Porsche 911 Carrera 2S

The 911 has a reputation that’s as solid as its engineering integrity and with good reason – it’s devastatingly quick, and easy to live with too.

Though it’s been around since late 2004, the current Porsche 911, known as the Type 997 by most aficionados, is still considered by many to be the yardstick by which every supercar aspirant should be judged. If a string of wins in magazine group tests isn’t enough for you, then consider the long waiting list to buy one.

It’s a recipe that Porsche has perfected over the past 40 years – despite having an engine layout that really shouldn’t work. But the Weissach engineers have managed to evolve the rear-engined 911s into one of the finest handling supercars money can buy – and in doing so have created the automotive equivalent of the great white shark.

With that in mind, it’s eminently tempting to look at a late used example as an alternative, although the high prices second-hand examples are fetching mean that this is not exactly a low-cost way into Porsche ownership.

Specifications

We tested a 911 Carrera 2S – a step up from the entry level Carrera – which had been well optioned by the Porsche press office, to weigh-in with a price some way north of £70k (basic price is £67,860); but will you really need a Chrono lap timing package on the M25?

Cost aside, the options list clearly demonstrates that these cars are infinitely tailored to the owners’ needs, and that means your choice is actually pretty wide. Although there are a large number of cars and options to choose from, if you stay away from the truly fast versions (Turbo and GT3), your choice isn’t as bewildering as you might think. There are two engines to choose from – the 320bhp 3.6-litre and the 350bhp 3.8 litre. The larger engine only comes in Carrera S form, although you do get the choice of two- or four-wheel drive (2S or 4S). There is also a Targa version, which gives you a full-length glass sunroof – and again, comes with both transmission options.

All models are well equipped and come with all the toys you’d need such as sat-nav and climate control, but start ticking the options list, and you can fill your car with a wealth of additional cool stuff.

On the road

There are some cars that you instinctively know are going to be right, even before you climb aboard. The 911 is most definitely one of those – its styling is stunningly purposeful; muscular and curvaceous at the same time, and as well honed as a million year old pebble.

The interior is pretty much a work of art too, with a level of quality that transcends all of its rivals – take a look at the stitching on the dashboard and seat leather if you don’t believe us. Of course that’s not why you buy a 911, but it is a reason why you’ll come back for more.

The ergonomics are spot on, too – with the firm and supportive seats offering a perfect driving position and excellent visibility. In true 911 style the rev counter dominates the instrument pack – but you do get an inset auxiliary digital speedometer to help save your licence. Start up the engine, though, and the interior will be the last thing on your mind – the mechanical chainsaw bark from the quad exhausts will instantly grab your attention.

However, despite being capable of 182mph (in this Carrera 2S form), the 911 is a doddle to trickle around town – heightening the day-in-day-out nature of the car. The gearchange and clutch are well-weighted, and precise, and the steering is direct and offers great feedback.

Inevitably, though, you’ll soon be pining to leave the city, as whenever an empty A- or B-road presents itself, the true magic of the 911 will grab you by the balls and have you aiming for the first corner with conviction. In terms of steering feel and communication, the 911 whispers sweet nothings, allowing you to place it with millimetric accuracy – and thanks to roll free and near neutral handling, your corner speeds will more than likely be governed by your own limits rather than the car’s. Hit the Sport button, and the ride will firm up still further – although on UK roads you may soon find the need to make a dentist appointment.

Away from the corners on the unavoidable motorway grind, the Carrera S is more than competent, with the firm but beautifully damped ride the only reminder that you’re not in an executive saloon once you’re loping along in sixth. In short, the Porsche provides everything you’d ever need in a performance coupe, and is every bit as good as myriad of glowing road tests during the past three years would have us believe.

Market impressions

It may have been around for three years now, but the Type 997 Porsche 911 is as strong a retail proposition now as it ever was. In fact, the current car, even in entry level Carrera 2 form is estimated to retain 66 per cent of its original value by its third birthday, but looking at the real-world market, they look even stronger than this.

The reason for the continual residual value strength of the 911 is simple – impressive reliability and usability is part and parcel of the Porsche experience, and the latest model takes this to new heights, as it retains the fabulous driving experience of the previous generation, but with a massively improved interior.

Trade values for 997s lag a long way behind retail – and although an early Carrera 2 might be worth £44,000 to a specialist or main dealer, you’ll end up paying around £50,000 by the time it hits the forecourt. That means that you’ll struggle to find a used bargain without getting your hands dirty, but there’s plenty of competition from other buyers at this level, so be prepared to travel for the car that’s right for you.

The other thing about 911s is that they are especially colour and spec sensitive, and there’s a healthy premium on more desirably optioned models. Another factor to pay close attention to is that the 911 range offers a bewildering range of options, and although we’re only concentrating on the more mainstream Coupe model, you’re still left with quite a range of models. Also, despite the build quality, high milers are punished by the trade, although not by much once they hit the forecourts.

The general rule of thumb when valuing the S models above the standard 320bhp Carrera is simple – whatever extra costs hit its original buyer, a proportion will be carried through to its second owner. There seem to be no ‘high value’ or higher depreciating models to go for, although the Targa models are less sought after with buyer, but as supply is much more limited, the same price rules apply.

Conclusion

It seems almost churlish to use words such as ‘rock solid investment’ and ‘dependable’ when describing a pukka supercar, but when it’s the Porsche 911 we’re talking about that’s exactly where we’re at.

The bottom line is that if you want a supercar that you can use every day, and yet feel special when you want to play, there are quite simply no alternatives to the 911 on the nearly new market. It will be interesting to see how the Audi R8 performs, but for now, the Porsche remains the undisputed King of the Hill.

Faults, flaws and fixes

Porsche’s been building the 911 for a very long time, and although the 997 was billed as an entirely new car when it appeared in 2004, there’s no doubting that there are a lot of carry over parts from the previous generation 996. What that means – in a nutshell – is that at three-years of age, at the oldest, there aren’t many problems to look out for on these cars.

There is talk of headgasket problems at high mileages, but our research didn’t find any hard evidence of this. In short, buying advice for the 997 centres on making sure your car is honest and straight. As the build quality is superb, high mileages can be gobbled up without any noticeable signs, so make sure that the mileage and service history all tally up – and also that there’s no evidence of crash damage. Also make sure that any modifications have been carried out as they should have been, although the best plan of action is to go for the most standard car you can find.

Other than that, there really is little to worry about – and as most cars still fall under the manufacturer’s warranty, and are probably still well within the franchised dealer chain, then you can buy with confidence.

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