2005 Porsche 911 Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Porsche 911:

A revised driving position, larger foot wells and a new steering column that tilts and telescopes create more head- and legroom than ever before.

-- Edmunds.com

An improved 5-speed manual-automatic 5-speed Tiptronic transmission with steering-wheel controls delivers smoother shifts when in fully automatic "drive" mode...

-- MSN Autos

...one of the most remarkable things about this car is the way it accurately follows the path a driver sets it on.

-- New Car Test Drive

...the 911 has a ton of grip, tenaciously sticking to the pavement through high-g turns as the laws of physics want to send it skipping off the outside edge of the pavement.

-- New Car Test Drive

Yes, the engine still sounds funny at low revs and the interior isn't perfect...but it delivers one of the purest driving experiences in the world.

-- Road & Track

What reviewers liked least about the Porsche 911:

Even though the highway ride is super, the 911's suspension sometimes reacts harshly on rougher pavement.

-- Cars.com

The steering feels oddly lazy in straight-ahead driving and becomes busy and temperamental in cornering.

-- Los Angeles Times

The storage area has been increased, although there isn't room for much more than a few day's worth of soft luggage in the front compartment and rear seat area.

-- MSN Autos

The rear seats are not fit for human consumption for passengers beyond 9 or 10 years old.

-- New Car Test Drive

The 911, on the other hand, doesn't take kindly to abrupt transitions - especially panic drop-throttle - and needs power-on to stabilize the rear through high-speed turns.

-- Road & Track

Porsche 911 Comparisons:

While handling and grip are spectacular, the system didn't feel as intuitive and driver-friendly as the Corvette's optional active handling.

-- CNN Money

The interior of the 911 still isn't quite up to snuff with the best luxury sedans in its price range, but it now comes much closer to what the average consumer (and not just the Porsche geek) expects for the money.

-- New Car Test Drive

It's more user friendly than competitors, from the Chevy Corvette to the Ferrari F430.

-- New Car Test Drive

Best one-liner about the Porsche 911:

This is a hard, stiff car, with an icy competence about it.

-- Los Angeles Times

All variants accelerate with the verve of a motorbike and turn or stop on a dime...

-- New Car Test Drive

...when driven properly, the 911 can do magical things...

-- Road & Track

The 911 remains the standard by which other sports cars are judged...

-- New Car Test Drive