Porsche 911 Review (1998 to 2005)

Quick Summary

Porsche 911s that expose their drivers to the elements have never attracted the kudos of many Coupe models but if you're the sort who likes a little more headroom and the rush of the wind in the hair, the 996 generation 911 offers some bargains. Possibly the best choices are the early 911 Carrera 2 Convertibles and later Targas and Carrera 4S soft tops. Look at a few, negotiate hard and look for a full service history but, most of all, have fun. That's what convertible driving is all about and few serve up a bigger helping than Porsche.

Overall:

Models Covered:(2 dr convertible 3.4, 3.6 petrol [Carrera 2, Carrera 4, Carrera 4S])

FABRIC CONDITIONING

There's something wonderfully incorrect about a soft top Porsche 911. The first thing to remember is that this is a technically brilliant car. The other consideration you'll need to have tucked away is that 'real' Porsche drivers, those anoraks who know the engine code prefixes of a 1973 911T 2.4, may have a fit of apoplexy at the thought of a fabric-roofed 911. Let them huff and bluster. If you're looking for the best open topped sports car that sensible money will buy, look no further. The 996 generation of the Porsche 911 Cabriolet was produced between 1998 and 2005 and there are a few bargains to be had right now.
Used Porsche 911 for sale

History of the 911

Without wishing to get all Porschephile, it's worth understanding what a 996 generation 911 is. Basically Porsche uses all sorts of internal code numbers to designate which model they're talking about. Given that to the untrained eye many Porsche models look alike, having just a handful of these numbers stored away is a good thing. The 996 series car followed the air-cooled 993 and was succeeded by the 997 in 2005. Don't ask what happened to the 994 and 995. German logic only extends so far.The first 996 series cars arrived on our shores in October 1997 but only in hard top Coupe form. Those wishing to get their barnets exposed to the elements had to twiddle their thumbs for another year for the Cabriolet versions to be launched, as well as Carrera 4 all-wheel drive variants. Both manual and the Tiptronic S automatic gearbox were offered.2001 saw a revision of the 911 Carrera 2 and 4 ranges, with turbo-look headlamps, revised steering and suspension, some interior upgrades, but most importantly of all, a 3.6-litre engine which developed 320bhp. The cabrio version's hood was amended and it also gained a glass rear window. The Targa version was also revived, but this time around it was a beauty with an electrically sliding glass roof and an opening rear window. A Carrera 4S model with broad turbo style wide arches debuted in summer 2003, and was soon joined by the real deal – the storming Turbo Cabriolet.
Used Porsche 911 for sale

Porsche 911 Road Test

Starting at the top, with the 911 Turbo Cabriolet shows how good this chassis is. This drop top features an engine borrowed from the Coupe, 3.6-litres in size with six cylinders, twin turbos and a hefty 420bhp output. That enables a rest to sixty time of 4.3s and a maximum speed of 189mph. An even more telling statistic is the production of 560Nm of torque at 2,700rpm. Despite all this power, the Turbo still handles extremely well, with only very minor body flex.The question is whether the Turbo is worth the premium over the very desirable 911 C4S Cabriolet. Here is a car which looks almost identical, is only a second slower to sixty and still manages 175mph flat out. Even a standard early Carrera 4 Cabriolet is no sluggard, with a theoretical 174mph is possible, and rest to sixty occupying a scant 5.2 seconds.
Used Porsche 911 for sale

Buying a Porsche 911

The 911's engine, although maybe not as charismatic as Porsches of yore, is nonetheless a fairly reliable unit although some of the early 3.4-litre 996 models had problems with cracked cylinders and conrod failures, most of which will have come to light by now. Check the tyres for wear and also have the rear axle and suspension inspected as heavy acceleration from a standstill on a dry surface leads not to wheelspin, but to quite severe axle-tramp. A whining axle or drive shaft will bear testament to this. Go over the bodywork carefully looking for evidence of accident repair. Although the 911 holds the road well, there are no shortage of drivers who feel that Porsche ownership means special dispensation from the laws of physics.Check the condition of the alloy wheels for kerbing damage. 911s are very colour sensitive, and dark blue, white and green cars are harder to shift than ever-popular silver and black. The Targa roof mechanism is generally trouble free but check the early Cabriolet models for crazing or damage to the rear screen. Otherwise insist on a proper Porsche main dealer service history, invest in an HPI check and buy the best you can afford.
Used Porsche 911 for sale

Porsche 911 Typical Pricing

With Porsche 996 values in general looking a bit soft and Cabriolet models in particularly suffering a blip in demand, now's a very good time to barge in and negotiate hard on a good example. Opening values for a 911 Carrera 2 Cabriolet with a Tiptronic S gearbox on a 1999 S plate are £27,500 or £35,750 for a later 51-plated 3.6-litre facelift car.Prefer the all-weather security of four-wheel drive? In that case you'll need to stump up £28,500 for as manual car on a 99S plate and another £400 for a Tiptronic S equipped model. Targa models also look good value, starting at £34,000 on a 51 plate. The Carrera4S Cabriolet opens at £46,500 on an 03 plate while the Turbo still commands £56,000 for an 03 plater. Insurance? Group 20 right across the board.
Used Porsche 911 for sale

Porsche 911 Parts

(Estimated prices, based on a 1999 Carrera 4 Cabriolet) Consumables for a 911 are almost laughably cheap. You'll pay £15 for an air filter, £4 for each spark plug, £10 for an oil filter, £16 for an alternator chain, and £15 for a fuel filter. Offset these costs by running any 911 exclusively on synthetic oil.
Used Porsche 911 for sale