Used 2019 Porsche 911

The big news for Porsche in 2018 was the world debut of the all-new 2020 911, which stole the headlines at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Known internally as the 992, this aluminum-intensive new 8th-generation 911 arrives in the U.S. this summer. Until then, the previous Porsche 911 will be sold as a 2019 model, basically unchanged from 2018. But don’t worry; it’s a seriously good sports car, a cultural icon that has been the German company’s flagship since the 1960s. The 2019 Porsche 911 continues to be available as a Coupe, Cabriolet or a Targa, with rear-mounted engines driving the rear (or all four) wheels (RWD, AWD). Prices start around $92,000 for a 911 Carrera Coupe with 370 horsepower and can climb to nearly $295,000 for the race-ready 911 GT2 RS with 700 horsepower. As such, the Porsche 911 competes with cars that range from the Chevrolet Corvette and Jaguar F-Type to the Aston Martin Vantage and Mercedes-AMG GT.

Porsche 911s are plenty quick, but comfortable enough to be driven daily. The twin-turbo engines that were new for 2018 are now proven, delivering improved thrust and fuel efficiency. A 7-speed manual transmission is available in most new Porsche 911s, but the 7-speed PDK twin-clutch automatic impresses us with its quick shifts and easy drivability. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) uses active dampers to smooth the ride without compromising the 911’s legendary cornering prowess. As before, the Sport Chrono package lets the Porsche 911 driver select different performance settings.

The new-for-2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a potent rear-drive, non-turbo 911 that can hit 60 mph in three seconds flat. That’s a tenth quicker than the previous RS and two-tenths faster than the current GT3, much of the credit going to the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-6 that pumps out 520 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque. The boxer engine, with a redline of 9,000 rpm, propels the GT3 RS to a top speed of 197 mph. A 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard, as are lightweight titanium mufflers. Other cool details include a roof made of magnesium, plus fenders and trunk lid crafted in carbon fiber.

In most sports cars you feel like you’re sitting on the floor, looking up at the world. Not in the 911. In the Porsche you sit upright, in a very natural driving position, with excellent outward vision in all directions. It’s one of the reasons why the Porsche 911 is so comfortable in everyday or cross-country driving. Build quality is exceptional. While some may find the Porsche’s control layout a bit button-heavy, you soon realize the controls are exactly where they should be. Porsche continues to place the 911’s ignition to the left of the steering wheel, which takes some getting used to but likely never will change.

Has the Porsche 911 looked the same since 1965? Not really, but this German is still very obviously a 911, which is a good thing because it’s one of the most recognizable sports cars in the world. As other cars have become caricatures of themselves, the 2019 Porsche 911 pays homage to the 911s that have gone before it, without copying them or trying to be retro cute. With its wide hips and sinister stance, the 911 represents powerful but understated elegance, turning heads without shouting, “Look at me!”

FRONT-AXLE LIFT SYSTEM
The Porsche 911 isn’t that likely to scrape its nose in driveways or on speed bumps; nevertheless, it’s still a low-slung sports car. With this optional $2,590 hydraulic system, the front axle, at the push of a button, raises by 1.5 inches to increase ground clearance at speeds up to 37 mph.

PORSCHE CERAMIC-COMPOSITE BRAKES
Porsche brakes are legendary for their stopping abilities, but these expensive options, priced at $8,520, are well worth considering. The 911’s cast-iron brake rotors are replaced with larger cross-drilled and vented carbon-fiber-reinforced units, which are extremely long-lasting and just about impossible to overheat.

Every 2019 Porsche 911 comes with abundant standard equipment, highlighted by Porsche Active Stability Management suspension and a complimentary first scheduled maintenance at 10,000 miles (or one year). The 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4 and Turbo models offer all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard fare. Besides eight airbags, there’s a wide array of electronic stability aids and high-performance brakes with 4-piston calipers and 13-inch ventilated rotors. Other standard features on the latest 911 include 4-way-power front seats with manual fore/aft adjustment, heated rear glass, partial leather upholstery with an Alcantara headliner, xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, touch-screen LCD infotainment (with Apple CarPlay), and a 9-speaker audio system with USB input and Bluetooth phone connectivity.

Options abound on the 911. Adaptive cruise control is available, as is keyless access, a blind-spot sensor and steering-wheel audio controls. Additionally, there’s a rear-wheel-steering system that enhances low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability, and a front-axle lift system that raises the nose of the car 1.5 inches to clear low-speed obstacles such as steep driveways. Other optional features include multi-adjustable ventilated front seats, 12-speaker sound system, ceramic-composite brakes, Sport Chrono package that includes launch-control programming (PDK transmission only) and overboost function, and Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), which practically eliminates body roll while also improving compliance in normal driving conditions.

The 2019 Porsche 911’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-6 is available with 370 horsepower (911 Carrera, Carrera T, Carrera 4, Carrera Cabriolet, Carrera 4 Cabriolet, Targa 4), 420 horsepower (911 Carrera S, Carrera 4S, Carrera S Cabriolet, Carrera 4S Cabriolet, Targa 4S) or 450 horsepower (911 Carrera GTS, Carrera GTS Cabriolet, Carrera 4 GTS, Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet, Targa 4 GTS). The 911 Turbo models are powered by a twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat-6 with 540 horsepower (911 Turbo, 911 Turbo Cabriolet) or 580 horsepower (911 Turbo S, 911 Turbo S Cabriolet). The 911 GT3 is powered by a 4.0-liter flat-6 with 500 horsepower, while the new GT3 RS is powered by a 520-horsepower version of the same naturally aspirated engine. At the top of the 911 performance heap is the GT2 RS, whose twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat-6 produces a whopping 700 horsepower. Premium fuel, no surprise, is required for all models.

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 (Carrera, Carrera T, Carrera 4, Carrera Cabriolet, Carrera 4 Cabriolet, Targa 4)
370 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
331 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/30 mpg (RWD/automatic coupe), 22/28 mpg (RWD/automatic cabriolet; AWD/automatic coupe & Targa), 21/28 mpg (AWD/automatic cabriolet), 20/29 mpg (RWD/manual coupe & cabriolet), 20/28 mpg (AWD/manual coupe), 19/28 mpg (AWD/manual cabriolet & Targa)

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 (Carrera S, Carrera 4S, Carrera S Cabriolet, Carrera 4S Cabriolet, Targa 4S)
420 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
368 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/29 mpg (RWD/manual coupe), 22/28 mpg (RWD/automatic coupe & cabriolet), 21/28 mpg (AWD/automatic coupe & cabriolet), 20/28 mpg (RWD/manual cabriolet; AWD/manual coupe), 21/27 mpg (AWD/automatic Targa), 19/28 mpg (AWD/manual cabriolet & Targa)

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 (Carrera GTS, Carrera GTS Cabriolet, Carrera 4 GTS, Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet, Targa 4 GTS)
450 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 2,150-5,000
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg (RWD/automatic coupe & cabriolet; AWD/automatic coupe & Targa), 20/25 mpg (AWD/automatic cabriolet), 18/26 mpg (RWD/manual coupe & cabriolet; AWD/manual coupe, cabriolet & Targa)

4.0-liter flat-6 (GT3)
500 horsepower @ 8,250 rpm
339 lb-ft of torque @ 6,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 mpg (automatic), 13/21 mpg (manual), 14/21 mpg (GT3 with Touring Package)

4.0-liter flat-6 (GT3 RS)
520 horsepower @ 8,250 rpm
346 lb-ft of torque @ 6,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/19 mpg (automatic)

3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 (Turbo, Turbo Cabriolet)
540 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
486 lb-ft of torque @ 1,950-5,000 rpm (523 lb-ft w/overboost)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/24 mpg (AWD/automatic coupe & cabriolet)

3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 (Turbo S, Turbo S Cabriolet)
580 horsepower @ 6,750 rpm
516 lb-ft of torque @ 2,100-4,250 rpm (553 lb-ft w/overboost)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/24 mpg (AWD/automatic coupe & cabriolet), 17/23 mpg (Turbo S Exclusive)

3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 (GT2 RS)
700 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
553 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg