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When we first started this site we were a bit myopic in our view of Porsche. We were all about air-cooled Porsches and focused even more narrowly on 993s alone. Over the past three years (yes, we’ve been doing this just about that long now) as PorschePurist has grown, so has our love affair with all types of Porsches. Not only have we added a Cayenne to our garage, we became fans of the Cayman and the Boxster, lusted after a 914 and would kill to own a new 911 GT2 RS.
Given our change in attitude we thought it was time to reach out and survey your feelings. Not only are we interested in your thoughts, but your answers will help us to shape our future content and offerings. So, as the title of this post says, “What’s Your Favorite Porsche and Why?” You can let us know by commenting below (if you’re reading this page by email you will need to click through to the site, by clicking on the title of the post, to participate or to comment).
Related Porsche Posts
Results of Prior Poll on What Type of Porsche do you Own
My favorite? The one I own! My Cayman S is, by all accounts, one of the best sports cars in the world, period. Not the fastest, not the absolute best handling, just the best all-round sports car. It’s the car Porsche almost wishes they would have never produced… “the 911 is our race platform. End of discussion”. I suppose if I had money to burn, a really nice GT3 would top my list even though I would never test it’s potential. Hell, I can’t even explore the limits of my Cayman and I’ve had on the track, too.
The 930. Preferably in black but that’s not what makes it special. The sound, the power, the curves. Oh yes.
Although I could never afford one, I think the ultimate Porsche is the Carrera GT.With Porsche’s racing heritage, and performance built into every road car, what more could you ask for in performance and apperance!!! I guess I have to settle for my 06 997 Carrera S
I agree with the above commenter, the Porsche I own is the best, which is a 2001 911 (996) Carrera C2.
Yes, it would be nice to own and drive GT3 or the new Spyder, but they are out of my price range.
Until then, I will continue to enjoy what I have and dream of what i may have someday.
My favoite is the one I own. It is a Gards Red 1987 Carrera with the Aero package. The reason I like it is that it is the last of the original 911s. It is a little quirky in handling but that is the allure. It may not have as much grip as the later designs but it takes your breath away as you are going at speed. Good power makes it a joy to drive and it will go faster than I want. I have used as a daily driver and it can putter around like a nice Toyota until you release the monster within. I never tire of the looks and it allways delivers. Even after all the years it is a totally raddle free car that makes me smile every time I see it.
Ciao
Wayne in Houston
My street-able Porsche wish-list:
1. 1955 356 Speedster
2. 1958 356 Carrera
3. 1973 911 Carrera RS
4. 1976 934 RSR
5. 1989 911 Carrera
6. 2010 911 GT2 RS
7. 2010 Cayman S
Really, any one of these would do …
Cheers!
I love my ’99 996 Cabriolet w/hardtop, but I miss my ’97 993 C2 coupe. But I also miss my ’96 993 C4…AND my 911SC!! Well, you get my drift here. The best Porsche is the one we currently own.
I have to stand up for what I call “the poor man’s porsche”- the 944. I’m on my second 944 (1988 this time-couldn’t find another 1989 2.7 litre when I needed one). What an amazing car-a daily driver that just keeps me smiling-around serpentine curves on the local parkways on the way to the store, up hills during snowstorms to vist a sick child, not to mention rocking on the highways on the way to work. Reliable, economical and just plain fun to drive. At 185,500 on my current car, I’m thinking may be time for a “new” one soon. When the odometer hits 200,000 or so, I’ll start looking for my dream car -a 968 (coupe).
As great as the 997 GT3 & RS are, I’d prefer a 993RS for its rawness, its air-cooled engine – as all 911s should have -, its smaller body (996s & 997s are too big), its race car rake, its incredible chassis etc etc. Or the little-known 1974 3 litre RS. A race car for the road.
Ferdnand Porsche was a master in combining simplicity, beauty, performance and dependability, even in his Tiger tank. This is the essential Porsche. I think Ferry’s 356C embodied this ideal more than any other. The ’73 Carrera RS would come in second. Perhaps simplicity needs to be discarded or redefined due to the advent of electronics and such. The 997 is a good mix of old and new and the GT3 is its best rendition.
I’m going to sing the praises of the much-ignored 944 as one of the very last philosophically correct Porsches in that it is a true ‘giant killer.’ Lightweight, small but torquey engine, agile, perfectly balanced, and if handled properly will keep pace with the Big Dogs on a tight race track. It’s a highly responsive momentum car which demands a light touch and gentle inputs and is very rewarding to drive fast. Mine is an early example, filled with real analog gauges and devoid of LEDs and digital distractions. I have no PASM, SPASM, or anti-lock brakes. I drive a real sports car which demands real skill and a genuine understanding of the physics at play. I have no computers to bail me out of a foolish move, only my wits and a very competent machine.
I love my current ’96 993 C4S in Arena red with the aero package. It is the Porsche I always wanted when I previously owned an 04 Boxster S. In my opinion, the Boxster S offered better all round performance than the 993, but the look and feel and build quality of the 993 is tough to beat. I would like to buy a 2010 Boxster Spyder, in a few years, after they have depreciated to a reasonable price……and I will keep my C4S of course.
I agree that the best is always your current Porsche – mine being a 2002 C2 Carrera Cabriolet with hardtop.
If I could pluck a car out of the past it would be the 1964 904 Carrera GTS – one of the most beautiful cars to ever roll out of Zuffenhausen.
I really enjoy my 2004 911 40th anniversary car. It handles extremely well,is very fast and looks great.
I own a ’79 930. I appreciate the early air cooled 911′s. To me, they represent the raw heritage of Porsche and its racing. I feel they require more skill to drive quick on a track than todays sophisticated and very expensive models do with the computer compensating for driver error. I’m sure I would enjoy the new GT3 or GT2 RSR if I could afford them, but for now, I have a lot of fun making laps in my 930!
My favorite is my 1974 911 Coupe (upgraded to “S” appearance groups). Why? After 36 years together, we are like a happily married couple. We are growing old together gracefully, enjoy the occasional romp on the asphalt, and I treat her with respect, dishing out fine oils and premium fuel lavishly. A one-owner car of that vintage is a rarity, and I can not contemplate any form of “divorce”. We’ve been through registrations in California, Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, VIrginia, New Jersey, Iowa and Kentucky, one unsuccessful engine rebuild, and one just 3,000 miles ago that put her into better mechanical shape than at any time I can remember. I should be in such shape! We both have a few body dings, but no apparent rust. Even the original Blaupunkt AM/FM radio works, although the original speakers sound pretty scratchy. That car and I were made for each other.
Growing up in Detroit in the 60′s I had the opportunity to drive every muscle car you see at the auctions for 100K+ but found out they could not compare with the 04 C4S Cab I bought about 2 years ago. This car puts a smile on my face every time I drive it whether its taking off from a green light, crusing down pacific coast hwy or going on tour with the Porsche Club to Palomar Mountain.
My dream car would be a GT3 with a PDK, I wonder if they will ever make it in a cab.
Here to smiles for ever.
My favorite current owned is my 1994 Amazon Green Turbo 3.6 but it is too nice to have as a daily driver, so
I have an awesome 89 930 for daily driving and track use but since the 930 is too nice to beat up on the track, I just acquired a 1975 IROC Clone with a mod 3..2 Carrera engine.
I would with some reluctance trade both turbos for a GT2 maybe, but it would have to be a special one. Rear wheel drive is important, and not sure if I really want to convert to the complexity of the water cooled machines..
I love my 1997 Targa Ruf CTR. It is the most beautiful car ever. Built like a SUPER hot woman with the perfect body-(Smooth and Firm Curves) Gives me a smile every time i see it. My dream car would be a 1997 993 CTR race car from RAC. Maybe next year i will get it for my B-Day and give the former to my daughter.
I have owned a 356C, a 912, a 911SC and currently an 89 Carrera 3.2 Silver Anniversary Special. I really enjoy driving it and restoring it. I try to drive all the new models as they come out. I love the new Panamera and new version of the Cayman S. If I won the lottery I would buy a new Panamera and fly to the factory and beg them to make a Cayman with a sunroof.. Of course I would keep the Carrera.
Air-cooled 9xx is my first choice. To that I have included the first 9xx series air-cooled, 912, and the last 993. Both in white, and I am amazed the similarities in the design of the two cars. I love driving my 912, as Jay Leno says, “It is fun to drive a slow car, fast”.
Like most in the survey I loved 993′s. Owned a couple of them. I was late to water cooled party but after years of being a track rat, the early 996 car spoiled me. My old 993 felt like twisted pretzel when compared to my friends 996. As PCA instructor, I have had the pleasure of driving most all the newer 996 and 997s. My favorite is the 996 GT-3 as it has all the fun of the old cars, light, quick, but structurally superior to just about anything from the air cooled days- has the best motor too!
The 993 cabriolet,air cooled, It has a great Butt.great performance and It looks like a porsche should.
Driving Porsches is like eating ice cream. My favorite ice cream is the flavor I’m eating now – my favorite Porsche [almost always] is the one I’m driving now.
However I was partial to 356′s in the 70′s because of low maintenance & replacement parts cost. Now that that’s gone – a Boxster – it’s a real sports car – open top, two seater, to this driver who started w/ a new 1963 Triumph.
Bill Moses
aka Champagne Challenger
Poplar Grove, IL
I fully understand that this great website must cover the entire Porsche marque past, present and future. However, my favorite Porsche was firmly extablished while throttle steering a real Euro 1973 Carrera RS through the toe of the boot at Watkins Glen. Unfortunately these rare Porsche examples have always proven out of my financial reach, so my next favorite is the 1995/96 993 Carrera RS which unfortunately was never “legally” imported for road use in the US market. So I have settled on my white 1996 993 Carrera which I am in process of converting into an RS clone minus the 3.8 engine. Air Cooled Porsches will always have the true Porsche lineage. I fully recognize that technology marches onward with the latest water cooled Porsche engines producing increased HP, but in my opinion there is just something about the sound, feel and character of an air cooled 911 at full throttle that is just “Magic”. As a long time senior high performance driving instructor and PCA National DE Instructor Corps Member I have had the wonderful experience of driving many Porsche models both stock and prepared. Yes, I admit to enjoying the 997 GT3 and GT3RS on track. However, for me a 1973 Carrera RS would be still be the best and the 993 Carrera RS would be the last and second best of the true “air cooled” Porsches.
After 1998 I truly lose interest in Porsche ownership; sure, I stay abreast on all developments and products within the marque but on purely academic grounds
My favorite is my 1998 Carrera 4 cabriolet in Ocean Blue metallic with classic gray soft top and interior, complete with all the right carbon fiber accents – a true stunner !
I was surprised to not find the GT2 or GT3 listed in your post “what’s your favorite Porsche.” Of the ten Porsches I have owned, this is the most extrodinary of them all. Second most favorite is my 1997 911 turbo… just a fun car to drive with great styling.
The 993 is the best of all time. Clearly, the most shapely. Air cooled tradition and sound. Although I’m told the 996 is actually lighter than the 993, as an owner of both, I can attest it doesn’t feel like it. The 993 feels like a go kart. Having said all that, I’d certainly not refuse a 2010 GT3 if it were offered to me for an affordable price. Would I trade my 993 for one? … that would be a tough decision. fortunately, I don’t think I’ll have to make it.
Without a doubt, the 918 Spyder, if indeed they build it!
Here is one more vote for the 993.
I just love the way they look and perform. I also love the look on peoples faces when the find out mine is a 1995…
I lean toward the 951S in terms of performance bang-for-the-buck. I work for a living and have kids to help through college so my budget is not unlimited. An ’88 951S (which is what I have) or ’89 951 is hard to beat as a platform for performance. Mine is definitely not stock but how else could I have this much fun on a road course for so little money? (Inexpensive to buy but arguably not inexpensive to maintain & upgrade.) Thank you Ferry & Co.! I feel blessed.
There are too many favorites but the one above all others that stands out for me is the 959! What an engineering and performance tour de force in it’s day and is still more than competitive today.
Yes, all P cars have evolved and are so much better in so many ways, but the 959 laid the groundwork for much of what we see today!
I too love the Porsche I’m driving (06 Boxster) for all its driving capabilities and it was the most Porsche I could afford when I bought it. Money no object and from a pure “beauty” standpoint the Carrera GT currently followed by the relatively affordable Boxster Spyder.
My favorite Porsche is the one that I am driving. The 1965 356C takes you back to a more simple time and place. When driving this car it is relaxing, like being with an old friend. Driving the 993 is what symbolizes Porsche best, the purest driving experience, the end of an era. The latest addition is the new 2011 Spyder and I can only say WOW, they got it right on this one. So I can only say that all three are so different but yet alike. Sitting behind the wheel the body lines are amazingly the same. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE!
The 924 Carrera GTS, next is my ’86 951, love em.
Say Bill, didn’t I see you in “Deliverance”?
Seriously, I bet you are tired of that question!
Nothing too special…
Maybe something lightweight, simple, with no electric seats, climate control or electric windows. I don’t need a Targa Top or sunroof. No 500 watt subwoofer either… That flat six is all the music I need at 90 MPH plus.
Not a twitchy SWB either…Porsche would’ve chopped that extra inch off if it wasn’t a huge improvement.
I’d sure want a small high revving engine approaching 1 HP/Liter with a notchy little five speed…and NO pollution controls to slow me down and overheat- we’re talking high performance here.
Almost a full race car like the Carrera RS but not a million dollars so I can drive it without a Brinks truck full of Blackwater guards spotting me.
That narrows it down some.
What color?
Something catchy, Something you wouldn’t pick your nose in.
Oh YEA!
1969 TANGERINE 911S
Just like the one I drove today!!!!!! (Hear the sirens?)
Follow the Orange BLURRRRRRRRRRRR!
When the 993s came out, I always told myself, “it’ll be cheap enough one of these years”… 12 years after (2007) I bought my first 993, an “entry level” Carrera, then 2 years after a 97 C4S… Love the cars! Now I’m waiting for another to be “cheap enough”… a 997 GT3! I just love the brand!
Cayman S with PDK. This car is just perfect!!!!!!!!!!!
Like many of the posters here my favourite is the one I own right now: 1990 Slate Grey C2 with 3.6 Turbo-style Speedlines and H&R Greens. It’s the perfect blend of old style and modern mechanicals.
My favorite Porsche is probably the one that started filling Dr. Porsche’s wallet: The Porsche Junior tractor, produced from the 1930′s to the 60s! Without it, I’m sure he would have been hard pressed for the R&D money to develop the cars we all know and love from the marquee.
My favorite is the Porsche 917, perhaps the best race car ever made. I of course also like the 911 and I own and enjoy the 944, but if I could drive any Porsche ever made, it would be the 917 (even if I could only use it on the track).
David, the 917 is one of our favorites too! Be sure to check out all of our 917 videos at http://porschepurist.com/category/cars/porsche-917/
Since it first came out I have always lusted after a 959. I remember seeing a picture in one of the US car mags that showed the tach buried, the speedo approaching 190mph and the driver only had one hand on the wheel. The flowing lines of the car, the bold engineering and brutal speed make this my favorite. A close second would be any variant of the street legal 962.
Such a difficult question – but the drivers among us all agree that it’s the one that sits in their garage currently. I am fortunate enough to have two – a 944 S2 (with a turbo motor swapped in) as a DD and an ’07 997 C4S with the GT aerokit option. The 997 is a rock star and evokes great enthusiasm on the road, but the 944 is also my track car, which means even more thrills. Until I have the guts and the skills to track the 997, the 944 will be my favorite.
The 1997 993 Turbo S. I like the look of the 993 and the Turbo S is just a beautiful car. The new ones are nice just a bit big. I like the smaller size of the 993. You seem more connected to the car and the road.