The standard 911 has a 321bhp 3.6-litre engine, while the S uses a 350bhp 3.8. Both are available with four-wheel drive and deliver explosive performance, with the slightly faster S blasting to 62mph in 4.9sec and topping out at 182mph. Still not fast enough? Then there's always the 473bhp Turbo, which hits 62mph in four seconds flat.

The suspension settings are softer than those for the coupe, so the Cabrio isn't as precise to drive. The electronic suspension on the S and Turbo allows drivers to firm things up, but it's uncomfortable unless the road surface is as smooth as a billiard table. The steering is sharp, well weighted and full of feedback.

Porsche has eschewed the folding steel roof approach adopted by some rivals, instead preferring to keep the car’s weight down with a fabric hood. Naturally, this allows more sound into the cabin when the roof is up, although it is not unacceptable. Roof down, there is some buffeting, but your expensive coiffeur will remain largely unmolested.

Buying a Porsche 911 is one of those rare decisions that makes sense both to your heart and to your head, because all of them are brilliantly put together and hang on to their value well. Running costs are high, although the two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty is comprehensive.

No matter how hard you drive a 911 and use it as an everyday car, it should not cause you any trouble. It is built from the best materials to the highest of German standards. It’s exactly the same story with the mechanicals and engine, which should last for years. They only require servicing every 12,000 miles.

As with any soft-top convertible, the roof will be a weak point for security, but you do get deadlocks and an alarm. Every 911 also comes with front, side airbags and head airbags. Porsche's stability management system is fitted as standard, and anti-rollover bars pop up behind the rear seats in the event of a rollover accident.

The driving position is excellent. The superbly supportive seats adjust in every direction and the steering wheel adjusts for height and reach. There's plenty of space for people of all sizes, too. The only black mark is that the switches on the dashboard are too small and too great in number.

There's good space in the front, but even children will be cramped on the rear bench. This can be folded to make a luggage bay and the bonnet covers a reasonable load area (the engine is in the back). You also get a decent-sized glovebox and two cupholders. The fabric roof doesn't rob any luggage space, but it does impinge on rear headroom.

Every 911 has climate control, alloy wheels, electric windows and mirrors, and immaculately stitched leather trim. There are myriad options, including a chronograph pack which includes a dash-top stopwatch.