Summer brings with it many pleasures unique to the season, like barbecues and beach visits. Yet for many car enthusiasts, summer means one thing: Convertible season! Of course, convertibles are exciting to drive all year round, but when the sun is out and the sky is blue, even those of us who don't consider ourselves to be car experts may feel the itch to cruise around with the top down. If you're in the mood for a convertible this summer, you could choose a used model to save cash or a vintage car to go the classic route. But if you're like most car fanatics, you're probably on the lookout for the latest and greatest - and when it comes to finding the hottest convertibles of the summer, you have many different options to choose from, ranging from Ford to Maserati and beyond.

Perhaps the car of the summer is the brand new Porsche Boxster Spyder, a convertible lover's dream come true in terms of both form and function. The curves of the car evoke the classic Porsche 550 Spyder driven by screen icon James Dean in the 1950s. But make no mistake: This car is 21st century all the way, with all of the latest amenities and technologies available for the serious sports car connoisseur.

Another convertible that's sure to make waves on the highway in the months to come is the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG. This hard-top convertible will keep the interior of the car safe in all conditions, and doesn't compromise the clean lines of the car when the top is up. However, the weight it adds means that the model will be both slower on the road and quicker to consume fuel than a soft-top convertible.

At the highest end of the price spectrum, the Bentley Continental GTC Speed comes in at nearly a quarter of a million dollars - but it has the horsepower, speed, luxury and prestige to match. Unfortunately, if you want to take advantage of the car's ludicrous 322 km/h speed capabilities, you'll have to put the top up, since indulging in the true convertible experience of driving with the top down actually diminishes the vehicle's aerodynamic design.

The Spyker C8 Alleron Spyder actually surpasses the $250,000 mark, bedeviling all but the wealthiest convertible fans. Yet for a more affordable option, the Ford Shelby GT500 is a relatively reasonable $53,645, with the looks and performance potential of a far more expensive car.

The Porsche 930 (pronounced nine thirty) is an internal type number given to this particular 911 model car. In the same way you have the Porsche 964, 993, 996 and the 997, all these numbers are internal (factory) type number given different 911 models.

Porsche forever changed the game with introduction of the 930. It was the first 911 homologated for road to use a turbocharger, and was the top of the range model 911 for its entire production. It is also of interest to note that it was the fastest production vehicle in Germany at the time of its introduction in 1975.

The 930 Porsche also developed a reputation for fast acceleration, and difficult drag and handling, due mainly to its short wheel base and rear engine design. This combined with the power that comes with a turbocharged engine, meant significant turbo lag, thus requiring even more than the usual skills to drive the car at its full potential.

The Different Face Of The 930 Through The Years:

The introduction of the Porsche 930 Turbo Carrera in 1976 and 1977 saw Porsche pushing the envelope a little further. The car was dubbed the Turbo Carrera, it was turbo charged and had a 3.0 liter engine, it went from 0 to 60 in 6.7 seconds (very fast or its time) and cruised to 156 miles per hour.

The 930 Turbo Carrera came with modified suspension, fender flares, and the most distinguishable trademark, the whaletale. The car was in a class by itself.

But Porsche would out do itself as the Turbo Carrera was merely a precursor of something more powerful to come.

Within 2 years time, the "big kahuna" came on the scene in 1978. This model was developed into a 3.3 liter, turbocharged speed machine that went from 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds and exceeded 165 mile per hour.

The distribution of 930 was eventually ceased in 1979 in the USA, mainly because of changing emission standards. That said you can still acquire one if you so desire, as there are many for sale all over the United States.

After a 7 year hiatus, the Porsche Turbo returned in year 1986. There were no major changes to this model, as it was virtually the same as the previous car. It had a 4 speed gearbox and a somewhat unstable rear end. There a few improvements in the 1989 models, which had a 5 speed gear box, 285 horsepower, and a better suspension system along with wider tires and a better braking system.

The 930 was finally discontinued in 1989 and was eventually replaced by the Porsche 964 Turbo. The 1989 models were the only models to feature a 5 speed transmission.

As expected from Porsche, the new 2010 Boxter remains mostly the same. Ten years after its first production, the classically styled Porsche Boxter is still the serious, mid-engine sports car that runs hard and fast.

With the new model, the Boxter still shares the same basic design with that of the Cayman - a 2-seat convertible. It sports a powerful 2,480 cc 2.5-liter 6 horizontal mid-engine that provides 201 HP at 6,000 rpm (150 kw) and 181 foot-pound of torque at 4,500 rpm. The car has a 58-liter fuel tank and should be filled with premium unleaded fuel. It has a multi-point injection fuel system, and fuel economy EPA highway is 8.7 per 100 km.

The 2010 Porsche Boxter comes with a price tag of $47,600 to $58,000. It's still a fantastic car, with powerful engines and amazing handling that provides a thrilling yet comfortable ride. The car is pleasing to look at, sporting a sleek and eye-catching design that will definitely attract stares. Like the previous models, the 2010 Porsche Boxter comes with the option for a standard convertible soft-top and an optional removable hardtop.

The interior of the car is luxurious, and will accommodate two people. There is enough space in the trunk to hold a reasonable amount of cargo. The model comes with leather upholstery, CDR-30 audio system, and a global audio interface that can be connected to your iPod.

Safety features of the Boxter include 4-wheel antilock disk brakes, traction control, antiskid system, side and front airbags, curtain-side airbags. Optionally, you can get a navigation system and the lovely Sport Chrono Package.

Looking at the features consumers get when buying this car, it is pretty reasonable. The model is a powerful yet elegant-looking car with special features that advertise and give the 2010 Porsche Boxter more points to sell.

The production of the 911 Turbo began in 1974. The car was also called the Porsche 930 in the USA; the number 930 is in reference to the car's internal type number. In Europe, it was called the Porsche Turbo 911. One of the most distinctive features of the 911 Turbo is its wide wheel arches, so done to house the wide tires. The car also has a unique rear spoiler; it was called the whale tail on the early models and the tea tray on the latter cars.

The Porsche 930 developed a reputation for absolute acceleration, and difficult handling and drag. The first models came with a 3 liter engine spitting out 256 BHP. In the late 1976, a racing version of the Porsche 911 Turbo was introduced, called the Porsche 934. It became a favorite of many competitors in Le Mans and other races due to its power and handling.

The 1989 911 Turbo (930) was the only model to feature a 5 speed gearbox.

Porsche 964 Turbo (1990 - 1993)

In 1990 Porsche launched a Turbo version of the 964 series. For the 1991 and 1992 model years it used a 3.3 liter engine, similar to the one used on the Porsche 930, the engine provided 320 PS. Porsche then introduced the Carrera 2 and 4 in 1993, with a 3.6 liter engine and a 360 PS to the rear wheels.

Today the 964 Turbo is rear commodity; it was eventually superseded by the Porsche 993 Turbo (1995 - 1998).

Porsche 993 Turbo (1995-1998)

In 1995 Porsche launched a Turbo version of the Porsche 993. It was revolutionary in more ways than one; the 993 Turbo was the first standard Porsche to use twin exhaust turbochargers and the first 911 Turbo to have permanent all wheel drive. [Side Note: If you wanted to remove the AWD, you would have to refer to the more powerful and race homologated GT2 or another option is to remove the drive shaft leading to the front differential].

It was 1997 and Porsche decided to introduce a limited run of 200 units of the Porsche 993 911 Turbo S; the Turbo S delivered an even higher performance. The new car had a few additions as well, among these are an additional 24 PS (17.7 kW), this was over the regular Turbo 400 PS (294kW) and modifications to the car's body.

The Porsche 993 Turbo still command a premium price, due mainly to its reliability, raw power, and the fact that it is the last air cooled 911 Turbo cars.

Porsche 996 Turbo (2000 - 2004)

In the year 2000, Porsche introduced the 966 Turbo, which is as the name suggests a turbo version of the Porsche 966. It was equipped with standard four wheel drive and a 3.6 liter engine, which was derived from the 911 GT1 engine. It also came with twin turbocharged and inter-cooled producing a whopping 415 BHP (309 kW), which meant the car could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. In 2002 the 996 Turbo received an upgrade known as X50 or Turbo S, this increased the car power to 444 hp (336 kW). The 996 Turbo also had air vents in the front and rear bumpers.

Porsche 997 Turbo, 997 GT3 (2006 - Now)

The 997 GT3 or 997 Turbo debuted in 2006, and like previous models it gave Porsche the opportunity to homologate aerodynamic features for racing, and add a model for customer racing. The car used the same 3.6 liter engine as the Porsche 996 Turbo, but with the exception that it had more power; 480 PS. It gets from 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds (using Tiptronic Transmission). The Porsche 997 Turbo is more driver friendly relative to its predecessor.