996 Model

The Porsche 996 model variant of the classic 911 sports car was released in 1997. It was the first water cooled Porsche 911 and as such was considered by some purists to no longer be a proper 911 as it didn't have the classic air cooled engine sound and shared some components with the Porsche Boxster. There are two versions of the 996, mark 1 had the 3.4 litre engine and was produced to 2001. The mark 2 version had a 3.6 litre engine made from 2001 to 2005.

The 996 is an "in between" car, not old enough to be considered a classic but with the oldest examples now 15 years old it is no longer a new car. Prices seem to have dropped substantially and I'm hoping that they have now reached the bottom or close to it with little depreciation going forward.

Having driven a 996 model I think that Porsche have made the right decision and one that probably saved the company. The 996 is still quite a noisy car to use for daily driving so I'd imagine an old air cooled 911 would be far less practical for that.



Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (2001 model 996)



Porsche 911 Coupe - 996 Carrera 2 model variant