The 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S two-door convertible (or cabriolet) was powered by a 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine that produced 355 horsepower. A six-speed manual overdrive transmission was standard, while a five-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission, with a gate that enabled the driver to shift manually, was available as an option.
Features for the 911 Carrera S included air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, leather seats, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors, a trip computer, a stereo system with a CD player, and dual front, side, and curtain airbags.
Other features included 18-inch wheels, an Active Suspension Management system, variable ratio steering, traction control, and anti-lock disc brakes. Options included wood interior trim and heated front seats.
Drivers noted that Porsche succeeded in improving on its venerable two-seater for 2005, making a fast, fun sports car with excellent handling, performance, and styling even better. However, some drivers noted that for a car in this price range, Porsche should have included more of the optional features as standard equipment.