2001 Porsche 911 (996) Turbo

Highlights

Well maintained example of the desirable 996 Turbo, the first all-new 911 since the original car
Desirable 6spd manual gearbox car
408bhp, 4WD 3.6litre ‘Boxer’ engine delivering 0-60mph in 4.2secs
Comprehensive service and MOT history
Arguably one of the best ‘everyday’ supercars of the last 25 years
Attractive colour combination of silver metallic over black and completely standard right down to the factory alloys and audio system
Electric steel sunroof
MOT to July 2025
Only for sale as the Seller has upgraded to a new 911
Oil and filter service two months ago and major service in mid 2022

The Appeal

After years of carefully finessing the original 911, in 1996 Porsche finally unveiled the first entirely new version, the 996. It clearly looked like a 911 but it evolved the concept way beyond the original being bigger, faster and altogether more modern, without losing the tactical brilliance of the original.

When Porsche launched the Turbo in 2000 it also gave enthusiasts what they wanted: a proper Porsche supercar. All wheel drive, over 400bhp and 0-60 in a shade over 4secs, it demonstrated the remarkable capabilities of the 996 architecture.

This 2001 factory-standard Turbo shows how clever use of bigger vents, wings and skirts create a very purposeful and handsome 996 that is distinctive from the lowlier models. It is a low owner car with, we understand, comprehensive service history and MOT through to June 2025. It looks well cared for and is only for sale because the enthusiast owner has bought a newer model. For fans of these highly capable twin-turbo machines it looks ready for some serious motoring.

The History And Paperwork

First registered 5th October 2001
MOT to 22nd July 2025
1 key
We understand the car has comprehensive service history with the last full service in mid 2022

The Interior

Black leather interior in good condition commensurate with mileage
Electric heated front seats, driver’s with memory function
Rear seats in very good, virtually unused condition
Original Porsche Bose sound system with CD and even the factory CD storage system
Luggage areas in very good condition with no visible marks or stains
Electric steel sunroof

The significant gearchange that Porsche made between the old 993 911 and the 996 is most obvious in the interior, an upmarket and harmonious piece of design that echoes the earlier cars but also moves the game forward. As enthusiasts will know the materials and fittings are of a very high quality and generally very hard wearing.

The interior of this Turbo is finished in black leather and, as the photographs show, is a very pleasant place to be. The front seats are electrically operated and heated, the driver’s also has memory function. The front seats have some signs of wear typical of the age and mileage – most obviously on the driver’s seat where there are creases and wear on the bolster – but the rear seats look virtually unused.

Across the trim and fittings there are light indications of use including on the central panel surrounding the window switches and ashtray which has light scuffs and on the plastic cowl around the central vents which has a couple of light marks. There are also marks on the handbrake handle. All are common 996 issues and do not significantly detract from the overall appeal of the interior.

The car is still fitted with its factory Bose premium sound system, including the period CD storage stacking system.

The front luggage area appears to be in very good condition with no obvious marks or stains.

The Exterior

Arctic Silver metallic paintwork in generally very good condition with no obvious parking dings or dents
Factory standard 18inch Turbo alloys equipped with quality Pirelli tyres
Attractive Turbo highlights including sills, black grill, Xenon headlights and larger air intakes
Rear spoiler neatly references the iconic 'whale tail' of the original 1980s Turbo

The 996 shape was a clever update of the original 911 – wider, longer and lower it managed to look backwards and forwards at the same time. The Turbo model addressed early criticisms of the ‘fried egg’ headlights by using a more rounded Xenon-equipped design that more closely echoed the earlier car’s iconic headlights.

The Turbo also got larger rear air intakes, a wider rear track and black grille. Discreet Turbo badging on the boot bring home the message that those subtle changes otherwise only hint at.

Arctic Silver metallic seems to work particularly well with the 996 shape and the paintwork on this car is generally in very good condition. There are a few marks around the car indicating age but they are not immediately visible and would likely respond to the attentions of a good valeter.

The front bumper has a scuff on the nearside front and offside corner and the vulnerable rubber stripe at its base is also scuffed, likely due to kerbing. There is also a scuff on the offside rear edge where it meets the arch.

On the offside of the car there are chips on the edge of the driver’s door and what appears to be a small dot of corrosion on the base of the front wheel arch. The offside of the rear bumper has a black mark at its base, which may be damage or dirt, it is not clear from the photographs.

The rear bumper has a light scuff on the nearside corner and there are stone chips on the nearside rear air intake.

The car still wears its attractive Turbo alloy wheels, shod with quality Pirelli tyres. All of the wheels are kerbed. The front offside wheel is also scuffed on the spokes and has a more significant area of kerbing damage where a chunk approximately 5mm wide has been taken out of the rim.

The MOT runs to June 2023 and shows no structural advisories. The photographs of the underside indicate that the car is structurally solid.

The Mechanics

3.6litre Flat-6 Porsche ‘boxer’ engine developing 408bhp
0-60mph in 4.2secs
Four wheel drive
Front and rear suspension an evolution of the system fitted to the earlier 993
We understand that the car has comprehensive service history but at the time of writing were unable to check this
Last major service around 1,000 miles ago in June 2023
Oil and filter change two months ago

The 3.6litre flat six water-cooled engine at the heart of this 996 was all-new for the car and marked a significant departure from its air-cooled predecessors. It is a gem, delivering seamless, smooth power through the rev range and, with its low centre of gravity, aiding the car’s astonishing handling.

The Turbo got, naturally, twin-turbos, which continue the theme by delivering a wide power band topping out at 408bhp. That is enough to catapult it to 60mph in a shade over 4secs. All wheel drive helps to plant the car and ensure that power gets to the road with a minimum of fuss.

Porsche mechanicals are of course renowned for their durability. Although there were issues with the IMS bearing on some models up to the 2000 model year, that problem did not affect Turbos and in any event does not apply to 2001 models like this one.

We understand from the Vendor that the car has a comprehensive Porsche service history, but at the time of writing we were unable to check this. We also could not check the VIN records. We are told that the last major service was in June 2022, around 1,000 miles ago, and that the car had an oil and filter change two months ago in March 2023.

The MOT runs to June 2023 with no advisories. The initial test in June 2022 did produce a fail sheet with a number of minor, largely cosmetic, rectifications required. This work was clearly done as the car then passed three days later.

Summary

The 996 was Porsche’s first significant departure from the original 1960s car. Its ground-up design created a cohesive, all-new car that significantly moved the 911 game forwards. Over 25 years on from its launch these cars are becoming increasingly sought after as enthusiasts re-evaluate just how good they are.

The Turbo is amongst the most desirable 996 variants, combining shattering performance with all-wheel-drive surefootedness. This early example presents well in Arctic Silver over black and its condition indicates it has been well cared for by its few owners, most recent of which is a Porsche enthusiast. A modern classic that is as at home on the daily commute, it will surely be a highly rewarding purchase for the lucky bidder.

Summary

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