The 997-generation 911’s time has well and truly arrived. This is the model sold between 2004-2012; it built on the water-cooled platform of its 996 predecessor and introduced a style all of its own, losing the ‘fried egg’ headlights and returning to a more classic look, with a contemporary twist. Among the myriad improvements was, of course, more power, and in the case of the Carrera S we have here, that meant a larger 3.8-litre engine, sportier suspension, a freer-flowing exhaust system, and a handy 355bhp. And the real genius of the 997 is that, while it’s powerful enough to always feel energetic and excitable, and it has the sublime handling perfectly suited to deploy it all, it’s also wonderfully easy to drive. The 997 genuinely is a car you could use every day, for the commute, fetching the groceries, taking the kids to school (as long as they’re fairly short)… it’s a friendly and usable daily driver that also happens to be an exquisite sports car.

 Values are pretty steady for these perennially popular cars, but what you’re looking at here is an opportunity to effectively sneak in the back door of value and scoop a more affordable 997, with a short to-do list to complete to get it tip-top. You’ll note in the photos that the ‘check engine’ light is illuminated (full details of this below in the ‘Mechanics’ section), plus there are one or two minor cosmetics, and it could do with a set of tyres. But the bones of this car are strong – it’s the desirable manual model (and it really is a lovely gearbox), the sought-after black-on-black colour scheme, with just 64,000 miles on the clock. It’s a delightful thing to drive, and should prove to be a canny purchase for a buyer who’s prepared to complete those few little tasks to get it over the finish line.

The 997’s interior is a supremely well laid out affair, with surprisingly excellent visibility all around thanks to its expansive and airy glasshouse. This car sports the full black leather trim (seats, doorcards and dash), and also benefits from an aftermarket double-DIN Pioneer touchscreen head unit. The climate control is functional, as are the electric windows. The headlining and carpets are all tidy, and the front boot is clean.

 The car is fitted with the striking 19” Carrera Sport Design alloy wheels, which are all in decent condition. We’d suggest replacing the front tyres as a priority, as they’re badly perished, but the size is readily available, and premium brand-name replacements are inexpensive.

 The mirrors and window glass are all in good order, as are the light lenses (save for a small chip out of one of the rear clusters). There are patches of crazing to the paint on the front and rear bumpers, which shouldn’t be challenging for a bodyshop to remedy. But minor cosmetics aside, this is a very handsome car that still has the capacity to turn heads on the high street.

That little ‘S’ badge on the engine lid is highly significant, as this means that rather than the usual 3.6-litre engine, this Porsche has the brawnier 3.8-litre flat-six, serving up heady peaks of 355bhp and 295lb.ft. The 6-speed manual transmission is an absolute peach, slick and precise, with a friendly clutch to make this a super easy car to drive and enjoy.

 The phrase ‘bore score’ is one that comes up a lot in 996/997 searches, so it’s reassuring to note the documentation in the paperwork saying that this car had a bore inspection in 2021 (c.5000 miles ago), highlighting ‘minor age related marks but nothing of any relevance to be concerned about’.

Now, that check engine light: the car has recently had all of its variator solenoids replaced at a cost of £1600, although the fact that this didn’t extinguish the light suggests that the issue is in fact the variator itself, so replacing that goes on the to-do list. There are MOT items to address including two front tyres, a corroded front brake pipe, excessive play in the track rod end ball joints, and an insecure front suspension spring.

What’s crucial to note is that the package as a whole is solid – the engine starts right away on the first twist of the key, idles evenly, pulls keenly through the gears while maintaining the correct temperatures and pressures, and the transmission is a truly joyful thing to use. With a short list of jobs drawn up and ticked off, this car has massive potential.

BEFORE YOU BUY 

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 

✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions. 

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates. 

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind. 

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing. 

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence. 

✓ We also  check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and  it's always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer. 

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection 

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.