During our test drive we were able to put the 2005 Porsche Carrera S Cabriolet through some demanding maneuvers on the racetrack at the California Speedway near Los Angeles. Without the disadvantages of other traffic and those pesky law enforcement types, we were able to push this Porsche hard without worry of receiving a paper gift from the California Highway Patrol.

As soon as you light fire to the rear-mounted six, you know you are in for a treat. Your pulse quickens and your nerves send warning to every hair on your body, demanding that they stand at attention. The rush of excitement flashes through your body; you are about to drive a powerful sports car at its limit, or perhaps more importantly, at your limit.

As we tossed the Carrera S through turn after turn we could easily see that it displayed minimal body roll and tracked extremely well. With every corner, the 911 Carrera S stayed in the selected groove ensuring the fastest route through each turn. Wide performance tires mounted on 19-inch forged alloy wheels contribute to this excellent performance.

Upon exiting turns, we applied full acceleration, reveling in the way the car hunkered down as it darted toward the next corner. Buckets of torque flowed to the pavement, firmly pushing us back into our seats were we remained until the next turn.

At the braking zone for each corner, the huge racing-inspired brakes brought the Porsche Carrera S down to a speed at which we could negotiate the turn. Then, we stomped on the accelerator, charging for the next turn to do it all over again. The 4.7-second 0-to-60 acceleration time Porsche claims for the 2005 Carrera S seems to be spot on.

On public roads, the Carrera S behaves much the same way if you like, but such driving behavior would attract unwanted attention from the police. As a daily driver, the Porsche Carrera S serves quite well the enthusiast who won’t mind a stiff ride. Naturally, the suspension is tuned toward performance at every level. And while “comfortable ride” is a relative term, the Porsche Carrera S can be driven for long periods of time without inducing fatigue. Combined with its impressive handling and performance, the cabin’s comfort levels make taking the alternative roads more enjoyable. In fact, behind the wheel of the 2005 Porsche Carrera S, you’re always compelled to take the long way home.