CLASSIC CARS TO WATCH (Part 4) Porsche 911

This month on our ‘Classic Cars to Watch’ feature we take a look at one Stuttgart’s finest, The Porsche 911.

It would be easy to look at the 1960’s and 70’s, 911 icon’s so we thought we would take a look at some of the younger family members.

Prior to the Porsche 996, there have been few cars for Porsche more controversial than this generation of the 911. Sure the front-engined water cooled cars caused a stir, as did the VW sourced engine in the standard 914 and the 912E but, none of these changed the tried and true formula of the 911 that had represented Porsche since the mid-60’s.

The Porsche purist had to endure (changed for Carrera only in 2002) out of its 6 years production from 1998 – 2004, the controversial headlights shared with the boxster. This made some owners question why they were paying so much more for a car which looks the same as its little brother. Even more controversial move to a water-cooled engine. Other major changes include a completely new platform having a sleeker body with a more raked windshield, and re-designed interior.

For those purists this was a major evolution, but it was too much to quickly and it felt like they have been dragged from stone age to modern age overnight. No one could argue at the time this was a major improvement, however, most missed the quirks that made the air-cooled 911s so unique.

This can still be felt today and its reflected in their prices and 996 is still the cheapest 911 in the range, but the market is changing. The 996 was available in 16 different models but the one to look out for and we feel is the better investment is Carrera 4s.

Sharing the body with the curvier and more traditionally shaped 996 Turbo, the Carrera 4s with it’s comforting 4 wheel drive system and that great engine behind you, this will be the 996 the purist will snap up first. 996 prices have now bottomed out but the C4s prices have already started to climb seeing prices increase over the past 2 years. The manual and coupe is the one to go for but prices will follow for the cabriolet and automatic/tiptronic models. Full service history is a must, for approximately £28,000-£30,000 you will be in a 2003 40,000 mile manual coupe and expect to pay £3-4,000 less for the automatic/tiptronic equivalent. If you were looking this time last year, prices were in the late teens early 20s.

In the car world only time will tell, but is this ugly duckling now becoming a swan, we think so.

Until next time,

Peace & Love