2004 Porsche 911 Carrera New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera?
A limited number of 40th Anniversary editions include a more powerful 345-horsepower engine, a standard Porsche Stability Management system (PSM), enhanced acceleration due to a mechanical rear axle differential lock, more aggressive suspension tuning, and special interior and exterior styling details. Painted GT Silver metallic, the 40th Anniversary edition of the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera has front air cooling openings like the Porsche 911 Turbo, body-color air intake grilles, unique sill trim and an aluminum 911 logo on the engine cover. Polished 18-inch wheels complement the high-gloss chromed tailpipes. Other equipment on this limited production model includes a power sunroof and bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic beam angle control and lens cleaners. Inside the 40th Anniversary 911 Carrera, dark gray leather sport seats include two-stage heating, special silver metallic and aluminum interior trim and a numbered plaque on the center console. Porsche will build 1,963 40th Anniversary 911 Carreras. Other 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera coupes can be equipped with the mechanical rear axle differential lock that comes standard on the 40th Anniversary models. All 911 Carreras are offered in two new no-cost colors: Atlas Gray metallic and Carmon Red metallic.

Advantages of the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera:

• Handles, steers and stops with the best in the business
• Comfortable front seats
• Throaty exhaust note

Objections to the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera:

• Cheap interior buttons and switches
• Muddled control layout and operation
• Heavy clutch
• Boxster look-alike front styling

Editor's Advice:
Forty years after the first Porsche 911 Carrera debuted at the 1963 Frankfurt Automobile Salon, selecting between the 911 Carrera Coupe, 911 Carrera Cabriolet or 911 Targa is the most difficult decision a Porsche 911 buyer faces after choosing this model over the equally fun but less powerful Porsche Boxster. We like the Targa for its slick retracting glass roof and unique appearance, though there is a slight weight penalty over the Coupe. Driving a 911 Carrera is quite fun, even when it’s equipped with the optional Tiptronic automatic transmission, because this sports car icon’s forte is handling. The 2004 Porsche 911 steers, grips and stops like few sporting machines on the market. Accordingly, don’t expect the Porsche 911 Carrera to coddle you, despite an extensive list of optional luxuries. This car demands the driver’s attention, rides stiffly and requires strict maintenance to keep it playing at the top of its game. A revised 911 is set to debut in a year or two, with front styling that includes separate round headlights that look much more like a traditional 911 and a lot less like the Boxster roadster.