2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Review 911 Speedster Convertible Models CarBuzz

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Review 911 Speedster Convertible Models CarBuzz

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2019 Porsche 911 Speedster

New Models911 Carrera911 Carrera Cabriolet911 Targa 4911 Turbo911 Turbo Cabriolet911 GT3911 GT3 RSDiscontinued Models911 GT2 RS911 Speedster911 Speedster All GenerationsUsed201920112019 $274,500 Price (MSRP) 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster For Sale Sell Your Porsche 911 Speedster Porsche Convertibles Porsche Sports Cars Review Exterior Interior Trims & Specs Performance Safety & Reliability 33 Photos Compare insurance prices: Save an average of $440 Free Quote

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Review A Stunning Send-Off

by Karl Furlong The 991 series of the iconic Porsche 911 was the most successful generation of the sports car ever, with over 230,000 units produced. It was also the generation that saw the one-millionth 911 to be produced, so when the time came to bid farewell to the 991 series, Porsche wanted to go out on a high. Enter the 911 Speedster, built as a stunning send-off to the 991. The spirit of the original open-top 356 Speedster of the 1950s lives on in its modern successor, with the 911 Speedster featuring a manually-operated fabric roof and the instantly recognizable double-bubble roof cover. It's the intense focus on a pure, unfiltered driving experience that really sets apart the Speedster, though. A high-revving naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine with over 500 horsepower is the stuff of any gearhead's dreams, and it's made even more special when partnered with rear-wheel drive and a classic six-speed manual gearbox. Yes, there are quicker 991 series Porsches, but the Speedster has been stripped of all excesses to emerge as one of the most memorable 911s ever. It's Porsche at its best.

Read in this review

Exterior Design 10 /10 Performance 10 /10 Fuel Economy 7 /10 Interior & Cargo 8 /10 Infotainment & Features 8 /10 Reliability 10 /10 Safety 9 /10 Value For Money 8 /10 8.8 What is BuzzScore?

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Changes What s the difference vs 2018 911 Speedster

The 911 Speedster is an all-new, limited-run model introduced for the 2019 model year, commemorating 70 years of Porsche as well as the successful 991 series. In fact, it's the last of the 991.2 series cars to be built and only 1,948 units will be produced worldwide. The Speedster is fitted with a 4.0-liter flat-six engine developing 502 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to hit 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. A manually operated fabric roof, body panels made from carbon fiber composite material, and Porsche ceramic composite brakes are just a few of the extensive weight-saving measures that have been employed in the Speedster's development. Even air conditioning is absent, although it can be optioned on. Carbon fiber interior trim and black leather/Alcantara with red stitching are further highlights.

Pros and Cons

Unique Speedster designThrilling, powerful, manic GT3-derived flat-six engineSix-speed manual is a joy to useIt's the handling benchmarkMore comfortable than a GT3Top-down driving amps up the drama Jaw-dropping priceManual roof operation can be a pain in wet conditionsCompromised rearward visibility

Best Deals on 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster

2019 Porsche 911 991 Speedster $359,995 8,738 miles Good Deal $45,800 below 2019 Porsche 911 991 Speedster $415,000 230 miles Fair Deal $20,700 above 2019 Porsche 911 991 Speedster $389,898 1,102 miles Fair Deal Average price 2019 Porsche 911 991 Speedster $394,990 1,072 miles Fair Deal Average price See All 911 Speedster For Sale

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Trims

See trim levels and configurations: Trim Engine Transmission Drivetrain Price (MSRP) 991 Speedster 4.0L Flat 6 Gas 6-Speed Manual Rear-Wheel Drive $274,500 See All 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Trims and Specs

Handling and Driving Impressions

The 911 Speedster is a showcase of Porsche making the best on-road car it possibly can. To that end, the suspension isn't as hard as that of the GT3 and, although tuning it this way may reduce the Speedster's lap time on a track, it makes for sheer driving perfection when taking the long way home from the office. The electric steering is still a delightfully talkative tool, transferring useful feedback to the driver every step of the way. A rear-axle steering system contributes to the Speedster's astounding agility and, together with the prodigious grip from the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, you can carry alarming speeds through a twisty stretch. And yet, it's not at the expense of ride quality, where the Speedster sacrifices little to the regular 911 in the way it remains firm but composed, totally unruffled by mid-corner bumps. Switch over to sport mode and the Porsche Active Suspension Management system does its thing and endows the Speedster with a more aggressive edge, perfectly complementing the epic engine and the tactile shifts of the six-speeder. That Porsche has been able to retain so much of what makes the 911 great despite the loss of a regular roof makes the Speedster an even more astounding engineering feat. Now Buzzing First Drive 2023 Toyota Crown First Drive Review: A Tale Of Two Hybrids Sports Cars 2023 BMW M2 Coming With Optional Center-Lock Wheels Electric Vehicles Tesla Cybertruck Spotted With Production-Ready Rear End Tuning 700-Horsepower 2023 Nissan Z By AMS Performance Hits Nine-Second Quarter Mile Crash Watch A Seventh-Gen Toyota Hilux Truck Launch Into The Air After Losing Control Electric Vehicles Rivian Angers R1T Customers By Removing A Desirable Feature From The Electric Truck

Verdict Is the 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster a good car

As a celebration of 70 years of Porsche - along with a sensational farewell to the brilliant 991 generation - the 911 Speedster is a fitting tribute, and then some. In many ways, this car is a combination of Porsche's best elements. The six-speed manual transmission is one of the best self-shifters on the market, and while the naturally aspirated engine isn't as powerful as Porsche's latest turbocharged units, its propensity for high revs and the stirring soundtrack more than compensate. The chassis retains most of the GT3's phenomenal attributes, but the softer setup makes it a friendlier daily drive. Then, there's the novelty of top-down driving and the unique proportions of the Speedster's bubble streamliners. At over a quarter of a million dollars, the privilege of driving away in this car is reserved for society's elite. But then again, this is an elite sports car and one of the finest 911s ever made.

Check out other Porsche 911 Styles

911 Carrera 911 Carrera Cabriolet 911 Targa 4 911 Turbo 911 Turbo Cabriolet 911 GT3 911 GT3 RS 911 GT2 RS Compare

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Comparisons

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2019 Porsche 911 Speedster vs Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

At less than half the price of the 911 Speedster, the 911 Carrera Cabriolet may not have the same exclusive appeal, but it's one of the most accomplished drop-tops in the world. The two differ quite markedly from a visual perspective, with the two-seater Speedster's double-bubble roof cover and manually-adjustable roof replaced by the Carrera's more traditional rear styling and electrically-adjustable roof. The Carrera also has four seats, even if the rear ones are tiny. All Carrera models are turbocharged and provide swift performance with strong mid-range grunt, but they don't feel as special as the Speedster's naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six. The Carrera rides and handles better than almost any other convertible, resisting excessive body flex despite the loss of the roof. The Speedster is more accomplished still, but either car will provide endless thrills. If you have the wherewithal to buy a Speedster, it takes all of the 911 Carrera's magic and turns it up another couple of notches. But if you must have a drop-top 911 and can't stretch to the Speedster, the standard Carrera Convertible remains a segment benchmark. See Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Review

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster vs Porsche 718 Boxster

Much lower down in the Porsche convertible range is the Boxster, starting at around the $60,000 mark. To put that into perspective, you could buy almost five base Boxsters for the price of the 911 Speedster. The powertrains differ vastly, though, with the Boxster's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot being both powerful and efficient but failing to get close to the aural drama of the Speedster's flat-six. A bigger 2.5-liter turbo-four produces over 350 horsepower, but it still doesn't evoke the same emotion as Porsche's naturally aspirated motors. The Boxster handles as deftly as it ever has, though, blending feelsome steering with astonishing body control. The classy cabin is a good place to be, but the Speedster feels more special with its bespoke touches. While few buyers would pit these cars against one another directly owing to the giant price difference, it's reassuring that the comparatively old-school, exotic Speedster's DNA lives on in the much more affordable but still fun-to-drive Boxster. See Porsche 718 Boxster Review

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Popular Comparisons

The most popular competitors of 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster: 2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible $264,300 Price (MSRP) 2018 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible $322,600 Price (MSRP) Compare 2018 Mercedes-AMG SL65 $222,000 Price (MSRP) Compare 2019 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible $253,550 Price (MSRP) Compare

Porsche 911 Speedster News

Tuning 10 Gunther Werks Reveals 993 Speedster Remastered An even faster and open-top version of the tuners take on the 993 generation Porsche 911 is here. Video 17 Staggeringly Gorgeous Mercedes 300SL Has AMG Power This restomod 300SL has been turned into a wild speedster. Sports Cars 0 Final Porsche 911 Speedster Sells For $1 Million All proceeds will be donated to help fight Covid-19 in America. LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top
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