2002 Porsche 911 Targa

First registered on the 3rd of October 2002, this wonderful metallic black Porsche 911 Targa gives the discerning enthusiast the option of semi-open driving when the sun is out alongside coupé-like security when it isn’t.

The vendor is, in his own words, ‘meticulous’, which means that he’s spent a fortune on it in the two years he’s owned it ensuring that it runs and drives as it should – and this expenditure is in addition to the scrupulous maintenance and care it received over the years before he bought it.

Now in need of only very gentle cosmetic fettling, this delightful example would make an ideal starter Porsche 911 for the canny enthusiast who can see the potential this mechanically strong 966 Targa offers.

The Targa body has really come into its own in the past few years and this one shows why; with a huge glass roof that seals tightly against the elements, it really does offer the very best of all worlds.

It’s in good shape, too; few colours are as unforgiving as black and yet this 911 looks as sleek and well-aligned as the day it left the factory. This means ripple-free flanks, tight and even shutlines, and the sort of tank-like build quality the accountants were inevitably going to get rid of in future iterations. Good paintwork too, but that’s not a surprise, is it?

Of course, the rear spoiler rises and falls as it should, and the light lenses, badges, and glazing are all good too.

Similarly, the 17-inch alloy wheels are in great shape and completely free of scrapes, scuffs and other damage. Finished in dark grey anthracite, they’re also shod with recent, matching Pirelli P-Zero tyres.

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

If we’re being critical – and we do try to be – then the wheelnuts could do with replacing as they’re a little rusty.

The 911 would also benefit from a professional machine polish to remove some of the surface swirls it’s picked up over the years from enthusiastic polishing. Slide number 219 gives an idea of the sort of (minor) challenge you’re going to be facing.

The grey leather interior is in fine fettle with only some creasing to the front seats to betray its age; the 911’s ergonomics might be a little wayward in places but no-one can deny they did screw them together properly.

The vestigial rear seats might be more notional than actual but they’re there, they’re in great shape, and they make a useful place to store coats and bags if you don’t have any toddlers to transport.

The rest is generally in good shape with decent carpets, good door cards, and an above average feel to it overall, something the glass roof and light-coloured interior both contribute to.

The trunk still has the original space-saver spare wheel complete with protective slip cover and the tool kit, and while there is some scuffing to the plastic trim the underlying metalwork is utterly solid and free of rot and corrosion.

There is some work to do, but what there is is fairly minor and generally amounts to nothing more than some minor cosmetic fettling, most notably due to the rubbing to the hard plastic edge of the centre console. This is very common and could be easily resolved by painting it if it bothers you.

While we’re being pernickety, the gearknob is a little jaded and could do with replacing. You might like to dig out your microfibre towels too because there is some mildew on the B-pillars and rear trim. A piece of trim has also come astray, and the rear seat has what appear to be sun burn marks on the grey leather. The two keys have worn on the rubber point that you push to open/close the door.  You'd probably want to refurb these but you don't need to.

The service history, which is Porsche main dealer until 2007 and independent specialists thereafter, is recorded as follows:

• 07.02.2005 and 10,333 miles – service by Porsche Centre Chester plus fresh brake fluid

• 01.12.2005 and 16,090 miles – service by Porsche Centre Chester

• 23.10.2006 and 19,591 miles – service by Porsche Centre Chester

• 31.07.2007 and 33,210 miles – service by Porsche Centre Chester

• 18.07.2008 and 39,662 miles – service and new polybelt by ninemeister, independent Porsche specialist plus fresh brake fluid

• 02.06.2009 and 47,048 miles – service and fresh spark plugs by ninemeister, independent Porsche specialist

• 16.12.2010 and 63,494 miles – service and fresh spark plugs by ninemeister, independent Porsche specialist plus fresh brake fluid

• 28.11.2011 and 68,396 miles – service by Corldlis

• 19.11.2013 and 76,450 miles – service by Hartech, independent Porsche specialist plus an airbag check and fresh brake fluid

• 26.04.2019 and 78,789 miles – service by Bramfield Automotive, independent Porsche specialist including new brake discs and pads on all four corners

• 13.05.2019 – four new Pirelli tyres plus and oil and filter change and miscellaneous fettling including four new brake discs and pads by Bramfield Automotive

• 11.06.2019 and 78,826 miles – new battery by Bramfield Automotive

As you can see and hear, the 911 starts very well, idles perfectly, and revs beautifully. It also drives as it should.

Oh, and as for the dreaded IMS bearing failure, as the Porsche Club puts it: ‘This is a strange case where the reality is radically different than the perceived risk’. You doubt them, how about the time 911 expert Matt Bell told ClassicsWorks ‘If it hasn’t failed in the first 50,000 miles it probably isn’t going to.’

Given the pampered life it’s led, you would be right in assuming that the engine bay is as neat and tidy as the rest of the car.

The underside is similarly impressive with only the odd rusty fastener to spoil its good looks.

The Targa’s MoT certificate, which is valid until July 2021, was gained without a single advisory point, something it’s been no stranger to over the years.

It has a number of expired MoT certificates plus a sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it over the years as well as a well-stamped stamped service history booklet and two sets of keys.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

The Porsche 996 might be the ginger stepchild of the modern classic world but if, like every sane enthusiast, you can look past the slightly awkward front end then you’re in for a real treat because they’re as brilliant to drive and own as every other iteration – and *whispers* - better than some of the more widely feted models.

Because, while they’re so wonderfully easy to potter around in they can make the air-cooled cars sound and feel somewhat agricultural, for all their sensibleness, when it’s time to play the 996 runs with the best of ‘em being lithe and nimble and as powerful as any sane driver needs.

Of course, this comes with the caveat that you must buy the right one, and this is very definitely made of The Right Stuff. Beautifully maintained, it’s got a good spec and drives exactly as it should; we see a lot of 996 911s here and this is up there with the best of ‘em – and will be even better with a modicum of TLC lavished on it.

And yet, because it’s a 996 its appeal is (unnecessarily) more limited than we think it should be, the price is likely to be ridiculously reasonable. This one, for example, which is only being sold because he’s now scratched the 996 itch, will sell for somewhere between £14,000 and £19,000, which is a tiny sum for such a versatile, reliable, and thrilling sports car.

And, because their time has yet to come, we wouldn’t be at all surprised to find that you might do very well out of it in the medium to long-term…

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’.