Wednesday 9th September

Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (996) | PH Auction Block

Always promised yourself a great 911 Carrera? PH Auctions has consigned just the thing...

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Amazingly enough, we’re very close to 30 years since the introduction of the fifth-generation Porsche 911, the one we all know as the 996. Production began in July 1997, with the very last Mezger-engined ones (GT2, GT3 and Turbo S) assembled in 2006. Praised for its handling and performance when new, the 996 didn’t always enjoy the best time of it as a secondhand Porsche; nowadays it’s being properly appreciated as an influential, desirable chapter in the rear-engined Porsche story. 

This was the first to spawn a GT3 and GT3 RS, for example, and the first 911 to feature carbon ceramic brakes - the water cooling thing everyone knows. The 996 was a neat bridge between Porsche worlds: still compact, light and driver-focused, yet more capable and efficient than ever before.

The significance of the 996, bringing the 911 from an air-cooled, old school curio to the definitive sports car of the 21st century, is now being reflected in values. Anything up to £100k is being asked for a Turbo S, which is about where GT3s start - the very best are being advertised at more than £250,000. 

This one won’t sell for more than £250,000. It is, after all, just a Carrera 2, but there always has been - and most definitely remains - plenty to love about the entry point to the Porsche 911. For the later 996.2, C2 meant 320hp from a 3.6-litre flat six, a six-speed manual and near-180mph potential. But this isn’t your average tired, baggy old 996; quite the opposite, in fact, with fewer than 40,000 miles, a great history and some considered upgrades. 

In 2022, this 911 benefitted from an extensive suspension refresh, which is why the stance is so bob-on - it should drive really nicely, too. Eibach springs, new arms, front top mounts and bump stops were all changed. There’s been plenty of main dealer and specialist maintenance over the years, and a major service - with fresh brake fluid - is taking place this month.

The exterior is pretty much without flaw; the inside might be even better, with very little in the way of wear - and no modifications at all. The original stereo, wheel and pedals are there for all to see and appreciate. Indeed, when a rear wiper is the biggest bugbear, a 23-year-old 911 is doing pretty well. So while most will see just another almost classic 911, you’ll know it as one of the lowest mileage 996s around - the perfect thing to mark the 30th birthday, in fact. 

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See the original advert

[Geoffcapes]

My views on the 996 (well the headlamps) are softening. But only if the headlamps are crystal clear like on this one.

I've seen too many that have faded and make the car look like it has two big brown blobs on the bonnet.

This looks a good 'un!

[mjspencer348]

What is the situation now with 996s and intermediate shaft (IMS) failures? By this stage can you assume they've all been sorted? Asking for a friend.

[Dusty964]

'It is, after all, just a Carrera 2'.

It gets worse, its just a Carrera. Its either a Carrera or a Carrera 4.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Had a 996 years ago and even then couldn’t get on with the looks - but was all I could afford then. Replaces it with a 997 as soon as I could. It isn’t just the lights - the proportions aren’t quite right from any angle whereas a 997 or 991 are spot on.

[Peterpetrole]

Hilarious puffery, I'm sure it's nice but listing in the first paragraph ceramics, Metzgers and turbos as things this car might have had if it were a different model is over the top mate.

[Truckosaurus]

Seems somewhat of a waste for the car to have only done 36k miles in 23 years.

[Earthdweller]

Is that pink ?

[dipping]

I have a 996.1, which I’ve had for 14 years, and a 997.2, which I’ve had for 2. Both manual coupes, the 7 has ceramics and a LSD. But essentially both poverty spec. I got the 997 because it was the 996 but with all the bad bits fixed, because that’s the way they’re portrayed, but in many respects I prefer the 996. It’s more like a go-cart, and I know everyone says the 991 and 2 are GT cars, but I feel like there’s a big difference between the 6 and 7 in that respect. Both fantastic, but the 996 is more fun.

[mjspencer348]

Earthdweller said:

Is that pink ?

Meridian Silver, officially, it's described as 'a platinum-toned silver'. Under some lights it has a pink undertone. The standard silver was Arctic Silver, but personally, I don't dislike it, quite unusual.

[_Neal_]

Looks a really nice car. It's not standard from an exterior perspective though is it - looks like an aftermarket exhaust?

[WTDMM]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Had a 996 years ago and even then couldn t get on with the looks - but was all I could afford then. Replaces it with a 997 as soon as I could. It isn t just the lights - the proportions aren t quite right from any angle whereas a 997 or 991 are spot on.

Now you see i think the 996 is much nicer than the 997 in a basic form like this.

[seawise]

Re article - Last mezger design engined cars were 2010/11 - 997.2 GT3 RS 4.0 and 997.2 GT2 RS

[Ray_Aber]

I do prefer the facelifted 996 and this is a good example of that, but I have never liked the interior which just seems really plasticky to me - not helped in this example by the relentless blackness inside.

For me, the 997 is far better inside and out, so I'll pass on the 996, thanks.

[Chris Stott]

mjspencer348 said:

What is the situation now with 996s and intermediate shaft (IMS) failures? By this stage can you assume they've all been sorted? Asking for a friend.

Bore scoring is much more of a concern with 996.2... and gets progressively more risky in the 997.1 with increasing engine output and in cars with auto transmission... so a ln auto 3.8S has the highest risk.

I wouldn't personally touch a 996.2 or 997.1 that hadn't had had the bores checked.

I have a 3.4 with 230k miles... did the chain tensioners last year and the IMS... IMS came out with zero play. Should have left it alone.

A manual 996 is a sublime car to drive... it's not so fast that you can't drive it hard without risking jail/a life ending accident, and has sublime steering... plus the unique 'balance/feeling' you get with the engine where it is.

Massively under rated car.

[Slippydiff]

seawise said:

Re article - Last mezger design engined cars were 2010/11 - 997.2 GT3 RS 4.0 and 997.2 GT2 RS

Last Mezger engined 996 cars were 2005-6.

And yes, the 996 is far more go-kart like than the 997.

[Slippydiff]

_Neal_ said:

Looks a really nice car. It's not standard from an exterior perspective though is it - looks like an aftermarket exhaust?

X51 option exhaust tailpipes. They look utterly naff on a narrowbody car.

[nismo48]

That looks a very good example of the 996

[daveco]

nismo48 said:

That looks a very good example of the 996

I must be one of the few who prefers the 'egg' headlights that came before this shape.

The entire car is all soft corners - the sharp edge on the headlight throws the whole front of the car off imo.

[bluesierra]

997 wheels too?
A decent looking example though, I'd be tempted if I had the cash/ garage space/ use case

[timc55]

Doesn’t look ‘bob-on’ at all, looks lowered which spoils the stance, and add that the back end on these never looked right….(or the front as everyone knows….)