5 Best And Worst Years For The Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 is one of the well-known sports cars and is beloved by many users.

This vehicle was first introduced in 1964 and had been making upgrades throughout the years that people love when riding it.

This vehicle is famous for its independent suspension and air-cooled as obstructed to actual engine design.

However, all models are made differently. While some are better, some models are extremely problematic.

So what are the best and worst years for Porsche 911 and whether or not it is a reliable vehicle?

Most Porsche 911 cars are reliable with little to no problems at all. Besides that, here are the model years.

Best Years for Porsche 911:

1. 2001
2. 2012
3. 2018
4. 2019
5. 2020

Worst Years for Porsche 911:

1. 1983
2. 1989
3. 2004
4. 2005
5. 2009

I will be listing down why they are the best and worst models, so make sure to read until the end. Check out the buyer’s guide section for a clean understanding of the Porsche 911.

List Of The Best Years For The Porsche 911: What Years To Buy

You can choose any model from this list and get the best sporty experience out of it.

This vehicle is considered the most reliable and assures you to provide the speed and luxury you are looking for in a car.

It is said that almost all years for Porsche 911 were remarkable and worthy of purchase, but the models I will be listing here are the top best models that you can certainly buy without any doubt.

These vehicles barely have any issues in their system, so there are barely any complaints reported.

So here are the model years and the reason why you should buy them.

#1 Best Year: 2001 Porsche 911

Starting with the first model in this list, the 2001 Porsche 911 is the best for a couple of reasons. This vehicle has sharp sports car abilities that you can enjoy while riding.

It is also available on all-wheel drive. It’s a convertible car with turbo forms and legendary importance, making it quite desirable.

You will be surprised with the 415 tire-shredding horsepower as well as the powerful engine, engine cover, and enhanced trunk carpet and releases.

This vehicle also has luxurious interior and outstanding features that stand out even more.

This vehicle includes an optional audio system consisting of a bass box, optional Turbo look 1 wheel, self-dimming day and night rearview mirror, and a three-spoke steering wheel that will provide the best handling so you can have the absolute best experience.

#2 Best Year: 2012 Porsche 911

The 2012 Porsche 911 is the best-looking vehicle to ever be launched in decades. This vehicle was completely redesigned and had a new platform in the Porsche 911 record.

This vehicle was installed with a seven-speed transmission that was a successful upgrade made.

This vehicle was also upgraded in size, which was pretty convenient because it stayed stable and provided better driving dynamics, making it the best model to own.

This vehicle also introduced the Carrera and Carrera S coupes that you can choose from and get the best horsepower and torque.

It was well equipped and performed so incredibly that during its run, this vehicle sold one-millionth Porsche 911.

#3 Best Year: 2018 Porsche 911

Now coming to the 2018 Porsche 911, this vehicle is well known for its outstanding performance because of its powerful engine that can produce 580 horsepower and standard all-wheel-drive.

The vehicle can reach 69 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds. This just makes it the quickest vehicle you can buy today.

The seven-speed automatic transmission is a dual-clutch automatic gearbox that allows you to swap gears easily and quickly while the 3.8-liter turbo six growls loudly.

Other than that, the handling is also well appreciated in this vehicle because standard four-wheel steering will provide an impressively small turning circle at low speed while ensuring stability at high speeds.

Other than that, many features in this vehicle are loved because the interior is comfortable and quiet. The infotainment system has also been upgraded so users can enjoy it while riding.

#4 Best Year: 2019 Porsche 911

The 2019 Porsche 911 is another great option for you to purchase. The main reason why it is the best model is because of the ability to run at high speeds and the best handling.

This car uses a 4.0-liter flat-six NA engine that can produce 520 Horsepower, which can be easily achieved at 3.2 seconds and 0 – 60 mph time.

Another great aspect about this vehicle is that it was designed with a lot of carbon fiber mainly used on the body.

This makes the 2019 model lighter, quicker as well as extra agile. If you want to have a complete sporty package, then the Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the perfect choice for you.

Other than that, you will not only be getting the best riding experience but also a unique, aerodynamic, and well-designed exterior that makes it look more luxurious.

#5 Best Year: 2020 Porsche 911

Coming to the last model in this list, the 2020 Porsche 911 is one of the latest eighth-generation models that various users love because of its performance and the comfortable touring experience it offers.

One of the best things about this vehicle is that the torque allows it to provide quick acceleration because it speaks out way before the engine arrives at 2000 RPMs.

Besides that, it also offers outstanding yet comfortable handling to have the safest drive all the time.

This vehicle is moving towards modernity, making sure the interior, as well as the exterior, is admired by people.

Moreover, this vehicle is well known because it does not have the audio thrill like the older models.

List Of The Worst Years For The Porsche 911: What Years To Avoid

Now I will be listing down the model years that are the most problematic for Porsche 911, and it has been suggested by many experts and users to stay away from these models.

As you know, not all models are made equally. These models commonly had issues in their important components such as broken head bolts, which may come off way before reaching 40,000 miles, stalling engine or leakage in the hoses, and so on and on.

Fixing the problem might cost more than you expect since it depends on how serious the issues are and include the labor cost.

Now, if you do not wish to end up with a car that is full of issues, then here are the years you must avoid.

#1 Worst Year: 1983 Porsche 911

The first model in this list, the old 1983 Porsche 911, has engine problems that cannot be ignored.

The most common complaint reported was the broken head bolts which tend to happen when the vehicle reaches around 30,000 miles on the odometer.

This problem costs around $1500 for replacement and also includes labor costs. This is an older version of the 911, so it is no surprise that it has many complaints and problems.

As the vehicle gets outdated, it can start having serious problems in the system. This is why it is best to avoid this model because it will require you to just fix the issues.

This vehicle also cannot go fast, and the engine makes the vehicle stall a lot.

#2 Worst Year: 1989 Porsche 911

The 1989 Porsche 911 is also known as the 964 generation model. Various people highly criticized this model because of its bodywork which favored the big securities.

This vehicle was also disliked because of the interior design, as it was too bland. But the most common issue with this vehicle was with the four-wheel-drive option.

This is because it ruined the steering handling, which made it quite dangerous for many people to drive within the traffic.

It is also an old model that has many more issues than other cars, so it is best to avoid it.

#3 Worst Year: 2004 Porsche 911

Another model you need to avoid because of various issues is this 2004 Porsche 911, a 996 generation model.

This vehicle is said to have the IMS failure problem, which is known to affect all-naturally aspirated models.

This vehicle is said to have the worst front bumper, which was carried from the Boxster.

Other than that, this vehicle also has various issues with manufacturing since various design faults ruin the quality.

Moreover, it is also known to have electrical issues, poorly made interior design, poor quality materials, and engine problems, which is a major issue in older vehicles and most of the Porsche 911 models.

This can cost you a lot of money for repairs or replacement, so it is best to stay away from this vehicle.

#4 Worst Year: 2005 Porsche 911

The 2005 Porsche 911 is the worst model because this model does not have the best features or capabilities like the best Porsche 911 models do.

There are no upgrades done in this vehicle, and this is a 996 model that various car enthusiasts dislike.

This vehicle is said to have various interior system problems, and the materials are made out of cheap plastic, mainly on the center console.

This vehicle is also highly likely to face rust problems, electronic system malfunctioning, and issues with the frameless door windows.

Other than that, this vehicle can cost you a lot of money for maintenance and repairs since many components can wear out easily and will require replacements frequently.

#5 Worst Year: 2009 Porsche 911

The 2009 Porsche 911 is the last model year in this list that is considered one of the worst.

This vehicle is said to have the highest complaints submitted by disturbed users to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The main reason why this is the worst is that it has poor reliability and safety ratings. The problems in this car tend to start happening when it reaches 30,000 miles on the odometer.

The most common problems that the drivers faced included engine problems, vehicle stalling, excessive oil consumption, overheating engines, leaking hoses, and so much more.

All these problems were a threat to the safety of the driver, passengers, and other people on the road, which is why it is best to avoid purchasing this model.

What Are The Most Common Problem With The Porsche 911?

Now that you have a clear understanding of the best and worst models, it would not be difficult for you to choose the right model.

However, you might have to look carefully in the car because some common problems ruin the experience one can have while riding.

Although most Porsche 911 vehicles are said to be the best vehicle to drive, according to many car enthusiasts, there are still some problems with this vehicle that just cannot be dismissed.

This information will encourage you to look into the car more thoroughly, and if you already have this vehicle, this will also help you find this issue so you can get it fixed immediately.

Another thing you should know is that this vehicle problem is not something you can take lightly because it can endanger your life since there are high chances of accidents, and it will cost a lot to fix such problems.

So here are the common problems.

1. Cooling Problems

This is the most common problem found in the Porsche 911, the coolant tends to leak, but you might not be able to notice this at all.

This issue can cause the coolant to leak out on top of the engine, in the middle of the cylinder.

This will require you to check the cooling system regularly and get it maintained by mechanics.

If your vehicle is facing a coolant problem, you will likely notice a musty smell coming from the engine area.

This problem is likely to happen with the Boxster 986, and it occurs when the cooling system is overheating or because of the pressures they work under.

Besides that, you will also notice this issue if the coolant is leaking and causing the carpets to get wet, especially in the trunk behind the engine.

It is also highly recommended not to drive during this problem.

2. Steering And Suspension

Suppose your vehicle has a steering or suspension problem.

In that case, the ABS warning light might illuminate continuously, or the ABS electronic module would not work at all and will require replacement.

The constant velocity joints on this vehicle might wear out quickly, and since Porsche requires a durable, constant velocity joint, it is important to regularly check on it and check the grease boots so there are no cracks or tears.

3. Engine Problems

Another common problem with the Porsche 911 is the excessive engine smoke coming out of it.

You will notice smoke coming out of the exhaust system because the process of separating the air from oil was a failure.

This can happen due to overfilling the vehicle with oil, and in Porsche, it is important to fill a proper amount of oil, so it does not ruin the engine.

Another cause can be malfunctioning oil separators. You will commonly find this issue in the 996 or 986.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What Does 911 Mean On Porsche?

The French carmaker of the Porsche suggested that Porsche use a three-digit number with the middle number a 0.

This is how Porsche came up with the numbers “9” and “1” but they replaced the “0” with another “1” and that’s how they called it Porsche 911.

Q2. How Long Does The Porsche 911 Last?

The Porsche 911 can last up to 100,000 miles up to 150,000 miles easily and will last for around ten years.

Just take care of the vehicle and maintain it regularly so it does not develop mileage or any other components issues.

Q3. Why Do 911’s Hold Their Value?

The Porsche 911 is the most reliable and has a high demand in the market. According to many used car dealers, Porsche falls in the top luxury car brands when it comes to resale value.

This vehicle also depreciated slowly and has a high resale value compared to other brands in the market.

Q4. Are Old Porsche 911 Reliable?

Yes, the old Porsche 911 is reliable. Almost all the Porsche 911 models are, but it is suggested that you purchase anything from 1984 onwards.

This is because they have an excellent gearbox and are quite reliable. And according to Consumer Reports, Porsche is the best brand of 2020.

Q5. Why Is Cayman Better Than 911?

The main reason why the Porsche Cayman is better than the Porsche 911 is because of the low center gravity and mid-engine design.

The Cayman can provide sufficient weight distribution and eventually outstanding handling with these features.

Conclusion

The Porsche 911 is an excellent choice for you, especially because of its great driving dynamics and excellent reliability.

The best and worst years for Porsche 911 hopefully benefited you in this matter so you can make your judgment easily.

If you are going for an older version, then be sure to check the vehicle carefully because they tend to have more issues.

However, if you are thinking about purchasing the new generation models, it is surely a better option but still check the vehicle’s reliability, safety, and other information.