Still Bad to The Bone: The 2004 Porsche Carrera GT
This Porsche Carrera GT may have been released in 2004, but it has no trouble hanging with today’s rides. Here’s a look at a sports car that’s stood the test of time.
are often stylish, but the added high-powered components make them more likely to need expensive repairs. However, Porsche is one of the only luxury brands that manages to offer both reliability and out-of-this-world performance.
The same is usually true even if you decide to buy an older model. According to
, the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT was one of the best cars in the world at its release. How well does it hold up today?
Specs on the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT
The Porsche Carrera GT had a relatively short-lived production run, offered during the 2003-2007 model years. Even so, it still managed to make a huge impression on both consumers and auto critics alike. Its beastly V10 engine makes 605 horsepower and 435 lb-ft of torque, and was paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
During Car and Driver's testing, the car had no problems jumping to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The engine has a distinct and audible tone, but flexible engine mounts keep it from letting vibrations into the cabin. Several carbon fiber elements decorate the Carrera GT, making it both stylish and lightweight.
The chassis is completely made from carbon fiber, cutting out much of the inherent road noise that comes with sports cars. The ride is still admittedly firm over smooth surfaces, but it's hard to notice when you're enjoying the sheer speed. The Porsche Carrera GT is also surprisingly easy to control and the brakes kick in without delay.
On paper, the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT is only slightly less powerful than the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S. This car has 640 horsepower on tap, reportedly able to reach 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. However, upon
At the time, one of the Carrera GT's biggest competitors was the Ferrari Enzo, which offered a 650-horsepower engine. It was quicker to the 60 mph mark at 3.3 seconds, but it was only available with an automatic transmission and needed more braking distance.
The Corvette Z06 was far cheaper, but seemed practically sluggish in comparison with a 9.6-second 0-60 time. The 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago was also slightly less powerful than the Carrera GT, with 572 horsepower on tap. It was also predictably slower: its acceleration was clocked at 6.1 seconds.
Price differences between 2004 and 2022
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In 2004, a brand-new Porsche Carrera GT cost a minimum of $448,400. Fortunately, Porsche prices have plummeted drastically in later years, even for the top-specced trims. The latest Porsche 911 Turbo costs $174,300 before any optional features.
Unfortunately, you won't save any money if your heart is set on a used Carrera GT. Less than 2,000 units were produced, and most of them have been kept in pristine condition.
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