If you’re looking for a car that will give you lots of driving fun, but also be worth money come resale time, then Porsche might be the answer. There are a number of models in their history that have stood out, some even as halo cars for the brand.
One of the best is the Carrera 3.2 WTL M491. It’s an excellent choice if you want plenty of driving fun with a high return on investment.
1. 911 Carrera 3.2
The Carrera 3.2 arrived in coupe, Targa, and Cabriolet guises as the replacement for the 911 SC originally introduced in 1978. Its 3.2-liter flat six boosted output by two-tenths of a liter to create an air-cooled, single-overhead camshaft powerhouse.
As you would expect, the Carrera 3.2 is a very capable and comfortable two-seater sports car that can handle just about anything. It’s not as light in the hands as a modern sports car, but that’s not always a bad thing, especially when you’re trying to nail a tricky bend.
The 3.2 is also one of the most powerful 911s ever made, and it will overtake A-roads with aplomb if you can get it to fire up. But it’s a car that will require regular maintenance, says Morgan. Brakes, bushes, and dampers are all likely to need replacing on the older cars.
2. 911 Carrera 3.0
Porsche’s air-cooled 911s are regarded as some of the best-looking and most powerful cars ever made. Their combination of classic looks, driving traits, and modest maintenance costs make them a great investment and collector’s car.
One of the most sought-after of these is the 3.0 Carrera. Essentially a 930 Turbo with the turbo removed, it developed 200 PS (150 kW; 260 hp) and was available with either a four- or five-speed manual gearbox.
Its 3-liter horizontally opposed, naturally-aspirated air-cooled engine used Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection to provide more power than the 2.7-liter model. Despite a short production run, it has become a highly sought-after Porsche.
This particular example is offered with service records back to 1990, original manuals, and a tool kit. It also comes with a clean California title.
3. 911 Carrera RS
The 911 Carrera RS is Porsche’s ultimate, pure driver’s car. It’s light, nimble, and a pleasure to drive.
It’s also the spiritual successor to one of the most important and iconic sports cars ever made, the Carrera 2.7 RS from 1973. Today it’s the quickest appreciating vehicle on the market and a million dollars will get you a mint-condition example of this legendary model.
The RS was the first to feature front and rear ‘ducktail’ spoilers and its wide wheels at the front and rear differed for enhanced cornering speed, improved braking, and increased downforce. It also came in a variety of eye-catching colors including Guards Red, Mexico Blue, and Light Yellow. And it sported Fuchs wheels in a matching color, making it one of the most striking cars in the world at the time.
4. 911 Carrera GT
A slick and angular exterior, paired with a traditional manual transmission, continually lands the Porsche Carrera GT on the list of the world’s greatest sports cars. With exhilarating speed and consistent performance at its forefront, this Porsche supercar reaches top speeds of 208 MPH and is sure to shock and amaze you.
The Carrera GT first debuted in 2003, and despite the fact that it is now 15 years old, it remains one of the most extreme Porsches ever. Its mid-mounted 5.7-liter V10 engine puts out over 600 horsepower, which is impressive for its time.
The Carrera GT was one of the last supercars to feature a manual transmission, which is slowly being phased out by more advanced single and double-clutch gearboxes in today’s market. It has a grabby and sensitive ceramic clutch that requires patience to get comfortable with, but it will reward you with solid mechanical shifts that are more than satisfying to the driver’s ears.
5. 911 GT2
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS is one of the most iconic cars that the brand has ever made. It has a 3.8-liter turbo engine that can produce 700 horsepower.
It also has a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission that can handle the extra power. It has a rear-wheel drive layout and a unique traction control system.
There’s no shortage of performance in this car, but the real reason it’s so great is how drivable it is. This is because the torque band in the engine is so flat that it doesn’t feel like you’re going to be dragging your feet when you hit higher rpms.
But, if you’re going to buy a 911, you need to want it. And the GT2 RS is weird enough that people will only buy it if they specifically want it.
6. 911 GT3
If you are looking for a classic Porsche model to add to your collection, the 911 GT3 is a great option. It has a long history of winning races and championships, making it one of the most sought-after cars in the world.
The GT3 is powered by a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six, which has 502 hp and 346 lb.-ft of torque. The car is available with both the PDK and a manual gearbox, with each providing an exhilarating driving experience.
The driver is treated to a wide range of cockpit comforts, including a sporty steering wheel that features a drive-mode dial. It also incorporates a sports chrono gauge package.
7. 911 GT3 RS
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the most extreme road-going model ever produced by the iconic German sports car maker. It carries the racing pedigree of its predecessors but goes well beyond them, offering performance that would rival the best race cars.
For starters, it reaches 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds and tops out at around 184 mph. That’s thanks to a 4.0-liter, naturally aspirated engine producing 518 horsepower (up 16 from the standard GT3), as well as new camshafts and cylinder heads designed to resist trapping oil during high-G corners.
The body is unique, with functional aerodynamic elements such as fender vents and the large rear wing not found in other 911 models. The body also boasts a lower ride height than other 911s, which helps the car stay level and under control at speed.
8. 911 GT3 RS S
The 911 GT3 RS is one of the most extreme takes on Porsche’s renowned GT line. A hefty focus on aerodynamics and reduced curb weight results in a more powerful yet subtle exterior appearance than the standard GT3.
This model has extensive use of carbon fiber, which contributes to its incredibly lightweight kerbweight. CFRP also features in the doors, fenders, and roof.
A 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine propels this car to a hysterical 9,000 rpm redline. The resulting 518 horsepower is enough to allow it to reach a top speed of 296kph and bolt to 100kph from rest in just 3.2 seconds.
The engine is paired with a 7-speed PDK gearbox, and the car can be purchased as a ‘standard’ or ‘RS S’ model. It’s worth noting that the RS S is significantly more expensive than the regular GT3, but it does come with a bespoke camshaft to boost output by 15 horses, which will result in a faster 0-to-60 acceleration time.
9. 911 GT3 RS R
The 911 GT3 RS R is a high-performance Porsche that’s a blast to drive. While it doesn’t offer the fastest lap times or be a hypercar for all, it is still an awesome car to drive on a regular basis.
In addition to the performance, the 911 GT3 RS R is built with a lot of motorsport-inspired parts, which saves the car a significant amount of weight. These include magnesium wheels and carbon-fiber-reinforced components.
It also comes with a variety of safety features, including airbags and roll bars. Ultimately, it’s a great Porsche to own, and an excellent investment that will hold its value well. If you’re interested in purchasing a Porsche, we recommend working with a dealer who can help you find the right model for you. Their knowledge and experience will make the process a breeze.
10. 911 GT3 RS S2
The GT3 RS is the ultimate expression of the 911’s track capability. It’s engineered for aggressive driving, but it’s also a friendly car that can be driven by any driver.
The 4.0-liter flat-6 in the GT3 RS is a race-derived engine. It’s a huge improvement over the standard version, producing 518 horsepower through a single-throttle system with a motorsports-derived cam profile and a high-revving limit.
It’s got a large centrally mounted radiator, a design borrowed from the RSR race car. It helps the engine cool more efficiently under pressure on track and contributes to the front downforce.
It’s also the first road-going 911 to use carbon fiber-reinforced plastic on all its doors, windscreen, and side windows. It’s a lot of expensive, lightweight stuff, but it adds to the GT3 RS’s track-ready feel.
