Lot Ended
Description
Only
39k miles with 14 service stamps; facelift model with over £10k of options;
six-speed manual; titled owner; new front tyres; Kenwood Car Player; a pampered
911 in super condition throughout
“If
you can't afford a 996 Series Porsche 911, don't drive one. Resist the
temptation. Just say no. As one of the best driver's machines around, it will
transform you into a motoring malcontent, cursing your previous car's flabby
steering and gutless throttle response.”
As
this RAC review made clear, the 996 version of the legendary 911 was every bit
as addictive as its forebears. Around in one form or another for over half a
century, the 911 had carved a reputation as a brilliant but slightly malevolent,
air-cooled rear-engined beast.
In
1997, with the launch of the 996 series, the 911 had 'malevolent' and
'air-cooled' struck from its vocabulary. These water-cooled Porsches were a huge
step forward, their dynamic excellence silencing all but the most hardened
critics who felt it heretic to liquid-cool a 911.
The
996 was available with two basic engines, a 296bhp 3.4 and a 320bhp 3.6,
driving through either a six-speed manual or a Tiptronic semi-automatic gearbox.
Blisteringly fast and capable, the 3.6 could sprint to 60mph in 5.0
seconds on the way to a top speed of 177mph.
Supplied
new by Porsche Centre Aberdeen in November 2002, this 3.6 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
has the sophisticated
all-wheel-drive system for superior grip and confidence in adverse conditions
compared to its rear-wheel drive siblings. A MkII facelift model, it doesn’t
have the controversial ‘fried egg’ headlights of the early cars but has the more
aggressive scalloped units from the 996 Turbo, giving the car a sharper, more
modern look.
Finished in
Arctic Silver Metallic, it is powered by Porsche’s fabulous 320bhp 3.6 flat-six
engine, mated to desirable 6-speed manual transmission. It cost £76,441 new
which included £10,091 of optional extras specified by the first owner under
Porsche’s custom ‘Exclusive’ package.
These
include: hand-stitched soft-look Metropol Blue full leather interior with
additional leather on the speaker covers, centre console, instrument surround,
air vents, dashboard etc; aluminium-look instrument dials; aluminium/leather
gearknob; heated electric front seats with lumbar support; Bose sound system;
six CD autochanger; cruise control; wind deflector; hard top; headlamp washer
system; coloured Porsche centre wheel caps; 18” Sport Design wheels.
It has
covered only 39,038 miles to date with an impeccable service history comprising
14 stamps in the book, the last in January 2022 at 37,965 miles, with dozens of
supporting invoices (see photos). That equates to an average service interval of
just 2,700 miles, pretty obsessive by any standards.
Other
invoices of note include two new Pirelli P Zero rear tyres, new front brake
discs and air con condenser in 2016 at 35,927 miles; new water pump and
alternator in 2017 at 36,655 miles; new rear exhaust boxes in 2017 at 37,112
miles; new n/s and o/s front lower suspension arms in 2018 at 37,799 miles.
It has had
four owners to date, the second of whom kept it for 16 years as part of a
private collection (2006 – 2022) our vendor, a titled gentleman, acquiring the
car in August 2025 as a gift for his wife (lucky Lady).
He has
continued to look after the car well, invoices showing that it had a new o/s
front drive shaft and xenon headlamp control unit in September 2025, a new pair
of Michelin Pilot Sport front tyres in October 2025 plus six new ignition coils
and spark plugs in April this year. A Tracker theft-recovery system is also
fitted.
In November
2025 it also had a new Kenwood touch screen stereo with FM, DAB, Bluetooth, USB,
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and WiFi which cost £950 including fitting. The
original Bose radio/sat nav is included, should the new owner prefer
originality, although the vendor says the Kenwood unit is far superior with much
better phone connectivity.
As you can
see in the photos, this pampered, low-mileage Porsche is in excellent condition
for a 24-year-old. Driven some 60 miles to the sale, it has an MOT until October
2026 with just one minor advisory for a worn o/s/r suspension arm bush. It has
been starting instantly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on
site, with no warning lights.
Like the RAC
man said, this 996 one seriously capable sports car that still renders most
other cars dull as ditchwater by comparison. On offer here at a very enticing
guide price, it is only for sale because our vendor's wife has now acquired a
much newer convertible and the Porsche just isn't getting the use it
deserves.
Please
note: The private plate shown is being retained by the vendor and it
will revert to its original (and equally eye-catching) W88 TEC number prior to
the sale.
Consigned
by James Dennison – 07970 309907 –
james.dennison@brightwells.com