Porsche for Sale at Paragon Porsche in East Sussex

Produced as a coupe, a cabriolet and the Targa (a coupe with an extended sliding glass roof), enthusiasts can choose from a manual or Tiptronic version, some offering fingertip controls. The performance legend has grown with the Turbo, the GT2 and GT3 models.

The Porsche 911 is truly the supercar you can use every day.    

The internal model designations you are most likely to hear about are:    

Porsche 911 - 964  

The models produced between 1989 and 1993 that were the first to be offered with all wheel drive. Introduction of the 'Tiptronic' automatic transmission, Anti-lock brakes and power assisted steering.  

Porsche 911 - 993   

The last of the air-cooled 911s and the first to introduce Tiptronic 'S' with steering wheel controls. Favoured by many purists for the distinctive driving characteristics and engine growl that were moderated with new technology and the water-cooling of the 996. This designation refers to 911s produced between late 1993 and early 1998.    

Porsche 911 - 996   

Sold between 1998 and 2005, this was the 'evolutionary leap' for the 911. Introducing water-cooling and a higher performance 4 valve per cylinder engine. The body design was noticeably 'sleeker' than the 993. This marked the introduction of the GT2 and GT3 models. These 'stripped down' performance models emphasised weight reduction and power enhancement, with the GT2 offering 477 bhp.    

Porsche 997   

Production of the successor to the 996 began in 2004, and is seen by many as a return to 'classic'  Porsche design values with the return of the circular headlights and a reinvented interior. This is the current model of the 911.    

Models designations are relatively simple.   

The 'standard' Porsche 911 is known as the 'Carrera' and has variations with extra power, all wheel drive and different body styles.    

911 Carrera - the standard 911 

911 Carrera S - the 'sportier' version of the Carrera with extra power and some cosmetic changes 

911 Carrera 4 - all wheel drive (hence the '4')   

So from this point, excluding the 'GT' models you can begin to understand the current offering..    

911 Carrera (available as standard model, as '2S' as '4", as '4S' in both cabriolet and coupe versions 911 

Targa (available as Targa 4 and Targa 4S) 

911 Turbo (available as cabriolet and coupe) 

911 GT3 911 GT3RS - a true 'homologation' race car, but very usable on the road 

911 GT2   

So if you are speaking to a Porsche enthusiast who mentions they have a 996 C4S Cab - you know they drive the Porsche 911 produced between 1998 and 2005, with 4 wheel drive, more power and in cabriolet form.    

Of course we could also mention that the Carrera 4 S has the body from the Turbo with flared rear arches but no spoiler, red brake calipers and the twin exhausts, but you probably have enough to go on by now.    

If you want to understand more, and see the cars themselves, come and pay us a visit at Paragon and we'll give you a friendly and jargon-free look at the exciting world of the Porsche 911.