The Porsche 911 will have been in production for forty years next year, but its roots can be traced back even further to the 356 of the late forties, itself a heavily modified VW Beetle.  During that time the car has undergone huge leaps in power and performance to rightfully claim its position as the world’s most useable every day sports car.  

 

For many the last generation of the air cooled 911’s are still the most desirable, produced between August 1993 and October 1998 they were the eight generation of cars to carry the 911 badge.  With its distinctive laid-back headlamps and gracefully rounded bumpers, these cars offer significant advances over earlier models.  The major changes to the rear suspension, plus a revised McPherson strut at the front gave the cars safe, predictable handling; a far cry from the tail happy antics of some of the previous models.

 

Powered by the fabulous sounding flat six engine displacing 3.6 litres the cars also have a minimum of 272bhp endowing it with awesome performance.  Post 1996 cars saw power rise to 285bhp thanks to the ‘Varioram’ inlet system with modified head and larger valves.  These cars are easily distinguished from earlier cars thanks to the slightly squared off tail pipes, earlier cars had oval.

 

Buyers have the choice of a six speed manual or 4 speed automatic gearboxes.  The Tiptronic auto works well but the extra weight makes the car fractionally less crisp to drive and purists tend to favour the excellent manual box.

 

The Porsche 911 is extremely well engineered and with correct maintenance will happily cover many hundreds of thousands of miles but there are plenty of abused examples around, most usually from private sellers.  Time spent checking a car thoroughly and preferably with an engineer can save you thousands of pounds.

 

The galvanized body means that corrosion isn’t usually an issue unless the car has been in an accident and has not been correctly repaired.  Cars repaired by a Porsche approved body shop come with a guarantee and certificate which you can check via Porsche Cars Great Britain (0118 930 3666) who keep a central register.

 

On manual gearbox cars clutches can take some heavy abuse from enthusiastic owners and a car overdue a clutch replacement can lead to a warped fly wheel.  Brakes are strong and fade free but worn pads will cause wear to discs, check them for ridges (when cold) and look for signs of bluing.

 

With earlier Targa model roof seals were always a weak point but on the 993 model a new glass panel that slides back inside the screen ensures that water leaks are unlikely, but check the runners carefully and make sure the operation is smooth.

 

A popular option when new was the addition of sports seats, wider and with more lateral support, they feel terrific and are identified by the exposed composite material on their back, standard seats are upholstered on the backs.  But check the side of the seat squabs for signs of wear which will need reconolising from time to time.

 

Getting in a 911 for the first time may come as a disappointment, the switch gear whilst well made is scattered about the dash board.  The cars diminutive dimensions (9 inches narrower and 18inches shorter than a Jaguar XKR) also mean that the cabin is best described as ‘cosy', although this also translates into a wonderful sense of being at one with the car.

 

During the life of the 993 model 911, Porsche tempted buyers with a number of high performance derivatives including the ubiquitous 4 wheel drive Turbo models.  Rare, beautiful and incredibly fast it’s probably not the ideal buy for a first time owner.

 

 

With any high performance car correct maintenance is essential and even low mileage users should return the car to a Porsche approved or good specialist dealer on an annual basis.  Many of which now offer reduced price servicing on cars of this age.

 

     

 

Check the following

 

• Oil – engine oil levels must be checked with the engine running

• Four wheel drive – available on Carrera and Coupe models but the system adds weight and takes the edge off the steering

• Climate control – a must have option

• Wheels – 16 inch rims were standard but 17 inch more desirable. Turbo’s and RS models sit on 18 inch

• Seats – Sports seats have composite backs and are wider and deeper, post 1995 sports seats have lower side bolsters and are less prone to wear

• Xenons – not standard, called something else

• Stereo upgrade – a desirable option, identified by dual speaker grills in the doors

• Electric seats – per seat, no height adjust unless electric

• Sport chassis – lowered and stiffer dampers

• Spare tyre – stored under the nose boot space, check the electric compressor is included

• Tryes – Due to the cars high top speed it should be fitted with N rated tyres

• Crash history check – via the manufacturer, approved re

• Service History – must be accompanied by original invoices

• Colours – prices are sensitive to exterior and interior trim combinations, avoid white or yellow cars

• Sound pack – induction kit that changes the resonance in the air box and makes more sound

• Tech art – bi plane rear spoiler no brake light

• Sports exhaust – Optional sports exhaust sounds great and is identified by larger oval pipes with no flange around the edge

 

 

The one to buy 

 

• Porsche 911 Carrera 2 coupe  

• 6 speed manual gearbox

• 1997 ‘R’ with 60,000 miles

• Pay £29,500 at a dealer with a 12 months warranty    £27,000 privately

 

 

 

Mileage	50,000miles	60,000 miles	80,000 miles
1995 ‘N’                 Trade	£22,550	£21,750	£20,150
Retail	£26,500	£25,750	£24,000
1996 ‘P’                Trade	£24,150	£23,250	£21,450
Retail	£28,250	£27,250	£25,550
1997 ‘R’                 Trade	£26,650	£25,650	£23,600
Retail	£30,500	£29,500	£27,500

 

Cabriolet and Targa models worth £1,500 more than equivalent Coupe

Tiptronic versions worth £1,200 than manuals

 

	Vital Statistics
Model	Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Coupe
Engine	3,600cc  air cooled flat 6 cylinder
Power	285bhp
Transmission	6 speed manual
Fuel consumption	23.2 mpg (combined)
Acceleration	5.4 sec (0-62mph)
Top Speed	170 mph

 

 

 

5 Alternatives for similar money	Year	Mileage	Retail price	Trade price
TVR Cerbera 4.0 Speed Six	2001 ‘51’	20,000	£30,000	£25,950
Jaguar XKR Coupe	2000 ‘X’	40,000	£29,000	£25,050
Maserati 3200GT	2000 ‘V’	40,000	£30,000	£24,900
Lotus Esprit V8 SE	2000 ‘V’	40,000	£29,250	£23,900
Mercedes Benz SL60 AMG	1998 ‘R’	60,000	£30,250	£24,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Jason Dawe Productions Limited August 2004