2005 Porsche Carrera S

We've had several 911s in our long-term fleet over the years. They're always staff favorites and seldom spend a weekend idle in the MT garage. Two of our last three were 996-generation Carreras: a 1999 coupe and a 2004 C4S. Like the others, they were popular dates, but there was always a wish list attached: "I wish there weren't so much interior noise," or "I wish the cabin were more differentiated from the Boxster's," or "I wish it looked more like an old 911." Nearly everything on that To Do list was addressed with the 997-model Carrera introduced in 2005. We, of course, went straight for the topline, 3.8-liter S model, equipped with all the right stuff. It turned out to be an enchanting year with a marvelous automobile.

The upgraded interior scored big points over our last two 911s. "Audio systems much easier to live with," is one comment in the logbook. "Wow! This short-throw shifter is amazing," is another. And "There's less bad noise (road rumble, tire noise, drumming from the rear seat area) and more good noise (exhaust burble and intake roar above 5000 rpm)." The ChronoSport timer on the dash proved a good conversation starter. Two editors complained about seat comfort; these sport chairs are narrow and stiff, but support the body well and keep you planted when you're really cooking. Another didn't like the furry carpet on the door panels, but, overall, the interior drew praise and wore well.

The numbers tell you the S is fast, a capable handler, and stops like it hit a wall. But cars like that aren't always easy to live with on a daily basis. Not so this Carrera. While nobody ever complains the Carrera S is boring, it is commendably docile when driven casually. Porsche offers a smorgasbord of electronic systems: Porsche Active Stability Management, adjustable damping, etc. Yet you, the driver, retain the option of using them or not and in what combination. The PASM is a great bit of kit. It keeps the car safe, especially in the wet, yet doesn't interfere with driving pleasure until the last instant. If you really want to hang the tail out, just switch the system off. This is how Porsche delivers near exoticar performance in a package that can be enjoyed every day, as most current model 911 owners do.

It's still a sports car, for sure, but there's a ton of cargo room if you combine the area behind the front seats with the large, deep front trunk. We folded the rear seatbacks down and left them like that; there's no way anyone was really going to sit back there anyhow. The 997 not only outhandles the previous 996, but does so with improved ride quality and, as mentioned, less noise. The car's build and finish quality is impressive, not something that could be said about early 996s. At this price, everyone expects a well-crafted machine, and this Carrera didn't disappoint.