The Porsche 911 is renowned for its iconic silhouette, exhilarating performance, rich heritage, and brand prestige. Porsche has been making the 911 for six decades and each iteration has captivated sports car enthusiasts worldwide. Each iteration has introduced new technology and improved performance while retaining the 911’s unique design language and DNA.
It’s hard to identify the best Porsche 911s in history without getting quite subjective. It’s hard not to go through debates after 911 has undergone eight generations. Nevertheless, we’ll list five of the best Porsche 911s in our eyes and explain what makes them special in the 911’s history.
Each 911 generation is defined with a three-digit number like 901, 930, and 964. These numbers are Porsche’s project codes. For example, the latest Porsche 911 is called the 992 generation, and the generation preceding it was called 991. However, Porsche doesn’t always use consecutive numbers. Their naming conventions aren’t strictly chronological or even logical. Their naming and numbering schemes are complex and quite arbitrary. Nevertheless, enthusiasts often refer to Porsche generations using these three numbers.
The original 911 was designated the 901, but a French automaker objected to the name because it already established naming all their vehicles with three numbers with a zero in the middle. So, Porsche changed the name, from 901 to 911, giving birth to the iconic nameplate.
Despite being the first, the first 911 wasn’t ahead of the curve compared to its competitors. It wasn’t particularly fast nor did it offer any groundbreaking features. However, it’s the most significant in this list because it defined the 911 shape with its sloping silhouette and curvy design language. All subsequent 911s owe their existence and design language to this original model.
It also introduced the 911’s DNA of being light and lively because of its lightweight chassis combined with a decently powerful engine. The 103 horsepower that the 901 generation had isn’t quick by modern standards, but a driver could easily make the rear end slip if they went full gas into a corner. The 901 was challenging to drive, but that made driving it quite engaging. These attributes continue to be a hallmark of the 911.
The 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is the track-focused version of the 991 Turbo and it was the most powerful 911 when it was released in 2019. The 3.8-liter turbocharged flat 6 engine made 690 horsepower. Aside from being the fastest 911 when it was built, it also set the quickest lap time in the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany at the time. In terms of performance, the 991 GT2 RS is the best Porsche 911.
The newer 2025 992 Turbo S model is faster in a straight line because of its all-wheel drive system, but this GT2 RS model can set significantly faster lap times because of its reduced weight and aerodynamic features that created a lot of downforce.
Porsche only built only 1,000 models of the GT2 RS, making it incredibly rare. Hence, this collector’s item fetches anywhere between $350,000 to $500,000 for a used model.
When the 1998 Porsche 911 was released, it had a drastically different design language from its predecessor. One notable departure was its new “fried egg” headlights, which initially looked odd compared to the old round lights, and rounder body shapes. The new model also had a redesigned chassis that borrowed very few components and designs from its predecessor.
This was also the first time a 911 had a water-cooled engine. The 911 nameplate had an air-cooled engine since the original. However, water-cooling was needed so that the new 911 could meet strict emissions standards.
The 996 was also substantially larger. These changes to the chassis were made to modernize the vehicle, giving passengers more room, and allowing Porsche to introduce 4-wheel drive models. This generation also allowed Porsche to release more powerful variants aimed at enthusiasts like the GT2 and GT3 models.
Despite the initial backlash, the 996 model aged incredibly well. In retrospect, the bold changes in the 911’s design language and chassis were necessary. This generation laid the foundation for the succeeding 911s and this is why it’s a revolutionary model in the 911’s history.
Enthusiasts call 911G the 930 turbo, emphasizing that this model was all about the presence of the turbocharger. The engines had a lot of power and a lot of turbo lag, which made the 930 quite challenging to drive. Having a lot of turbo lag meant that when the driver floored the gas, it took a second or two for the turbochargers to spool up. When the power finally kicks in, the sudden introduction of torque is known to easily upset the vehicle’s balance. However, enthusiasts found this to be a quirk rather than a con.
The sound of the turbocharger spooling up was proverbial. Driving the 930, especially at the limit, demanded respect and skill. While some might see the turbo lag as a drawback, many enthusiasts appreciate the challenge and the rewarding driving experience of not sending the car spiraling into a ditch.
The 930 model also had a wide body, “whale tail” rear spoiler, giving it a muscular and aggressive look that’s still admired today. This styling combined with its rarity made it incredibly desirable.
Porsche introduced the 911 T in the latest 992 generation and it’s garnering a lot of praise because it prioritizes pure, unadulterated driving experience. It has the same engine as the regular Carrera, but unlike the regular Carrera, the T model has a manual transmission. The lever has even been modified to have better engagement and less play.
Unlike other enthusiast-oriented 911 models like the GT3 RS, which focuses on setting fast lap times, the 911 T is about driver engagement, mechanical connection, and making the driver feel involved. It doesn’t focus on speed. Instead, it’s a vehicle that’s made for the joy of driving.
If you’re an enthusiast who adores the idea of a manual transmission, then the Porsche 911 T might be the most desirable Porsche for you.
The 911 T comes with a manual transmission when more than 90% of modern vehicles are shipped with an automatic transmission. Manual transmission vehicles are a dying breed, but the 911 T is delaying what might be the inevitable.
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