2004 Porsche Carrera GT New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT?
The 2004 Porsche Carrera GT is a new supercar with a starting price of $440,000. Based upon the mid-engined structure of the Porsche GT1 that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998, the Porsche Carrera GT is powered by a 5.7-liter V10 engine that makes 605 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 435 lb.-ft. torque at 5,750 rpm. A six-speed manual gearbox actuated by the first ceramic composite clutch in a production car delivers the power to the rear wheels. Acceleration to 60 mph occurs in 3.8 seconds, 100 mph arrives in less than seven seconds and the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT is passing 125 mph on the way to a top speed of 205 mph in less than ten seconds. Above 75 mph, the rear wing rises to a height of 6.3 inches to increase downforce by 30 percent. It retracts when speeds dip below 50 mph. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) employ four-wheel, cross-drilled composite ceramic brake discs, six-piston aluminum calipers and a standard antilock braking system to bring the Carrera GT down from speed. Magnesium 19-inch front wheels wear 265/35 Z-rated tires and the rear 20-inch magnesium wheels are shod with 335/30Z20 rubber. At all four corners of the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT, a pushrod suspension equipped with double-track control arms keeps the tires glued to the road, and a driver-controlled anti-spin traction system limits the amount of wheel slip to maximize acceleration. Engineered to weigh as little as possible, the Carrera GT makes maximum use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFP), aluminum and magnesium. The structure, chassis and many body panels are constructed of CFP, and the full GT chassis weighs just 220 pounds. Despite the drive to save weight, the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT still comes standard with leather sport seats that will accommodate a six-point harness, air conditioning, and a five-piece luggage set specially designed to make maximum use of the Carrera GT’s nooks and crannies. Options include a navigation system and a Bose audio system. The purposeful interior is trimmed in carbon-fiber, magnesium and leather, with a lightweight stratified birch and ash shifter knob designed to recall the 1970 Le Mans-winning Porsche 917.

Advantages of the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT:

• Blazing speed
• Stunning brakes
• Needle-sharp steering
• Cutting edge automotive technology

Objections to the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT:

• Astounding price tag

Editor's Advice:
The 2004 Porsche Carrera GT is simply the greatest Porsche, and one of the most technologically advanced production cars, ever built for the road. Despite a price tag that clearly reflects this status, expect to wait for the chance to own one.