Most of us dream of owning a sports car, and since it happens to be our ultimate dream car, we hope to keep it for as long as possible. These things aren’t cheap, and they aren’t practical, either, so for the most part, they’re pretty much toys for grown-ups with a fraction of usability thrown in, just enough for you to go on a road trip for two.
With long-term ownership being part of the criteria, this now begs us the question of what sports car would be perfect for us car enthusiasts to keep forever. Maintenance and reliability, therefore, will be key to this decision. Just as important, however, is the sports car‘s timelessness—one that will remain desirable and iconic even after 10 years or so.
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Please Call 911
Call me biased and all, but if I were to recommend a sports car for those who plan to keep it forever, then save up for a Porsche 911. It’s the endgame dream sports car for many, and it’s a car most enthusiasts plan to keep forever—including me. Here’s why.
Timeless And Ageless
A major appeal of the Porsche 911 is the sheer timelessness of the vehicle. Call the brand stubborn for sticking with the rear engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) layout, along with the silhouette that resembles an elongated Beetle, but it’s exactly this stubbornness that has kept the 911 looking the same for the past 63 years. As a result, design-wise, it just works. The minor evolution of each passing generation has meant that, whether we’re talking about the 993 generation or the current 992, each model keeps the charm of the old model, whilst being adapted for the modern challenges of car enthusiasts.
Take, for example, the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid I drove last year. As the biggest leap forward since the water-cooled era came with the 996 generation, the 992 was electrified in 2024 to meet emissions rules, but only to a degree that it won’t drastically change the already perfected character of the 911. Speaking of which, it is exactly this stubbornness for the past 63 years that has resulted in the 911 today being pretty much perfected–at least whilst negotiating today’s stricter safety and emissions rules.
And Also Reliable
But of course, a forever sports car can only last for generations if it is going to be supported by the brand for a long time, right? That’s exactly what Porsche can do, because of a division called Porsche Classic. For instance, models like the 996, 997, and the first-generation Cayenne are now part of the Porsche Classic parts catalog, and so you can be assured that whether you’re buying a new or used 911, you’ll still have spare parts and, oftentimes, even new accessories to keep your Porsche humming for the decades to come.
Finally, more than just the parts support, the 911 itself is inherently a reliable sports car, and even Stuttcars has a handy guide for all 911 generations. Reliability levels still vary across generations, though. The key here is powertrain-wise, the simpler, the better. Here’s to hoping that the hybridized 911s will be as reliable. Anyway, the 991 generation experiences water pump quirks as it ages, but it’s not necessarily a major issue, as it’s something that wears out with other cars, too. That said, the water pump of the 991 has been given an extended warranty from Porsche to address longevity complaints. Overall, the 911 is a reliable sports car, though take note, as a sports car, maintenance isn’t cheap.
Best Bang For Your Buck Modern Porsche 911 That Money Can Buy
If you are in the market for a bargain supercar killer, it’s hard to do better than the 996 generation 911 Turbo
What’s A 992 Like To Drive
Today, however, if you’re able to afford the new 2026 Porsche 911, you’ll be getting the ultimate and most desirable sports car for enthusiasts. With over 20 variations to choose from, there’s a 911 that’s bound to be perfect for you. Unfortunately, the 911 today is either expensive or, yes, you can afford it, but you can’t get an allocation for a GT3.
Perfected Handling And Ride
63 years of stubbornness to stick with a familiar formula has meant that in 2026, the 911 is pretty much the sports car benchmark. It all begins with the steering, which, despite being an electric power steering since the 991, still offers an unapologetically great feel. It feels like there’s a rigid connection without a filter from the wheel to your hands. The suspension and chassis balance are superb, offering high grip limits, yet with the electronic assists at their reduced intervention, the vehicle willingly plays around.
Furthermore, the high-speed stability of the 911 is simply top-notch. It feels planted at any speed, whether it’s the base Carrera or the GTS. The birth of the 991 generation was the start of the 911 being an all-around sports car, and here in the 992, Porsche has built the 911 around that aspect. The ride is compliant, though, of course, as a sports car, don’t expect it to ride like a Panamera. The adaptive dampers switch from compliant to firm across different drive modes, and then the steering and throttle varies its personality as well. Copious amounts of insulation have made the 911 a relaxing long-distance cruiser, but if you want a more aural connection, the Carrera T and GT3 models have less sound insulation.
Find 2026 Porsche 911 Carrera and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
Various Powertrains, All Sublime
I’ve also driven the base Carrera along for the drive when we took the Carrera GTS T-Hybrid on a long drive, and you know what, most people will already be satisfied with the base Carrera. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six of the base Carrera, which produces 388 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, is just right for public road use. Not too powerful that flooring the throttle will immediately land you a speeding ticket, yet just right for you to still have enough room to hear that flat-six engine roar. The electrified 3.6-liter electrically turbocharged flat-six of the Carrera GTS T-Hybrid fills in the gaps of the powertrain, which, as a result, makes it is pretty much like an electric car in how responsive the engine has become.
Want the pinnacle of performance? The 911 GT3 models and the Turbo models will be perfect for you. The Turbo, which is now electrified as well, is great at offering relentless power, while the naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six that screams to 9,000 rpm is the best when it comes to sheer engine note. Now, whichever transmission you choose, both the eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic and the six-speed manual are simply perfect. To my eyes, however, please get the manual if it’s available in the 911 variant of your choice.
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How I’d Build My 992
As a peek into my preferences for vehicles, here are two suggestions on how you can configure your dream Porsche 911. The configurator offers tons of possibilities, letting you create a 911 that’s specific to your wants and wishes.
The Realistic Build
If being realistic (if that’s even a thing) with a 911, my ideal variant would be the 911 Carrera T. Essentially a base 911 Carrera in a manual, but with a few weight-saving measures, this variant is what I’d consider a “GT3 Touring-lite”. A 911 Carrera T in coupe form starts at $143,700. In this spec that I am happy with (not going all-out with what’s possible, but already content), its total price is $168,590—for a 911 that already offers 90 percent of what a GT3 Touring can be, bar the 9,000-rpm redlining 4.0-liter non-turbo flat-six. Besides, as I’ve already mentioned, the base 911 Carrera’s engine is already perfectly suited for public roads. Powerful enough for it to remain enjoyable, but not too powerful that you’re too focused on how not to land yourself in jail. My build for the 911 Carrera T costs $168,590, which is a lot less than my unrestrained build for a 911.
The Unrestrained Build
Now, if money were no object, I’d immediately splurge for the 911 GT3 Touring. I want the 9,000 rpm-redlining 4.0-liter flat-six and a manual, but none of the hardcore track monster that the GT3 is meant to be. It’s a road-biased 911 GT3, based on how I configured mine, especially as I didn’t opt for the Lightweight Package, and instead even went all-in on the luxury-oriented stuff like the Extended Exclusive Manufaktur Leather and brought back the rear seats. PTS Yachting Blue, High Gloss California Gold wheels, and a subtle Porsche stripe on the roof and hood are a few touches to set my GT3 Touring apart from everyone else’s. This build costs $287,216, so you can see how expensive a 911 can get when configured truly to your exact desire.