2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Review: A Stunning Send-Off

The 991 series of the iconic Porsche 911 was the most successful generation of the sports car ever, with over 230,000 units produced. It was also the generation that saw the one-millionth 911 to be produced, so when the time came to bid farewell to the 991 series, Porsche wanted to go out on a high. Enter the 911 Speedster, built as a stunning send-off to the 991. The spirit of the original open-top 356 Speedster of the 1950s lives on in its modern successor, with the 911 Speedster featuring a manually-operated fabric roof and the instantly recognizable double-bubble roof cover. It's the intense focus on a pure, unfiltered driving experience that really sets apart the Speedster, though. A high-revving naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine with over 500 horsepower is the stuff of any gearhead's dreams, and it's made even more special when partnered with rear-wheel drive and a classic six-speed manual gearbox. Yes, there are quicker 991 series Porsches, but the Speedster has been stripped of all excesses to emerge as one of the most memorable 911s ever. It's Porsche at its best.

What's the Price of the 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster?

An MSRP of $274,500 for the 911 Speedster is nearly double the price of the 911 GT3. The price excludes a $1,250 delivery fee, along with tax, licensing, and registration. With fewer than 2,000 models produced, the 911 Speedster is guaranteed to become a collector's item.

Handling and Driving Impressions

The 911 Speedster is a showcase of Porsche making the best on-road car it possibly can. To that end, the suspension isn't as hard as that of the GT3 and, although tuning it this way may reduce the Speedster's lap time on a track, it makes for sheer driving perfection when taking the long way home from the office. The electric steering is still a delightfully talkative tool, transferring useful feedback to the driver every step of the way. A rear-axle steering system contributes to the Speedster's astounding agility and, together with the prodigious grip from the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, you can carry alarming speeds through a twisty stretch. And yet, it's not at the expense of ride quality, where the Speedster sacrifices little to the regular 911 in the way it remains firm but composed, totally unruffled by mid-corner bumps. Switch over to sport mode and the Porsche Active Suspension Management system does its thing and endows the Speedster with a more aggressive edge, perfectly complementing the epic engine and the tactile shifts of the six-speeder. That Porsche has been able to retain so much of what makes the 911 great despite the loss of a regular roof makes the Speedster an even more astounding engineering feat.

Verdict: Is the 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster A Good car?

As a celebration of 70 years of Porsche - along with a sensational farewell to the brilliant 991 generation - the 911 Speedster is a fitting tribute, and then some. In many ways, this car is a combination of Porsche's best elements. The six-speed manual transmission is one of the best self-shifters on the market, and while the naturally aspirated engine isn't as powerful as Porsche's latest turbocharged units, its propensity for high revs and the stirring soundtrack more than compensate. The chassis retains most of the GT3's phenomenal attributes, but the softer setup makes it a friendlier daily drive. Then, there's the novelty of top-down driving and the unique proportions of the Speedster's bubble streamliners. At over a quarter of a million dollars, the privilege of driving away in this car is reserved for society's elite. But then again, this is an elite sports car and one of the finest 911s ever made.

What Porsche 911 Speedster Model Should I Buy?

Porsche envisioned the 911 Speedster as a true purist's sports car with a focus on the driving experience rather than frivolous luxuries. Bearing that in mind, we'd prefer keeping our 911 Speedster as close to its basic form as possible. We would, however, tick the boxes for the air conditioning and heated seats, features that we consider essential for a convertible. Otherwise, we trust that Porsche has built the ideal sports car from the start.

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Comparisons

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster vs Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

At less than half the price of the 911 Speedster, the 911 Carrera Cabriolet may not have the same exclusive appeal, but it's one of the most accomplished drop-tops in the world. The two differ quite markedly from a visual perspective, with the two-seater Speedster's double-bubble roof cover and manually-adjustable roof replaced by the Carrera's more traditional rear styling and electrically-adjustable roof. The Carrera also has four seats, even if the rear ones are tiny. All Carrera models are turbocharged and provide swift performance with strong mid-range grunt, but they don't feel as special as the Speedster's naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six. The Carrera rides and handles better than almost any other convertible, resisting excessive body flex despite the loss of the roof. The Speedster is more accomplished still, but either car will provide endless thrills. If you have the wherewithal to buy a Speedster, it takes all of the 911 Carrera's magic and turns it up another couple of notches. But if you must have a drop-top 911 and can't stretch to the Speedster, the standard Carrera Convertible remains a segment benchmark.

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster vs Porsche 718 Boxster

Much lower down in the Porsche convertible range is the Boxster, starting at around the $60,000 mark. To put that into perspective, you could buy almost five base Boxsters for the price of the 911 Speedster. The powertrains differ vastly, though, with the Boxster's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot being both powerful and efficient but failing to get close to the aural drama of the Speedster's flat-six. A bigger 2.5-liter turbo-four produces over 350 horsepower, but it still doesn't evoke the same emotion as Porsche's naturally aspirated motors. The Boxster handles as deftly as it ever has, though, blending feelsome steering with astonishing body control. The classy cabin is a good place to be, but the Speedster feels more special with its bespoke touches. While few buyers would pit these cars against one another directly owing to the giant price difference, it's reassuring that the comparatively old-school, exotic Speedster's DNA lives on in the much more affordable but still fun-to-drive Boxster.