2008 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

The all-alloy engine in the 911 Carrera Cabriolet is a 3.6-liter flat or "boxer" six equipped with Porsche's VarioCam Plus variable valve timing. It produces 325 hp @ 6,800 rpm with 273 foot-pounds of torque. Equipped with the highly rated six-speed manual transmission, the base Carrera Cabriolet can make the 0-60 jump in 5.0 seconds. Backed by the five-speed Tiptronic S automatic, it takes 5.4 seconds. Top speed is 177/174 mph (manual/automatic). Despite this impressive performance, the EPA ratings aren't too bad, with the manual and automatic getting identical ratings of 18/26 mpg city/highway.

The Cabriolet removes the standard 911's metal top, but adds chassis reinforcement and electric motors. Porsche has managed to do that by adding only 51 pounds to the coupe's curb weight. The soft top has been reworked so that when up, its aerodynamics match those of the coupe (drag coefficient is 0.29). The top stows under its own tonneau cover in a 20-second push-button operation that can be done at up to 31 mph. Porsche claims the sound level, even at racetrack speeds, is nearly as low as the coupe's. The top is equipped with a heated glass rear window and rain channels to manage water flow.

On the road, reviewers find the extra weight does little to inhibit the Carrera Cabriolet's acceleration (it's 0.2 second slower to 60 mph), cornering, road feel, and braking. What all reviewers rave about is the open-air experience of a 911 in full flight. The Carrera comes with the excellent Porsche Stability Management system, which has been modified to allow the driver more leeway exploring handling limits.

Porsche interiors, noted for their build quality and simplicity, are meant for drivers; they offer little to distract from the main attraction: the open road. The steering wheel includes height and telescopic adjustments, while the interior has undergone further ergonomic organization to place controls within easy reach of the driver. Reviewers found the standard seating comfortable for both sport and long-distance driving. The rear seats, considered by all reviewers to be humanly uninhabitable, fold down to add 7.24 cubic feet of storage space.

Standard safety equipment includes six airbags (dual front, side, and head), antilock disc brakes, traction control, and stability control. Porsche convertibles come equipped with a roll-protection system that includes deployable roll bars triggered by a rollover sensor. The Porsche braking system is race-bred and one of the most effective available anywhere. While the Carrera Cabriolet is at home on the daily commute or the weekend competition, it loves the sun.