If Porsche showrooms were anything like bars or pubs, the 'last orders' bell would be ringing loud, indicating the final opportunity to buy the current iteration 911 (the 992) before it's succeeded by the new model (the 992.2). The outgoing 911 is the 11th generation of one of the most iconic sports cars ever produced. Before the 992 is taken off sale, I wanted to enjoy one last hurrah in something joyfully basic.

Which 911 to pick

The outgoing 992 911 is available in a collection of variants; there are currently more than 10 to pick from, ranging from £99,000 for the 'basic' Carrera to £190,000 for the 'all-bells-and-whistles' GT3RS.

As a model and trim level, the 911 Carrera T sits just above the most basic Carrera but allows for a few optional extras that grant a slightly more rewarding driving experience. The 'T' stands for touring and carries on the badge from 911s first seen in the 1960s. Today, as in 1968, it is a model designed with usability and practicality in mind.

The Carrera T is priced from £105,700 and, as standard, features an attractive selection of equipment, including the PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) suspension, which lowers the ride height and grants the ability to stiffen or soften the ride at the touch of a button. Also included in the £105k retail price are LED lights, an upgraded audio system (sound package plus), smartphone connectivity, lightweight and noise-insulated glass, cruise control, keyless entry, a park assistant system, a multifunction steering wheel, and all the essential safety and driver aid systems to help keep everything in check on the road.

Optional extras worth ticking

The Carrera T allows for some optional extras that otherwise wouldn't be obtainable on the marginally cheaper Carrera. The car I'd be taking for a few days had a few of these options ticked, including the rear axle steering (£1,830), window trims finished in black gloss (£383), LED Matrix headlights (£2,361), electric folding mirrors (£276), a fire extinguisher (£155), park assist with 360-degree camera system (£1,375), interior light design package (£407) and an upgraded Bose Surround Sound (£1,152.00). In addition to the retail price, these options create an overall price tag for the model of £113,638.00.

As you might expect, I was looking forward to my long weekend with a 911; however, as bizarre as it may appear in the text, I hadn't entirely prepared myself for how the almost entry-level 911 would make me feel. I knew I'd like it, but I didn't expect that I'd be lusting for one even after my first 24 hours with the car.

With the selection of high-performance 911s available, such as the GTS, GT3, GT2 and RS models, one could be forgiven for assuming that a lesser-powered 911 might not tick all the boxes in terms of feeling special and sporty, but that simply isn't the case. I've been extremely fortunate to experience almost every iteration of GT3, a handful of GTS models, and even once enjoyed a 4500-mile road trip in what I deemed at the time 'the best car ever made'–a 997.2 GT3RS. And yet, on my purposefully scenic drive from Porsche's UK HQ in Reading to my home in Warwickshire, in the subdue by comparison Carrera T, I was equally enamoured.

Happiness is: Rear wheel drive and a manual gearbox.

As standard, the Carrera T produces 385 hp (283kW) and 450 Nm of torque at peak. The power comes from a turbocharged 3.0L flat six and is delivered exclusively to the rear wheels via a mesmerisingly brilliant 7-speed manual gearbox. The combination of manual box and rear-wheel drive powertrain rewards one of the most engaging and rewarding road car experiences on offer. The Carrera T is one of the slowest 911s you can buy in terms of performance, yet it will still achieve a 0-62mph sprint in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 182 mph, and it feels far from subdued.

Thanks to one of the optional extras, the rear-axle steering, the dynamics are increased even more, with spirited cornering resulting in child-like giggles from the driver's seat. The PASM system gives an additional reward of brilliance thanks to its damping and compliance on even the most unforgiving road surfaces. Getting bumpy back roads right in a sports car can be challenging, yet Porsche has nailed it with the PASM system. As standard, two suspension modes are selectable, 'normal' and 'sport'. Normal offers a comfortable and compliant ride, and Sport stiffens up the shock absorbance, which is better suited to smoother surfaces.

Driver Modes

The Carrera T has four driver modes, switchable with a toggle wheel. Rain is optimal for wet conditions by increasing the sensitivity of the traction control settings and adjusting the throttle map accordingly. Sport and Sport Plus offer sharper throttle maps, a stiffer ride and open valves in the exhaust for a better flow of gasses and a fruitier soundtrack. The fourth mode, 'normal', offers a happy medium of driver settings, enabling features like engine start/stop when stationary or in traffic. Thanks to dashboard switches, quick adjustments to exhaust sound or ride comfort can be made in all modes. So, if a road becomes too bumpy in sports mode, the suspension can be softened independently for a softer ride while maintaining the other settings.

Interior Comfort and Space

As you would expect, following seven generations of evolution, the Carrera T's driving position and practicalities are spot on. The seat and steering wheel can be adjusted to your preferred position, but I struggle to imagine that many will find the position uncomfortable or impractical, regardless of shape or size. The model has plenty of room for the driver and passenger and is available as a two-seat or four-seat coupe. The rear seats are a zero-cost option, and whilst they're not likely to be used as seats very often, by having them, very little is lost in terms of storage space. Under the bonnet is a generous 132-litre luggage compartment, easily big enough to accommodate a couple of luggage bags.

Unadulterated joy-filled driving.

Compared to its £190,000+ GT3RS brethren, the Carrera T is a pretty basic car, but basic in the sense of a sports car rarely translates to bad. In the case of a 911, I feel that 'basic' might even be the better option, especially for road use. 385 hp is an entirely usable amount of power, and thanks to the addition of rear-axle steering and a staggered wheel set-up (21' rears and 20' fronts), the driving experience in terms of value for money is hard to beat. With the exhaust valves open in Sport Plus mode, the Carrera T howls between gears, filling the car with atmosphere. When shifting down through the gears, the revs automatically blip to match the lower gear, which rewards a cheerful bark from the 3.0L flat-six. The steering feels light but precise, with all the action manageable through the touch of palms and fingertips. There's no wrestling required to make the car do what you want it to do. It simply gets the job done with no fuss and plenty of reward.

The other selling point is the car itself. Regardless of trim level, options or overall price tag, a 911 is a 911, and that in itself makes it special. The 911 is recognisable to almost every person in the world - regardless of motoring interests and that makes the Carrera T feel just as special to drive as a GT3–but in its own way.

The last of its kind?

There are many reasons to treat yourself to a last-of-the-line Carrera T, but a considerable one is that it's one of the last of its kind. Beyond this point, some of the new Porsche 911 models, such as the GTS, will adopt a new hybrid drivetrain platform.

Whilst Porsche has not confirmed this yet, there will most likely be some non-hybrid models in the next (992.2) 911 lineup, but in the long term, the days of non-hybrid models with manual gearboxes are now numbered.

This is the most significant change to the 911 legacy since models switched from air and oil cooling in the 1990s between the 993 and 996 models. The chance of obtaining a manual gearbox in future models also looks slim. Currently, on the Porsche UK website (October 2024), there is just one new car available to order with a manual gearbox (the 911 S/T), meaning any last remaining Carrera Ts in showrooms will be worth holding onto.

words: John Marcar
photographs: Henry Faulkner-Smith