2008 Porsche 911 Review
2008 Porsche 911 Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+75
Used 911 for sale
Appraise This CarPorsche 911 model years
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Multiple models to choose from, pinpoint steering, effortless acceleration, powerful brakes, refined all-wheel-drive option, flat-6's unique sound, comfortable cockpit, Targa's added versatility, high customization level.
Cons
- Outlandish option prices, missing a few common electronic features like Bluetooth and an auxiliary audio jack.
What’s new
For the 2008 Porsche 911, the pavement-rippling GT2 model returns, this time sporting 530 horsepower and a top speed exceeding 200 mph. Otherwise, changes are limited to newly optional carbon-fiber racing seats and a more effective sunshade for the 911 Targa's glass roof.
Edmunds says
Still the quintessential sports car after four decades, the 2008 Porsche 911 has a unique blend of style, performance and sound that you can enjoy everyday.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.30 per gallon for premium unleaded in Utah.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Utah
$249/mo for 911 Carrera
911 Carrera
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
If you were to analyze the world's finest modern-day sports cars, you would find that they all have a front or midengine design that balances weight distribution and centralizes mass between the wheels. Yet the 2008 Porsche 911, with its engine hanging out behind the rear axle, thrusts a middle finger into the air toward conventional automotive engineering wisdom. That it simultaneously achieves truly legendary performance is all the more surprising.
Someone once wrote that the Porsche 911 is a "terrible design, brilliantly executed." And that pretty much explains why no other automaker is currently offering a rear-engine car. But more than four decades of research and development have morphed the 911 from a mostly entertaining but bedeviling-at-the-limit beast to a very capable and forgiving sports car. It simultaneously provides supercar performance and handling, along with daily driver comfort and livability. And with the ever-expanding 911 family, picking the perfect Porsche for your needs has never been easier. Provided, of course, you have the means.
For 2008, a Turbo Cabriolet joins the coupe, while the ultimate 911 -- the even more potent, lighter, rear-drive GT2 -- comes back into the fold. Other changes this year include optional carbon-fiber racing-style seats, a more effective sunshade for Targa versions and increased oil change intervals for most models (12,000 miles or one year).
As always, performance is paramount. According to Porsche, even the base 911 can run to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and stretch its legs out to a top speed of 177 mph. Should that be inadequate and you've got pockets so deep that nearly 200K for a car doesn't make you blink, consider the 911 GT2. This ultimate 911 will rocket you to 60 mph and hit 205 mph flat out, making it the fastest 911 ever made. Between these bookends are other enticing selections -- the tweaked "S"; the foul-weather-friendly, all-wheel-drive "4"; the track-ready GT3 and the blindingly fast, yet docile and comfortable Turbo.
One of the reasons the 911 has become almost larger than life is its combination of ferocious performance and daily-driver livability. The car's basic design, with its large glass area, slim roof pillars and no-nonsense interior, has hardly changed since its debut in 1964. This provides a comfortable and stress-free environment for the driver, unlike some other sports cars where one sinks down low and has to contend with a view to the rear quarters that's tantamount to a Brink's truck. With its glass roof, the Targa model accentuates this feeling even more. Underway, the 911 is just as welcoming, with smooth power delivery, easily modulated strong brakes, and ultra-responsive but never nervous steering.
With such a wide range of offerings, the 2008 Porsche 911's various guises compete with many different sports cars, but it manages to stand up to them all. Savvy consumers will know that a strong argument can be made for choosing a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 over a 911, as it provides a tad more performance for considerably less money. The same goes for the Nissan GT-R, which also benefits from being all-new and this year's media darling. But the Corvette doesn't have the 911's build quality, nor its high level of driver interaction, while the GT-R lacks the 911's prestige and customization aspect. Perhaps the toughest, most direct rivals for the 911 are the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and the Audi R8. Both are fantastic sports cars with moves to match their looks. But the Aston and R8 have a long time to go before they can match the history and legendary status of the Porsche 911.
Performance & mpg
The standard 911 Carrera is equipped with a 3.6-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that produces 325 hp and 273 pound-feet of torque. The Carrera S has a 3.8-liter version of the flat-6 rated for 355 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The 911 Carrera and Carrera S can be had in either rear-wheel- or all-wheel-drive ("4") versions. The Targa 4 can also be had in standard or S trim and as indicated by the "4," comes only in AWD form. An optional Carrera Power Kit for S models bumps power up to 381 hp.
The GT3 and GT3 RS are rear-wheel-drive only and come with a 3.6-liter flat-6 with 415 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo features all-wheel drive as well as a twin-turbocharged 3.6 that makes 480 hp and 460 lb-ft. The GT2 is rear-drive and packs a 530-hp version of the turbocharged 3.6. All 911s come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while all trims except the GT3s and GT2 also offer a five-speed Tiptronic automatic as an option.
Every 911 can perform the 0-60-mph sprint in fewer than 5 seconds, with the Turbo and GT2 doing it in well under 4. Top speed approaches 200 mph for the GT3 and Turbo and exceeds that in the GT2.
Safety
Six airbags (including side curtain), antilock disc brakes, traction control and stability control are included on all 2008 Porsche 911 models except the GT3, which does without the stability control.
Driving
Driven at normal speeds, the 2008 Porsche 911 delivers a firm but mostly pleasant ride that's suitable for daily commutes. Thankfully, though, the omnipresent growl of the flat-6 reminds one that this is a serious performance car. Lay into the power and the 911 comes alive. Acceleration is effortless and the turbocharged models are especially thrilling without being unruly in normal driving.
The 911's variable-rate steering feels slightly numb at certain speeds, but turns in crisply and with precision, and is largely unaffected by broken pavement. The brakes are powerful and respond promptly in a linear fashion. When slicing through a twisty road, the 911 remains composed and hunkered down. The stability control provides enough leeway to allow experienced drivers to push the car hard, while also offering enough of a safety net to keep them pointed the right way.
Interior
The driver-centric Porsche 911 interior features a single-pod gauge cluster and supportive bucket seats that feature firm side bolsters that hold you in place during aggressive cornering, yet don't make you feel constrained. More aggressively bolstered sport seats are also available. A wide variety of trim accents and color choices allow one to tailor the cockpit's style to their liking. Large footwells and a tilt/telescoping steering column virtually guarantee that most drivers will be comfortable behind the wheel. In back, all but the GT3 and GT2 have a pair of deep-set bucket seats. In a pinch, they'll work for small children, but no more than that. Those seats fold flat, providing some stowage space (accessed by a glass hatch in the Targa), but the 911's principal cargo area is located underneath the hood up front.
2008 Porsche 911 models
The 2008 Porsche 911 comes in five basic trim levels: Carrera, Carrera S, GT3, Turbo and GT2. The Carrera and Carrera S can be had in three body styles. The coupe and convertible ("Cabriolet") body styles are offered in either rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive ("4") versions. Equipped like a regular Carrera coupe, the 911 Targa 4 comes with a large power-sliding glass roof, a flip-up rear glass hatch and only all-wheel drive. The S version of the Targa 4 adds the same upgrades as the Carrera S.
The base 911 Carrera comes with 18-inch wheels, full power accessories, a trip computer, leather seating, a nine-speaker audio system with a CD/MP3 player, vestigial rear seats and automatic climate control. The S adds a more powerful engine, 19-inch wheels, active suspension management technology, bigger brakes, bi-HID xenon headlights, a sport steering wheel and unique exterior and interior trim. Most of these items are optional on the Carrera.
The track-oriented, coupe-only GT3 comes with a 415-hp engine, lightweight 19-inch wheels, a fixed rear spoiler, unique front and rear fascias, specialized suspension tuning, a reduced curb weight and sport front seats. There is also the GT3 RS, which is even more hard-core with upgrades that include a wider rear body and track, an adjustable suspension and a carbon-fiber rear wing.
The Turbo (available in coupe and Cabriolet form) comes with a 480-hp engine, 19-inch wheels, fully powered front seats with driver memory settings and a Bose surround-sound audio system. The GT2 (coupe only) substitutes rear-wheel drive for the Turbo's all-wheel-drive system -- one of the reasons the GT2 is more than 300 pounds lighter. The GT2 also features a 530-hp engine and heavily revised bodywork. As with the GT3, the GT2 is a racetrack-oriented 911.
An active suspension management system is optional on the Carrera and Targa 4, and standard on all the other trims. Dubbed PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management), this feature provides a smooth ride over the bumps, yet tightens up considerably when the car is being driven hard through the curves.
Porsche offers a dizzying array of expensive options, including custom color schemes, different seats, upgraded stereos, custom leather trims and a choice of wood, aluminum and carbon-fiber accents. Other highlights include race-bred ceramic disc brakes, a navigation system and a Sport Chrono package. In addition to supplying lap times and records, the Sport Chrono option also remaps the electronic throttle for quicker response and, on automatics, the transmission for quicker downshifts and holding lower gears during aggressive driving to keep the power on tap for powerful corner exits.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#44 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Porsche 911 from 2008-2022.$733/yr
vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.86x/yr
vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).18%
vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2008 Porsche 911.
5 star(85%)
4 star(5%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
35 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
Lives Up To The Dream Of A 10-year-old
str8line, 07/17/2008
2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S 2dr Coupe (3.8L 6cyl 6M)
As a youth my father and I never missed stopping at the Porsche dealer while driving by. I had a love affair with the guards red 911 that seemed to always be on the showroom floor. When in 1979 my dad finally purchased a 911 (930 model)Turbo I reveled in its incredible rocket ship abilities. He sold it when I was 13, but the 3 years he had it made the Porsche 911 my dream car. As a … self-made and relatively poor young man I was all but resigned to the fact that a 911 in anything other than a used and older variant just would not be in the cards for me. Skip to Feb. 2008 and I have the good fortune of being shocked every time I enter my garage by the sight of a black 2008 911 Carrera S!
5 out of 5 stars
Nothing Even Comes CLOSE!!!
Michealangelo Harris, 01/19/2016
2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S 2dr Coupe (3.8L 6cyl 6M)
This is purely an ALL OUT STREET RACE car, and yet excellent to travel in. Drove it from Dallas, TX to SUPERIOR TWP, MI, then from SUPERIOR TWP, MI to CHANDLER, Arizona, then back to SUPERIOR TWP, MI. But know, it is not intended for parking and taking short naps in. Oh, and the gas mileage is great, when you set the cruise.
Now, I use it in PCA auto-cross. Talking about the best of … both worlds, WOW. SO glad I chose this model. This is my 14th PORSCHE, I also have a 87' 911 Carrera Cabrio.
It's going on four years now since I purchased this car. There have been absolutely (NO) issues with it, major or minor. I did the 80k and the 100k services on it in December of 2014, and since then I have had the brake fluid changed at Porsche where I live and a wheel alignment done after installing new front & rear tires. Since I'm a retired aviation mechanic, I installed a third center radiator, and the front bumper vent screen kit to keep heavy debris out of the left and right radiators. Then I installed a 2.5 quart deep oil sump to help with the lubrication here in HOT, Arizona! As for running auto X here in HOT Arizona, I can tell you that these two things are needed, to help keep the temps down in the water cooling department as well as the engine oil lubrication department. Other than that, I'm just enjoying it!!!
It is Aug 2018 now and I am in the process of replacing the Optima yellow top that's 7 years and 2 months old with a new Optima Blue top marine style battery. The heat here in Arizona continues to eat batteries of any type or sort alive! Also, if you have more than one car in your garage then it is absolutely imperative that you drive all of them as often as you can! Just leaving them on a digital battery maintainer is NOT enough. I also have 3 motorcycles, and recently had a BMW s1000RR cafe' bike and a Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster that I got rid of because I didn't ride them enough, but I kept the Harley Davidson soft tail, of which the battery is also going slowly dead because of the heat here in the desert state. The heat just killed the batteries on the other 2 bikes, how much more the Porsche's. What I'm saying is, the 2008 997S is yet still an excellent deal when looking to purchase a used Porsche. My car has no leaks and no problems other than the battery issue which is normal for the number of years since the date on the battery was purchased, June 2011. I highly recommend a Cabrio 997s.
As of this writing, it is Feb. 2020, and I put about 250 miles a month on the car now. The total mileage on my Porsche is some where around 106,800, and I had to replace the two coolant line inserts above the left and right front control arms and the main coolant tank reservoir located in the engine compartment, bleed the system. I likewise, replaced all 6 spark plugs, and did an oil change. Since that time, I have had no other issues with this marvelous vehicle. I highly recommend this model, if not the Cabrio 997s! Either one of these models would be more than enough for driving here in the U.S.! Being that they are really made for High Speed long distance cruising on the German Autobahn. So, if you are in the market for a Porsche 997 with low mileage, then, go for the gusto! You will NOT be disappointed!
It is now Feb. 2021, and my ownership has been for the last 7 years, the mileage is at 109,770. I had to replace the cup holder unit and the glove box door holder, due to my wife's strong hands on that side of the car. I have also installed a new set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4"s tires in November 2020. I am now averaging around 200 miles a month on the car. I distribute my drives between my other three vehicles which I have and my Harley Soft Tail. Yet, I am still enjoying this excellent vehicle in the mist of a world wide Pandemic! I hoped this has helped someone make a decision to purchase a used 997 S Porsche. Whether it be a Coupe' or a Cabrio! The low maintenance cost can be attributed to the excellent engineering which goes into each Porsche designed, and the overall build quality of the Porsche brand. I know, I have been driving them now for 39 years!! Still, Nothing Even Comes Close!
It's Feb. 2022, and my mileage is 111,310 at this time. Showing that I have only averaged about 128 miles per month for the last 12 months. There is nothing more new to share. The 997S has proven itself to me. Mainly, because I had promised myself to remain a die-hard Air-Cooled Porsche fan and never purchased a new water cooled model. Now, I see that all things are possible, if only for certain models. I did notice however that with more mileage, the 997S seems to drive faster using less pedal. I marvel at this wonderful new found experience.
As of this update, it's Feb. 2023, I have only added 1,290 miles in the last 12 months with my mileage being exactly 112,600 and I have experienced a defected Air-Oil Separator suddenly after driving to a Shell service station to full tank. When it initially happened, I thought I had blown a head gasket or something? Now, I am in the process of ordering and replacing any lines that will attach to the new Air-Oil Separator to be installed, this will insure that the repair process will not suffer from taking any short cuts to replace only the defected part, being that there are a lot of engine parts to be removed just to get to the actual defected part. I look at this as a normal course of wear and tear. I still stand by my words, that Nothing Even Comes CLOSE!!! I look forward to enjoying this one owner car, up into the high 3-K digits, knowing the quality of each Porsche that is built. I would also like to recommend a book that I have recently finished writing in 2021, Called of GOD at 264km/h (165 mph)! It details how and when The Lord Jesus spoke to me out of Heaven when I was driving a lowered lightly modified 1983, fully cornered balanced 911 Porsche on a Schnell Strasse out of the Black Forest when I lived in the southern region of Stuttgart. I hope that it would spark the interest of any present Porsche owner or possible future Porsche owner. In any case, my heart is already set, and it cannot be changed to purchase any other type of sports car, and that's no matter how they might look or how many tests were completed to try and prove that they are better than what I have now. It's personal preference! The rest I'll leave up to you, after all, it's your decision to live with?
5 out of 5 stars
911 Turbo fills the Bill
Max Revs, 04/16/2008
2008 Porsche 911 Turbo 2dr Coupe AWD (3.6L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
The 997 Turbo Coupe is another leap forward for Porsche. This new model has enthusiastic power across a wide power band, incredible acceleration, and superb handling. While it would be at home on any racing circuit, it also is easy to drive around town and in traffic. It is unusual to find a car that performs so well in a straight line, in the twisties, and can still serve as a daily … driver if desired. When the turbos kick in the car will really set you back in the seat.
5 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Gnslngr, 11/22/2009
2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S 2dr Coupe (3.8L 6cyl 6M)
My second Porsche (after a 2007 Cayman) and perhaps my last one. I don't believe they can make a car better than this one. It is not so much a car as it is an experience - this car is a beast when it wants to be and is compliant and docile when my wife is in the passenger seat. I've added an Escort Passport 9500ci to make the experience complete, and now the car (with Sport Chrono, … Sport Exhaust, and Sport Shifter) is the dream car I've always wanted. I still cannot believe I own it; I have to do a double take every time I see it in my garage. And the great thing about this car is that it is nowhere near as onerous to own as a Ferrari or Lambo - maintenance is relatively inexpensive.
2008 911 Highlights
Convertible
Carrera
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $83,800 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $249/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 4.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the 911 include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
People who viewed this also viewed
5.0 average Rating out of 5 reviews. |
Starting at $68,300 |
Starting at $68,300 |
5.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews. |
Starting at $70,400 |
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2008 Porsche 911 info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Ram 2500 2022 For Sale
- Used Lexus UX 250h 2020
- Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 2021
- Used Mercedes-Benz Maybach 2020
- Used BMW M4 2020 For Sale
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Porsche 911 2011
- Used Porsche 911 2012 For Sale
- Used Porsche 911 2016
- Used Porsche 911 2013
- Used Porsche 911 2014
- Used Porsche 911 2010
- Used Porsche 911 2017
- Used Porsche 911 2019 For Sale
- Used Porsche 911 2018
- Used Porsche 911 2015
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2024 Lexus RC
- Q5 Sportback
- 2025 BMW 5 Series News
- 2025 Genesis GV70 News
- 2023 A4 allroad
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
- 2023 BMW X4
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe 2023
- 2023 SQ5
Research other models of Porsche
- 2023 911
- 2023 Cayman S
- 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman
- Porsche Cayenne Coupe
- 2023 Porsche 911
- 2023 Cayenne
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne Coupe
- Porsche 718 Cayman 2024
- 2024 Porsche 911
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne
Research similar vehicles
- Jaguar F Type
- Car Lamborghini Huracan
- 2024 Audi S5
- 2023 Chevrolet Camaro
- Lexus LC 500
- 2023 Ford Mustang
- BMW M2 Car
- 2023 BMW M4
- Porsche 911
- Car R8 Audi
Other models
- Used Toyota Pickup in Egg Harbor Township, NJ
- New Audi Q4-Sportback-E-Tron for Sale in West Hartford, CT
- Used Hyundai Azera in Lawrence, KS
- Used Lincoln Mark-Viii in Granite City, IL
- Used Toyota Tacoma in Danville, CA
- Used Infiniti G35 in Castro Valley, CA
- Used Honda CR-Z in Ashland, KY
- New BMW Alpina-B8-Gran-Coupe for Sale in Roanoke, TX
- Used Honda Element in Tinley Park, IL
- Used Chevrolet Silverado-1500-Classic in Clemson, SC