Collector

Porsche and Ferrari are some of the most renowned names when it comes to high-performance sports cars and supercars. Both companies have decades of experience and boast a proud heritage. The two carmakers are also very successful in motorsports and much of what they have learned on the track has nicely transitioned to their road-going sports cars. Ferrari and Porsche have very different approaches when it comes to making a high-performance car. The 911 is Porsche’s pride, despite there, occasionally, being more potent models. There is one particular 911, which is more comparable to what Ferrari is currently doing, more than any other – the GT1 (Strasßen) or Street version. While both are capable of incredible speed and pack six-cylinder engines, one thing that separates the Porsche 911 GT1 Street and Ferrari’s current flagship, the F80, is that they are 30 years apart in terms of innovation and progress in automotive engineering. This comparison shouldn’t make any sense, but here’s how a race-bred Porsche 911 GT1 measures up against the technologically advanced Ferrari F80 hybrid supercar.

Now, while I’m a man of simple pleasures, I have my indulgences and one of them happens to be automotive scale models. You know the little plastic and metal things that sit on your desk, gathering dust and occasionally falling victim to the vacuum cleaner. Anyway, recently, I acquired a 1:18 scale model of the Porsche 550 Spyder (my fourth) and it’s quite decent. Nicely painted in a rather understated shade of silver, doors, hood, and engine cover that, and even the motor look vaguely convincing. Cost me about fifty bucks. Not bad value, you might think. But then I stumbled upon this… this… thing from the Amalgam Collection that costs $30,000 and I found myself compelled to dig deeper into why the sky-high price tag.

Porsche sports cars like the 911 in particular, have a faithful following. With a legacy spanning over 60 years and counting, the car itself, and the people who drive them possess very specific traits. Whether we are talking about one of the many 911 versions, the EVs, or the SUV offerings, Porsche’s performance models are some of the most capable, pound-for-pound. There have been many Porsche 911 versions that have achieved legendary status and have even overshadowed other decent Porsche offerings. Then, there is the infamous brand tax, which is present on, both the new stuff, the classics, and limited-edition models, of which there are plenty on this list. While most of these models are deserving of their reputation, their exclusivity has priced them out of reach for all, but the most avid car collectors. This isn’t just limited to the 911 though and some Porsche models aren’t as deserving of the hype. Now, I know that including some of the models in this list may be controversial, but in my opinion, here’s why these are 10 of the most overrated Porsche models.

Ah, the 964 Turbo 3.6. There’s something about the 964 that appeals to enthusiasts of the older, more "raw" Porsche 911s. It’s not as outlandishly beloved as the 930 Turbo, nor is it as “driver-focused” as the later 993, but it strikes a very interesting balance. And if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that its price has been climbing at an uncomfortable pace. For those who didn’t, or for those who tried to argue that these cars weren’t worth much, the hammer came down at $375,000 for a 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 sold on Bringatrailer.

The Porsche 911 is currently in its eighth generation. Like the 996, the 992.2 update brought some firsts, key among which was a hybrid powertrain for some 911 variants like the GTS. Porsche’s model has steadily evolved over the years, but this has taken away some of the classic traits that Porsche purists cherish. This is one of the reasons why older Porsche 911s retain value so well. Even the most hated 911 – the 996 with its fried-egg headlights– has begun appreciating, due to being the most affordable way of getting behind the wheel of the iconic German sports car.

Porsche’s dealership network in the U.S. evolved significantly since the brand first entered the market in 1950. The partnership between Max Hoffman and Ferdinand Porsche marked the beginning of Porsche’s American presence. Hoffman, a New York-based salesman, was pivotal in establishing the brand’s reputation, despite Porsche’s smaller engines and higher prices compared to rivals. His marketing efforts, highlighting the 356’s performance and quality, led to early success. By 1954, Hoffman was selling 11 cars per week, contributing to Porsche’s increasing presence in the U.S.

There is no shortage of companies that reimagine Porsche 911s and the automotive scene today, seems to be saturated but in a good way, with car companies that focus on tastefully resto-modding classic Porsches and giving them a unique twist. Names like Singer, Theon, Gunther Werks, REEN, and Gembala are a handful, that come to mind. But how to stand out amidst so many? Dutch company, Kalmar Automotive may have the answer. In the summer of 2024, the company unveiled its most groundbreaking project yet – the Kalmar 9x9.

Be it the sleek design or the evocative howl from its F1-derived mid-engined 5.7-liter V10, the Porsche Carrera GT needs little effort to seduce any enthusiast, Porsche-phile or otherwise. Even two decades on, the 600-horsepower rear-wheel drive manual is hailed by many as the last analog supercar to ever exist. However, when it comes to gaining a reputation as being a modern-day widow maker owing to some pretty high-profile crashes, Porsche had some housekeeping to do and hopefully stave off future lawsuits. At one point, there was even a no-drive request that Porsche sent out to owners, which folks like Doug DeMuro happily ignored.

The 1980s was a truly crazy time. On the one hand, we’d just experienced the oil crisis, which had led to some horrendous cars and ruined previously great ones. On the other – it was a time of innovation, futuristic styling, and some very radical design decisions. Pronounced fender flares, side gills, and pop-up headlights were the norm in those crazy days. When it comes to the Porsche 911, one design stands out as the definitive 1980s styling element – the Flachbau which translates to Slant Nose or flat nose in German.

Porsche as a brand has existed since April 1931. After a successful stint with Daimler and the consulting business that included the design and engineering of models like the VW Beetle and the 16-cylinder Auto Union Type 52, things finally started to fall into place, with Ferdinand Porsche’s dream of making the perfect sports car which came out in 1939. That said, the first mass-produced Porsche performance car – the 356 – did not arrive until well after WWII ended, debuting in 1948. Since then, the German marque has developed a stalwart image as one of the most prominent performance car manufacturers in the world. With a history spanning 93 years and counting, there are many iconic models, many of which were significant to Porsche’s development as a brand. Given Porsche’s storied history and rich motorsport heritage, the list of truly noteworthy Porsche models is impressively long. However, I managed to narrow it down to seven Porsche models, with each one being historically significant through the decades, and paving the way for future Porsches.

Porsche’s rich heritage is a great place to draw inspiration for special-edition models. This is particularly true for the 911, which is the definitive Porsche sports car. The German automaker knows this too well, which is why every generation of the Porsche 911 gets a variety of limited-edition special variants. Back in 2009, Porsche introduced the 997 Sport Classic – a model that combines traditional traits from classic, air-cooled 911s with modern tech. More recently in 2023, the brand introduced a new iteration of the Sport Classic, based on the 992 generation. Conceived by Porsche Exclusiv Manufaktur that allows for limitless customization options, both vehicles follow the same philosophy, leaning heavily on the 911’s heritage. That said, the two 911 Sport Classic variants are very different and while the 992 is superior on paper, this doesn’t necessarily translate to a better driver’s car. I took a deep dive into both 911 Sport Classic models to determine, which is more worthy of the two, in finding a spot in a 911 enthusiast’s garage.

Porsche revived its rally-dominating and iconic Dakar nameplate of the 1980s, as a limited-run model with the (992.1) 911 Dakar back in 2022. Now after 2,500 units, the final example has rolled off the production line as a Sonderwunsh model, which if you are unaware is Porsche’s special wishes program. Now, beyond the highlights of what makes this one-off Dakar so special, I also wanted to touch upon some of the highs and lows as we say goodbye to this modern-day rally-inspired 911.

Porsche sports cars are some of the first to come to mind when talking about engaging, driver-focused performance cars that offer that classic driving feel. Much of that comes from being able to row through the gears yourself through a third pedal and a stick. While most automakers are gradually phasing out the manual transmission, especially in high-performance models, Porsche will still sell you a brand-new car with an H-pattern shifter and a clutch pedal.