Reviews & Test Drives

2022.04.06Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911

Test-Driving the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet (991.1): What Comparing It with Other 99...

I’ve Tested 11 Different 991.1 Models Here are the 991.1 models I’ve covered on the blog so far. That’s an impressive 11 different versions. I doubt many people anywhere in the world have compared this many 991.1s on winding roads—not just on quick drives around town! (笑) Carrera 4S Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet Carrera GTS Cabriolet Targa 4S Carrera Carrera 4 GTS Turbo Targa 4 GTS Carrera S Cabriolet Carrera S GT3 This time, I...

2022.04.06Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911

Reviews & Test Drives

2022.02.21Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911

Test-Driving a 991.1 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S: A Fully Loaded Gem

The 991.1 Carrera 4S Lately, I’ve noticed quite a few people around me buying 991.1 models. Ask them what won them over, and they all say the same thing: the sound and rev-happy character of the naturally aspirated engine. Porsche may build naturally aspirated 911s again someday. But for many buyers, the 991.1 represents the last generation of naturally aspirated 911s from an era before stricter noise regulations and gasoline particulate filters (GPFs). It’s easy...

2022.02.21Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911

Porsche 911

2022.02.19Porsche 911, Our Car Life

What Makes the Porsche 911 So Special?

Back Behind the Wheel of a Porsche 911 A few days ago, I wrote an article called “Why I Don’t Feel Like Driving the Porsche 911 and Boxster in Our Garage.” The gist was that my husband owns a couple of Porsches, but because they mean so much to him, I’ve always felt a little hesitant about driving them. Then, the other day, I was heading out to renew my driver’s license. My husband suggested,...

2022.02.19Porsche 911, Our Car Life

Touring Reports

2022.02.01Touring Reports, Porsche 911

A Year-End Porsche 911 Road Trip: Across Shikoku

Crossing Shikoku on Route 194 Morning in Saijo City marked the final day of our road trip. The snow clouds that had brought a cold snap to Japan had eased a little, but snow was still forecast in the mountains of Shikoku. I checked the weather and reviewed the route. The 911 was filthy, and the road salt had left the bodywork grimy. Washing it now would be pointless—it was bound to get dirty again—so...

2022.02.01Touring Reports, Porsche 911

Touring Reports

2022.01.25Touring Reports, Porsche 911

A Year-End Porsche 911 Road Trip: Exploring the Scenic Farm Roads of Okayama and Hiroshima

Exploring Okayama’s Scenic Farm Roads from Tsuyama Following on from the previous road trip report, this installment takes us along the scenic farm roads of Okayama and Hiroshima. Mornings in Tsuyama are often foggy. It was thick with fog on our last visit, and this morning was no different. By the time I’d gotten ready and was set to leave the hotel, the fog had lifted and the sun was peeking through. The freshly washed...

2022.01.25Touring Reports, Porsche 911

Reviews & Test Drives

2022.01.19Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911

Test-Driving the Porsche 964 Carrera RS Touring: How Different Is It from a Standard Carr...

The Porsche 911 Carrera RS (Type 964) It’s been about three and a half years since an air-cooled Porsche 911 (Type 964) Carrera 2 came home with us. I’ve fallen for its analog controls and handling that reflect your driving skill so directly. Even now, the 964 never feels old to me; every drive still feels fresh. It’s fun even when you’re not pushing hard, and it’s enjoyable at any speed, whether you’re driving around...

2022.01.19Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911

Touring Reports

2022.01.13Touring Reports, Porsche 911

A Year-End Porsche 911 Road Trip: From the Winter Sea of Japan to Mountain Passes

A Sea of Japan Drive from Tsuruga to Cape Kyōga It was bitterly cold in Tsuruga that morning. Fortunately, the snow from the day before had stopped, and there didn’t appear to be any accumulation. I climbed into the 911, frozen solid, and took it easy as I warmed up the engine, PDK and suspension components—more carefully and slowly than usual. Both my 981 Boxster and this 991.1 Carrera 4 GTS take a long time...

2022.01.13Touring Reports, Porsche 911

Touring Reports

2022.01.09Touring Reports, Porsche 911

A Year-End Porsche 911 Road Trip Through the Snow

Setting Off on My Annual Year-End Road Trip At the end of last year, I headed out on my annual year-end road trip. It’s become a family tradition: my wife and kids visit their family, while I hit the road solo with my beloved Porsche. At this time of year, snow and icy roads usually mean heading south—to Shikoku or Kyushu. But this time, I was taking my 991.1 911 Carrera 4 GTS on winter...

2022.01.09Touring Reports, Porsche 911

Reviews & Test Drives

2021.12.05Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911

Test-Driving the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet (991.1): How Different Is It from th...

911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet The car I got to test-drive this time was a 991.1 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet. It’s a bit of a mouthful, so to simplify: it’s an all-wheel-drive GTS with an open top—think of it as the convertible version of my own Carrera 4 GTS. It’s a rare model to begin with: the Carrera 4 GTS is uncommon, and the combination of all-wheel drive and a GTS badge makes it rarer...

2021.12.05Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911

Reviews & Test Drives

2021.11.26Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911

Test Drive: Porsche 911 Targa 4S (991.1)—Enjoy the Sublime Ride of PDCC

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Lately, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to drive early 991-generation 911s. Their owners are clearly smitten with the naturally aspirated engine, and they all say the same thing: its sound and feel make every drive special. This time, I got behind the wheel of an early 991 Targa 4S. The Targa was produced in lower numbers than the GT3 models, making it one of the rarest 911 variants. And this one...

2021.11.26Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911