DESCRIPTION

Pros:

• Powerful engine options
• Superb handling
• A true sports car focused on the driver

Cons:

• The backseat is just an illusion
• Very few places to stash your stuff
• Price of options can deplete your bank account faster than your ex-wife

The 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe and Cabriolet are equipped with Porsche’s 3.6-liter, six-cylinder horizontally opposed or ‘boxer’ engine producing 345 horsepower @ 6500 rpm and 288 lb-ft of torque @ 4400 rpm. Standard equipment with the 911 Coupe and Cabriolet is the 6-speed manual accelerating them from 0 - 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Adding the PDK dual-clutch transmission lowers the 0 - 60 time to 4.7 seconds, and activating Launch Control with the optional Sport Chrono Plus Package brings the time down to 4.5 seconds.

The 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe and Cabriolet have Porsche’s 3.8-liter version kicking out 385 horsepower @ 6500 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque @ 4400 rpm.

The 911 Carrera's strongpoint is performance, but it does have enough amenities to classify it as a luxury sports car. New for 2011, standard features include Bluetooth and a universal audio interface that connects your MP3 player to Porsche’s Communication Management System.

The 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S Coupe get 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway with the six-speed manual gearbox, while the 911 Carrera Cabriolet and Carrera S Cabriolet get 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway. The 911 Coupe with the PDK transmission gets 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway and the Cabriolet gets 18 mpg city/27 highway, while the 911 S Coupe and Cabriolet with PDK achieve 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway, respectively.

The 2011 MSRPs are $77,800 for the 911 Carrera Coupe, $90,500 for the 911 Carrera S Coupe, $88,800 for the 911 Carrera Cabriolet, and $101,500 for the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet. Destination charge is $950.