£7,395 996 'GT3': Spotted

What price credibility? Seven grand for a Tiptronic GT3 lookalike is a possibly stern test of snobbery...

The editor thinks this isn't going to end well. He might be right because I am suggesting that you could actually be advised into buying an old 911 slusher with the GT3-aping Aerokit. But before you begin your hating, just look at the price - £7,395. That's got to be a seven grand after a bit of haggling - maybe less if you turn up with the cash.

A GT3 for just over seven grand? Er, no...

With the caveat we've not actually seen it in the metal, evidence suggesting this car could be an absolute steal includes an engine rebuild just 10,000 miles ago to address the familiar Intermediate Shaft (IMS) failure and any nasty cylinder liner cracks. It's also had a reconditioned automatic gearbox fitted too.

Not that the spending will stop there, of course. After a full inspection I'd still budget on spending £1,500-£2,000 for a big service, including fitting front and rear discs and pads, plus re-bushing those clonking wishbones.

I'd then drive it hard, safe and smug in the knowledge that all the expensive bits won't break and, at this money, it's too cheap to worry about silly things like mileage and keeping it clean. OK, I'm still feeling nervous about calls for my head from the forum so I decided to rope in another defender of the cheap 996 faith. And who better than Autofarm owner and 996 driver, Josh Sadler, who knows first-hand about how criminally undervalued the fried egg-faced porkers are?

Terrible truth revealed with that Tiptronic selector

"I've had offers to swap my 996 Carrera for a far more valuable mint green 964 but I won't part with it. Not even if you offered me £30K - because there's nothing else that could match this car at that money."

And Josh should know, given how much time Autofarm spends curing the infamous IMS and cracked liners commonly afflicting Porsches of this era. Josh says the first thing he'd do with this car would be to overhaul the suspension. An old 911 with poor body control is an unholy mix and one bound to end up with a trip to A&E.

"Suspension kits, even official OEM Porsche ones, can be surprisingly affordable - my car runs the familiar M030 sports suspension kit that all came in at less than a couple of grand," he says.

So what's his feeling about converting it to a manual?

Laughter.

Dressed to impress ... potential to live up to it?

"That's just not something we'd get involved with. Sure, it is possible, but the Tiptronic under the skin differs structurally to the manual and it will need modifying to receive the manual 'box. Then there's the electrics. It's more trouble than it's worth. We'd recommend sticking to the five-speed Tip - it's a strong 'box, stronger even than the manual and can handle a lot of torque," he says. This last fact is useful, because there's a lot of potential in the 3.4-litre and that's why we'd save up a final £5,000 on some more power.

At the extreme, Autofarm will bore out the 3.4-litre to 3.7 litres, increasing power from the standard car's 300hp to "at least" 370hp. It's a mod Josh did to his 3.6-litre Carrera that is now a 3.9-litre producing well over 380hp. Similar levels of power to a 996 GT3 of the time, but not without warnings.

"We've had too many customers who have turned up with cars with a poorly rebuilt engine," says Josh. "When 996 engines go pop most owners want to get rid of their car as quickly, and cheaply, as possible. And this reflects in the quality of the engine rebuild." Josh says check the work that's been done and make sure it's been undertaken by a reputable company. Finally, he says, all 996s are very vulnerable from corrosion from the front radiators.

Back to our car and with all the work done you could have a perfectly reliable car for £11,000. Or for £5K more you could have a 370hp 996 that can knock on the door of 180mph - easily justifying that Aerokit.

Speaking personally to complete the look I'd add a 'GT4' badge. Just to upset the purists you understand.

Still think I'm nuts?

PORSCHE 911 CARRERA TIPTRONIC (996)
Engine: 3,387cc flat-6
Transmission: 5-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 300@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258@4,600rpm
MPG: 23.5mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1998
Recorded mileage: 130,000
Price new: c. £60,000
Yours for: £7,395