2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 (997.1)

Finished in Lapis Blue with an Ocean Blue interior, this 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 has been in its owner’s care for the past eight years. With just two former keepers, it has yet to trip past 80,000 miles.

A genuine UK-spec car (option code C16, in case you were wondering, a feature that also added tinted windows and a metallic paint finish) it comes with a huge history file and has been so well curated that it has even retained the umbrella on the nearside sill, which isn’t something you see very often. 

Recently serviced, it runs and drives very well, and the six-speed manual gearbox ensures a satisfyingly analogue feel to the experience. 

Only for sale because he’s bought a 993 from us, given the seasonal softening of prices, you might find that our estimate is lower than you think…

Lapis Blue (paint code LM5W) is a helluva colour, isn’t it? Bright and contemporary, the colour suits the 911’s classic lines so well that few passersby will realise they’re looking at a car that’s old enough to buy alcohol in the USA.

And its overall condition is also very good; with the sort of tight and consistent shutlines we’ve come to expect on German cars of this era, the largely dent- and dink-free panels are joined by ripple-free flanks to give a gloriously even surface that allows the metallic blue paint to shine.

And shine it does but as there are myriad minor swirls and imperfections across the coachwork, as well as what looks like some polish residue (see photos 10 & 12, although he combination of high-res photos and low sun angles make it look worse than it is) we can see the new owner will probably want to treat it to a full paint correction to allow it to fulfil its potential. 

The metal sunroof fits the aperture very well and slides fore and aft as smoothly as you’d expect of a car with the 997’s reputation for longevity. The rear spoiler also deploys on command, so you can choose a stealth run through the city, or a come-and-have-a-go-if-you-think-you’re-hard-enough sneer.

The 18-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels allow the general public to appreciate the majesty of the huge, cross-drilled brake discs, while those with a keen eye for top-notch rubber will appreciate the presence of a set of four matching Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, sized 235/40ZR18 on the front and 265/35ZR18 on the rear. 

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

Of course, any car of this age will have collected a few marks over the years and ‘RX54 KTK’ is no exception. We spotted a 10cm-long scratch on the nearside rear wing just behind the door as well as a small and shallow dent on the same panel just above the wheelarch and a scuff just in front of the wheel, all courtesy of another driver in a supermarket car-park.

There is also a dent in the middle of the fuel filler flap, a sizeable chip in the windscreen, a weather ‘Carrera’ badge, UV-damage to the headlamps, and the paint has worn away on the edge of one of the slats on the rear spoiler, but this is only really noticeable when the wing is raised. 

Finally, the alloy wheels all have kerbing marks to them and would benefit from being refurbished and given how little tread is left on the rear tyres it would make sense to get them changed at the same time. Oh, and you might like to throw a new set of wheel bolts on too as the ones that are fitted are rusty. 

Finished in Ocean Blue, the Comfort seats (option codes 437 and 438 with 983 leather) include Positrol and lumbar support for the driver (538). The rear seats are finished in leather too (936) as is the rest of the trim including the dashboard (981) and steering wheel (option code 431).

And yet, anyone who has seen how badly Porsche used coloured leather for its interiors in the previous decades, could be forgiven for wondering just how bad this colour combination is.

The answer is that it’s lovely; subtle and discrete, the blue is so understated that it merely complements the colour of the coachwork rather than trying too hard to make a statement of its own.

It’s also neatly stitched, and the hide Porsche uses balances tactility with durability as well as anyone. In fact, the whole of the interior is so well preserved that the only noticeable wear is to the lower outer edge of the driver’s seat – and even that is only a little crumpled.

Everything works as it should too – you can see the air-conditioning system has been well serviced over the years – and the flashes of colour the silver trim provides serve only to highlight how well the cabin has shrugged off 21 years and 79,000 miles; from the carpets to the top of the leather-covered dashboard, you’ll search in vain for evidence of the car’s age bar a few very light scratches to some of the hard plastic trim and some minor wear to the heater controls. 

And there are just enough toys to keep you happy including electrically-adjustable front seats, a delightfully-period sat-nav, central locking, electric windows and mirrors, remote frunk and engine cover releases, a CD-multichanger, and Bluetooth connectivity for your mobile phone.

The frunk is very clean and neatly ordered and still contains its hazard warning triangle.

The 911’s service history is recorded as follows:

• 02.09.2006 and 9,378 miles – service by Porsche Centre Guildford including fresh brake fluid
• 10.12.2007 and 17,324 miles – oil service by JZM Porsche
• 12.09.2008 and 19,900 miles – service by JZM Porsche including fresh brake fluid, spark plugs, main drivebelt, and pollen filter
• 05.11.2010 and 28,776 miles – service by JZM Porsche including fresh brake fluid
• 22.04.2013 and 33,654 miles – service by JZM Porsche including fresh brake fluid, airbag testing, and a refresh of the air-conditioning system
• 16.05.2015 and 39,650 miles – service by JZM Porsche including fresh brake fluid and new front brake discs and pads
• 26.07.2017 and 43,364 miles – service by JZM Porsche including new coil packs
• 30.05.2018 and 46,551 miles – oil service by Ballards of Finchley
• 15.05.2019 and 51,624 miles – service by Chelsea Carrera Ltd including fresh brake fluid, spark plugs, and drive belt
• 20.06.2020 and 56,265 miles – oil service by Finchley Saab
• 01.07.2020 and 56,285 miles – fresh gearbox oil by Finchley Saab
• 06.07.2021 and 59,661 miles – service by PorschaCare
• 05.07.2022 and 63,246 miles – service by PorschaCare including new front brake discs and pads
• 10.02.2024 and 65,866 miles – service by PorschaCare
• 26.03.2025 and (circa) 73,000 miles – service by Julia Automobile

There is also a record of the clutch being replaced, the IMS being upgraded to an oil feed system and a Quaife LSD being fitted in June 2013 by JZM Porsche plus much more. Please see the invoices on file for the full details.

And this significant investment has paid off because it drives very well indeed – and in the 30,000 miles he’s owned it, the only mechanical malady was a snapped alternator drive belt, which was a cheap and easy fix. 

 It’s also worth noting the seller drove it to us, a two-hour journey they accomplished without any issues. In fact, he likens his Porsche 911 to an upmarket Volkswagen Golf, saying it has done everything he’s asked of it – including multiple runs to Spain to visit family – without fuss: “I can’t think of anything it hasn’t been able to do!”

As the video shows it starts well, too, idles without complaint, revs beautifully – and does it all without illuminating any warning lights. 

The engine is a bit grubby but not offensively so. It just looks honest to us, rather than tarted up pre-sale. You could detail it if that sort of thing makes you happy, but if it doesn’t you could leave it as it is and no one would accuse you of being slovenly.

The underside has the usual light scuffs to the underside and the odd crack in the plastic trim but is otherwise as exquisitely preserved as everything else. 

Certainly, no MoT tester has ever had cause to mention structural rust or corrosion; in fact, most of the advisories it has collected over the years are for the presence of the factory-fitted undertrays. Make of that what you will. 

The 911’s last MoT, which is valid until March 2026, was issued with no advisories. The one before that had an advisory for those pesky undertrays, and the MoT before that was a clear-pass. 

As you’d expect the recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with two keys.

The history file includes the original order form showing an initial purchase price of £63,434 (or £115,000 in today’s money), the Porsche wallet and book pack, and some old invoices and expired MoT certificates.

Cars like this can be hard to write about because there’s so little so say; while the owners of some 180mph-supercars have complicated tales about four-figure service bills and struggling to keep the mileage down, owners of 911s – including our seller – tend to shrug and just say it’s been the best car they’ve ever owned.

Very well serviced over the years and carefully curated, this Carrera 2  simply keeps on doing what it was designed to do: To travel very quickly across continents while providing maximum driver satisfaction – and minimal stress.

Which is a harder balancing act than it might sound.

And yet, here is a genuine supercar you could use to commute in during the week before posting some very credible times at your local hillclimb at the weekend.

Rinse and repeat, week after week, for years. 

And, maybe best of all, because the sheeple wouldn’t dream of buying a sportscar this close to Christmas, we estimate the hammer is going to fall somewhere between £15,000 and £20,000, which is a pitifully small amount to pay for what is still one of the finest sportscars of any era. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET, HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays 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’.