Making headlines as the first water-cooled 911 generation, the 996 has seen a recent resurgence in popularity, and offers fantastic value for money as well as being the cheapest way of getting into a ‘real’ Porsche.
Produced from 1997-2004, the 996 marked not only a departure from air-cooled engines, but also held the claim-to-fame as the first completely re-designed 911 generation. With the idea of a ‘Porsche for the new millennium’ in mind, the design team went back to the drawing board following the success of the 993, and spent hours in the wind tunnel to design the car you see here today.
Powered by a 3.4-litre, naturally aspirated flat-six engine, the 996 Carrera 2 is often referred to as one of the ‘purest’ models from the 996 family. Offering rear-wheel drive, a lower weight than the ‘4’ and all the usual excellent driving characteristics of the 911, the Carrera 2 was also faster to 62mph than its Carrera 4 sibling, and looked absolutely stunning with its narrow-bodied lines.
This particular Carrera 2 was purchased by the owner back in January 2004, with the intention of using the (then relatively new) car as a daily driver. Fitted with the stunning aero kit from the factory, it’s safe to say this Carrera 2 turned heads wherever it went.
Having used the 911 as a ‘commuter car’ for a number of years, the vendor chose to have the vehicle resprayed in factory Cobalt Blue by Precision Porsche during 2008, which transformed the external appearance and made the car truly ‘box-fresh’ once again. Only the roof remains with the original paintwork.
During the vendor’s ownership, the car has also benefited from having the offside front and rear inner/outer wings replaced, along with having the sills and jacking points replaced.
Thanks to having another Porsche in the stable, along with a shorter commute, the time has come for the vendor to part ways with this stunning 996, due to it simply not getting enough use. In the last four years, only around 2000 miles have been put on the odometer, so it’s time for someone else to enjoy the vehicle just as Porsche intended. C78D9717-5428-4A1B-ADA2-62E06133C306.jpeg2.03 MB
The Paperwork
While there are no invoices with regards to the aforementioned bodywork, there are a number of photographs that show the work being carried out, which should satisfy any potential purchaser.
In addition to this, there are also a number of servicing records showing that the car has been maintained by Paragon Porsche from 2004 - 2010, and then by Precision Porsche from 2010 to the present day. The car comes with two sets of keys.
Inside, the vehicle is in good condition throughout with no reported faults or issues, though the interior could certainly do with a little TLC to bring it back to its best.
The driver’s seat has borne the brunt of many years being used as a daily driver, meaning the usual bolster wear is present in this example. In addition to this, the steering wheel could also do with a refurbishment to bring it back in line with the rest of the interior.
By contrast, the passenger seat is in great shape, while the rear seats are in excellent condition. The carpets, too, appear to be in great shape, with Porsche-branded mats protecting the original carpet underneath. The headlining shows no signs of damage or other issues, and the original Porsche stereo remains in place.
While there are not too many options fitted to this 996 Carrera 2 from the factory, the original purchaser did spec the all-important carbon-shelled sports seats, which are always a major plus point with any 911.
Overall, this interior presents in great condition, and with a little TLC to the driver’s seat and steering wheel, it would look nothing short of fantastic.
The resprayed Cobalt Blue paintwork looks absolutely sensational in the sunlight, especially with the factory aero kit being fitted to this example. The wing and front splitter in particular evoke strong motorsport connections, which is fitting for a car that helped transform Porsche’s motorsport credentials in its top-flight Turbo and GT2 formats.
The paintwork is free from any signs of impact or collision damage, and also free from small dents and dings. The front splitter, however, is showing signs of use, and as with any performance vehicle of this age, there is a smattering of stone chips to the front end.
The wheels are in good shape throughout, with only some very minor kerbing to the rear nearside wheel and front offside wheel. The factory-fit aero kit is all present, and the rear of the car has been de-badged for a cleaner, more ‘uncluttered’ appearance.
Underneath, there appears to be no signs of oil leaks, seepage or other issues. The car has the usual ‘bloom’ of oxidation that you’d expect to see on a car of this age, but nothing that would be a cause for concern.
The servicing history also goes a long way towards reassuring any potential purchasers about the condition of this vehicle, with the vendor reporting that no major work or maintenance has needed to be carried out during the last few annual services.
The most recent MOT test was carried out on 03 September 2020, and passed with no advisories the second time around, having only initially failed due to a faulty offside rear light earlier the same day.
The 996-era 911 has had it’s darker days, with many Porsche enthusiasts having been up-in-arms over the initial design and switching to a water-cooled engine. However, they are now enjoying their time in the spotlight, representing not only a fantastic way of getting into Porsche ownership, but also becoming somewhat of a ‘modern classic’ in their own right.
With a fantastic official owners club as well as plenty of local support, a wonderful dealer network and thousands of knowledgeable owners and technicians, the world of Porsche ownership is a wonderful place. This 996 Carrera 2 could be just the ticket for you to break into that world, and get this stunning machine back out on the road, exactly as it’s meant to be.
Presenting in great overall condition and with an impressive service history, there’s plenty to like here - a great example of a wonderful machine. Happy bidding!
*The Photographs in this listing have been provided by the seller*
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