Porsche 911 Review (2000 to 2005)

Quick Summary

Tracking down a 'straight' Porsche 996 Turbo might well take a while but it's worth doing right now. This is what industry experts dub the 'golden period' when the replacement car has come out, residuals are dulled but prices haven't quite sunk to the level where buyers unable to afford servicing have got their hands on the car. Shop around, don't go for the cheapest car possible and get to know the car before signing on the dotted line. You'll be rewarded with a car that's still one of the finest motoring experiences at any price.

Overall:

Models Covered:(2 dr coupe, 2dr convertible 3.6 petrol [Turbo, Turbo S])

PUFF DADDY

It may not have been the most pure 911, it's won't be the most collectable and it wasn't even the quickest of its generation but the 996 generation Porsche 911 Turbo is widely renowned as the best all round sports car of its time. Things have moved on a little since then but not by much and a well looked after 996 Turbo still has the chops to mix it with the very best of today's supercars. Now that prices have become sensible, getting your hands on a car with talents eclipsed by only a vanishingly tiny percentage of other exotica is increasingly tempting.
Used Porsche 911 for sale

History of the 911

It's an oft-overlooked fact that the 996 Turbo arrived after the GT3 model and as such it acted as flagship for the 911 range but was never expected to be the most focused sports model. In many respects, the 911 Turbo developed into the car the 928S would probably have become; a savagely powerful, hugely capable but ultimately rather refined sports/GT weapon.Launched in 2000 in 420bhp coupe form, the Turbo was an instant hit and made many more expensive rivals suddenly look rather silly. Both manual and Tiptronic S gearboxes were offered and there was an optional X50 pack that saw power climb to 450bhp. The next big development was the August 2003 launch of the Turbo Cabriolet. The following year saw the introduction of the 450bhp Turbo S, a model that as well as offering more power also came with a massive equipment list including the expensive carbon ceramic brakes. The 996 Turbo was replaced in 2005 by the 997 range, although the 997 Turbo model only arrived in August 2006.
Used Porsche 911 for sale

Porsche 911 Road Test

The Turbo feels less like a car and more like a force of nature when the two blowers come on stream. Far from feeling like an overblown pendulum, as traditional 911 bar talk dictates, the Turbo disguises the weight in its tail remarkably well. Only when loading the suspension into dips and then peeling off at the next apex does the rear of the car feel at all hefty, and then the sensation is subtle. As speeds build into the realm where only Porsche Stability Management stands between you and the district coroner, the reason why enthusiastic drivers rave about the 911 becomes apparent. The steering is more alive than a tramp's vest. As the fuel tank empties, the wheel becomes more insistent, kicking and jiggling constantly, reminding the driver where the boundaries of grip are. The brakes are equally crushing. The first emergency stop feels like driving into a pool of pitch. Your eyes will hurt, especially if the Turbo you're driving has been fitted with the optional ceramic brake discs. A top speed of 189mph and a rest to 60 time of 4.2 seconds can be reduced to nought in seconds with this braking technology. It's certainly not cheap, but could make a vital difference.
Used Porsche 911 for sale

Buying a Porsche 911

The 911 Turbo's 3.6-litre engine has proven to be a fairly rugged unit and always remember that the Turbo is a massively complex piece of engineering that requires regular and expert servicing to keep in tip top trim. 996 Turbo prices vary wildly as a result, with tatty examples that are out of warranty fetching hugely lower prices than clean, warrantied cars. Check for whining differentials, battered alloys and uneven rear tyre wear for signs of a tired car and be prepared to walk away if you don't like what you see. There's no shortage of 996 Turbos around and the launch of the 997 Turbo has prompted a flood of additional used stock. Be fussy, negotiate hard and insist on a warranty that has been extended if necessary. Don't take short cuts when buying a Turbo - invest in an HPI check and e prepared to have the car inspected by an expert.
Used Porsche 911 for sale

Porsche 911 Typical Pricing

The 911 Turbo offers strong value for money in the used arena with the first of the UK cars in manual form now just dipping below £40,000. Even a well looked after 52 plate car can be found for around £50,000. Tiptronic S automatic gearboxes tend to add around £400 to the price of manual cars. If you're after a soft top, you'll need to raid the account for around £56,000 for the first of the 03-plated Cabriolets. Turbo S models start at £66,000 in Coupe form and £71,000 for a Cabriolet.
Used Porsche 911 for sale

Porsche 911 Parts

(Estimated prices, based on a 2002 Turbo) Consumables for a 996 Turbo are reasonable. You'll pay £15 for an air filter, £4 for each spark plug, £10 for an oil filter, £16 for a alternator chain, and £15 for a fuel filter. Offset these costs by running any 911 exclusively on synthetic oil.
Used Porsche 911 for sale