2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 2S Convertible Manual

Highlights 

• Comprehensive service history

• Low mileage

• Aero kit and factory hard top

• Honest, usable example

• Six-speed manual gearbox

Overview

As timeless as a classic Eames lounge chair, home-made apple pie or a good pair of denim jeans, the Porsche 911, no matter the era, will always be a firm favourite among car fans and collectors alike. It's the type of car that even the uninitiated can appreciate. Fads come and go but everybody knows the Porsche 911 was, is and will always be a great car.

There have obviously been peaks and troughs in that over-arching appeal but these tend to be subjective and models that have historically been overlooked will assuredly find their place and become revered for their virtues, as is the case with the 996 series.

Launched in 1997, the 996 generation saw the noses of certain purists upturned in a rather childish display of snobbery, mainly due to the now water-cooled nature of the 911's six-cylinder engine, along with its Boxster-esque styling, but the fact of the matter is Porsche needed to bring in these developments in order to stay relevant, and when all is said and done, the 996 was and still is a cracking sports car.

The original Carrera 2, like the post-2002 facelift example we have here, is the purest incarnation. 300bhp is driven to the rear wheels by a 3.6-litre flat-six (originally a 3.4) which allows the car to accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 178mph. Like we said, cracking.

It's a convertible, so great for the summer that's just arrived, and it's equipped with an aero kit for added cool points. It's 23 years young now so it does have some general wear and tear commensurate with its age but it's an honest, eminently usable example with full service history (including the all important IMS bearing) and low mileage, so there's a lot to like here. 

History and documentation

• 2002 model year

• V5C present and correct

• First registered 01/05/2002

• In current ownership for the past 13 years

• Original book pack

• Comprehensive service history with original service book showing inspections at the following intervals: yearly+brake fluid at 10,962 miles (2004 - specialist), yearly at 12,090 miles (2005), major+spark plugs+brake fluid+4 year report at 17,581 miles (2007 - specialist), minor+6 year report 22,961 miles (2008 - specialist), yearly+brake fluid+7 year report at 25,084 miles (2009 - specialist), minor+brake fluid at 29,259 miles (2011 - specialist), yearly+major at 32,657 miles (2012), minor at 37,051 miles (2013), yearly+minor+major+spark plugs at 47,573 miles (2015 – specialist), yearly+brake fluid at 61,162 miles (2020), levels+MOT at 62,754 miles (2021), service at 63,612 miles (2022), service at 64,862 miles (2023), service+brake fluid at 65,354 miles (2024)

• 4, 6 and 7 year Status Report stamps

• Several invoices for various works, including the IMS bearing 

• MOT until September 2025

• Two keys

• HPI clear

• 65,442 miles

Interior

• Original and in decent condition overall

• Some signs of wear and tear commensurate with age, particularly to the driver's seat bolster and back, floor mat and centre console

• The vendor reports that everything works

• Appears to be clean with no sign of water ingress

• No warning lights on the dashboard

• Factory sound system with CD changer

• Car phone

• The area under the bonnet presents well

• Comes with space-saver spare wheel with tyre and a tool kit

Exterior

• Overall the car is in good condition with some minor blemishes to note

• The vendor reports  some damage to the rear passenger panel as well as the fixed rear spoiler

• There are a few stone chips commensurate with the age of the vehicle

• Aero kit appears to fit well

• The original five-spoke 18” wheels look to be in pretty good condition but the centre Porsche logos have worn on all four

• Tyres are all Pirelli P Zeros with the rears being new according to the vendor

• Complete with hard top and cover, both in good shape but carrying some evidence of mould on the inside

• Soft top seems to fit well but does carry some dirt and marks

• All shut lines appear straight

• The underneath appears to be in decent condition

• No signs of any major corrosion

Mechanical

• 300bhp 3.6-litre inline six-cylinder engine

• Six-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds

• 178mph top speed

• The vendor informs us the car starts and stop well, sounds great and there are no mechanical issues to report

Summary

This 996 may wear a few scars on its aero-kitted sleeves but with a comprehensive service history and low miles it appears to be mechanically sound and represents an opportunity to own an incredibly usable 911. You could spend a little on cosmetically tarting it up but use it as it is and you won't forever be scared to drive it, which is the whole point of these cars in the first place. Buy it and enjoy it.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Pinner, northwest London.