2003 Porsche 911 Consumer Reviews

996's are the value of the century

Written by: Porsche Lover on 10/26/2009

Vehicle

2003 Porsche 911 Carrera Rwd 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I bought my 911 on 9/11 from an individual who had babied it. It only had 13K miles when I bought it 5 years old, so essentially I got all the experience the first owner had when it was new at about 1/3 of the original price. 996's, especially the later ones, like this one, are very underrated, mainly because of the different shape of the headlights. Let me say this - when you're cruising down the road and going through the gears, you're in a Porsche. Period. It is still a work of art, a marvel of technology and a high performance race car all rolled into one. I bought an extended warranty from Easy Care just in case, but haven't had to use it. Great value on quintessential sports car!

Favorite Features

Handling, paint job, engine purr, looks fast sitting still, sport design wheels, running through the gears as fast a possible, head turns, thumbs up from other Porsche drivers, my wife even loves it, something shocking to both of us!

Suggested Improvements

Porsche has since improved dashboard. A couple hundred $ of aftermarket aluminum or carbon fiber fixes any issue one might have with the dash. You can also get an aftermarket 996 to 997 light kit if you want to change the headlights, but to me it's beautiful just as it sits.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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The Every-Day Super Car

Written by: subzero288 on 12/22/2008

Vehicle

2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S AWD 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I bought a blue '03 C4S in Jan '08 with a 6-sp man & 64,000 miles on the odometer. Factory MSRP was over $82K (with destination), but I got it for 40. I had concerns 'cuz of the mileage, but it looked great, everything worked, the leather smelled new and the car rode as solid as a brinks truck. Having used it as a daily driver for 11 months, I can report that handling is phenomenal on a dry road (even with AWD and PSM, the car will spin if pushed in the wet), acceleration is sublime and the brakes are in a class of their own. The tear of the flat-6 when the revs pass 4000 makes the driver feel like he's in a race car. The C4S's gorgeous turbo-style body draws envious stares.

Favorite Features

Gorgeous turbo-like styling gets attention, great handling, fierce acceleration and braking.

Suggested Improvements

1. The back seats are tiny (but suitable for children and they fold down for a flat parcel shelf); 2. The trade-offs for awe-inspiring handling are an ultra-firm ride and road noise. 3. The transmission gates are closely- spaced, so quick shifting can be tough.

15 out 16 people found this review helpful

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Pure Fun

Written by: Ken on 03/10/2008

Vehicle

2003 Porsche 911 Carrera Rwd 2dr Cabriolet (3.6L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I have had sports cars in the past; corvettes, BMW M3, 500SL. NOTHING comes close to the pure fun of a Porsche 911 Cabriolet. Everybody else on the road is there only for you to pass them. Takes the corners impossibly well. Exterior design that you never get tired of. I have had Mercedes for many years and I am impressed with the ergonomic design and build quality of Porsche, absolutely on a par with MB (or better). If you have never driven a 911, you dont know what you are missing. I will say that I test drove a couple of coupes and really didn't fall in love until I drove the cabriolet. Top down is a car driving sensory overload.

Favorite Features

Speed, handling, full leather, engineering (who else has a glass rear window in a convertible?).

Suggested Improvements

There are no improvements to this car, it's perfect.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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arctic silver

Written by: doncamero on 05/23/2007

Vehicle

2003 Porsche 911 Turbo AWD 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

Most beautiful exciting fast and superior handling.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Heater controls, cup holders and front shoulder belt anchors are very poorly placed.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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This Car Has It All Together

Written by: HE GOES! on 03/14/2007

Vehicle

2003 Porsche 911 Carrera Rwd 2dr Cabriolet (3.6L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I have owned several Porsche's over the years. However, this is undoubtedly is the best one yet! Its power and handling are outstanding. The car is solid, and the ride, albeit harsh, creates a feeling that the it is glued to the road. It does not have much luggage space, but who cares. It has great instrumentation, which tells everything a real driver wants to know about the car and engine. It's gas mileage isn't great, but who cares, it's a Porsche. I have no complaints.

Favorite Features

The power, design, finish, top operation, instrumentation, brakes, and handling.

Suggested Improvements

It needs a more operator-friendly seat memory.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Love It

Written by: Cook on 12/03/2006

Vehicle

2003 Porsche 911 Turbo AWD 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I have had a number of cars with high horsepower and high performance. This is by far the most comfortable car to drive aggressively in. You always feel, and are, in control. The power and handling are unsurpassed. If you are looking to purchase the 911 TT you won't be let down.

Favorite Features

On the Tiptronic, the acceleration is super smooth. It has great handling and still a comfortable ride.

Suggested Improvements

None

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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2003 Carrera 4S

Written by: carlos on 10/05/2006

Vehicle

2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S AWD 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I love the exterior design and the car's performance

Favorite Features

The rapid acceleration and the looks.

Suggested Improvements

It is too noisy. Upgrade the interior. Give it a larger fuel tank.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Go With the Ferrari Instead

Written by: Richard on 09/29/2006

Vehicle

2003 Porsche 911 Targa Rwd 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Service and reliability and Porsche NA are not worth the price of admission at any level. Save the money and go with the Infiniti G35 or bypass the lack of German workmanship and go with Italian craftsmanship.

Favorite Features

This car is quick, but not anywhere worth the money even if money doesn't matter and if money doesn't matter then you should have a Ferrari anyway.

Suggested Improvements

3 out 37 people found this review helpful

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What's Not to Like

Written by: Wicked Good on 08/22/2006

Vehicle

2003 Porsche 911 Targa Rwd 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Having had the pleasure of owning a few special cars, this is my first Porsche...whoa. The engine hanging off the rear end makes this the best feeling and handling car I've driven. The exhaust note announces your arrival without being intrusive. Running through the gears of this fast, quick, beautiful car makes the commute something to look forward to. It is simply a great car. It makes me happy.

Favorite Features

What's not to like? The Targa roof gives a daily open air experience without the noise. Driving this car hard, I try not to smile.

Suggested Improvements

Add a compass and a standard CD changer?

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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2003 911

Written by: madhav pai on 06/18/2006

Vehicle

2003 Porsche 911 Carrera Rwd 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl 6M)

Review

It's a piece of history! After 40 years Porsche has finally tuned its chassis against the laws of physics. It's amazing to drive and so reliable. No other super car can reach 100,000 miles and still run smoothly. The Germans know how to build and it shows on the JD Power survey.

Favorite Features

The exhaust sound is better than the Bose stereo.

Suggested Improvements

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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