Help me understand Porsche

[alanc5]

Guys, I'm considering a Porsche for the first time ever. The problem is that once I've started looking I feel completely stumped with regards to their model lineup.

Firstly, I always thought a Porsche 911 was just that. So you would have a 911 RS, 911 Carrera, 911 Turbo etc. What confuses the hell out of me when reading classifieds is that their are cars like 911 996, 911 997 C2! and my favourite 911 C2 GT3 MK2.

A simple question would be then: what is the difference between all of the 911's, and which ones represent the top and bottom of the ranges?

Quite why a Porsche 911 should be referred to as a 997 when they have other models that also begin with a 9 is very silly in my opinion. Their whole range is a mess of digits and quite off putting.

If anyone can find the time to explain thing I would very much appreciate it.
Cheers, Al.

[dazren]

I'll do the first bit. They are all 911s. The numbers relate to the series as the 911 has evolved down the ages. It goes something like this, with the 997 being the latest.

911SC, 911 Carrera, 964, 993, 996, 997

[alanc5]

Thank you!

Does C2 mean Carrera 2?

[jeremyc]

Dr Alex to the rescue

Well, up until the 996 that is.

[BliarOut]

alanc5 said:

Thank you! Does C2 mean Carrera 2?

Yup, C2 is two wheel drive. C4 is four wheel drive.

[ICSD]

911 was the factory model number up to 1989 and the end of the 3.2 Carrera. Since then, the factory model numbers have related to each incarnation. So from 1989 you have the 964, from 1993 you have the 993, from 1997 you have the 996 and so on.

The use of 911 from 1989 is purely a sales name rather than a factory model number.

[alanc5]

jeremyc said:

Dr Alex to the rescue Well, up until the 996 that is.

Aha! The perfect article, no wonder I was a tad confused!

Thanks very much for finding that out mate, appreciate it.