What's New for 2000

For the 2000 Porsche 911, a new exhaust system bumps horsepower from 296 to 300. Already featured on Carrera 4 models, two-wheel-drive Carreras now get an electronic drive-by-wire throttle and optional PSM stability control. All models receive an upgraded interior console and materials. The formerly optional charcoal odor filter is now standard. There are two new standard and one new optional exterior colors.

Review

It might be thirty five years old, but there are no wrinkles or gray hairs here. The Porsche 911 continues to be one of the world's top sports cars. Porsche has the uncanny ability to build a car that has top-level performance (zero-60 in under 5 seconds), legendary mystique (what 13-year-old boy doesn't dream of owning a 911?) and real-world functionality (a useable interior and optional all-wheel drive).

The 911 is now in its second year for the current platform. The 1999 model represented the first "clean-sheet" redesign of the 911 since its introduction in 1965. Longer, wider and sleeker than any previous 911, the newest version nevertheless maintains the unmistakable 911 profile and classic styling cues. There are currently four models: the Carrera Coupe and Carrera Cabriolet, and the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 Coupe and Carrera 4 Cabriolet

Like all previous 911s, the current models feature a rear-mounted horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. Serious Porsche enthusiasts cried foul when Porsche announced the engine would be water-cooled, rather than air-cooled. But it's hard to argue with the results. For 2000, the all-aluminum 3.4-liter engine generates 300 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque. The 4-horsepower gain from 1999 is due to a new exhaust system.

Porsche offers a choice of either a six-speed manual or a five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission. The Tiptronic S allows drivers the option to manually select transmission gears via steering wheel-mounted thumb switches. For 2000, the Tiptronic's manual mode can be activated by using the thumb switches, even if the shift lever is in the "D" position.

To keep the 300 horsepower under control, the 911 gets an independent suspension that uses an optimized MacPherson strut design in front and a multilink setup in the rear. The standard 17-inch wheels come with 205/50ZR17 tires in front and 255/40ZR17 tires in back. An optional 18-inch wheel/tire package enhances both looks and performance.

For ultimate traction, there's the Carrera 4. The all-wheel-drive system found on this car can direct torque to the front wheels at a rate of 5-40 percent, depending on available traction and power applied. Carrera 4s receive Porsche Stability Management system (PSM) as standard equipment (optional on Carreras).

In the Carrera Coupes, the rear seatbacks fold down to create a flat cargo floor. The one-touch power soft top on the Cabriolet models folds compactly in a compartment behind the rear seats. A standard hardtop cover fits flush against the body with the roof lowered.

What's not to like? Well, the 911 has the unfortunate problem of sharing very similar front-end looks with its smaller brother, the Boxster. For a $15,000 premium, it'd be nice not to be confused with a lesser car. And with MSRPs ranging from $65,590 to $80,400, the Porsche heritage still includes sapping a big bundle of cash out of your wallet.