When the Porsche 996 was introduced in 1997, it was a major departure from the German marque’s classic formula. Gone was their staple air-cooled engine, now replaced by a water-cooled one instead. The platform was also completely redesigned and provided a fresh start to the iconic 911 as it entered a new era. The 996 shared development with the first-generation Boxster, a move that resulted in a few interchangeable parts between the two and, thus, lower production and maintenance costs. It was initially available only as an RWD coupé or convertible, with a four-wheel drive model arriving later.

Power was derived from a 3.4 L flat-6 engine mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic transmission and putting out 296 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 62 mph could be achieved in 5.2 seconds, and a top speed of 170 mph. Between 1997 and 2004, Porsche produced 171,250 examples of the naturally aspirated Carrera, with 28,040 produced in 1999.

Throughout the years, the 996 generation of the 911 platform has been largely overlooked by collectors and Porschephiles. Many people lambasted them for both their break from the traditional air-cooled design as well as some of their questionable styling cues. As of recently, though, there has been a surge in desirability for these once unloved examples. This has been driven by two significant factors: the surging price of 911 examples across the board and people looking for cheap entry points into the Porsche community, but also the rediscovery of how fantastic this platform is actually to drive. These 996-generation cars still retain much of the raw and natural feeling of earlier 911s and are also from a time before size bloat and excessive electronics crept into the 911 lineup. While prices have steadily crept up on 996s, with limited production run and well spec’d examples bringing very strong money, they remain a very economical and practical choice for entry in 911 ownership. Purchasing a well-cared-for and properly serviced example with exciting colors or options remains paramount in preserving future gains in value. We see these as an excellent purchase for someone looking for a fun, reliable, and immensely useable sports car with potential growth in both value and collectability.

This particular example, Chassis # WP0AA2998XS623394, is a 1999 model finished in Artic Silver Metallic (X1) over the Boxster Red Special Leather interior package (MA). This 996 was heavily optioned from the factory with the Aerokit Package (XAA), Full Carbon Package, Leather Sport Seats, Sport Chassis, 18” wheels w/Technology Rims, Hi-Fi Sound Package, Porsche Comms Management system, and Supple Leather all around. Exclusive to the Boxster Red Special Leather were Boxster Red Floor Mats, Aluminum Instrument Dials, and a Carbon/Leather Steering Wheel. With over $31,000 in options, the total MSRP for this 996 came out to $98,243 in 1999.

This car was delivered to Porsche Exchange in Highland Park, IL in September of 1998. Its first owner purchased it in November of that year. They would go on to lovingly cherish this 996 over the next 14 years, religiously servicing and maintaining it at certified dealerships. It was offered for sale in November of 2012 with 20,967 miles on the odometer and was purchased by a Michigan resident just a month later. Despite only owning the car for five months, it was serviced three times at Shaheen Chevrolet in Lansing, MI, before being sold in June of 2013 with 23,255 miles.

The third owner brought the 996 to Maine, where they continued the previous owners’ tradition of enjoying it and servicing it when needed for three years. In November of 2016, at around 34,000 miles, its fourth owner was reported. Based out of New York, they owned the car for a year during which time they refurbished the wheels, replaced the front hood struts, drive belt, water pump, air/oil separator, and programmed a new key. They also installed an LN Engineering dual-row IMS bearing and a replacement clutch before passing it on to another New York resident in November of 2017.

Owner number five was the custodian of this low-mileage beauty until around the end of 2019. Under their ownership, the front bumper cover and side skirts were repainted in April of 2019 at Village Auto Body in Greenlawn, NY, and the timing chain tensioner was replaced in December of 2019 at TKX Performance in Huntington Station, NY.

They listed the car for sale on Bring a Trailer in January of 2020 with a little under 40,000 miles on the odometer, where it was subsequently purchased by its sixth and most recent owner and brought home to Iowa. A few significant services carried out by this owner included new engine and transmission mounts in June of 2021 from Pelican Parts in Harbor City, CA, a new coolant expansion tank in August of 2021 from K11 Auto Repair in Omaha, NE, new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires in March of 2022 from Midwest Tire in Omaha, NE, and mufflers in September of 2023 from K11 Auto Repair.

When we received this 996, we entrusted Woodlawn Garage in Philadelphia, PA, with giving this beauty the minor servicing it needed to perform at its fullest. They performed a full oil change, replaced the alternator bracket and accessory belt, replaced one of the horns, and did the overall inspection, state inspection, and emissions.

For many years, the 996 platform was unjustly looked down upon when compared to other models of its time, but as of recently, it has begun to find its foothold in the collector market. The factory Aero Kit paired with the Boxster Red Special Leather interior and a plethora of options make this one stand out from its brethren. Showing a little over 42,000 miles and always serviced by its owners with an open checkbook, this is surely one of the most extraordinary examples of the 996 platform on the market. Porsches of this generation can frequently be found with more than double or triple the mileage, indicating the kind of reliability one can get with this level of meticulous care and maintenance.

Upon purchase, the new owner will receive all of the original owner’s manuals, toolkit, spare wheel, a copy of the window sticker, service records from 2016-2023, a copy of the CARFAX, and the Porsche Production Specifications certificate.

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