Own a Porsche? Then check out the Porsche Club of America at pca.org. West Coast owners can also take advantage of the Porsche Owners Club. Find it at porscheclub.com.
By Staff Writer
Sep 6, 2021
|
Porsche,
Turbo,
911,
996,
Buyer's Guide
| Posted in
Buyer's Guides
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Depreciation Station
| From the Sept. 2012 issue
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Photography Courtesy Porsche
[Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the September 2012 issue of Classic Motorsports, though values have been updated for 2021.]
Ever since it was replaced by the 997, the Porsche 996 has taken a big hit on the market. The 996-chassis 911 Turbo hasn’t been immune.
While some people may prefer the styling of the later cars, these twin-turbo 996 models still offer earth-shattering performance—figure a top speed close to 190 mph. These are reliable machines in a benign package, and thanks to their standard all-wheel drive, they can be used even as winter daily drivers.
The 996 Turbo was a revelation when it debuted. At the time, it was the most manageable Porsche 911 Turbo ever. Only the introduction of the later 997 Turbo knocked the 996 to second-tier status. As a result, buyers can get a very nice 996 Turbo for as little as $42,000. That may sound like a lot of money for a used car, but not when you compare it to a new one at more than $174,000.
[First-time Porsche buyer's guide: 5 models perfect for scratching that itch]
Care and Feeding:
For the most part, these are very reliable and mostly trouble-free cars. However, as with any supercar—and yes, the 996 Turbo definitely fits into that category—make sure you receive a complete service history. You want an example that was routinely maintained, not one that only visited the shop when there was a problem. We also recommend finding a stock one.
These are not atrociously expensive cars to maintain, but you should factor a couple thousand a year to deal with service costs. Here’s another piece of good news: These cars are new enough that any issues would have likely been repaired under warranty. Again, find one with the paperwork to back up that history.
Last Piece of Advice:
If ever there were a sensible supercar, the 911 Turbo would be it. Buy a quality example, and it will treat you well for years to come. It may be just the thing to blow the cobwebs out of your head on a Sunday morning.
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