2003 Porsche 911 996 Carrera 4

A Carrera for everyday use, or a ‘daily’ as referred to in modern parlance; that’s exactly what this 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 is. It’s the facelift model, which means it has the updated Turbo-like headlamps and not the older unit that the 996 shared with the Boxster. The car comes with a detailed service record from new, has 160k miles on the odometer, but has seen a fair bit of TLC in its lifetime. The vendor mentions it has never been sat unattended and as can be explained by its mileage, it’s been used regularly.

A few noteworthy things about the car are that it’s currently with its fifth owner and it’s had an engine replacement at 80k miles. This is the Carrera 4, so it comes with the benefit of power being sent to all four wheels. Which will make driving this in tricky conditions easier. This example also gets the optional Porsche M030 suspension, GT3 wheels, onboard navigation system, leak-free sunroof, among other things.

The 996-generation Porsche 911 was available in the standard narrow body and a wider one like on the Turbo and 4S. This one is a narrow-body car, which means it misses out on the widened wheel arches, but that’s no bad thing. Because the design — although it’s larger than the preceding 993 — doesn’t deviate from the age-old Porsche 911 silhouette. The car’s new headlamps certainly have a wider appeal than the ‘fried egg’ units from the Boxster.

Finished in black, this 996 can be parked right next to the latest 992, and it’ll still get a lot of attention; its overall appearance is that good. A lot of credit for that must go to the GT3 wheels that the car currently has. The vendor mentions that he restored these, and they look rather brilliant and complement the styling of the car.

But that’s not to say the car is perfect from the outside. It’s got its fair share of age-related marks. There’s some visible damage, too. Like both bumpers have a scuff and so does the driver’s door. The paintwork isn’t spotless, and the windscreen appears to have a stone chip on the lower-left corner. The bonnet has a few prominent scratches, too. On the bright side, the metallic paint job shimmers and tries its best to hide the car’s age well.

The vendor mentions, ‘it has a weird bit of crinkle paint on the plastic runner on the roof and a star in the paintwork on the bonnet. The car is not immaculate outside but it has a lovely well used Patina. Inside the car is in very good condition.’

It’s not a museum example, but a rather well-used one, so the exterior patina is expected. But what about the interior? Since a good cabin is instrumental in making sports-car ownership special, it’s as important as the exterior. One thing is for sure about the cabin, that it’s aged well. If you look at 911s through the generations, the interior design doesn’t change much. This means the 996’s cabin doesn’t look too different from, let's say, its successor the 997’s.

There’s no doubt the 996’s cabin is an inviting place, and this one’s no different. It has Bose audio, an onboard navigation system, great-looking black-on-white dials, 2+2 seating, etc. The front seats show signs of ageing (creases on the bolsters) but otherwise, these look alright. The Alcantara roof lining is worth a mention, too. This car also came equipped with a sunroof, which, as mentioned by the vendor, works without any issues.

The 996 effectively modernised the 911. It was the first time in the car’s existence of more than three decades that it was getting a new platform. Not only that, the switch to water-cooling was another point of contention among Porsche enthusiasts. It was first launched with a 3.4-litre engine but in 2001, that was updated to a 3.6. With a maximum power of 316 bhp and 272 lb.ft., the 911 Carrera 4 could manage a 0-60 mph in 5 seconds. That’s fairly quick even by modern sports car standards.

The great thing about this example is that with an engine replacement, it’s got a new lease of life. It’s also got a 6-speed manual gearbox, and that increased interaction is bound to make driving this 996 more fun. The safety net of all-wheel drive is going to be appreciated, but that does make the car heavier. While the extra weight can’t be offset without adding more power, enthusiasts will appreciate that this example comes fitted with the M030 suspension package from Porsche. It doesn’t stiffen up the ride too much but offers improved body control. And unless your commute involves traversing some really bad tarmac, this will be easy to live with.

The tyres on the car were changed two years ago and the vendor mentions that the fronts have about 80 per cent life while the rears have about 50. Another bit worth keeping in mind is that the front brake discs and pads will require a replacement. Apart from that, it’s pretty much ready to be driven. The current MOT is valid till March 2022.

The Carrera 4 comes with a detailed service and MOT history. It was first registered in April 2003, and since then has had its subsequent services documented. According to the records, it appears that a comprehensive one was done in 2020. Some small work was carried out in 2021 as well.

It got new filters and spark plugs in 2020, a new battery in 2019, and new tyres, as mentioned above, two years ago. Reaffirming the vendor’s previous comments, it’s clear that the car has been used throughout its life. That’s evident in the consistent rise in mileage year after year.

The vendor mentions that the first owner only drove for a thousand miles, but the second keeper had the car for the longest. Then it passed hands and its custodians were an airline pilot followed by an engineer at a Formula 1 team. After that, the vendor took ownership of the car.

We include an online HPI report run at the auction start which shows no finance outstanding and no insurance markers for theft or damage.

The 996 represents a generation of under-loved 911s, whose appeal has increased among enthusiasts only in the last few years. But while one would argue that a bog-standard 996 won’t be a match for the more-exclusive Mezger-engined models, the formula that made the car special largely remains unchanged. And if you could enjoy all of that at a fraction of the cost, then why not.

It’s not that the 996 hasn’t had its fair share of issues, but finding and running a good example like this one is bound to be a pleasure. Since it’s the 3.6-engined Carrera 4, it gets more power than before and all-wheel drive, making it possible to be driven in tricky weather conditions. With the M030 suspension pack, the car is much tauter and offers improved body dynamics. The vendor adds that this has been a very reliable car, and had he not moved on to something else, he’d have happily kept it in his collection. Its previous keepers have maintained the car well (proof’s in the long service history), but the only immediate expense the winner will have to incur is for new brake pads and front discs.

Some might argue the time of the 996 has come, while others may suggest otherwise. But regardless of that, this 996 Carrera 4 is a bona fide 911. One that deserves to be enjoyed every day, and as a result we estimate this car to fetch between £9,500 - £12,500.

Viewing is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), 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’.