hours. This signaled the arrival of the modern 911. The 996 was roomier, equipped with all the features expected of a late 20th-century sports car, and yet, it remained unmistakably Porsche. Most importantly, it still drove like a 911, but better. There was a new layer of sophistication in how it approached its tasks, but the 996 retained the delicious tactility and urgent response that made the 911 unique. Along with the original Boxster, it pulled Porsche back from the brink of extinction, solidifying its place in automotive history.
The 991.2-Generation Carrera: A Masterclass in Refinement
Of all the Porsche 911s I have driven, it was the base 991.2 Carrera that truly stole my heart. Its ability to captivate was shared by my colleagues, judging by the feedback I received at the time. Press fleets are typically stacked with high-spec vehicles laden with options, presumably because automotive PR firms believe we are impressed by such things. Therefore, Porsche Cars North America’s decision to include a base 911 Carrera in the launch roster of the new 991.2 models for our 2017 MotorTrend Car of the Year testing was, in truth, an inspired move.
The 991.2 introduced a new 3.4-liter turbocharged engine, available in 370 hp trim for the base Carrera or 420 hp for the Carrera