2002 Porsche 911 996 Carrera 4 Cabriolet

This particular example is a Carrera 4 Cabriolet, first registered on 26 September 2002. Being the ‘4’ model, all four wheels are driven which adds additional grip, improved performance ‘off the line’ and Porsche Stability Management (PSM) which was a cost-option on Carrera 2 models of the era.

Finished in the timeless combination of Basalt black over a black interior, this 996 looks absolutely stunning, and was equipped with numerous desirable options from the factory, along with having been fitted with an aftermarket Raid steering wheel.

Full list of options from factory:

• Top-tinted windscreen

• 18” Carrera wheels

• BOSE Sound System

• PCM with handset

• ParkAssist

• Wind deflector

• Heated seats

• Gear lever and handbrake in Aluminium

• Aluminium dial surrounds

• CDC-3 CD Autochanger

• Floor mats with Porsche logo

• Arctic Silver package (small)

Having been enjoyed by only four owners including the vendor, this 996 C4 Cabriolet has been fastidiously maintained throughout its life, with a majority of work being carried out by OPC workshops with the rest being taken care of by renowned independant Porsche specialist RPM specialist cars, along with a full engine change by Camtune (more on that below.)

Having been a Porsche aficionado for a number of years, the vendor leapt at the chance to get back behind the wheel of a 911 after this example came up for sale. Having been used only as a ‘special occasion’ car and for the occasional summer blast, this 996 was only taxed between April and October, such was the nature of the vendor’s wish to preserve its condition, and it is now regrettably up for sale due to a change in personal health circumstances.

The Basalt Black paintwork on this 911 retains an impressive shine and finish despite being nearly 20 years old. The bodywork is nice and straight, with no dents or impact damage visible.

There are, of course, a few wear-and-tear marks as expected on a car of this age. The front end would benefit from a thorough decontamination and machine polishing, while there is a scuff on the offside rear bumper which can be seen in the photo gallery below. Other than that, there are just the usual stone chip markings on the front end and exposed edges, though these are well-hidden in day-to-day use.

All four wheels are in great shape with no kerbing to mention, and are wrapped in a set of matching Pirelli P-Zero tyres. The front lights on these 996s are prone to becoming cloudy, though this example shows only the most minor signs of discolouration, and that’s being very picky!

Both the factory hard top and folding soft tops are in excellent condition, though the hard top does have a few minor marks here-and-there, all of which can be seen in the gallery below. The soft top is free from any rips or tears, though it would benefit from a thorough cleaning to bring it back to its best.

It’s difficult to believe this is a 20-year-old, 105,000 mile + vehicle judging by the condition of the interior.

The seat edges and bolsters show some slight wear, but nothing like we’re used to seeing on these 911s, with the centres in particular in excellent condition and shrugging off their age with ease.

The centre console, high-traffic areas and door cards are all also in very good condition, with only some minor marks which are commensurate with the age and mileage of the vehicle. The rear ‘shell’ on the optional sports seats shows some signs of wear to the soft-touch covering, while the inner door sills also show some marks.

The fold-up windbreaker is included with the vehicle and is in unmarked condition, offering an easy way to rectify ‘wind swirl’ in the vehicle when travelling with the top down, though this does come at the expense of the rear seats (though let’s be honest, who uses those on a 911 anyway?)

In the ‘frunk’ the carpets and trim are all in good shape, while the space-saver spare wheel and tool kit are both present.

The electronic folding soft top works exactly as it should, with no signs of any hesitation or other issues. The mechanism can be seen working going both up and down in the short video below.

During our short test drive, we noted that the driver’s heated seat switch is inoperable, though this was the only fault we noted, and there are no warning lights on the dashboard.

It is worth noting that in the startup video below, the lights on the dashboard relate to the door being open, the driver’s seatbelt not being on, the parking brake being engaged, and the engine compartment being open, rather than being any sort of fault indicators.

996’s are known for being very resilient to rust on their chassis, and this example is no exception. There is the usual smattering of surface ‘bloom’ on items such as the exhaust pipes and on the Torx screws that hold some of the lower body mouldings in place, though this is the extent of any known corrosion on the vehicle. The MOT history would also back this up, with no mention of any corrosion-related issues in recent years other than a brake pipe being “corroded, covered in grease or other material” on the latest exam.

Opening the engine cover, the 3.6-litre flat-six engine looks to be in good order, though realistically there’s not much to see on account of the lack of space and numerous plastic engine covers designed to ‘tidy up’ the engine bay. What we did note, however, was that there were no signs of oil or fluid leaks, nor were the exhausts oily or dirty beyond the usual carbon build up to be expected from a near-20-year-old vehicle.

The history folder of this 911 C4 Cabriolet is extensive. Put the kettle on, grab a brew and settle down, as it’ll take you a while to sort through it all.

In terms of highlights, it’s clear to see that this 996 has been cherished and maintained regardless of cost, with the majority of invoices pertaining to work carried out by official Porsche centres. There are numerous ‘big ticket’ invoices present, including one amounting to over £10,000 from 2008 during its time with a previous owner.

The MOT history is also impressive, with no fails since 2017 which was due to tyre depths being below the minimum requirement. The most recent MOT is valid until 06 July 2021, and was a first-time pass with advisories for the following items:

• Nearside front tyre worn close to legal limit

• Offside front tyre worn close to legal limit

• Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

• Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material

Of particular note is one large bill from Camtune dated 14 April 2008, which shows that the vehicle was fitted with a replacement engine at 49703 miles due to an IMS bearing failure, a new clutch was installed, and a full engine timing took place among other operations.  The infotainment system was also completely replaced last year at a cost of nearly £600.00.

Offering flat-six thrills without the inflated prices of the 997-generation or air-cooled 911s, this 2002 Porsche 911 (996) Cabriolet blends top-down enjoyment with the added benefit and security of both all-wheel-drive with PSM and a factory hard top to allow all-year-round use.

While the engine that is powering this stunning 911 may not be the original, it does add an additional layer of security and peace-of-mind for the next owner, safe in the knowledge that the IMS bearing was renewed along with any other issues having been taken care of in recent years.

Given the condition and high specification of this 911, we expect it to fetch between £15,500 and £20,500 so be sure to get an early bid in if you’re interested. And, let’s be honest, if you’ve made it this far, you’re more than likely to be interested - happy bidding!

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.