Porsche 911 (992)

Model Years Produced: 2020 to Current

Summary

The Porsche 911 remains the gold standard for luxury sports cars. Beautiful, eminently-customizable, with delicate steering and perfectly-tuned engines, the 992-generation 911 is the result of 60 years of relentless tuning and honing of the same basic idea – that the engine belongs behind the rear wheels.

The 992 continues down the path of becoming heavier and softer than its predecessors, with more insulation and a softer ride than the previous-generation 991. The base Carrera and Carrera 4 are not even available with a manual transmission or limited-slip differential as an option any longer. Those looking for a sharper experience need to step up to the GTS trim level or the stripped-down Carrera T – or simply get a 718 instead.

Model History

These are the trim levels available for each model year of the 992 911’s lifespan.

2020: Base, 4, S, 4S
2021: Base, 4, S, 4S, 4S Heritage Edition, Turbo, Turbo S
2022: Base, 4, S, 4S, GTS, 4 GTS, 50 Years, Turbo, Turbo S, GT3, GT3 Touring
2023: Base, T, 4, S, 4S, GTS, 4 GTS, 50 Years, Turbo, Turbo S, GT3, GT3 Touring, GT3RS, Dakar, Sport Classic
2024: Base, T, 4, S, 4S, GTS, 4 GTS, 50 Years, Turbo, Turbo S, GT3, GT3 Touring, GT3RS, Dakar, Sport Classic

Desirable Options

PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management): Adaptive shock absorbers which can vary their damping between “normal” and “sport” modes. Permanently lowers the car by 10mm. Not available on the base Carrera or Carrera 4.
PSE (Porsche Sport Exhaust): Adds a bypass valve to the exhaust which can be enabled at the push of a button to make the exhaust louder. PSE should not be confused with Sport Tailpipes, which are merely an appearance item designed to change the look of the exhaust tailpipes without affecting sound or performance.
PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control): Uses active roll stabilization to enhance both agility and comfort. Must be optioned with rear-axle steering. Not available on the base Carrera or Carrera 4.
Sport Chrono: Adds several features – analog timer/clock on the dashboard, performance mode switch on the steering wheel, launch control (PDK models only), rev-match (manual transmission models only), active driveline mounts which can stiffen or soften depending on the currently-selected drive mode, tire temperature display, Porsche Track Precision app
Front Axle Lift: System that raises the front of the car by approximately 1.5 inches at the push of a button, which is useful for clearing large bumps and steep driveways. It can be programmed to automatically lift at certain GPS locations.
Premium Package: Adds several features – Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS+), Bose Surround Sound stereo, surround view cameras, blind spot monitoring, ventilated seats, power folding mirrors, ambient lighting, storage package
Burmester Stereo: Very expensive upgraded stereo option ($5560 as of 2024) and one of the best car stereos you will ever hear.
Power Sport Seats or Adaptive Sport Seats Plus: Power versions of the two different seat designs that allow much greater adjustment than the 4-way manual versions.

Primary Criticisms

Major

None

Minor

With the 992 generation, the 911 has cemented itself as heavy and soft – it is no longer a sports car, but a sports grand tourer.
Options dramatically increase the price of the car (if buying new, anticipate spending approximately $10-15k over the base price on optional features), which is especially an issue because…
Nothing comes standard. The base seats are only 4-way. Many driver assistance systems which come standard on “commodity” cars like a Toyota Corolla are optional extras here, such as blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
Interior has a fair amount of gloss black around the center console, and many buttons are capacitive touch instead of physical.

Warranty

Information is as of 2023 model year

New

Limited: 4 years/50,000 miles
Powertrain: 4 years/50,000 miles
Emissions: 8 years/80,000 miles
Corrosion (Perforation): 12 years/unlimited miles
Roadside Assistance: 4 years/50,000 miles
Accessories: 2 years/unlimited miles
Courtesy Transportation/Loaner: Yes

Certified Pre-Owned

Repair Deductible: $0 per visit
Limited: 2 years/unlimited miles extension to original warranty (or from CPO purchase date if original warranty has expired)
Roadside Assistance: Yes
Courtesy Transportation/Loaner: Yes

Porsche dealers are allowed to certify cars up to 13yrs/124k miles in age.

Base / 4

The base 911 is known as just the Carrera or C2 in RWD form, or Carrera 4 or C4 in AWD form. It is the softest of the 992 lineup, with the fewest performance features standard or optional, but it’s still a fun car to drive and a comfortable grand-tourer.

Reviews

Specifications

Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible (soft top), Targa
Engine: Porsche 9A2evo – 3.0L H6 twin-turbocharged
Horsepower: 379 hp
Torque: 331 lb-ft
Transmission: Porsche PDK 8-speed automated dual-clutch
Drivetrain: RWD or AWD w/ open differential, Targa only available with AWD
Fuel Economy: 20 comb / 18 city / 24 hwy
Used Price: Available used & certified from the low $100s

Coupe

Curb Weight: 3354 lbs (Carrera) / 3460 lbs (Carrera 4)
Power-to-Weight: 226.0 hp/ton (Carrera) / 219.1 hp/ton (Carrera 4)
Cargo Capacity: 4.6 cu ft
Starting Price: $116050 (Carrera) / $123350 (Carrera 4)

Convertible (Cabriolet)

Curb Weight: 3508 lbs (Carrera Cabriolet) / 3614 lbs (Carrera 4 Cabriolet)
Power-to-Weight: 216.1 hp/ton (Carrera Cabriolet) / 209.7 hp/ton (Carrera 4 Cabriolet)
Cargo Capacity: 4.6 cu ft
Starting Price: $128850 (Carrera Cabriolet) / $136150 (Carrera 4 Cabriolet)

Targa

Curb Weight: 3658 lbs
Power-to-Weight: 207.2 hp/ton
Cargo Capacity: 4.6 cu ft
Starting Price: $136150

T

The Carrera T is the most pure experience of the 992 generation. It’s only available as a RWD coupe, and it comes standard with a manual transmission and no rear seats (though those can be added back and the PDK installed as a $0 option). It also features thinner glass and a smaller battery for improved weight savings over the standard 911.

The T also comes standard with a limited-slip differential, PASM, and 20/21″ wheels.

Reviews

Specifications

Body Style(s): Coupe
Engine: Porsche 9A2evo – 3.0L H6 twin-turbocharged
Horsepower: 379 hp
Torque: 331 lb-ft
Transmission: Porsche PDK 8-speed automated dual-clutch, Porsche 7-speed manual
Drivetrain: RWD w/ standard mechanical limited slip differential, electronic limited-slip differential is optional
Curb Weight: 3254 lbs
Power-to-Weight: 232.9 hp/ton
Cargo Capacity: 4.6 cu ft
Fuel Economy: 20 comb / 18 city / 24 hwy
Starting Price: $126550

S / 4S

The S pumps the power up significantly over the base Carrera and adds a standard limited-slip differential – mechanical in manual transmission models, and electronic in PDK models. It also allows a number of options not available on the base Carrera, such as a manual transmission, PASM, PDCC, rear-axle steering, carbon-fiber bucket seats, and more.

Reviews

Specifications

Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible (soft top), Targa
Engine: Porsche 9A2evo – 3.0L H6 twin-turbocharged
Horsepower: 443 hp
Torque: 390 lb-ft
Transmission: Porsche PDK 8-speed automated dual-clutch, Porsche 7-speed manual
Drivetrain: RWD or AWD w/ open differential, mechanical and electronic limited-slip differentials are standard, Targa only available with AWD
Fuel Economy: 20 comb / 18 city / 23 hwy
Used Price: Available used in the high $100s and certified starting in the mid-$110s

Coupe

Curb Weight: 3382 lbs (Carrera S) / 3487 lbs (Carrera 4S)
Power-to-Weight: 262.0 hp/ton (Carrera S) / 254.1 hp/ton (Carrera 4S)
Cargo Capacity: 4.6 cu ft
Starting Price: $132950 (Carrera S) / $140250 (Carrera 4S)

Convertible (Cabriolet)

Curb Weight: 3537 lbs (Carrera S Cabriolet) / 3641 lbs (Carrera 4S Cabriolet)
Power-to-Weight: 250.5 hp/ton (Carrera S Cabriolet) / 243.3 hp/ton (Carrera 4S Cabriolet)
Cargo Capacity: 4.6 cu ft
Starting Price: $145750 (Carrera S Cabriolet) / $153050 (Carrera 4S Cabriolet)

Targa

Curb Weight: 3687 lbs
Power-to-Weight: 240.3 hp/ton
Cargo Capacity: 4.6 cu ft
Starting Price: $153050