2005 Porsche 911 Carrera (997)

Highlights

• Manual gearbox and rear wheel drive
• Low mileage
• Extensive history
• All the common issues have been sorted
• Great condition inside and out

Overview

The 997 was a huge success, being one of the best selling Porsche 911 models of all time. And thanks to styling that still looks great and a Goldilocks combination of modern usability and a size that’s closer to the classic 911’s, it has certainly stood the test of time, remaining highly sought after today.

Fitted with the strong and highly regarded six-speed manual gearbox, the Carrera 2 sends 325hp to the rear wheels and remains a treat for the enthusiastic driver with strong performance and great handling.

Of course, the 997 was not without its flaws but, fortunately for us, this particular car has benefited from all the work needed to overcome the common issues: it had an extensive top-end engine rebuild in 2011, during which the crankcase, IMS bearing and pistons were renewed. For peace of mind, the IMS was upgraded to the newer, stronger specification. Other more recent work has involved the air conditioning, the exhaust, and much more. So this is a reassuringly well maintained example of a 997.

In all, this is a well-sorted example of a very capable car, which has been well looked-after. It is in excellent condition inside and out, with smart paint and a great interior. It’s the kind of car you’d choose for your next weekend away where you know you’ll encounter some enjoyable country lanes, and it won’t mind chewing up the motorway miles to get there either.

History and documentation

• Registered 1 July 2005
• Stamped service book with services as follows: May 2007 @ 1,654 miles, May 2009 @ 8,872 miles, Jun 2010 @ 10,695 miles, May 2011 @ 23,966 miles, May 2013 @ 35,170 miles, May 2015 @ 41,911 miles, Apr 2016 @ 44,891 miles, Jul 2017 @ 46,610 miles, Jun 2019 @ 49,306 miles, May 2021@ 51,631 miles, Apr 2023 @ 55,084 miles
• Original document pack, in leather wallet
• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates
• A number of significant invoices for mechanical servicing on file
• Two keys
• Four former keepers
• Only 58,000 miles recorded
• Current MOT expires 14 Apr 2025
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear

Interior

• The cabin is a refined place to be, with understated styling and plenty of comforts
• The beautifully stitched black leather upholstery is in very good condition
• There are few signs of use, with only light creasing evident
• Excellent carpets and overmats in the footwells
• Leather upholstered door cards present very well
• Well appointed — but not cluttered — dashboard
• An Apple CarPlay head unit has been fitted, though the original head unit is also supplied should the next owner wish to revert to the standard item
• The headlining is clean and tidy
• Two rear seats for occasional use
• The luggage compartment at the front of the car
• Enough room for a weekend’s worth of bags
• The original warning triangle remains in its holster

Exterior

• Finished in a smart shade of silver, which complements the 997’s shape
• The paintwork appears to be very well preserved, thanks in part to the car’s low mileage
• All the body panels and shut lines appear as they should be
• There are very few scratches or paint chips to be found anywhere on the car
• Rear parking sensors
• Badges all present and correct
• Lamp lenses clear and bright
• The 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels are very smart
• They are shod with Continental tyres, with the rear tyres being recently fitted
• The underside of the car looks very tidy, from what we could see

Mechanical

• 3,596 cc six-cylinder boxer engine produces 325 hp
• Six-speed manual transmission
• A number of significant invoices confirm the huge amount of work undertaken to keep this car in excellent mechanical condition
• In 2011 the engine was stripped down to investigate a noise, and it received a new crankcase, new pistons, and much more, with the bill totalling £6,031
• The work also included fitting the later, stronger IMS bearing
• In April 2021 £1,101 was spent servicing the car and replacing the air conditioning condensers
• In September 2021 the intermediate shaft seals were replaced as well as the clutch, rear main seal, exhaust silencers and tail pipes, at a total cost of £5,801
• The engine bay looks clean and tidy
• There is a little surface corrosion on the exhaust manifolds, as expected
• The vendor informs us that the car runs perfectly, and that a new battery was fitted three years ago

Summary

Overall, this 997 looks like its a fantastic example of the model. It’s easy to see why this particular generation of 911 sold so well, and why subsequent owners have considered it worthwhile investing in some chunky servicing. Thanks to their planning for the long term, the next owner of this car will be able to use and enjoy it to the full.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Edinburgh.