1997 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet (993)

Highlights

• Air-cooled six-cylinder engine
• All-wheel drive
• Six-speed manual gearbox
• Current owner since 2001
• Extensive service history

Overview

If you like your Porsches air cooled but still with plenty of modern conveniences, then this 993 has a lot to offer. At its heart is a 3.6-litre boxer engine, which sends power to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Clever engineering wizardry means the differential can apply a little braking force to the inside wheel when accelerating out of a corner. So you can plant your foot down at a T-junction with confidence. And, being a later 993, the engine includes the Varioram intake system which introduced variable-length intakes, to the benefit of power.

A pile of paperwork accompanies the car, with some hefty servicing having been carried out over the years. It is the kind of car you can jump in and enjoy, without worrying too much about leaving it in a busy car park. Its next owner may decide to address some of the cosmetic blemishes, but they might be having too much fun to care.

This Porsche wears an attractive coat of metallic blue paint, with matching blue leather upholstery. It features cruise control and air conditioning, so long journeys can pass with ease and comfort. And whey you reach that twisting alpine pass, put your foot down, and let the engine roar, you won’t be able to suppress a smile.

History and documentation

• Registered 13 Feb 1997
• Stamped service book with services as follows: May 1998 @ 8,649 miles, Apr 1999 @ 14,344 miles, May 2000 @ 21,195 miles, Jul 2001 @ 27,011 miles, Jun 2002 @ 32,748 miles, Jun 2003 @ 38,004 miles, Mar 2004 @ 42,071 miles, Jul 2005 @ 49,309 miles, Dec 2006 @ 55,826 miles, Feb 2009 @ 63,359 miles, Jul 2010 @ 69,841 miles, May 2012 @ 76,850 miles, Dec 2014 @ 88,144 miles, Apr 2016 @ 92,818 miles, Jun 2017 @ 96,067 miles
• Additional invoices for servicing as follows: Jul 2013 @ 81,111 miles, Jun 2018 @ 98,328 miles, Jun 2019 @ 100,430 miles, Mar 2020 @ 107,416 miles, Apr 2023 @ 114,214 miles, Mar 2024 @ 114,768 miles
• Full document pack in original leather wallet
• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates
• Three sets of keys
• Current MOT expires Mar 2025
• Previous purchase invoices on file
• V5 present in owner’s name
• The owner tells us that he has kept the car garaged during his ownership
• Only two former keepers
• Current owner since Jan 2001
• HPI clear

Interior

• Blue leather interior matches the car’s exterior colour
• The upholstery is in a useable condition
• The driver’s seat cover has come slightly loose at the sides
• Leather upholstery shows slight creasing from use
• Some wear to the driver’s seat bolster
• The matching blue carpets are generally very good
• The driver’s footwell mat has worn through by the accelerator pedal
• Electronically adjustable seats
• The steering wheel has faded slightly
• Cruise control
• Rear seats are fitted for occasional use or additional luggage
• Rear lap belts
• Cabin wind deflector, with original storage bag
• It is only necessary to remove the wind deflector when carrying rear passengers
• Slight clouding to the rear windscreen
• Air conditioning
• The stereo has been replaced with an Alpine unit with Bluetooth connectivity
• Power amp and speakers added, within the existing housing
• Clear analogue instruments provide the driver with plenty of information
• Under the bonnet, the luggage compartment retains its carpet lining
• Spare wheel, jack and tool kit

Exterior

• Finished in an attractive shade of metallic blue, Zenith blue
• There are some stone chips to the bonnet and front wings
• Shallow dent on the rear left wing
• Small scrape on the right-hand side of the front bumper
• Front windscreen wipers and both number plates replaced in Mar 2024
• Some corrosion can be seen on the wheel arches and the base of the A pillars
• The original soft top roof was professionally replaced in 2008 by renowned specialists Southbound
• Some of the roof’s internal stitching is now coming loose
• Original tonneau cover included
• Small crack in one of the rear light clusters
• 17-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels
• The wheels have been refurbished and are very presentable
• The seller notes that there is a little underlying bubbling to the wheels, upon close inspection
• The Porsche hub badges are a little faded
• Matching set of Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, with little wear

Mechanical

• 3,596 cc six-cylinder, air-cooled boxer engine
• Produces 281 bhp
• Six-speed manual transmission
• All-wheel drive
• An extensive pile of servicing invoices illustrates this car’s maintenance history
• In Mar 2024 some slight oil leaks were investigated by Autofarm Porsche specialists, which the seller tells us are very slight and don’t drip or require topping up between services
• No other mechanical issues reported
• In Apr 2023 £1,496 was spent on parts and servicing
• The seller has kept the battery topped up with a trickle charger
• The engine reliably starts without issue
• Handles well, with the all-wheel drive providing reassuring amounts of grip
• The engine produces a suitable growl

Summary

There’s nothing quite like an air-cooled Porsche: the sounds and feelings it provokes somehow defy description. So if you want to experience the last hurrah before the company succumbed to water cooling, then this 993 Carrera 4 offers a great entry point to the world of classic 911s.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Oxford.