View full gallery (300)

2000 Porsche 996 3.4 Carrera 4

36 Bids
9:45 PM, 23 Apr 2021Vehicle sold
Sold for

£12,500

Background

** RELISTED DUE TO A BIDDER DEFAULTING **

And so it came to pass that the first ever water-cooled 911, the 996, was launched in 1998/9.

When news first broke of the 911’s break from its air-cooled tradition there was much wailing, plenty of gnashing of teeth and, from the die-hard enthusiasts, no doubt an unseemly amount of flagellation.

So, why exactly did Porsche change the course of the 911’s history and swap air for water in its engine designs? Firstly, because during the 1990s, Porsche was facing financial troubles and rumours of a proposed takeover were being spread. Secondly, the signature air-cooled flat six had reached the zenith of its development trajectory in the 993. Thirdly, by the early 1990s it was becoming obvious that upcoming emissions regulations would make it impossible for Porsche to continuously deliver year-on-year performance improvements from its air-cooled engine.

Today, of course, the 996 lies in a price valley at the foothills of its predecessor’s lofty pinnacles and is not much further up the slope towards the current values of its more exalted successor, the 997. And yet, we should remember that when the 996 was launched it was greeted with almost universal praise and heralded by most people who knew what they were talking about as the best sorted and most usable 911 that had ever carried the badge.

Richard Hammond was effusive about the 996, describing it as “rare, visceral and exciting” and “a great car”. Tiff Needell said it was “better in almost every way” than the 993, offering a driving experience that was “second to none”.

Prices are low because its predecessor was the last of its kind and is destined to pretty much always grow in value. And because the 997 was, in the eyes of some beholders, a better looking car. But also because 996s developed a reputation for engine problems - a reputation mainly forged in the echo chambers of (newly invented) internet forums where people who didn’t know much swapped second-hand stories with people who knew even less.

Yes, there’s a fair chance that you’ll get a minor oil leak from the rear main seal (RMS) but that’s rarely anything to worry about. Intermediate shaft (IMS) failure is far rarer than advertised, as are scored cylinder bores, and if you’re talking about a car with a mileage of 70-90k and upwards, it could well be reasonable to assume that the worst of any danger has passed.

The 996 was initially available as a coupé or a cabriolet with rear-wheel drive, and later with four-wheel drive, powered by a 3.4 litre flat-6 engine generating a 296 hp.

Suffice to say that Porsche sold over 175,000 996s and that most of the well maintained and cared for examples are still on the road and going strong.

Oh look. Here’s one now.

  • 96000
  • 3400
  • AUTO
  • Silver
  • Red Leather

Background

** RELISTED DUE TO A BIDDER DEFAULTING **

And so it came to pass that the first ever water-cooled 911, the 996, was launched in 1998/9.

When news first broke of the 911’s break from its air-cooled tradition there was much wailing, plenty of gnashing of teeth and, from the die-hard enthusiasts, no doubt an unseemly amount of flagellation.

So, why exactly did Porsche change the course of the 911’s history and swap air for water in its engine designs? Firstly, because during the 1990s, Porsche was facing financial troubles and rumours of a proposed takeover were being spread. Secondly, the signature air-cooled flat six had reached the zenith of its development trajectory in the 993. Thirdly, by the early 1990s it was becoming obvious that upcoming emissions regulations would make it impossible for Porsche to continuously deliver year-on-year performance improvements from its air-cooled engine.

Today, of course, the 996 lies in a price valley at the foothills of its predecessor’s lofty pinnacles and is not much further up the slope towards the current values of its more exalted successor, the 997. And yet, we should remember that when the 996 was launched it was greeted with almost universal praise and heralded by most people who knew what they were talking about as the best sorted and most usable 911 that had ever carried the badge.

Richard Hammond was effusive about the 996, describing it as “rare, visceral and exciting” and “a great car”. Tiff Needell said it was “better in almost every way” than the 993, offering a driving experience that was “second to none”.

Prices are low because its predecessor was the last of its kind and is destined to pretty much always grow in value. And because the 997 was, in the eyes of some beholders, a better looking car. But also because 996s developed a reputation for engine problems - a reputation mainly forged in the echo chambers of (newly invented) internet forums where people who didn’t know much swapped second-hand stories with people who knew even less.

Yes, there’s a fair chance that you’ll get a minor oil leak from the rear main seal (RMS) but that’s rarely anything to worry about. Intermediate shaft (IMS) failure is far rarer than advertised, as are scored cylinder bores, and if you’re talking about a car with a mileage of 70-90k and upwards, it could well be reasonable to assume that the worst of any danger has passed.

The 996 was initially available as a coupé or a cabriolet with rear-wheel drive, and later with four-wheel drive, powered by a 3.4 litre flat-6 engine generating a 296 hp.

Suffice to say that Porsche sold over 175,000 996s and that most of the well maintained and cared for examples are still on the road and going strong.

Oh look. Here’s one now.

Video

Overview

This 2000 silver 996 C4 with a ‘Boxster’ red (looks like a brick red/terracotta colour to our eyes) interior has a 296hp 3.4 litre flat-six engine and auto gearbox. This is the Carrera 4 (or just C4 as its known by enthusiasts) cabriolet model,.

It shares the four-wheel-drive system of the Turbo and this particular car has one or two bits of GT3 aero kit appended to its svelte flanks.

It is in good overall condition, drives and handles as it should and has a history and provenance that speak to a life well lived under the stewardship of owners who cared enough to spend the right money on the right things as and when needed.

It has plenty of main dealer and specialist history and comes to us via a vendor who knows a thing or two about classic cars and has had this car as part of his personal collection.

The vendor has owned the car for 5 years and has known it as a local car for around 10 years. It hasn’t done much for the last few years, save for the odd outing and trips to the MoT centre.

Yes, there’s an imperfection here and a bit of wear and tear there, but nothing that doesn’t sit squarely with either its age or mileage.

We have taken it for a spin and can attest to its driving integrity. It feels solid and sorted, has the sort of sprightly performance you’d expect from a properly fettled 911 and doesn’t remotely feel like a car that’s got 96,000 miles under its belt.

It did get us scratching our heads a bit when we couldn’t re-start it. The problem, it transpired, was that we’ve been insufficiently firm in pushing the gear lever into the ‘Park’ position. The car thought it had been left in gear and, being German and a stickler for the rules, it quite rightly resisted our attempts to start it. We got there in the end. We could, of course, have started it quite easily had we just selected ‘N’ instead.

Doh….

Exterior

The silver paintwork is in generally very good condition and has plenty of shine and lustre to it.

The panels are smooth, even and largely unblemished, with no dinks, dents, scuffs, creases, ripples or scratches to speak of – save for one or two stone chips here and there. The panel gaps and shut lines are as even and crisp as you’d hope and expect of any Zuffenhausen offering.

The hard top is fine condition and gives the car a true coupé feel when in place. The key for taking the roof on and off is missing but an Allen key works just as well.

The black fabric roof goes up and down exactly as it should.

There is a small area of damage to the outer layer in the middle of the roof. This doesn’t compromise its weather-proofing or functionality but, should you feel the need to pursue aesthetic perfection, we are reliably informed that a new roof can be purchased and fitted (while you wait) for around £1,100.

Everything that’s meant to bright and shiny is, and all badging and trim is in decent nick.

The vendor has had all four wheels (they are 911 Turbo spec and badged as such) refurbished. The matching Pirelli P-Zero tyres are new.

There is no bubbling on the bodywork and the only rust we could see anywhere was of the superficial variety and limited to a stone chips inside the wheel arches.

All in all, it’s really pretty tidy and smart.

Interior

If you like terracotta red you’re in for a treat.

There’s a lot of it.

From the leather upholstery and door cards to the carpets, mats and steering wheel, it’s all terracotta red.

Actually, we rather like it, and it makes a welcome change from the default black or beige

As ever with a Porsche 911, the seats are supportive and comfortable. And they are also fully functional.

There are a few signs of the car’s age in evidence. The handbrake and steering wheel leather is a little worn in places. The plastic on the transmission tunnel has a few chips in the paint.

Yes, the front seats have some creasing around the bolsters, but don’t we all, particularly if we’ve got 96,000 miles under our belts?

The rear seats are in good condition and don’t look to have welcomed many visitors over the years, as you might expect from the part of a 911 that’s really only suitable for the very young, the very small, the very flexible or the very masochistic.

The carpets are a little faded but are otherwise good.

Everything works as it should, including the ice cold AC and all interior lights.

The luggage storage space under the bonnet is clean and tidy, and there is a space saver wheel with toolkit and triangle.

Mechanical

The undersides are straight and free of corrosion save for the obligatory bloom of rust dust on the exhaust system and the odd pipe. Everything seems to be in its right and proper place.

The engine bay, as with all 911s, is so crowded and cramped that a quick view doesn’t tell you much. That said, all appears to be as it should.

History

Expenditure in relatively recent times includes:

* New brake pipes

* New air con radiator

* New cooling radiators

* New tyres

* Refurbished wheels

The car comes with a fully stamped service book bearing the inky imprints of various Porsche main dealers and specialists.

The vendor tells us that he spoke with the garage that’s looked after it for much of the previous decade and they confirmed that everything that needed doing had been done when it needed it.

It has a current MoT certificate, with no advisories, which is valid until 13.7.21.

The car comes with its original handbooks and manuals, a decent fistful of bills, receipts and invoices and a wad of MoT certificates.

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.

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

Summary

This car looks smart, drives very well and has clearly been looked after throughout its documented life by people with both the desire and the wherewithal to do it properly.

This, we’re confident, is a good, solid example of a truly mould-breaking (at least for Porsche) car.

The 996 has been underrated because it’s sandwiched between the acclaimed 993 and 997. That doesn’t make it a bad car – far from it.

It makes it a potential bargain and a golden opportunity to acquire a truly iconic piece of prime German automotive engineering.

We think you’ll have a lot of fun with this for not a lot of money.

What’s not to like?

We’re happy to offer this car with no reserve and an estimate in the £14,000 to £17,000 range.

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’.

About this auction

Seller

Private: wilko

Viewings Welcome

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please get in contact.

preview-18ADE30A-54E0-4984-9052-98F80E43422B.jpg?optimizer=image&width=650&quality=90&format=jpg image

Thinking of selling your Porsche