DecodedCars2008 Porsche 911
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Two Seaters
- Body styles
- Carrera 4/S/4s 2dr Coupe AWD, Carrera Base 2dr Coupe RWD, Carrera Cabriolet /4/S 2dr AWD, Carrera Cabriolet 4s 2dr RWD
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 480 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 19 combined · 16 city / 24 hwy
- Length
- 174.4–176 in
- Curb weight
- 3,075–3,439 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 8 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Porsche 911 is a two seaters offered with 2 engines (3.6L 6-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 176 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 92-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,157 lb (Carrera 4/S/4s 2dr Coupe AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 24 highway), 2% better than the 2008 two seaters average of 18.6 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2008
- Engine added: 3.6L 6-cyl turbo
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 911 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 2 2008 911 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrera 4/S/4s 2dr Coupe AWD | 175.6 in | 72.8 in | 51.6 in | 91.7 in | 58.3 / 59.1 in | 3,157 lb | 38/62 |
| Carrera Base 2dr Coupe RWD | 175.6 in | 71.3 in | 51.6 in | 91.7 in | 58.3 / 59.1 in | 3,075 lb | 38/62 |
| Carrera Cabriolet /4/S 2dr AWD | 175.6 in | 71.3 in | 51.6 in | 91.7 in | 57.9 / 59.8 in | 3,075 lb | 38/62 |
| Carrera Cabriolet 4s 2dr RWD | 175.6 in | 71.3 in | 51.6 in | 91.7 in | 57.9 / 59.8 in | 3,439 lb | 38/62 |
| Gt2 2dr Coupe RWD | 176 in | 72.8 in | 50.8 in | 92.5 in | – | 3,175 lb | |
| Gt3/RS 2dr Coupe AWD | 174.4 in | 71.3 in | 50.4 in | 92.9 in | 58.3 / 60.6 in | 3,075 lb | 38/62 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 911 GT2 | 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | +2% | $4,350 | 468 |
| 911 GT3 | 3.6L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | -3% | $4,550 | 494 |
| 911 GT3 RS | 3.6L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | -3% | $4,550 | 494 |
| 911 Turbo | 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | -11% | $4,550 | 494 |
| 911 Turbo | 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | -11% | $4,550 | 494 |
| 911 Turbo Cabriolet | 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | -11% | $4,550 | 494 |
| 911 Turbo Cabriolet | 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 24 / 18 | -11% | $4,550 | 494 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Porsche 911 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 two seaterss
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Porsche 911 (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Audi R8 | 15 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Porsche Boxster | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Porsche Cayman | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Lexus SC | 19 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Cadillac XLR | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Porsche 911.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2008 Porsche 911 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Porsche 911 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 49,300 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Porsche 911. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 911 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 5 | 7 |
| 2023 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 8 | 3 |
| 2022 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 8 | 10 |
| 2021 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 8 | 6 |
| 2020 911 | 20 | 178 in | Not rated | 8 | 7 |
| 2019 911 | 25 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 2 |
| 2018 911 | 25 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 2 |
| 2017 911 | 25 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 5 | 6 |
| 2016 911 | 23 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 2 |
| 2015 911 | 23 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 8 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Porsche. How we calculate this →