Sold – $23,500 (Plus Fees)
Arriving in 1999, the new Porsche 911 was met with a delicate mix of reluctance and auspicious expectations. More than 90% of this new 911 was just that – new. The interior, manual transmission, body, and particularly the water-cooled flat-six were almost entirely made up of fresh designs. Although the progeny of the 993 far surpassed all of the previous performance milestones, the aesthetics left many nonplussed. Now at more than a decade later, the 996 represents the best bang-for-your-buck Porsche on the market, especially in the 911 lineage. Coming on to our auction block today is an exquisite example of just how great a 996 can be after being dutifully cared for.
2002 marked a generational refreshment year for the new 911 and with it brought changes. The 996.2 had altered front and rear bumpers that improved aerodynamics and downforce, but most needed was the alterations to the headlight units. The second-generation 996 have more aggressive, sharpened headlight pod corners that distinguish themselves from any other Porsche in the contemporary line-up. Our particular example wears the Litronic (xenon) headlights that were an upgrade as part of the Advance Technic package this 911 was optioned with. That package also includes headlight washers, an onboard trip computer, a wind deflector for the Cabriolet models, and the Bose sound system with a six-disc Becker CD changer in the trunk. However, the original radio head unit has been replaced with an aftermarket Pioneer controller that offers Bluetooth and auxiliary port connections. The seller also notes that the original air deflector is still with the Carrera.
The paintwork is Seal Grey Metallic, an $825 selection when new. The paint remains all original except for the front bumper which was replaced and repainted after a parking lot mishap. The original wheels have some scuffing present and wear Michelin Pilot Sport tires on them. The original “Carrera 4” center caps are in good condition. Beneath the wheels are the silver brake calipers that denote the Carrera 4 model and the original paint and Porsche lettering on those is still in good condition. Another improvement with the 996.2 is that the convertible roof now supports a fitted rear glass window. Our seller claims to have no noises or issues with the roof operation or the glass, and the black cloth material is in beautiful condition with no severe discolorations or marring.
Complementing the exterior paint is a full-leather interior in Graphite Grey. Leather with matching stitching extends across the dashboard on to the door panels, and the seller informs us that there are some wear marks upon the door pulls and leather emergency brake handle. Also swaddled in leather are the front and rear seats. There is very little wear on the front seat’s side bolsters caused by entry and exit. Additionally, the front seats have memorizable 12-way adjustability (eight movement settings and four lumbar adjustment directions) settings plus heating elements. The seller claims that all air conditioning, heating, and power features work as intended but that the passenger window is beginning to creak which may be due to a regulator failure.
For 2002, the other big update was to the M96 motor. Displacement increased to 3.6-liters, and that put horsepower at 320. Although the IMS bearing has not been updated in this particular example, an oil and filter change was done during a PPI in 2017, and no metal debris was found within the elements. Initially sold in Georgia, the second owner took the 911 to Florida in 2014. As of now, the Porsche is in California and the odometer records nearly 40,000 miles of distance traveled. The six-speed manual transmission shifts well, and there are no known issues within the all-wheel-drive system. Standard on the 996.2 models is Porsche Stability Management (PSM), making this all-wheel Carrera cabriolet ready for sun or snow.
As the market for Porsches stands right now, the performance-to-price of the 996 cannot be understated. A Carrera 4 Cabriolet in such pristine condition is a dreamy way to get into the Porsche Owners Club no matter where you live. When new, this comfortably optioned Carrera 4 retailed for $94,000, and the original window sticker is included with the sale. The clean Carfax report shows no accidents, damages, and includes regular maintenance intervals at certified Porsche shops in Florida and Georgia. Aside from getting a luxuriously appointed Carrera 4, also included in the sale are the factory manuals and, of course, a clean California title. If you are fantasizing about the perfect Porsche, this is it.
