Performance

There's no doubting Porsche's sporting provenance, and the 997 is the current daddy of cross-country speed. Even the 'base' Carrera 997 will get to 60mph in five seconds dead and on to 177mph. Not enough? Then the 911 Turbo has 480bhp, enabling it to reach 62mph in just 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of… Actually, it doesn't really matter because you're never going find a space big enough to reach it. (It's an awe-inspiring 193mph if case you're interested.)

Driving

The 911 is a mess of contradictory physical implications - the engine is hung out over the back axle and drives the rear wheels, so it should be all over the place. But no, the faster you go, the better the 997 gets. It is true that the ride and front-end grip can get a touch fidgety with an empty fuel tank.

Space

Having the rear full of engine means that there isn't a traditional boot, but there's a deep and useful 100-litre well in the nose. The rear seats are a bit of a joke, so best use them as bucket-shaped shelves for shopping. The driving position is just about spot-on, with perfect pedal postioning for an average-sized person.

Build quality

Porsche has a handy reputation for building cars that last - just check out the used values on 10 or even 20-yearold cars. The 997 still uses the flatfaced dash, which can feel a bit dated, and the plastic door handles and some of the interior trim also feels below par for a £60k motor, but the engineering feels capable of many years' service. Just check out that gearbox action if you want evidence of the fact that Porsche hasn't lost sight of its quality and longevity reputation.

Safety

The 997 comes equipped with four airbags, with only the GT3 models coming with just a brace to save on weight. The German company also has one of the best stability and traction control systems ever - Porsche Stability Management or PSM. If it senses you're in control you can even slide the 997 without tripping the electronic minders. The race-bred GT3 version doesn't have PSM and although it does have a strengthened shell to keep you save. Of course, the best way to avoid an accident is think of the costs - spin, spin, thunk. Big bill.

Owning

Bomb-proof. Rock-like. The 911 is a realistic dream car for many even given its slightly city-boy bonus image. Don't let that put you off, a 911 is another one of those cars that anyone seriously into driving should try, even if just to benchmark other cars against. Insurance is hard to come by, and you'll pay the max tax, but worth it every time.

Value

The 911 is a solid performer on every front. Admittedly, raiding the options list will see a desirable Carrera S start to push the £75k mark, so watch out when you order, but for that you're getting a seminal piece of the car world.

Verdict

The current Porsche 997 is one of the most complete sports cars currently available. It has everything - performance, handling, driveability and practicality. Plus you don't need the £100k Turbo. Choose the 'entry' 3.6 Carrera and you'll have just as much fun.

Porsche 911 rivals
Mercedes SL
Ferrari F430

Top Porsche 911 road tests
Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Sport Chrono - July 5, 2007
Porsche 911 Targa 4S - December 20, 2006
Porsche 911 GT3 RS - October 18, 2006
Porsche 911 Turbo - May 8, 2006
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S - July 22, 2005