In short: The one and only GT.

No, the engine is no longer air-cooled, but it’s still an horizontally opposed six-cylinder marvel. To boot, it’s very well tuned to the ear, and, as a result, there is no mistaking a 911. We instantly fell in love all over again with our Macadamia Metallic, sexy-bodied Porsche with an impeccable sand/beige full-leather interior. Although most of the driving executed with the automobile is far from the edge of its performance envelope, you can enjoy it in the city, on the freeway and on the open road at any speed configuration. Don’t get us wrong—though it may not be a comfy cruiser, it is totally acceptable as a daily driver. You get four seats and four seatbelts, which is not bad for its under five seconds 0-60 mph abilities. You can use that extra space in the Porsche for cargo room during weekend escapes for two. Whether you throw a suitcase in the front or a bunch of grocery bags in the back, don’t tell us you can’t get any practical use out of this car.

Starting with a base price circa $74,000, a fully loaded vehicle can easily add $15,000 to the sticker price, so you really need to be careful in selecting the options you require from its substantial menu. Once your car is delivered, you will develop a bond with it, which helps justify all the pricey TLC you will accord it over time. Nowadays, the automobile is loaded with electronics to help you stay out of trouble, but the quintessential feeling is how surefooted it is and how precise the steering is.

We marvel at how the engineers in Stuttgart keep reinventing this eternal classic and making it better, faster and safer each time around. There is simply a great feeling about driving a Porsche, and it will always raise your lifestyle profile.

Read a review of the 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S and 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

Warranty/Service: Four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty; ten-year limited anti-corrosion warranty; Porsche roadside assistance.

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Photography: AlphaMedia