Highlights
- 6-speed manual gearbox
- Twin turbocharged 3.6-litre engine
- Fewer than 32,000 miles from new
- Already a modern classic
The Appeal
The Porsche 997 has long been a firm favourite amongst fans of the 911 and what better way to fully immerse yourself in that turbocharged flat-six experience than to have a manual gearbox and a convertible roof?
This 2008 Turbo Cabriolet has clearly been looked after and used sparingly all of its life, with a mere 31,861 miles on the odometer, it is a really healthy specimen and, we think, a guaranteed future classic. If the prospect of a noughties convertible supercar appeals to you as much as it does us, then this Porsche is most certainly one to consider.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered December 2008
- 4 reported owners from new
- 31,861 miles
- V5C present
- Service book stamped in 2010, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2020 and 2022
- The most recent service was in August of 2022
- Collection of old invoices, V5Cs and MOT certificates
- Original document wallet, manuals and paperwork
- Stored in a garage during the vendor’s ownership
- Porsche 111 point check completed in July 2020
The Interior
- Cream leather
- Infotainment system with Bose speakers
- Sport chronometer pack
Even with the roof raised, this Porsche is really light and airy inside. The cream leather seats with the embossed Porsche crests are a nice feature and present really well. Commensurate with the car’s low mileage, there is very little wear anywhere to be seen and even the seat bolsters display remarkably few signs of use.
The dashboard looks smart in a contrasting dark colour and the sports chronometer pack emulates the fabled 5-dial 911s of old. The lack of heavy wear extends to the controls too and we were unable to discern any wear or damage of note on the steering wheel, gear lever, pedals or switchgear.
The carpeting is eminently presentable throughout which includes the inside of the front boot. The vendor points out that there is a new tyre inflator kit and a discretely fitted fire extinguisher under the front seats.
Sat in the centre of the dash, Porsche’s infotainment system doesn’t look as dated as you might imagine and equipped with satellite navigation and Bose sound, you have everything you really need.
The Exterior
- Attractive ‘Macadamia’ paintwork
- Smart alloy wheels
- Folding roof in good condition and operates smoothly
Time really does fly when you’re having fun and we find it hard to believe that this 997 is now 14 years old. The exterior styling and condition really don’t give anything away and even those with a passing interest in cars will instantly recognise this as a Porsche 911.
Macadamia is a lesser seen colour and really suits the car. The paintwork looks to be in great shape and, while the vendor points out a small scratch on the rear hatch, there is little else to report besides the odd stone chip.
The vendor informs us that the convertible roof operates seamlessly and the fabric is in good condition. There are of course a few marks from repeated folding but we see no reason why this roof shouldn’t be serviceable for years to come.
It sits upon rather handsome alloy wheels which appear in fantastic shape. The vendor informs us that the tyres are in good shape with ample tread remaining.
The Mechanics
- Manual gearbox
- 3.6-litre turbocharged flat-six
- 192 mph claimed top speed
Writing in 2007, EVO magazine proclaimed that the Turbo Cabriolet “loses its head but surprisingly not its edge”. They were very impressed by its impressive performance and it’s safe to say that this 2008 example would easily hold its own even against many of today’s performance cars.
The vendor informs us that the Porsche is a delight to drive and benefits enormously from that engaging 6-speed manual gearbox. It has recently received new coolant hoses and the vendor knows of no no faults to report. With good service history and a clean bill of health following the rigorous Porsche 111 point check in 2020, this is a car the next owner should be confident in.
Summary
Here we have a really fine example of the coveted 997 Turbo Cabriolet. If, like us, you’ve always wanted to step outside and see a 911 parked on your driveway, then this is the perfect opportunity to fulfil that ambition.
With a manual gearbox and a convertible roof, this has to be amongst the best ways to experience Porsche’s legendary 911.
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