| One automobile has consistently produced high | | | | shy of $200,000 for the top of the line model. |
| quality, high performance cars for a long period of | | | | In 2004 Porsche, wanting to show that it could |
| time is Porsche. Founded back in 1931, the | | | | build a super high performance car introduced the |
| Porsche name has long been associated with | | | | powerful, 605hp Carrera GT which sold for |
| superb automobile manufacturing. This long history | | | | $440,000, which was the most expensive car |
| of producing these sought after sports cars is | | | | that Porsche had ever built. |
| what has allowed it to earn the name of "most | | | | As business changed for Porsche over the years, |
| prestigious automobile brand" by the Luxury | | | | so did the lineup of cars that would be needed. In |
| Institute. | | | | the mid 1990's, Porsche saw an opening in the |
| Dr. Ferdinand Porsche an engineer and was the | | | | small convertible market and introduced the |
| original founder of the company. Early in the life of | | | | Porsche Boxster, which is a mid-engine roadster. |
| the company he did not set out to actually build | | | | The Boxster was built with a 6 cylinder engine |
| cars, but rather do contract design work for | | | | that produced 201hp. These cars were much |
| other established automobile companies. You're | | | | cheaper than other models and could be |
| likely familiar with the Volkswagen Beetle, which | | | | purchased at a starting price of just under |
| was Dr. Porches' first assignment which proved to | | | | $40,000 initially. Although the prices have |
| be wildly successful. | | | | increased since their inception, they are still less |
| Over the years Porsche created a few successful | | | | expensive than the 911. Based on the Boxster is |
| models, including the Porsche 356, but none were | | | | another model called the Cayman, which was |
| as successful as the Porsche 911. This exciting | | | | introduced in 2005, which is a small coupe which |
| sports car was first introduced in 1964 and still | | | | shares many components with the Boxster. |
| exists today. Although it has had a number of | | | | Porsche also jumped into the popular SUV market |
| changes from it's early days, the Porsche 911 of | | | | with the Porsche Cayenne, which is a very |
| today still retains much of the styling of the | | | | popular option for customers looking for a high |
| original built in the 1960's. | | | | end SUV. Even with the high gas prices, the |
| This rear-engine sports car started out with a 6 | | | | Cayenne still continues to sell well and Porsche has |
| cylinder engine before moving to a larger | | | | responded by offering a Hybrid version which will |
| mid-engine configuration. Throughout the 1970's, | | | | be available in 2009. |
| 1980's and 1990's, the Porsche 911 continued it's | | | | It's possible that no other luxury and sports car |
| success. Different configurations were built and | | | | company has produced so many successful, |
| the Porsche 911 Carrera was one of the most | | | | sought after vehicles than Porsche. Their tradition |
| sought after for it's performance. In the 1980's a | | | | of high quality, high performance vehicles |
| Porsche 911 sold for just over $30,000, while | | | | continues even today and most likely for many |
| today a 911 will cost you bit more with a starting | | | | years to come. |
| price of around $75,000 all the way up to just | | | | |