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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Porsche 911

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Overview

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2009 Porsche 911 Review

By KBB.com Editors

In the world of premium sports cars few names stand as strong as the Porsche 911. The rear-engine rear-drive icon has dazzled performance driving fans around the world since it was introduced in 1964. With so much of the Porsche mystique tied to the success of the 911 it is understandable that changes to the model tend to be subtle and deliberate. The current generation 911, internally dubbed the 997, was launched in 2005 and carries on for 2009 with light exterior revisions and more extensive mechanical improvements. Available in coupe, convertible or glass-roof Targa body styles the 911 carries on as one of the most recognizable aspirational performance cars currently sold.

You'll Like This Car If...

You'll like the 2009 Porsche 911 if you want an iconic sports car that goes fast, looks good and will continue to do so years into the future.

You May Not Like This Car If...

You may not like the 2009 Porsche 911 if edgy design or flashy technology lights your fire. The 911's evolutionary design may strike younger buyers as stodgy compared to competitors like the technology-focused and competitively price Nissan GT-R.

What's New for 2009

Changes made to the Porsche 911 for 2009 include modest exterior alterations and new LED-running lights. The biggest changes occur under the boot where heavily revised engines and a new twin-clutch transmission help the 911 keep pace with the march of advancing technology.

Driving the 911

Driving Impressions Part of the mystique surrounding the Porsche 911 is based on its reputation as a fast car with a tendency to catch inexperienced drivers off-guard. Whatever fickleness might have been...

exhibited by previous generations is absent in the current 911. On the race track, the Porsche 911 is a supremely controllable car that rewards more experienced drivers without intimidating those with less experience. Handling limits are high, there is excellent stability at high speeds and the brakes deliver arrester hook-like stopping power. Acceleration is strong in both Carrera and Carrera S trims, and the optional PDK transmission actually helps deliver faster acceleration than manual equipped cars. All-wheel drive Carrera 4 models provide improved traction in slippery conditions albeit at the cost of slightly slower acceleration. Despite its on-track excellence the 911 is actually quite livable on the streets, providing a reasonably plush ride during long stints on the highway.

Favorite Features

PDK Transmission
The proper name for the 911's optional twin-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission is Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe. Simply called PDK here in America, it offers the direct feel and control of a manual but with quicker shifts than any driver could achieve. With all the best traits of an automatic and a manual transmission – without the need for a clutch pedal – we'd think twice about passing up PDK.

Touch-Screen Audio System
The Porsche 911's intuitive new touch-screen interface makes controlling the audio system or a connected MP3 player far easier than the confusing array of buttons found in previous models.

2009 Porsche 911 Details

Interior

Interior appointments are acceptably luxurious given the 911's premium status with an overall cabin design carried over unchanged from the previous model year. The most notable interior updates include optional ventilated seats and a revised audio system with a simpler design and intuitive new touch-screen interface. The latest generation continues the 911's tradition of including four seats but only enough room to comfortably accommodate two passengers. The modest rear seats are best used to hold whatever luggage doesn't fit in the decent sized front trunk.

Exterior

From its round headlights and inset hood to its long sloping roofline and pronounced rear fenders few cars possess as distinct a shape as the Porsche 911. To help retain the 911's timeless design changes from generation to generation tend to be subtle, with mid-cycle refreshes like those made for the '09 model often noticed by only the most dedicated Porschephiles. New details for 2009 include Bi-Xenon headlights, LED running lights, LED tail lights and larger front air intakes. Buyers can still choose between coupe, cabriolet and Targa body styles, the latter of which features an expansive retractable glass sunroof.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Among the Porsche 911's standard features are Bi-Xenon headlights with washers, 18-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, automatic climate control, cruise control, power accessories, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a nine-speaker audio system with 6.5-inch touch screen display. Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes (ABS), stability and traction controls, a tire pressure monitoring system and six airbags.

Optional Equipment

There are numerous options available to outfit the standard 2009 Porsche 911 including rear parking sensors, auto dimming mirrors, heated seats, ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, sport seats and an audio interface with auxiliary and USB inputs. Adding to the already impressive performance of the 911 are an optional limited-slip differential, PDK twin-clutch transmission, active suspension management, and an extremely pricey $8,840 ceramic composite brake system. Buyers looking to enhance the look of their car can choose from a host of wheel designs, exterior paint colors and interior leather and trim options.

Under the Hood

For 2009, the engines in the 911 Carrera and Carrera S have been redesigned increasing horsepower by 20 and 30 respectively. Both models feature a standard six-speed manual transmission or Porsche's optional PDK twin-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission. Zero to sixty acceleration times vary from 4.7 seconds in a manual transmission equipped Carrera to 4.3 seconds in the Carrera S with the PDK. Rear wheel drive is standard for the Porsche 911 while all-wheel drive is included on Carrera 4 and Targa models.

3.6-liter Horizontally Opposed-6
345 horsepower at 6500 rpm
288 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 manual, 19/27 PDK

3.8-liter Horizontally Opposed-6
385 horsepower at 6500 rpm
310 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 manual, 19/26 PDK

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2009 Porsche 911 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.5

Out of 10

Based on 33 Ratings for the 2009 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

9.4/10

Quality

9.8/10
Reliability

9.7/10

Performance

9.8/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.7/10

Great Sports car that doubles as a GT

By Zuccmeister (NC) on Friday, May 03, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 17,700

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Great performance and dependability"

Cons: "Sits low, so a little trouble getting in and out."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"A true high performance car that you can drive every day. You can drive it on a race track, or take it to the grocery store. Comfortable for normal driving, but an absolute beast if you want it to be."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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A car that challenges your ability

By gauhog (DE) on Friday, February 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,300

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "The car makes you feel you are a part of it"

Cons: "we don't have an Autobahn in this country"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This car is my fourth 911, it is a 2010 911 Turbo 6-speed. Everything you may have read about the car's performance is true. Acceleration leaves you giddy, and this is without Porcshe's PDK with its unique launch control. I was able to find an extremely clean black coupe with low miles. One thing I might have avoided if I was more patient would be the centerlock wheels. They look cool I guess, but unless you buy the fairly expensive tool needed to release and re-torque the wheels you are married to the dealer whenever you have a tire issue. I do feel fortunate that I do not have ceramic brakes; the stock steel brakes will give you a nosebleed and are a lot less noisy and less expensive to deal with. The car's handling is great, as long as you respect the slight 911 tail-happiness. Although Porsche has worked hard to tame the oversteer you can get if you push too hard, some of it still remains. Fit and finish are the best I've seen on a 911. The creature comforts are very nice; nav, bluetooth, homelink, oh, and 500 horsepower. My previour car was a 2009 Z-06, a pretty serious car in its own right, but this Turbo is from another planet entirely."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Beautiful car that is fun to drive.

By Porsche Fan (DC) on Sunday, August 05, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,800

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great driving experience."

Cons: "None."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have been a Porsche fan for years. Owned 1985 944 until I purchased 2009 preowned 911. Incredible driving experience! On the open road I put on my favorite tunes and go into a zone. Great power and handling. With all of that power and speed you get very good gas mileage."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Great car !

By Michael (NC) on Monday, June 11, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 11,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Almost everything."

Cons: "Door sounds a little cheap closing it."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is my second porsche. I wanted a convertible and was undecided between a 911 or benz sl. I've owned two previous sl's and was satisfied. The dealer talked me into a 911S Cab. It is a LOT of fun to drive. I have a lake house two hours away that I go to on the weekends with a lot of 2 lane roads. It is a blast to pass everything in front of you ! I've been raced THREE times by pocket-rocket motorcycles for some reason !! They are all still eating dust. Car handles great, looks great and has all the luxury. My ONLY complaint is the doors don't close with that solid thud that I like with the mercedes. Other than that I love everything but the price !"

1 person out of 3 found this review helpful

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Understated excellence

By Bear (NY) on Thursday, May 03, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 25,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "reliable"

Cons: "minor-poor cup holder"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Its a daily drive car without quirks or nasty suprises when you go too fast into a turn - its my 4th and best Porsche (928s and 911s)"

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my second 911

By titanredrider (PA) on Saturday, April 21, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 900

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "lots"

Cons: "cup holder (really), miss park sensors (will add)"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I owned a 2007 911 4s cabriolet. I loved the car but missed the newest toys like satillite radio and touch screen nav. I traded it toward a new 2012 4 GTS CABRIOLET with the newer features. I opted out of the power seats to save a little weight (and $$) and get a little more power/weight ratio....like it was not fast enough before. I could not rate some values because I only have 900 miles on it. But my 07 was an over 8 rating. If I get what I expect from the car and the dealership, I will be moving to the 991/911 TURBO S CABRIOLET in a year or two."

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See all 33 reviews