2003 Porsche 911: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Optional horsepower upgrades highlight 2003 for Porsche's trademark sports cars. All 911s have a rear-mounted, horizontally opposed 6-cyl engine. The line starts with the rear-wheel-drive Carrera. It's available as a coupe, Cabriolet convertible, or Targa with 5-sq-ft sliding-glass roof panel. The all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 comes as a Cabriolet or the 4S, a coupe with suspension and styling derived from the 911 Turbo. These models have 315 hp, or 345 hp with a new $13,990 optional upgrade. The Turbo is an AWD coupe with 415 hp, or 450 with its new $17,880 upgrade. The GT2 is a 456-hp rear-drive turbo coupe. All come with a 6-speed manual transmission and front side airbags. Optional except on GT2 is Porsche's 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with manual-shift steering-wheel buttons. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. GT2 comes with Porsche's industry-first Ceramic Composite Brakes. A traction/antiskid system is standard on Carrera 4 and Turbo, optional for Carrera, and unavailable on the GT2. Convertibles have a power top and heated glass rear window. For '03, the standard audio system exchanges its cassette player for a single-disc in-dash CD player. A navigation system is optional except on the GT2. Due later in the year is the GT3, a $99,900 rear-drive model with a nonturbo engine of about 380 hp.

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. Chevrolet Corvette is fast, comfortable, and reasonably affordable, but it doesn't beat you up with a hard ride, and it will cruise quietly at highway speeds. Our other Best Buy, Mazda Miata, is a bare-bones roadster with few frills at a great price. For weekend fun on a twisty back road, it's hard to beat.

A Recommended selection, Honda S2000 offers up all the performance and thrills of a traditional sports car without the intimidating price tag. Audi's TT is solid, stylish, and loaded with features making it fit for the Recommended list as well. Like no other in its class, TT offers the all-weather advantage of available quattro AWD at a great price. New this year is the Nissan 350Z. It offers heart-stopping performance and civility at a very reasonable price. After additional tests we may well move this vehicle to a Best Buy.