The Porsche 911. Within the car guy community, it is often viewed as a symbol of a proper, enthusiast’s sports car and well respected for its timeless design, clever engineering, and raw performance. However, this dignified, gentleman’s sports car turns into an entirely different animal when the engineers at Stuttgart decided to strap a turbo charger to its patented flat-six engine. The result, was a fire spitting brute of a car that kicked you in the back during hard acceleration, and totally redefined the 911. Beginning with the original Turbo Carrera in the mid 70’s which come the turn of the millennia, evolved into the 996 Turbo. Over that time, Porsche took the twin-turbocharged technology from the fabled 959, applying it to the 993 Turbo, and then further refining it for use in the 996 series utilizing the famous “Mezger” engine; a power plant that has become synonymous with reliability and strength. The performance extracted from these force fed 911’s is utterly staggering. The straight-line speed makes it a weapon down the straights and the all-wheel drive system gives the user significantly more precision in the bends over the previous models. The 996 Turbo offers a lot of car for the money and its raw performance will not disappoint.

 

Available for purchase is a 2002 Porsche Turbo, chassis #WP0AB29902S687189 with only 8,592 miles traveled since new. This sparingly used, 2-owner example is finished in Basalt Black over a grey interior. According to the Carfax, this example was sold new in Corpus Christi, Texas and remained with its first owner until February of 2015 when it was subsequently sold to its second, enthusiast owner in New York. The following options were ordered:

 

XPD Carbon 3-spoke steering wheel

XSC Porsche crest embossed in headrests

X47 Carbon gear lever knob

X58 Carbon handbrake lever

X69 Carbon door entry guards with logo

265 Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror and rain sensor

266 Automatic anti-dazzle door mirrors

340 Seat heating, right

411 18″ Carrera 5-spoke wheels

424 CD compartment

696 CD radio Becker Porsche CDR-220

939 Draped leather rear seats

982 Draped leather front seats

 

The Basalt Black paint has a mirror like quality, showing great depth, and consistency on each panel. The car has been gone over with a paint meter, showing readings between approximately 3.5 and 6.5 mils. If one looks very closely at the front bumper and hood area, there are some faint stone chips from highway use. The driver’s side exterior door handle also has some light chips. Located on the lower portion of the rear bumper is a small scuff but would only be noticed under close examination. Aside from these items, the remainder of the paint is truly as close to perfect as one will get and each panel is dent/ding free. This example shows excellent panel gaps throughout, possesses its original glass, and flawless trim pieces. The chrome exhaust tips are in great shape but it is to be noted that they were switched to the double rounded style versus the single oval (originals are included in the sale). The turbo wheels are without fault, as the superb finish is uninterrupted by any significant scratches, scuffs, or curb rash. The wheels are mounted on a set of Pirelli P-Zero tires which show no dry rot and have plenty of tread life left. The headlamp and tail lamp lenses are as new with no cracks, hazing, or discoloration.

 

The grey interior is one of this car’s best features, not only because of the superb condition but one will also find this example to be equipped with a series of carbon interior components including; 3-spoke carbon/leather steering wheel, shift knob, handbrake lever, and kick plates. The center console frame and gauge cluster frame are also carbon fiber but these components were not equipped from the factory but upgraded by one of the previous owners. The original center console frame is included in the sale as well. The door jams are pristine, still preserving their original paint and factory stickers from new with optional “Turbo” scripted carbon fiber kick panels. The optional leather wrapped sport seats have retained their factory upholstery and show as very well kept. There are some subtle signs of wear on the driver’s side seat bolster but to a degree that is in accordance with the miles on the car. Surrounding the center cubby lock are a few nicks where the key came in contact with the trim. Their door panels are in excellent shape with the only flaw to note being a small mark on the driver’s side by the interior door pull. The rugs, rear bulkhead, and headliner, are all in impeccable condition with no noteworthy blemishes. The rear seats will raise no disputes, the leather perfect in finish and fit. The leather dash does not show any fading, pulling, cracking, or any of the typical faults. All the interior electrical componentry is in working order, the window actuators are strong, electric seats functional, sunroof opens and closes without issue, gauges read accurately, with the only item in need of attention being the engine lid release. When you lift the electric release lever, you will hear it engage but the engine lid will not pop up without having someone apply pressure on it simultaneously. It is most likely in need of a minor adjustment. As expected with a low miles example such as this, the interior is in fantastic condition that is truly challenging to discredit.

 

Moving to the front trunk and we find that the high quality of this example continues. The liner is free of blemishes, the spare wheel is present, as well as the air compressor and car cover security kit still in their factory packaging. In addition, the factory data sticker located on the underside of the trunk lid is also present. An inspection of the engine bay will conclude everything to be tidy, well maintained, and correct. One will find consistent factory markings and stickers throughout, with no indications of need for any repairs. Now inspecting the undercarriage, the suspension components, brake and fuel lines, and belly pans are undamaged and in good order. There is also a plethora of factory applied cosmoline- a clear mark of originality.

 

The mechanics of this example are without fault and preform as if the car was fresh off the showroom floor. The engine starts instantly without any smoke breaching the tailpipes and idles without issue. A recent major service of the car was completed in January of this year by the specialists at Porsche of San Antonio. This service entailed replacing the engine oil, brake fluid, air filters, spark plugs, battery, and clutch slave cylinder, among some other small general maintenance items. Once on the road, the value of the 996 Turbo really starts to become apparent. The steering is accurate and gives a strong sense of stability in the corners that the earlier Porsches struggled to achieve. The engine pulls hard with the help of the turbochargers, holding steady temperatures and making good oil pressure. The clutch feels and operates as it should, accompanied by smooth gear changes. The brakes have plenty of bite, nicely bringing you to a stop with no pulling, fade, or squeaking. This is a well sorted Turbo that needs no mechanical attention whatsoever.

 

The condition alone of this 996 Turbo already makes it a rare and desirable commodity but with only 8,500 miles, a unique color combination, and carbon interior, it is a must have. This example is an investment quality car that checks all the right boxes for one seeking out an enjoyable, reasonably priced modern sports car that possess great future market potential. Included in the sale of this example is the spare wheel, air compressor, car cover, books, original center console frame, original gauge cluster frame, and original exhausts tips.