Tuesday 29th December 2015

Porsche 911 (997) Carrera GTS: Spotted

The most desirable non-GT 911 of recent times?

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The Porsche 997 Carrera GTS is one of those cars that many believed would be collectable as soon as it was announced. It was introduced at the end of the 997 run, a generation of 911 that had arguably melded modernity with classic 911 traits better than any model before or since. It would be the last 911 with hydraulic power steering and a six-speed manual, both immediate bones of contention once the 991 was introduced. And it looked magnificent, the 44mm wider rear arches sitting on those lovely centre-lock wheels just so. It wasn't even that expensive, relatively speaking...

Just a blue 911 to most...

In a Porsche range where even the Macan has a GTS derivative, the change from S to GTS has become a familiar one. A smidge more power here, a suspension drop there, a new set of wheels and job's a good'n. But back when the GTS first arrived it was less common and the changes arguably of greater significance. The wider arches meant a 32mm wider rear track as well, for example. The power kit was a very expensive option on 997, with extra inlets that opened on each cylinder beyond 6,200rpm for a noise described in the PH review as a 'genuinely lovely racing yowl'. Those two changes were on top of the standard sports exhaust, stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, plentiful Alcantara and slightly tweaked styling we've now come to expect from GTS Porsches.

With the car's reputation almost sealed before the first drives - they all returned gushing - it's little surprise to find the 997 CGTS is pretty damn desirable on the used market. No doubt they will continue to be as purists are scared off by turbos in their 911s too. How desirable? This late 997 Carrera 2 PDK with just 10,000 miles is £52,490; this Carrera 4 GTS PDK, a newer car but with more miles, is £64,750. That's quite a big difference.

So the GTS was and remains a very good car, but this one could well be the best. Why? As with so many Porsches, it's in the minutiae of the spec. It begins well as a two-wheel drive, manual GTS coupe. There was the option of a cabrio GTS, plus of course PDK and four-wheel drive, but basic is very often best as far as PH is concerned. It also has the optional - and very expensive - carbon ceramic brakes, because basic isn't always best. Oh look, and the Sport Chassis (passive dampers in place of the standard PASM) with limited-slip diff. All GTS 997s should be very good to drive, but this one promises to be superb.

Yet it's disguised in a very subtle - dare it be said, even quite classy - paint and upholstery combo, meaning the typically brash exterior of the best driving 911s isn't an issue. The standard Alcantara has been swapped for leather, the dark blue paint is very restrained and the impression is of an owner who wants a driver-focused 911 but without shouting too loudly about it. Very nice job, whoever settled on this spec.

Can't be many with such an ideal spec!

To the housekeeping. The mileage on this GTS is just below average, the service record is flawless and it's being sold at a specialist with a pair of 2.7 RS Tourings for sale. Two of them! They would appear to know their 911s.

Then we're onto the sticky and ever entertaining issue of 911 values. This Carrera GTS is for sale at £58,995, which is a lot of money but far from the most you will pay for one with low-mileage cars still nudging £70K. Whether it will retain that value is another matter, but we would hedge our bets and say a specification like this will always be in demand. Or it could be bought just to enjoy and not with one eye on future values. Sound a good idea?

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PORSCHE 911 (997) CARRERA GTS
Engine: 3,800cc flat-six
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 408@7,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 310@4,300rpm
MPG: 26.6 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 250g/km
First registered: 2011
Recorded mileage: 38,900
Price new: £76,758 (standard Carrera 2 GTS manual Coupe)
Yours for: £58,995

See the original advert here.

[GT3-RS]

A Cracking car all the Porsche you'll ever really need it covers all the bases so well and this particular Blue car is well spec'd buy it now as values will only going in one direction......gets the thumbs up from me