1995-1998 Porsche 911: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1995-1998 Porsche 911 and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Acceleration
- Steering/handling
- Antilock brakes
Cons
- Instruments/controls
- Price
- Ride
- Noise
Vehicle Highlights
The first 911 went on sale way back in 1963. In this improved rendition for the late '90s, a rear-mounted, 3.6-liter air-cooled flat 6-cylinder engine produced 270 horsepower. Both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive Porsche 911 Carreras were marketed, in hardtop coupe and Cabriolet (convertible) form. The engine switched from solid to hydraulic valve lifters and a new dual exhaust system reduced back pressure while softening noise. A new 6-speed manual transmission replaced the prior 5-speed. In addition to the manual, rear-drive Porsches could have a Tiptronic 4-speed automatic transmission, which permitted changing gears manually by flicking a console shift lever or pushing fingertip switches on the steering wheel. Antilock all-disc braking was standard. An optional limited-slip differential incorporated an automatic brake differential, which used the brakes to prevent wheel spin at low speeds.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Porsche 911 Carrera Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 9 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 2 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 9 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 1 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 1 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 39 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1995-1998 Porsche 911. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1995-1998 Porsche 911.
Year to Year Changes
1996 Porsche 911:
A 911 Turbo arrived early this season, with the same $99,000 price tag as the prior Turbo. In addition to two twin turbochargers, able to whip out 400 horsepower, the new one featured permanent all-wheel drive and a familiar "whale-tail" spoiler. Hollow-spoke wheels held 18-inch tires.The nonturbo engine gained power this year, now rated at 282 horses in the rear-drive Carrera Coupe and Cabriolet as well as the AWD Carreras. A new Carrera Targa went on sale, with its entire retractable roof made of tinted glass. Electric motors slid the roof beneath the back window for open-air motoring. Also new was the Carrera 4S, an all-wheel-drive model with a front air dam, flared back fenders, and 18-inch wheels.
1997 Porsche 911:
Midyear brought a pair of new models: the Turbo S and Carrera S. Unique bodywork featured unique front and rear spoilers, and the engine got a boost to 424 horsepower. The 911 Carrera S incorporated the wide front and rear bodywork of the 911 Turbo and 911 Carrera 4S, featuring a split rear spoiler grille and 17-inch tires.
1998 Porsche 911:
Minor restyling marked the 1998 models, as Porsche planned to unleash a redesigned 911, as an early '99 model. No turbo engines were issued this year.
Our road test for the 1995-1998 Porsche 911 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1995-1998 Porsche 911 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1995-1998 Porsche 911 is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
What do you get in a 911? Premium performance, for starters, plus a pedigree that's matched only by such brands as Ferrari. This version is more civilized and easier to handle than older 911s, but still demands more driving skill on wet roads than tamer sports cars. Is it noisy? Definitely--but it's the kind of sound that's music to the ears of the discerning driver. Ride quality, too, is less than genteel but wholly satisfying to enthusiasts. Plain Porsches made do with a normally aspirated 3.6-liter horizontally opposed engine, mounted at the rear. Initially rated at 270 horsepower, the basic engine's output rose to 282 in 1996. The engine in a Turbo is identical in displacement, but twin turbochargers help push output to a whopping 400 horsepower. The Turbos S of 1997 got a 424-horsepower version of that engine. Turbos came only with 6-speed manual shift, but regular 911s could have Porsche's Tiptronic automatic transmission instead.
Value for the Money
For this level of performance blended with such a renowned heritage, Porsche is practically in a league of its own. Yes, they're expensive; and yes, they require a certain level of skill to drive properly. But 911s also hold their value well and are known for durability.
For this level of performance blended with such a renowned heritage, Porsche is practically in a league of its own. Yes, they're expensive; and yes, they require a certain level of skill to drive properly. But 911s also hold their value well and are known for durability.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Porsche 911 Carrera Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 9 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 2 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 9 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 1 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 1 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 39 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Porsche 911 includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Porsche 911 .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Alternator belt:
The alternator belt makes a squealing noise, requiring replacement of the belt and pulley. (1995-96)
Fuel odors:
Gasoline odors may be due to a hole in the filler-pipe neck or hose connections. (1995-98)
Steering noise:
Noise from the steering column when turning is caused by a bad ball bearing in the steering tube. (1996)
Vehicle noise:
A creaking or grinding noise comes from the front end and revised rubber stabilizer-bar mounts should eliminate it. (1995-96)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $1,500 |
| Alternator | $1,000 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $3,100 |
| Brakes | $790 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $1,800 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $2,300 |
| Exhaust System | $890 |
| Radiator | $2,200 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $6,250 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $1,635 |
Our price chart for this generation Porsche 911 details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1998 | |||
| 911 convertible | $24,500-26,500 | $22,800-24,600 | $15,900-17,200 |
| 911 coupe/Targa | $22,000-24,500 | $20,200-22,500 | $14,300-15,900 |
| 1997 | |||
| 911 Turbo | $46,000-50,000 | $43,200-47,000 | $34,000-37,000 |
| 911 convertible | $23,000-25,300 | $21,200-23,300 | $15,000-16,400 |
| 911 coupe/Targa | $20,200-23,500 | $18,600-21,600 | $13,100-15,300 |
| 1996 | |||
| 911 Turbo | $42,000-45,000 | $39,500-42,300 | $30,700-32,900 |
| 911 convertible | $21,500-24,000 | $19,800-22,100 | $14,000-15,600 |
| 911 coupe/Targa | $18,800-22,000 | $17,300-20,200 | $12,200-14,300 |
| 1995 | |||
| 911 convertible | $20,000-21,500 | $18,400-19,800 | $13,000-14,000 |
| 911 coupe | $17,500-19,500 | $16,100-17,900 | $11,200-12,500 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Porsche 911 include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door convertible | 2-door coupe |
| Wheelbase, in. | 89.5 | 89.5 |
| Overall Length, in. | 167.8 | 167.8 |
| Overall Width, in. | 68.3 | 68.3 |
| Overall Height, in. | 51.8 | 51.8 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3064 | 3130 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 19.4 | 19.4 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | -- | -- |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | -- | -- |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- | -- |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- | -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Plain Porsches made do with a normally aspirated 3.6-liter horizontally opposed engine, mounted at the rear. Initially rated at 270 horsepower, the basic engine's output rose to 282 in 1996. The engine in a Turbo is identical in displacement, but twin turbochargers help push output to a whopping 400 horsepower. The Turbos S of 1997 got a 424-horsepower version of that engine. Turbos came only with 6-speed manual shift, but regular 911s could have Porsche's Tiptronic automatic transmission instead.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc H6 | 3.6 / 220 | 270-282 | 243-250 | 6-speed manual: 17/25 4-speed automatic: 17/24 |
6-speed manual: 16.2 4-speed automatic: 16.8 |
| Turbocharged ohc H6 | 3.6 / 220 | 400-424 | 400 | 6-speed manual: 13/19 | 6-speed manual: 14.7 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Germany
Drive Wheels: longitudinal rear-engine/rear- or all-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Porsche 911 include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1995-1998 Porsche 911 directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1995-98 Cabriolet:
Soft-top structure catch lever tension could ease, resulting in a crack that could allow top to open inadvertently.
1996:
Airbag can deploy inadvertently.
1997-98:
Contact buckle supplied with child-seating system airbag-deactivation kit does not deactivate the airbag.
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