Porsche 911 Turbo (996) | PH Private Area
A manual 996 Turbo is very cool already - this one has more than 500hp...
There’s a case to be made for the Porsche 911 Turbo being perhaps the most complete car on sale today. It has (almost) four seats, can blend in like no super SUV can, boasts all-wheel drive traction, does almost 30mpg and scares superbikes in a straight line. Corners pretty epically, too. As an all things to all people kind of super sports car, there’s little beating it.
The modern 911 Turbo success story begins with the 996. Yes, the 993 equivalent was the first four-wheel drive Turbo, but it was an aging car by the mid-90s. The leap in terms of modernity and technology was huge, the 996 Turbo representing the peak of Porsche at the turn of the 21st century, with PSM stability control for the first time, an electronically adjustable rear spoiler and the option of an auto. The all-conquering, all-encompassing tech fest that is a new Turbo starts with this car.
Crucially, however, there were a couple of key elements to the 996’s make-up that means it now holds plenty of old-school appeal. First is that Mezger flat-six, of which enough has been written and raved about over the years; the second is the standard manual gearbox. As automatics became better with the introduction of PDK in the 997, so the manual was inevitably shuffled off in the pursuit of absolute performance. But as a usable modern classic, it’s the manual that’s more in demand.
Despite being held in very high regard early in its life, the 996 Turbo enjoyed its period in the doldrums like almost all the fried egg cars. It wasn’t as cool as an air-cooled 993, and once the 997 came along - going even faster again with a more familiar 911 look - the 996’s popularity suffered. Now feels like its time though, the car old enough to offer a traditional experience by modern standards for a huge amount less than a 993 - while retaining that famous engine. A good manual coupe feels like a great 996 Turbo to have. So look what we have here…
Anybody who’s spent time researching Turbos will find plenty that don’t appeal for one reason or another. But this one really does seem to have everything going for it: purchased from Porsche specialist MLR, upgraded by MLR to more than 500hp with some more boost, a two-inch thick folder of history, a really comprehensive advert and even a CarPlay install. Nobody wants to put up with infotainment from 2003 if they don’t have to…
It’s currently on 110,000 miles, with a Porsche engine rebuild at 59k because of a warranty issue. It’s been with the current owner for the past 10,000 miles, in which time the clutch has been upgraded (handy for those that want to add even more power), the tyres, discs and pads renewed and every single underbody line replaced. Plus two services. Talk about diligence. The results speak for themselves - this looks anything but a 20-year-old 911 with a six-figure mileage. Stands out among some less-than-brilliant 996 Turbos as well. It looks cherished and doted on, basically, which the detail in the advert supports. Having chatted with the seller on the phone (thanks for your time, Rory!), he’s clearly very fond of his old 911. As well he might be.
The Turbo is being sold because it’s not being used enough. As stated in the ad, ‘these cars are for driving and not for sitting in storage!’ - amen to that. The mileage means it’s one of the more affordable 996 Turbos currently on PH, just sneaking in below £40k, but that means there’s no need to be precious about adding a good few more; the history and the mechanical spec mean that’ll surely be pretty hard to resist.
Turbo is a sound investment now and most likely a nice car (never owned or driven one), though I personally wouldn't touch a tuned 911, unless a major well-known company did it (think someone like Ruf).
But it's good to see that 996 is bouncing back and taking its rightful place in 911 lineup.
As for 996 Turbos, I know everyone says they're an everyday car and that they are too boring to be considered when buying a special car but even when I'm just driving through my housing estate to the main road, it feels so different to driving a hatchback. It feels like an event. Mine's standard and in good health, although I keep meaning to get a more interesting exhaust.
As for being an everyday car, the suspension is pretty firm and I actually find it a bit of a PITA for just popping to the shops. I'd rather jump in the TT than the Porsche - it's a bit tiring to drive. Sure, it's no Ariel Atom but you're constantly looking out for potholes and idiots. In the TT, it's a much more leisurely drive (but you can still have fun in the twisties).
But no, I'm not selling it until I can convince myself that an upgrade is worthwhile.
How can a 911 Turbo be a ‘complete car’ if, when cruising at 80+, its cabin sounds like a C47 Dakota‘s when flying through a sandstorm?
And a “tuner” opening it up a bit and leaning on the great factory work more and more?
While I appreciate some tuners are good, they’re not offering warranties and they’d be utterly incapable of writing half of these tables from empty, if they even know what half of them do.
Ie, why did Porsche spec bigger laggier turbos for x50 if standard could just be tuned up a bit?
I’m all for people to do as they wish. But the ‘it’s all fine’ hubris wouldn’t reassure me as a used buyer at 20yrs old on such a car.
I’d be looking for a standard or x50.
Tuned cars would probably need to be discounted quite a bit for my tastes.
Some say the X50 (450) has more lag than stock (420, but I haven't noticed it's just rapid and so planted especially in wet conditions.
And a “tuner” opening it up a bit and leaning on the great factory work more and more?
While I appreciate some tuners are good, they’re not offering warranties and they’d be utterly incapable of writing half of these tables from empty, if they even know what half of them do.
Ie, why did Porsche spec bigger laggier turbos for x50 if standard could just be tuned up a bit?
I’m all for people to do as they wish. But the ‘it’s all fine’ hubris wouldn’t reassure me as a used buyer at 20yrs old on such a car.
Many of the tuners would know what every bit of those tables do, they just don’t need to touch them. If you look at euro 5 motorbikes now they come so lean that they do not ride as well as they could and they pop and bang when they don’t if mapped to be richer.
Yes, there will be bad tuners but I suspect the average 996T owner who had them mapped bought the car when over 60k, I doubt they went to the cheapest unknown…most likely a reputable 996 specialist.
I used Mark Shead to take my Cossie over 500hp, he gets flown all over the world to map engines, he has done 2x1000hp Lambo engines in a speed boat abroad. I expect he knows as much as any manufacturer would do and likely more about pushing boundaries….oddly he daily’s a 600hp 996t.
How can a 911 Turbo be a ‘complete car’ if, when cruising at 80+, its cabin sounds like a C47 Dakota‘s when flying through a sandstorm?
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