- Best Daily: 911 Carrera 4S
- Best Off-Road: 911 Dakar
- Best Track: 911 GT3 RS
- Best Value: 911 T
- Best All-Rounder: 911 Carrera GTS
- Notable Mentions
- The Original and Its Short-Lived Identity Crisis
- The Widowmaker
- The Muscular One
- The Last (Air-Cooled) One
- The Ugly One
- The Best One?
- The Electronic One
- The Latest One
The 911 is arguably the best sports car in the world, but can it really be all things to all men?
Read in this article:
- Best Daily: 911 Carrera 4S
- Best Off-Road: 911 Dakar
- Best Track: 911 GT3 RS
- Best Value: 911 T
- Best All-Rounder: 911 Carrera GTS
- Notable Mentions
- The Original and Its Short-Lived Identity Crisis
- The Widowmaker
- The Muscular One
- The Last (Air-Cooled) One
- The Ugly One
- The Best One?
- The Electronic One
- The Latest One
The Porsche 911 in all forms is truly incomparable with its rivals, and that's quite a feat considering how many versions of the sports car there are. Any 911 offers outstanding handling, a solid powertrain, and classy styling, but some variants of the vehicle are better at certain tasks than others, which is why many Porsche fans own several examples.
Someone who owns a 911 Sport Classic could very well own a Porsche 911 GT3 race car, or if they need all-wheel drive, a 911 Turbo S. Such an individual likely has an interest in air-cooled Porkers too, and even among those older cars, there are several interesting and unique takes on the same rear-engine layout that characterizes Porsche history.
Assuming you had an almost unlimited budget and absolutely no interest in alternative cars from other marques or even model ranges, which are the key 911s to own so that you have something for every occasion? Taste and personal requirements play a role in one's car-buying choices, but we've compiled a list of five offerings that should satisfy most buyers' needs in different scenarios. Let's dive in.
Best Daily: 911 Carrera 4S
If you want a sports car that you can use every day without sacrificing too much comfort or compromising too much on performance, we recommend the Porsche 911 4S. With a competent AWD system, you have all-season confidence, and since this is not an extreme GT product, it's available as a Cabriolet too.
Manual and PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission options are on offer as well, which means the 4S will be the Goldilocks offering for most buyers. The six-speed transmission no longer exists at Porsche, so just be aware that you'll be rowing through seven ratios with the stick and clicking through eight with the paddles.
The 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine produces a respectable 443 horsepower with 390 lb-ft of torque, and it does so with minimal turbo lag. For a daily, what more do you need? Well, if you live in Europe, you will someday soon require electrification, so Stuttgart is developing a 911 Hybrid to meet those needs in the near future.
Best Off-Road: 911 Dakar
We never thought we'd see the day that we'd be recommending which is the best Porsche 911 for tackling dusty dunes and gunning over gravel (there's only one), but Stuttgart broke the mold this year as Porsche presented the 911 Dakar, a lifted and re-engineered version of the 911 Carrera S that has some GT3 parts and a notable increase in performance.
Here, the boxer-six engine generates 473 hp and 420 lb-ft – the same as in the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS. This engine is mated exclusively to an eight-speed PDK, but the fun you can have driving this on dirt more than makes up for any loss of engagement caused by the inclusion of a flappy-paddle gearbox.
Porsche gave the Dakar all-terrain tires, so the on-road top speed here is not very high – just 149 mph. But off the beaten path, the car has a top speed of 105 mph. Doing that on dirt must be exciting, especially in a rear-engine sports car. Of course, if sandblasting a 911 seems like a ridiculous idea to you, Porsche's non-911 offerings, like the Cayenne, may seem more suitable, but Stuttgart focused on fun when it created this, and buyers ought to use it as intended.
Best Track: 911 GT3 RS
The best Porsche is not necessarily the fastest, which is why we've chosen to recommend the Porsche 911 GT3 RS as the best track 911. Sure, the GT2 RS with over 700 hp is a tempting proposition, but that widowmaker is a wild beast that takes delicate hands, quick arms, and precise pedal inputs to tame.
If you're a former racing driver, the GT2 sounds excellent, but for 95% of enthusiasts, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS will be more satisfying, even if it has a lower top speed than the “regular” Porsche 911 GT3. Not that many buyers choose a Porsche 911 GT3 or other GT offerings based on how high its top speed is.
The current range-topper's 4.0-liter naturally aspirated boxer-six engine produces 518 hp, which is not much of an increase over the output of the previous generation, but there is so much more to the car than just its power. Suspension and aerodynamics settings can be adjusted on the fly, meaning you don't need to bring wrenches and jacks to the track to tailor the handling of your toy to a specific circuit. Along with several other aids designed to make a fast and exciting track experience more accessible, there's no better 911 version for fun racing on closed courses, regardless of length or layout. The look of the wide wheel arches is also something special.
And because the electronic architecture of modern Porsche 911 offerings is so interconnected, you still have air conditioning and an infotainment system for the drive home from the track. A case could be made for the regular GT3 as a slightly compromised track weapon, but you save weight with the RS chassis, and its toys and tricks are awesome.
Best Value: 911 T
It's tough to argue with the value proposition Porsche presented with the 911 T. Like the 911 Carrera S, this is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six, but here it produces only 379 hp and 331 lb-ft. A manual or a PDK can be had. It's not the quickest car you can have for over $125,000, but the chassis is spectacular, and the focus on “Touring” (where the name comes from) promises enough comfort to enjoy the car regularly.
But what makes it a better value buy than a 4S? Well, it's cheaper for one thing, and although it has less power, it has also lost weight over the base 911 Carrera (partly thanks to the deletion of the rear seats) while adding features that were formerly only available on the Carrera S. If you really want a rear seat, it can be optioned back in at no cost.
The Porsche 911 Carrera T offers a more engaging drive than a base 911 Carrera model, more of the features you really want, and a relatively inoffensive price. Retro decals, Carrera S wheels, Agate Grey exterior accents, and a sport exhaust with black tips help this stand out from the base model, and in our opinion, it's one of the best Porsche 911 models you can buy. But if you absolutely must have an AWD system, this car is not for you.
Best All-Rounder: 911 Carrera GTS
Like so many other Porsche enthusiasts, this writer considers the 911 Carrera GTS the ideal all-round do-almost-anything sports car, perhaps even the best Porsche 911 for 90% of use cases. It's got far more comfort than a Porsche 911 GT3 Touring, better performance than a Carrera S or Carrera T (the boxer-six engine here makes 473 hp/420 lb-ft), and styling that does not draw excessive attention.
The optional Lightweight Package strips the rear seats, lessens the amount of sound-deadening material, and thins the glass. Carbon fiber-backed bucket seats are also available for the coupe, which gives you some of the GT3 support without the drawback of stiffer suspension. Carbon brakes are available, but Porsche gave the GTS the larger brakes from the Turbo and Turbo S at no charge. In addition, you get Porsche Active Suspension Management as standard, maximizing versatility.
While we're on the subject of multiple uses, the GTS also stands out for its varying body configurations and breadth of differing options that cater to either comfort or performance. You can have it as a Coupe, Cabriolet, or Targa, and all versions can be had with an AWD system too.
Basically, the GTS offers speed, comfort, handling, style, a sub-$200k asking price, and an overall driving experience that can be enjoyed in any weather, on any surface, and at any speed. What a great car.
Notable Mentions
The cars that we have not included above are not bad by any means, but perhaps they do not fit into these categories as well. Nevertheless, some of the best 911 models are those that are not easily accessible, and some of them are sought after more for their exclusivity and style than their performance.
A good example of this is the latest 911 model to come from the brand's Heritage department, the 992 911 Sport Classic. We should also mention the 911 Turbo as an excellent all-weather supercar with a top speed of 205 mph (in the Turbo S variant, 195 mph in the regular Turbo), and let’s not forget how brilliant the 'standard' Porsche 911 GT3 is in isolation from the GT3 RS.
Any of these iconic sports cars would make a fine addition to a sports car aficionado’s collection, and that applies across generations too. The 911 has always been a great car, so let’s check out some highlights from the back catalog.
The Original and Its Short-Lived Identity Crisis
It's widely known that the first-generation Porsche 911 was supposed to be called the Porsche 901. A total of 82 cars were made with the nomenclature, but French car manufacturer Peugeot claimed to have all rights to vehicle model names with a zero in the middle, so Porsche decided to simply replace that digit with a one, creating the neunelfer.
The first 911 was produced from 1964-1989 and was first shown to the public at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show, two years before the end of production of the 356. Later that year, it was shown at the Paris Motor Show, which is where the whole fracas with the aforementioned French car manufacturer Peugeot began.
Regardless, the 911 was a great car that found success quickly and was continually improved. Porsche increased power and introduced chassis enhancements and luxury features with the 911S in 1966, but that was just the beginning of Stuttgart's flirtation with more ferocity.
The Widowmaker
The 930 generation was offered from 1975-1989, and Porsche released a turbo version to satisfy homologation requirements that would allow it to go racing. At the time of its release, this was the fastest production car in Germany.
Porsche's sports car was something of a handful, with its short wheelbase, weight bias over the rear wheels, and significant turbo lag earning it the nickname “Widowmaker.” To this day, any Porsche employee – from a Porsche dealer to a new CEO – who drives the 930 Porsche 911 Turbo for business or testing reasons must undergo model-specific training so that the pendulum effect of the chassis does not catch them out when applying power to that rear axle.
The 930 was also the genesis for RS, with the 911 2.7 RS introduced with flared wheel arches, a ducktail spoiler, and the claim of the fastest production 911 of the time. Wide wheel arches are now a signature element of Renn Sport models, further underlining the influence of the special model. If you're looking for a Porsche 911 that exemplifies iconic sports cars, this is it. Some consider it the best Porsche ever, which automatically makes it the best sports car ever. Fight me.
The Muscular One
Porsche offered the 964 from 1989-1994, and this vehicle was noted for its power steering, coil springs rather than torsion bars, and available AWD system, making it the first model to power all four corners. With this, Porsche increased the appeal of its staple car. This generation is also remembered for the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8, which had aluminum wings, thinner glass, flared wheel arches, and a respectable 296 hp. A modern 992 Sport Classic makes more power, but not everything is about speed, and we'd rather have the 964.
If you must have ridiculous speed, the 964 Turbo (with either the 3.3 or the 3.6) is another classic car that ticks all the right boxes for us, including that of living out our Miami PD fantasies with the soundtrack to Bad Boys blaring through the stereo.
The Last (Air-Cooled) One
The 993 (1995-1998) was the last air-cooled 911 that Porsche built, but it's also remembered for introducing the GT2 name, bringing with it clear racing influence. Again, Porsche released a car with widened plastic fenders and a larger rear wing for performance reasons (styling was certainly helped along, too), but the output was most shocking for the time.
The 3.6-liter twin-turbo air-cooled engine produced 424 hp, and then Porsche increased power to 444 hp in 1998. Top speed was 187 mph – still highly respectable today. As with the 911 Carrera RS 3.8, this version of the legendary sports car was produced to allow Porsche to go racing. Enthusiasts consider this one of the best Porsche 911 models too.
The Ugly One
The 996 (1996-2004) is oft-berated for its “fried-egg” headlights and the introduction of a water-cooled engine, but it's also significant for being the first 'all-new' Porsche 911 since the original, arriving with a completely new chassis. However, some dislike this car because it was co-developed with the then-new entry-level Boxster to save costs.
While the 996 was lighter and more efficient than the previous generation, the car was plagued by intermediate shaft issues, as reported by several owners. But as classic Porsches from all decades become better appreciated, demand for and interest in the 996 model has spiked, especially since this was the first 911 with the GT3 moniker.
Its styling and reliability prevent it from being one of the best Porsche 911 variants, but it's because of some of the concessions made in its development that the automaker still exists today. Without this 911, Porsche may have gone bankrupt, so give the 996 its due.
The Best One?
2004-2013 saw the introduction of the 997 generation of the Porsche 911 Carrera, and although Porsche built it on the bones of the 996, it shared less than a third of its components with that car and was far better received, in no small part thanks to the resurrection of round headlights that gave the car more universally appealing styling.
A standout version of this generation is the GT3 RS 4.0, one of the most extreme, exciting, and engaging variants of a Porsche 911 ever made. Some might even say it's the purest and best Porsche 911 GT3 RS version. Most of those who have owned it and sold it on have come to rue their decision, and you'll pay a rather pretty penny to get the opportunity to drive this Porsche model.
The Electronic One
Porsche's second all-new platform since the original sports car arrived with the 991 (2011-2019), which grew in length and width. Inside, the cabin saw a massive leap forward with styling elements like the center console inspired by the excellent Carrera GT. The 991 featured aluminum wings and was the first Porsche 911 Carrera to use a predominantly aluminum construction, making the car up to 110 pounds lighter than the previous generation.
Automatic rev-matching was also introduced in this vehicle, but the biggest sadness was the implementation of an electromechanical steering assistance system instead of the old hydraulic rack, which offered more feedback.
The 911 GT3 and the 911 GT3 RS of this generation were both revealed at the Geneva Motor Show (2013 and 2015, respectively). The dual-clutch transmission adopted from racing technology featured on the GT3 as the only gearbox offering, increasing the speed of a shift, but owners and potential customers made so much noise that Porsche had no choice but to reintroduce the stick shift with the 991.2. It just goes to show that no matter how good the chassis, styling, or speed, a vehicle without three pedals cannot offer a perfectly engaging drive.
The Latest One
Finally, we arrive at the 992 generation introduced in 2019. LED headlights with four accents per housing, which debuted on the 991, returned for the 992 with slight updates. Styling changes were pretty tough to spot for the average onlooker, but that's always been the case.
This generation reintroduced the limited-production Sport Classic model, but that's not the only Heritage version of the 992 we can enjoy. A vehicle rumored to be called the 911 ST is in the works, offering chassis and power improvements along with an element of exclusivity. There are even rumors it could have more power than a 911 GT3 RS, albeit with more weight and a broader focus. With the 992, the Porsche 911 Carrera only reinforces its credentials as the finest sports car you can buy new, but is it the best Porsche 911?
With the loss of an analog tachometer, more weight and tech than ever before, and a chassis that has been refined so much that even a novice will find it a great car to drive, the 911 is no longer as raw and challenging as it used to be. Whether that's good or bad, we'll leave for you to decide.
Keyword: The Best Porsche 911 For Every Occasion