2000 Porsche 911: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The return of a turbocharged model for 2001 makes news for Porsche's senior sports car. The rear-engine 911 continues to offer 2 2 coupe and Cabriolet convertible body styles in "base" Carrera form with rear-wheel drive and as Carrera 4 versions with permanent all-wheel drive. The new Turbo is an all-wheel-drive 2001 coupe. All 911s have standard front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, and 6-cylinder water-cooled engines with horizontally opposed cylinders. For 2000, the 3.4-liter Carrera engine gains 4 horsepower, to 300. The new Turbo gets a 3.6 with twin turbochargers good for 415 hp, plus bolder front and rear styling, 18-inch wheels and tires versus other models' 17s, and a unique "bi-plane" rear spoiler whose upper section automatically extends to enhance high-speed stability. All models have standard 6-speed manual transmission and offer Porsche's Tiptronic 5-speed automatic with manual-shift buttons on the steering wheel; the automatic is a first-time option for the Turbo. Porsche's Stability Management antiskid system is newly available for Carreras and standard elsewhere; PSM is designed to apply individual brakes to counteract skids in turns. A satellite navigation system also available.

COMPETITION

This class features an interesting mix of hard-core performance models and more luxurious touring convertibles. Our Best Buys give you a little of both worlds. The Chevrolet Corvette is fast, comfortable, and reasonably affordable. Unlike previous models it doesn't beat you up with a hard ride, and it will cruise quietly at highway speeds. Our other Best Buy, the Mazda Miata, is a bare-bones roadster with few frills and average acceleration, but for weekend fun on a twisty back road it's hard to beat.

If you don't mind spending a few more bucks, we recommend you take a look at the BMW Z3 and Mercedes-Benz SLK. Both are two-seat convertibles. The BMW is more sporty and the Mercedes is more luxurious.

If you are interested in bang-for-the-buck our Budget Buys include the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang. At any given price or equipment level the Camaro is a faster car, but the Mustang might be a little more user-friendly as a daily driver.