2009 Porsche 911: Road Test
2009 Porsche 911 ▼
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- MSRP: $76,300 - $140,700
- Invoice: $68,490 - $126,450
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Our road test for the 2009 Porsche 911 includes a full evaluation of the 2009 Porsche 911 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2009 Porsche 911, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2009 Porsche 911 help you decide if a 2009 Porsche 911 is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 7 |
Porsche says the base coupe does 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds with the manual transmission, 4.5 with the automatic. Carrera S models claim 4.5 and 4.3 seconds, respectively. The manual transmission is smooth and satisfyingly precise. The automatic provides smart, immediate shifts for passing and merging, but can change gears erratically and with an occasional clunk at low speeds. Ample low-end torque means 911, base or S, has strong thrust for any situation.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 3.7 |
In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission base coupe averaged 20 mpg. Carrera 4S convertibles with the automatic averaged 19.5-21.2 mpg. All 911s require premium-grade gas.
RIDE QUALITY
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3.7 |
All 911s are firm but comfortable for sports cars with low-profile tires, taut suspensions, and short wheelbases. Still, very sharp bumps can pound through and induce occasional mild rear-end hop.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 7.2 |
Handling is balanced, grippy, and stable despite the aft weight bias of 911's rear-engine layout. The standard stability system with traction control is a reassuring safety net on wet roads, as is the available AWD. Per Porsche tradition, steering and brakes are excellent for response, effort, and feedback. Available Active Suspension offers handling benefits that require a race track to fully appreciate, while taking a serious toll on ride quality if left on anything but the "normal" setting.
QUIETNESS
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3.7 |
The engine is acceptably quiet in highway cruising but fairly loud above 4000 rpm, though enthusiasts will relish the sound. Wind rush is well contained, but the performance tires drone noticeably except on glass-smooth asphalt. Cabin noise is impressively hushed on convertibles.
CONTROLS
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4.8 |
Gauges are well placed and large enough, but some testers say legibility suffers on cloudy days. Audio and climate controls are low on the center-console stack and can thus be obstructed by the shift lever. A few other switches are oddly placed and/or labeled.
DETAILS
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 6.1 |
Interior decor is sports-car purposeful, not luxurious, but even the base 911 boasts visibly top-grade materials and exemplary fit-and-finish--as one would hope for at such lofty prices.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 5 |
The 911's low-slung cockpit taxes entry and exit, but six-footers have fine headroom and legroom once aboard. Firm seats with prominent side bolsters seem long-haul supportive, but may seem a bit tight for those broader-of-beam.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | .7 |
Twin bucket seats are no fit place for anyone but toddlers. Backrests flip down--with some effort--to form a padded parcel hold.
CARGO ROOM
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 2.2 |
It divides between a front compartment, which holds a couple of gym bags, and the back-seat area, which is adequate for a weekending couple. Targa models, but not regular coupes, include a handy liftup rear window.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3 | 4.6 |
Prices start high, and become stratospheric when costly options are added. Few cars, however, deliver the 911's thrilling balance of precision steering and handling with daily-driver livability.
Total Score
| Carrera coupe, manual | Carrera 4S Cabriolet, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 57 | 54 | 48.7 |
Total Score: 56
Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars
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