The Good
The 2012 Porsche 911 boasts exhilarating performance and surprisingly good reliability for a sports car. Its iconic design and comfortable interior offer an emotional connection. Practical advantages include decent fuel economy for its class and strong resale value. It's a car that satisfies both the heart and the mind.
The Bad
Potential weaknesses of the 2012 Porsche 911 include potential for higher maintenance costs due to its performance nature. Some owners have reported issues with the PDK transmission. Watch out for excessive oil consumption and potential coolant leaks. Pre-purchase inspections are highly recommended to identify potential problems.
2012 Porsche 911: Quick Overview
- Engine Options:
- 3.4L flat-6 (Carrera)
- 3.8L flat-6 (Carrera S)
- Horsepower:
- Carrera: 350 hp
- Carrera S: 400 hp
- Fuel Economy (estimated):
- Carrera: 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway
- Carrera S: 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway
- 0-60 mph times (estimated):
- Carrera: 4.6 seconds (PDK)
- Carrera S: 4.3 seconds (PDK)
- Towing Capacity: Not applicable. The Porsche 911 is not designed for towing.
- Trim-Level Features:
- Carrera:
- 7-speed manual or 7-speed PDK transmission
- Sport seats
- Automatic climate control
- Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with touchscreen display
- Partial leather interior
- Carrera S: (In addition to Carrera features)
- More powerful 3.8L engine
- Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
- Sport exhaust system
- Red brake calipers
- Carrera 4/4S: (Adds all-wheel drive to respective Carrera/Carrera S features)
- Porsche Traction Management (PTM)
- Carrera:
2012 Porsche 911 Specifications
Vehicle Information
| Year | 2012 |
| Make | Porsche |
| Model | 911 |
| Trim | - |
| Style | - |
| Type | Cabriolet |
| Category | Compact Car |
Manufacturing Details
| Made In | Germany |
| Manufacturing City | - |
Dimensions
| Doors | - |
| Curb Weight | - |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | - |
| Overall Height | - |
| Overall Length | - |
| Overall Width | - |
| Wheelbase Length | - |
| Standard Seating | - |
Engine & Performance
| Engine | - |
| Engine Size | - |
| Engine Cylinders | - |
| Transmission | - |
| Transmission Type | - |
| Transmission Speeds | - |
| Drivetrain | - |
Additional Features
| Anti-Brake System | - |
| Steering Type | - |
Pricing
| Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) | - |
| Invoice Price | - |
| Delivery Charges | - |
Vehicle History Report
Specifications
History
Events
History Check
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Listings
Recalls
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Analysis
What Problems Does the 2012 Porsche 911 Have?
While the 2012 model year itself hasn't been subject to a high number of recalls, it's crucial to check the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) website for any outstanding recalls related to specific VINs. Long-term reliability is generally considered good for a sports car, but proper maintenance is critical. Ignoring scheduled maintenance can lead to more significant and costly problems down the road. Regular oil changes, brake servicing, and inspections of the cooling system are essential. Also, keep an eye on the condition of the tires, as performance tires wear more quickly than standard tires.
Specifically, inspect for oil leaks around the rear main seal, a common area for potential issues on Porsche engines.
How long will the 2012 Porsche 911 last?
What Technology & Safety Features are Included?
Driver-assistance features were relatively limited compared to modern cars, but included available parking sensors and cruise control. Safety features included anti-lock brakes (ABS), stability control (PSM - Porsche Stability Management), and multiple airbags. The 2012 911 also featured a strong body structure designed for crash protection.
While the NHTSA and IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) may not have specifically crash-tested the 2012 Porsche 911, Porsche vehicles are generally engineered to meet high safety standards. Euro NCAP testing (though not precisely equivalent) often provides an indication of overall safety performance. Optional safety features included adaptive headlights and a rearview camera. The car also includes tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Keep in mind that many of these features are basic by today’s standards.
What Colors Options are Available?
Exterior Colors
Interior Colors
2012 Porsche 911 Prices and Market Value
2012 Porsche 911 Cost of Ownership
2012 Porsche 911 Fuel Efficiency
2012 Porsche 911 Safety Rating
NHTSA
2012 Porsche 911 Insurance
reasonable repair costs.
How Does the 2012 Porsche 911 Compare to Other Cabriolet?
In terms of price, the 911 is competitively priced within its class. Alternatives might include the Chevrolet Corvette, offering similar performance at a lower price point, but lacking the Porsche's prestige and refinement. The Audi R8 offers similar levels of performance and luxury. The Nissan GT-R provides tremendous performance for the money, but sacrifices some of the 911's elegance and driver engagement. If you are looking for similar performance, but are willing to sacrifice some of the Porsche cachet, the Corvette is a viable option. If budget is not a concern, the Audi R8 is a very comparable alternative.
Ranks #1718 Sedan
| 1 | 2023 Toyota Camry | (5.0★) |
| 2 | 2023 Honda Accord | (0.0★) |
| 3 | 2023 Lexus ES | (0.0★) |
| 4 | 2024 Subaru Legacy | (5.0★) |
| 5 | 2022 Mazda MX-30 | (4.0★) |
| 6 | 2024 BMW M3 | (0.0★) |
| 7 | 2023 Ford Mustang | (5.0★) |
| 8 | 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT | (0.0★) |
| 9 | 2023 Audi A3 | (0.0★) |
| 10 | 2023 Chevrolet Camaro | (5.0★) |
| 11 | 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | (0.0★) |
| 12 | 2023 Nissan Altima | (4.0★) |
| 1718 | 2012 Porsche 911 | (5.0★) |
Final Verdict: Is the 2012 Porsche 911 a Good Cabriolet?
Barry on August 17, 2022
Porsche 911What a great sportscar...maybe a little expensive but after you have one you will agree that it is worth every penny...don't buy one as an investment, buy one to drive
Street_Fighter_II_Feb_1991 on March 8, 2021
Incredibly FAST and AMAZING torque!This is the car I always wanted to own since playing the monster arcade hit game N.A.R.C by Williams in 1988. WHY? I fell in love with those two guys jumping out of the red Porsche, but that Porsche itself was the 1988 911 Turbo! (funny, that when you jump out of the car, you can actually blow it up with your rocket launcher, haha!). Anyway, I paid a tremendous amount for this used and it was WORTH every single penny. NO car for the "reasonable price" of $100k I paid comes close in terms of value and styling and handling and raw power (the torque is insane!). Yes I know other cars would have gotten me close and certainly even beyond like a souped up gently used Corvette C7 at that price range but I like small cars and love the styling on the default 911 models, especially the Turbo 🙂 Say no to drugs and yes to Porsche 911 Turbo!
911 Ray on December 14, 2020
Reliability and I compromised performanceOnly Porsche can make a rock solid performance machine. High reliability, insane performance. Good luck finding this with the Ferrari, Bentley, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, and the rest. When you get in the car the childhood dream pops into mind every time. Amazing
Scott on December 10, 2020
Absolutely a wonderful carThe 991 S is a treat to drive and does it all. The Pdk transmission is brilliant, the shifts are quick and flawless. The handling is superb, and the brakes are unbelievable. Five stars
CaptGiddyUp on June 27, 2020
Happiness is going from the 991 back to the 997.2!I tried the Porsche 991S but felt it had gotten away in size, width, and Driver visibility. My hasty retreat back to the 997.2 (4S) was a great decision
Chefdonn on May 22, 2020
Special weekend or daily driver, Perfect CarBought this car because it is and was in pristine condition. I have since driven a 2021 and am going to order one for European delivery.
Mrz on May 11, 2019
Really funHad several porsches this one is really easy to drive super fast, comfortable. Pdk is way better and faster shift than my old manual turbo. Ventilated seats are great
Almost scammed on December 6, 2018
Car Great...Sales people work together to scam youCar is great. Went to buy the car and mgr. said he forgot about toys for tots. Agreed on price and PPI but salesperson said had to buy the car right then with no PPI
David on November 13, 2018
Most affordable, reliable supercar!The Porsche 911 Turbo S is the best all-around supercar! Fast, reliable, reasonable to insure and repair. Guaranteed to make you smile every time you press the accelerator! And the brakes are phenomenal too!
Stag on October 20, 2018
Great all around car with great drivability and coThe Porsche 911 is a Great Driving Car, handles well, lot of power and comfortable. Takes the curves at high speeds effortlessly and the power is always there when needed!
Simon A
Simon is a contributor to VinCheck, where he provides articles and reviews on various automotive topics. His work focuses on delivering accurate and up-to-date information about used cars, helping readers make informed decisions.