A recent Automotive News headline read, “Automakers regroup after $50 billion electric vehicle debacle,” and no automaker was more burned by that debacle than Porsche. (OK, maybe Audi, but that’s another story for another day).
In 2019 Porsche launched the Taycan electric car to great fanfare, and while it was and is an excellent vehicle, there were significant problems early on: quality deficiencies led to big warranty costs, real world range was less than promised, and gigantic depreciation was a major downer for customers who bought rather than leased.
Ironically, while huge Taycan depreciation has become almost a meme in the car world, the answer to the trivia question, “Which car holds its value better than any other?” is the Porsche 911.
With its iconic profile and rear engine, the 911 dates back to 1964 and is beloved by enthusiasts around the world for its distinctive exhaust note and athletic handling.
I drove the 2026 911 Carrera T recently, and experiencing it explains why it hardly depreciates, in contrast with its electric sibling.
For one thing, the new 911, known as the 992.2 generation to Porsche enthusiasts, looks a lot like previous 911s. That’s a big plus for 911 fans because the slow and steady evolution of the 911 exterior design connects the car with its rich heritage.
Having said that, the 992.2 is big for a sports car. Compared with the 2012 997 generation 911, the newest version is 2in wider and 3.6in longer. In addition, the 992.2 weighs about 240lbs more than the 997, the gen that many enthusiasts consider to be the last analog 911.
A good side effect of the 992.2 being larger is that it’s significantly roomier inside than it used to be. Gone are the days where you’d bump against the door with your elbow and rub the roof with the top of your head when you went for a drive.
The 992.2 is luxurious in a way that earlier 911s weren’t too. Interior materials look and feel expensive, and almost everything inside and outside any new 911 is configurable—more configurable than any new vehicle this side of Bentley, Rolls Royce, or Bugatti. In fact, it took noted Youtuber Nick Murray over 90min to go through the Porsche configurator and discuss all of the over 200 option and option packages available. The result of all that optionality is that buying a new 911 today will get you a terrific sports car that’s unique and truly yours.
Sadly, the Carrera T is the only non-GT 911 which can be optioned with a manual transmission in 2026. I have two complaints about that, 1) the Carrera T includes the standard 388HP 3.0L turbocharged flat-six engine rather than the more potent 473HP motor offered in the Carrera S (so, hint-hint Porsche decision makers if you’re reading, the S should be made available with the manual as it was just two years ago), and 2) the 6-speed stick shift should be a 7-speed like it used to be because having a 7th gear as an over-drive is nice on long trips on the interstate.
Nevertheless, the Carrera T is very sporty with sharp steering and rapid acceleration. Its handling is hard to beat in all circumstances, and the 0-60MPH time is an impressive 4.3sec.
The Carrera T is at its best on twisty B roads where its neutral steering and tuned suspension can handle every corner with impressive capability. In town and interstate driving is fine, excellent even, but OMG medium- to high-speed cornering is where this car shines.
By the way, I’d avoid the four-wheel-steering (FWS) option. I’m a fan of this feature in big cars like the Mercedes S-class but think it detracts from the 911 experience. I haven’t driven a 911 with FWS, but reviewers that have are plus-minus, and the YouTuber “Rennthusiast” owned a 992 T with FWS and hated it. Oh, by the way, I have driven many 911s over the years, and none felt like they needed their rear wheels to steer.
Almost five years ago I configured and purchased a 992.1 Carrera S 7-sp manual, and I’m still very pleased with my purchase. And amazingly, thanks to the 911’s strong resale history, my car is worth 80% of what I paid back in 2021, and maybe even more. Wow.
Porsche the company has been struggling with their decision to lean into electric cars, and I’ll bet they’re very grateful to have the 911 in their model range. It’s iconic given its more than 60-year history but is also an excellent sports car to drive every day, as my experience with a new Carrera T reminded me recently. Buy one if you’re thinking about it. You won’t regret it.
Stephen Schutz has covered the automotive world for more than 30 years as a syndicated writer and podcast host. Read his column monthly in The Cricket.
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