Is it actually cheap a Porsche 911 for less than 20,000 euros? Favorable is relative. A Porsche with a used car price tag may be affordable. It is never cheap. Especially not in maintenance. But cheap, it can be. The best example the 996, Porsche's first 911 with water cooling. Where else is there so much 911 for the money right now? A 996 Carrrera, whether with 300 or later after the facelift, with 320 hp, drives as it should be for a 911 with massive traction on the hindquarters, sharp handling, snotty soundscape and playful joy of turning. Sure, the cockpit plastic is thin, soon the soft paint peels off the many organically shaped buttons and switches, the leather feels like truck tarpaulin. But there are other reasons why the fifth generation 911 is currently sagging in price. Before the law of the market, everyone is equal when someone is around 15, he passes through a valley of tears as used. Too old to be generously supported by the previous owner. Too new to attract collectors. And the 996 is right in the middle. The Porsche not only has to fight against the difficult age, but also the sticky softie image.
On February 20, 1992, the Porsche Executive Board gave the green light for the development of a new, revolutionary 911 the 996 was the first series 911 to be equipped with a water-cooled boxer engine. 1997: The new 911 is released, 38 percent of the components are shared with the smaller Boxster. 1998: The 996 Cabrio makes its debut in April, followed by the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 in October. For the 1999 model year, the "fried egg" headlights are abolished, the turn signals are now white. 2000: The successor of the 993 RS is called 996 GT 3, the vacuum cleaner delivers 360 HP. The new 996 Turbo develops 420 hp and forms the basis for the GT2 with 3.6-liter biturbo and 462 hp, top speed: 315 km / h. 2001: Facelift with a new front and modified rear lights. The Carrera gets the headlights of the turbo, displacement and power grow to 3.6 liters and 320 hp. The 996 Targa with a three-part glass roof and rear window that can be folded up for the first time appears. 2002: GT3 and GT2 are revised. 2003: Turbo Cabrio and GT3 RS are new. 2004: The Turbo S (450 bhp) is the last 996 lineup. 2005: With the last turbo, 996 production ends after more than 177,000 cars.
Unfortunately, a cheaper 996 also has its price. Even an entry-level Porsche is never cheap to maintain. Spare parts prices and service costs are high, and repairing the water boxer can quickly be more expensive than buying the whole car.
If it doesn't have to be a replacement for the pastel-colored bicolor leather interior: Porsche can still deliver everything. But the prices hurt. A new alternator costs 1650 euros, new brakes for all four wheels cost 1000 euros in the office, an unpainted front fender comes to 2200, a fuselage engine to 14,000 and a complete engine even fabulous 40,000 euros! Without auxiliary units of course. Fortunately, there are free specialists and dealers who take the fear out of the price spook. The internet also helps with the parts search, but nobody should go shopping here without inside knowledge.
The entry 911 gauge ( coupé , rear-wheel drive, naturally aspirated engine and manual gearbox) is recommended as a good and inexpensive introduction to the topic 996. Here the selection is large, the prices are (still) manageable and the maintenance affordable. The 911 does not need all-wheel drive, types such as Targa, Turbo, GT3 and GT2 are a (expensive) case for advanced users. The nice thing about the 996 to to those who get in low trims today can still ride up there for a long time.
