2001 Porsche 911 (996) Cabriolet

Antilock brakes and twin front airbags are included, although side bags and the excellent Porsche Stability Management electronics were optional extras. The Convertible features automatic roll-over protection and there are proportionately more Carrera 4 drop tops around than rear wheel drive models. 

Certain design cues from the air cooled days remain; the slab sided dashboard and simple switchgear, and that Weissach crest staring at you from the steering wheel let you know that you're about to get a return on the millions Porsche have invested in research and development.

Air cooled Porsches at this kind of mileage would likely require major engine work, but not the 996, which can cover twice this figure of looked after. And this car has had a full engine rebuild just four years ago, making it a very tempting prospect indeed.
 

This 996 looks very nice with its Porsche graphics, but although its bodywork is generally good, there are some age-related faults that are starting to show. There’s rust bubbling on the nearside front wing’s wheel arch lip, and it looks as though the same problem might be starting to appear on the nearside wing as well, although it’s nothing like as noticeable.

Corrosion is also just starting to appear on the front of the offside sill, where it meets the wing, which is also showing early signs of problems. Dealt with now, these are fairly minor bodywork issues, and a new enthusiast owner could deal with them relatively easily. If they’re left, they’ll become worse quite quickly though.

The paintwork also has the odd scratch and mark, but all the Porsche alloy wheels look to be in very nice shape, with no kerb rash that we spotted, just the odd small mark here and there.

The black canvas hood also looks very tidy, and the seller tells us he also has a hardtop for the car.
 

The 996 is a far bigger car than its 993 predecessor and a good deal more practical as a result. The design was closer related to the Boxster than the previous shape 911: over 40% of the componentry is shared. You notice this most of all inside, where the previous haphazard array of knobs and switches were replaced with the Boxster's far more cohesive layout. 

There's more cabin space too - but don't let this lull you into thinking of the new 911 as a realistic four-seater. It isn't. The front boot's bigger too, but you can't fit more than two bags in it and you'll need to watch out when closing it so as not to dent the bonnet on protruding items.

The interior is in good shape for a car of this age. The driver’s seat bolster, for instance – usually the first thing to indicate any level of wear – shows only mild creasing, with no damage to the seams or piping. The seats look used, but are still very presentable.

The original Porsche stereo still sits in the dash, which all looks to be in fine shape, as does the original steering wheel. All in all, the cabin is in excellent order, and reflects the relatively low mileage of a Porsche of this age.

The front luggage compartment is clean and tidy, with no damage to any of the plastics, and the carpet has no untoward marks. 
 

The engine compartment is clean and tidy, with everything in place. More importantly, the engine has been stripped and completely rebuilt by a Porsche specialist. These 996 engines, and those in Boxsters too, could develop problems with a bearing deep inside the engine.

If this fails, the bill can be astronomical. And unfortunately it’s impossible to tell that the part is about to let go. No such worries with this car though, as the remedial work has already been done, so you can drive with confidence. Buying a car that hasn’t had this work is a complete lottery, but this one comes with peace of mind built in.
 

The car comes with a good record of its service history, with plenty of stamps in the book, either by Porsche main dealers or specialists. It also comes with a full set of handbooks.

The Porsche also come with a long MoT certificate that runs until the 18th February 2025, so it’s ready for you to enjoy this summer (now that it’s finally arrived).

There is also a sizeable stack of historic invoices, including those pertaining to the engine being removed, stripped and rebuilt by Fisher Performance in 2020. Alongside these invoices are pictures of the work being carried out.

The seller says he bought this 911 Cabrio from a friend, but finds it a bit small for him. He describe its condition as being very good for its age, and says that everything works just as it should. He also points out that the engine is, of course, the original part, with matching numbers.

A 911 at this price point is not going to be perfect, but it is very good value. Not only that, a 996 with a rebuilt and future proofed engine at this price is not something you see very often.

This 911 is the perfect entry into modern-classic Porsche ownership. With a few minor bodywork issue dealt with it could be improved and made really special.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £10,000 - £12,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Alton, Hampshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.