You could ask anyone to name a Porsche model, and probably 99.9% would answer with 911. There's a reason for this, it’s one of the most iconic sports cars of all time, and deservedly so, they are a fantastic car. The 997 variant took over from its successful predecessor, the 996. As you might have heard, the 996 got some stick because of the shape of the headlights; thankfully, now that seems to be a thing of the past. The 997, however, returned to the more familiar look of a 911 with the round headlights.
Another addition to the 997 was the increase in engine capacity to 3.8 litres; yes, you will read about bore scoring and IMS failure. Still, with this particular car we have here, you will be pleased to know that this was given a complete engine rebuild in 2013 following a broken intermediate shaft. A very unfortunate thing to have happened, but on the plus side, it does mean all the scare stories you read have been addressed, making it an excellent contender to purchase.
That's the major plus side mentioned; the next very appealing thing is that the car is the more sought-after Seal Grey Metallic colour and has a six-speed manual. If that's not enough of a sweetener, being a 2005 model means it also falls into the lower road tax bracket. Who can argue that this is not the perfect car for anyone wanting to become the proud owner of a Porsche 911 (997) Carrera 2 S?jriTO3iH5RSoApMJRK8XmA0Aij2LmeL6fU1iEmUJ.jpeg397.77 KB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Registered 16th March 2005
MOT valid until 23rd September 2023
Owner's handbooks
Extensive service history
Two keys
Recent full service carried out at Cavendish Porsche Limited
Rebuilt engine in July 2013
IMS replaced
Let's start with the engine rebuild. After the failure of the intermediate shaft, the car was taken to Porsche Torque Limited, who carried out the rebuild, replacing all six liners and pistons, intermediate shaft, chains, and guides. This was done at 23,134 miles and cost £9,600. The car also had a new clutch fitted in July 2017 at 38,257 miles and has just had a new MOT with no advisories which is valid until the 23rd of September 2023.
The vendor of this lovely 911 is not new to Porsche ownership; in fact, he has owned quite a few, including other 997s. He purchased this one three months ago and, upon buying the car, took it down to Cavendish Porscha Limited and instructed them to go through the whole vehicle replacing anything as needed, as the plan was to keep the car. He had a full major service, plus additional optional items like spark plugs, transmission oil, brake fluid change and drive belt replacement at the same time so everything is good to go and will need no more servicing until 2024 when only a minor service is next due. This work was carried out on 23rd July 2022 at 43,216 miles and came in at the cost of £2,322.07, which can be seen in the paperwork images.
Now, as much as the intention was to keep the Porsche, the vendor also has had a big itch to scratch for an Aston Martin, which he’s had for some time. After a bid on a well-known auction site, he has found himself the owner of an Aston Martin Vantage. Unfortunately, this means two cars are not justifiable, so the 911 regrettably has to go.
Inside, the wingback adaptive sports seats are finished in Ocean Blue leather and work as they should. There are no signs of excessive wear to either front seat, and the back seats don’t look to have been used. The door cards are also in excellent condition with no scuffs or damage.
The dashboard is in good order with no scuffs or marks to mention. The instruments are working as they should and have no warning lights displayed when the engine s running; the odometer was showing a reading of 43,489 miles at the time of our visit. All the switchgear is in good condition with no signs of wear to the lettering on any buttons or stalks. The head-unit has satellite navigation built in, which also has a disc included.
The carpets are in excellent condition and have a set of Porsche mats to protect them, which are also in good order. Looking up, the Alcantara headlining is excellent, with no issues to point out. Inside the boot is spotlessly clean and has the original warning triangle present, and there is a six-disc CD multi-changer and navigation brain fitted behind the removable panel.
Arguably one of the best colours to get, the Seal Grey paintwork is in excellent condition and presents really well with a deep shine to it. Starting at the front, there aren’t many stone chips to point out and certainly less than you would expect for the age of the vehicle. The headlights are nice and clear with no chips to them, as are the lower lights and indicators. The bonnet aligns as it should and opens and closes correctly, and there have been two new struts fitted in July.
From the side is where you recognise the fantastic 911 shape. The door shuts are straight and equal on both sides. There are just a couple of small stone chips on the bottom edges of the front wings, which is a common place for this to happen, but it is easy to touch them in. The windows all look to be in good order, as do the window seals. This model also benefits from a factory electric tilt/slide sunroof, which is working correctly.
At the rear, the bumper has no scuffs, thanks to the factory-fitted parking sensors. The lights are in good order with no splits or cracks, and the automatic spoiler operates correctly. Fitted with 19” wheels, these are unmarked and in excellent condition, and the tyres on each corner have a good amount of tread remaining.
The sound of any Porsche flat-six is intoxicating, and this 997 doesn’t disappoint. Covering just over 20,000 miles since the rebuild, the 3.8 litre is run in nicely. The car starts and runs as it should, with no issues to report from the vendor.
Looking under the car, there were no signs of any oil leaks, and everything looked in good order. The vehicle is reported to pull strongly through the six-speed manual gearbox, and the car comes to a stop in a straight line. There are also no lips on the edges of the cross-drilled discs, and the painted red calipers are in excellent condition with no chips to them.
What a fantastic Porsche to become the owner of. It’s had all the problem areas addressed, leaving you with peace of mind regarding the IMS issues which can arise.
It has the more desirable colour and has a manual gearbox, not to mention the Sport Chrono Package Plus extra, it’s low mileage and is in excellent condition. The perfect Porsche for anyone looking to get into 911 ownership at what is a lot of car for the money price.
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