Carrera 2dr Rear-Wheel Drive Coupe
2004 Porsche 911

2004 911 Photos
The Porsche 911 is the quintessential high-performance sports car and has been for as long as we can remember. A lot of driving enthusiasts grew up wanting one. This iconic machine celebrates it 40th anniversary in 2004, and it remains the standard by which other sports cars are judged.

The legend of the Porsche 911 is no myth. The current version delivers the latest engine and chassis technology and better performance than all but a few exotic cars available in North America. What's really impressive, though, is how easy it is to drive a 911. It's more user-friendly than a Ferrari, a Chevrolet Corvette or a Dodge Viper, and it's easier to live with as a daily driver. The 911 makes a better daily driver than the Porsche Boxster, as well. Porsche rightfully prides itself on the 911's wash-and-wear quality. As true high-performance sports cars go, the 911 has a reputation for being nearly bullet-proof, and there's very little about it that's finicky.

The wide array of 911s available might create some confusion among buyers beginning to explore the world of Porsche. Yet each of the 11 models is really a variation on, or a grade of, one primary theme, and any of them is an outstanding performer.

Handling and braking are extraordinary. Steering is quick and direct, yet the 911 isn't darty, and it feels as secure as Fort Knox at twice the legal limit. It rides smoothly and more softly than you might expect; it's comfortable in daily use and relatively easy to climb into and out of. The six-speed manual gearbox is wonderfully satisfying to use. With the optional Tiptronic automatic, just about anyone can drive one of these cars. And that sound! Porsche has revived the classic 911 exhaust note, and car enthusiasts will mistake it for nothing else.

Today's 911 bears little resemblance to the air-cooled, tail-heavy original, which had much in common with the Volkswagen Beetle. The handling quirks in 911s built, say, 10 years ago, have been virtually eliminated. But the 911 hasn't change overnight. Its history is one of periodic overhauls, spaced between steady, constant improvement, sometimes in the middle of a model year.

When Porsche says racing improves the breed, it's more than advertising fodder. The 911 is built on race-proven architecture. Two years ago, its body structure was stiffened and its front end was restyled to make all 911s look more like the highline 911 Turbo, and less like the less-expensive Boxster. The 911's rear-mounted, 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine was enlarged and upgraded in both turbo and non-turbo versions. The base normally aspirated engine, which comes on all Carrera and Targa models, delivers an impressive 315 horsepower.

For most of us, these normally aspirated models are more than quick enough, and they cost significantly less than turbocharged 911s. The Carrera Coupe, the least expensive 911, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, according to Porsche, very quick indeed. If you want more, the 415-horsepower …
Full Review

The Porsche 911 is the quintessential high-performance sports car and has been for as long as we can remember. A lot of driving enthusiasts grew up wanting one. This iconic machine celebrates it 40th anniversary in 2004, and it remains the standard by which other sports cars are judged.

The legend of the Porsche 911 is no myth. The current version delivers the latest engine and chassis technology and better performance than all but a few exotic cars available in North America. What's really impressive, though, is how easy it is to drive a 911. It's more user-friendly than a Ferrari, a Chevrolet Corvette or a Dodge Viper, and it's easier to live with as a daily driver. The 911 makes a better daily driver than the Porsche Boxster, as well. Porsche rightfully prides itself on the 911's wash-and-wear quality. As true high-performance sports cars go, the 911 has a reputation for being nearly bullet-proof, and there's very little about it that's finicky.

The wide array of 911s available might create some confusion among buyers beginning to explore the world of Porsche. Yet each of the 11 models is really a variation on, or a grade of, one primary theme, and any of them is an outstanding performer.

Handling and braking are extraordinary. Steering is quick and direct, yet the 911 isn't darty, and it feels as secure as Fort Knox at twice the legal limit. It rides smoothly and more softly than you might expect; it's comfortable in daily use and relatively easy to climb into and out of. The six-speed manual gearbox is wonderfully satisfying to use. With the optional Tiptronic automatic, just about anyone can drive one of these cars. And that sound! Porsche has revived the classic 911 exhaust note, and car enthusiasts will mistake it for nothing else.

Today's 911 bears little resemblance to the air-cooled, tail-heavy original, which had much in common with the Volkswagen Beetle. The handling quirks in 911s built, say, 10 years ago, have been virtually eliminated. But the 911 hasn't change overnight. Its history is one of periodic overhauls, spaced between steady, constant improvement, sometimes in the middle of a model year.

When Porsche says racing improves the breed, it's more than advertising fodder. The 911 is built on race-proven architecture. Two years ago, its body structure was stiffened and its front end was restyled to make all 911s look more like the highline 911 Turbo, and less like the less-expensive Boxster. The 911's rear-mounted, 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine was enlarged and upgraded in both turbo and non-turbo versions. The base normally aspirated engine, which comes on all Carrera and Targa models, delivers an impressive 315 horsepower.

For most of us, these normally aspirated models are more than quick enough, and they cost significantly less than turbocharged 911s. The Carrera Coupe, the least expensive 911, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, according to Porsche, very quick indeed. If you want more, the 415-horsepower …
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Retail Price

$68,600 MSRP / Window Sticker Price
Engine 3.6L H-6
MPG 18 City / 26 Hwy
Seating 4 Passengers
Transmission 6-spd man w/OD
Power 320 @ 7400 rpm
Drivetrain rear-wheel
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