CarSpecs Research
Porsche 911 Complete Buyer's Guide
Navigate the 911 lineup from base Carrera to GT3 RS.
The Core Lineup: Carrera, Carrera S, and Carrera GTS
The base Carrera delivers 379 HP from a 3.0L twin-turbo flat-six—enough for most drivers. The Carrera S bumps displacement to 3.0L with larger turbos for 443 HP. The GTS sits between S and Turbo, offering 473 HP with factory sport exhaust and PASM Sport suspension. All three share the same 992 chassis, so the choice hinges on power needs and budget. The base Carrera with Sport Chrono and PASM represents excellent value.
- Carrera: daily driver excellence with balanced performance.
- Carrera S: meaningful power increase with similar running costs.
- GTS: the enthusiast sweet spot with factory performance options.
Forced Induction Warriors: Turbo and Turbo S
The 911 Turbo represents the all-weather supercar approach: 572 HP, all-wheel drive, and launch control capable of 2.7-second 0-60 sprints. The Turbo S adds 69 HP plus lightweight sport design packages. Both handle grand touring and drag strip duty equally well. They sacrifice some of the rear-engine handling purity for accessibility, making them ideal for drivers who want maximum capability without track-focused compromises.
- AWD traction makes Turbo variants accessible in all conditions.
- Active suspension and rear-axle steering standard on Turbo S.
- PDCC anti-roll system keeps body flat despite considerable mass.
Track Weapons: GT3, GT3 RS, and GT2 RS
GT models abandon turbocharging for naturally aspirated purity. The GT3 uses a 4.0L flat-six revving to 9,000 RPM, delivering 502 HP with race-derived suspension. The GT3 RS adds aggressive aero, producing over 400 kg of downforce at speed. Both are RWD only. The GT2 RS combines the GT3 chassis with a 700 HP twin-turbo engine—the fastest street-legal 911 but least forgiving. GT models require commitment and often have waitlists.
- GT3: track focus with surprising daily usability.
- GT3 RS: maximum aero, limited practicality, collector status.
- GT2 RS: brutal power requiring experienced hands.
Featured Vehicles
Data-backed references
Each recommendation below links directly to our immutable static archive. Cross-reference specs, compare rivals, or jump into the comparator tool for deeper analysis.
Porsche 911 Carrera S
2024 Porsche 911 Carrera S specs. 3.0L Twin-Turbo Flat-6, 443 HP. The benchmark for sports car performance and daily usability.
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS specs. 493 HP from the 911 GT3 engine mid-mounted. The ultimate driver's car.
Key takeaways
- ●Start with the base Carrera unless you have specific power or feature requirements.
- ●GTS offers the best balance of performance and value for enthusiasts.
- ●GT models are investments—buy based on allocation, not impulse.
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FAQ
Answering common questions
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