2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 2

With a paltry 45,000 miles showing on the odometer, this 2005 997.1 Carrera Cabriolet has barely got into its stride.

Which no doubt goes a considerable way to explaining why it looks so fresh and is, generally, in excellent all-round condition.

We have driven it and can report that it starts, goes, performs and stops with all the swagger, competence and capability for which both the marque and the model are rightly lauded.

The vendor knows his sportscars, as did the previous owner, and both of them have curated the car with all the diligence a car of this calibre deserves and needs.

The bodywork is straight, true and engineered to the sort of tolerances routinely achieved by the Meister Technikers of Zuffenhausen but not many others.

The panel gaps and shut-lines are Teutonically crisp and, you’ll be relieved to hear, the black fabric hood fits snugly and goes up and down with a minimum of fuss or recalcitrance.

The car’s wheels are, we think, from a later model 997 and will therefore do a good job of keeping the car looking youthful.

They are in very decent order and, apart from the o/s/r item, which has some damage to it, seem to have had a good deal of success in avoiding kerbs and other roadside obstacles.

From what we can see, the Pirelli P-Zero tyres - 295/30 ZR19 at the rear, 235/35 ZR19 at the front - appear to have a decent amount of life left in them.

While the car’s bodywork is broadly very good and there’s no more than an entirely standard number and distribution of light scratches and stone chips in evidence, the exception is the bonnet.

Owing to an unscheduled meeting with a roof tile that slipped its mooring, there is a dent about two inches long on the nearside edge of the bonnet (or ‘frunk’ lid, if you’re being pedantic).

There are also one or two minor scuffs on the n/s/f wing beneath it, caused we think by a couple of further unplanned stops by the roof tile as it continued its gravity-propelled journey to the ground.

Elsewhere, the front bumper is exhibiting a few stone chips, plus some crazed and cracked paint under the offside headlight unit.

The nearside door has various paint chips in evidence and a few touch-ups on the rear edge.

There are a few more paint chips to be seen on the n/s/r wing, the engine cover, rear spoiler and hood cover, and there’s a larger chip to be found just behind the n/s/r wheel.

Look closely and you’ll be able to discern a few small paint chips on the offside door and rear and front wings.

In general though, and bonnet aside, it’s really in very good condition.

The lights and lenses, which include new LED units, front and back, are all in fine fettle, as is the badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings.

The interior is very good indeed and its condition is an accurate reflection of the car’s low mileage.

The only real indicators that the car has seen any use are a few creases to the outer bolsters on the driver’s seat.

The black leather seats are in first-class nick and, as ever, the rear ‘seats’ don’t look as if they’ve ever supported anything much heavier than a flat cap or a handbag.

The door cards and roof lining are beyond reproach, as are the carpets and mats, both in the cabin and inside the immaculate ‘frunk’.

The steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake are all in fine order, as are the dashboard and centre console.

As far as we and the vendor are aware, all buttons, switches, dials, knobs and levers do what they’re supposed to do without delay or dissent.

There’s not much to be learned by peering into the engine bay of a 911 but everything we can see looks clean, dry and in very good order.

The undersides look sound, solid and possessed of plenty of structural integrity, too.

Now then.

Like its predecessor, the 997 developed a ridiculously overstated reputation for engine problems - a reputation mainly forged in the echo chambers of internet forums where people who didn’t know much swapped second-hand stories with people who knew even less.

It’s all to do with the IMS, the RMS, and the various woes that might occasionally emanate from them and befall the unwary.

Well, if you service the car regularly, tick all the right boxes for maintenance and never drive it hard until it’s warmed-up and ready, you’ve almost certainly got very little to worry about – and that’s exactly the treatment this car has received throughout its life.

The most recent service was carried out by Pyro Ltd of Rugby on 12th May 2025 with the odometer reading 43,889 miles.

During the penultimate owner’s eight-year curation, the air conditioning radiator, power steering pump, front springs, brakes, and an O2 sensor were replaced.

Servicing dates and mileage are as follows,

· Apr 2023 - 41,052 miles - PMR

· Jun 2020 - 37,470 miles - RSR Auto Services

· Nov 2016 - 33,201 miles - RSR Auto Tech

· Dec 2013 - 24,474 miles - RSR Auto Tech

· Nov 2011 - 21,541 miles - RSR Auto Tech

· Oct 2009 - 16,674 miles - Porsche Centre Bristol

· Jun 2007 - 9,292 miles - Porsche Centre Bristol.

The car comes with a V5C, a recent, clear HPI report and an MoT certificate that’s valid until 31st March 2027.

The MoT comes with no advisories whatsoever and, in fact, this car has had no MoT advisories at all since 2020.

This is a low mileage Porsche 911 (997.1) Carrera Cabriolet with an impressively low mileage, a much sought-after manual gearbox, a good, consistent service history and, save for an unfortunate meeting between the bonnet and a roof tile, very little to show in the way of wear and tear.

And, thanks to the upgraded, aftermarket sports exhaust, it sounds every bit as good as it looks.

It’s ticking all the right boxes for us.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £21,000 - £26,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.