Yesterday

Porsche 911 Turbo (996) | Spotted

Not officially a GT2, but a rear-drive Turbo nonetheless - and with almost 600hp...

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There isn’t really such a thing as a cheap Porsche 911 anymore. Certainly not one that you’d really want, at least. If it’s standard, it’s a lot of money; if it’s modified, it’s a lot of money. Doesn’t seem to matter what happens to a Porsche 911, it feels like a very safe place for the money right now. 

The trouble with an increase in values, of course, is how that then impacts attitudes to use. When a 996 or 997 GT3 was a £75k prospect, you’d be much more willing to use it than now, where they all seem to be double that amount. The 996 GT2 may not have skyrocketed like some of the naturally aspirated (or RS-badged) GT machines, but should one turn up, it’s going to be significantly more than £100,000. 

This 996 doesn’t have a GT badge, though it’s very far from a standard Turbo as well. Perhaps the most notable modification is a rear-drive conversion, which is made all the more interesting given there’s 150hp more than standard as well. Thanks to upgraded turbos, intercoolers and some ECU work, this is now a 575hp, rear-wheel drive 996 Turbo. And if that doesn’t get your interest on PH, nothing will. 

There’s plenty more besides, too; imagine what a GT2 RS might have been had Porsche made one in the early '00s, and it surely wouldn’t have been far from this. Suspension is by Ohlins coilovers, the brakes are better (here with GT3 calipers), tyres are stickier, and the interior benefits from bucket seats and a cage. There’s a plated diff in the back, too, to really emphasise the RWD-ness; safe to say this is going to feel rather more intense than just a more powerful 911 Turbo. 

Looks cool as well, lower and meaner than standard, thanks to the new suspension and with a smart interior refresh including wool tartan inserts. Evidently a lot of money has been spent on this 911, and in recent years too. This isn’t some kind of running project offered for sale after money or willingness ran out; it’s a dedicated build with a lot of pricey parts fitted.

Which means that it does cost more than your average 911 Turbo, at £60k. But when a regular manual Turbo of comparable mileage is £45k on its own, patently it’s going to cost more than its asking price to replicate. As a 996 that looks like the rest but promises something very different, it’s hugely appealing. In fact, as Porsche has recently demonstrated with the Sport Classic, this sort of power in a manual Turbo does make for quite the 911…

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SPECIFICATION | PORSCHE 911 (996) TURBO

Engine: 3,600cc flat-six, twin turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, four-wheel drive (standard)
Power (hp): 420@6,000rpm (standard)
Torque (lb ft): 415@2,700-4,600rpm (standard)
MPG: 21.9
CO2: 309g/km
Year registered: 2001
Recorded mileage: 68,000
Price new: c. £90k
Yours for: £59,996

See the original advert

[Iamnotkloot]

Looks like nicely done mods - I’m very much in the Yes camp on this.

[asci.white]

I remember when owning a 996 had to be whispered in conversations as it was considered the failed 911. These days they have proven themselves as a nice all rounder.

I would imagine this one can leave some amazing dual black lines with that power.

Still not sold on the headlights so could do with a conversion but that's likely a heretic thing to say.

[el romeral]

The basic 996 Turbo has always appealed to me, in terms of what you get for the money. Quite a lot more on offer here, for a price. The car looks great, apart from the really rusty looking wheel nuts and no centre caps though.

[cerb4.5lee]

asci.white said:

I remember when owning a 996 had to be whispered in conversations as it was considered the failed 911. These days they have proven themselves as a nice all rounder.

I would imagine this one can leave some amazing dual black lines with that power.

Still not sold on the headlights so could do with a conversion but that's likely a heretic thing to say.

This will be a lot of fun as you say, but like you...I also struggle with the headlights as well.

[smilo996]

Better than most and wheels are a nice addition.

[plynchy]

Know the owner. Very, very well sorted car.

And you'd struggle to meet a bigger petrolhead.

[WCZ]

can imagine this is pretty scary to drive !

love the 996 turbo in general, feels fast enough for UK roads imo

[mjspencer348]

Surprised to see the rear wiper still in place (a factory option), there's a 2kg weight saving right there. Looks a well sorted car and seems good value, given the amount of time/money spent. Apparently, it's now running 525bhp, not 575, still a rocketship, just more manageable.

[IMI A]

Lovely

[Mashley]

I bought one of these in January as a weekend car to replace an Alfa Quadrifoglio daily driver, and in the process of building to a similar spec as this car.
996 Turbos in general remain a bargain purchase, and they don’t take much money to turn them into something really special. The best benefit is if you are comfortable to modify/use aftermarket parts, America has such a backing for this model that you can get really good parts from established firms that save you thousands against OEM. Only headache that I had was finding OEM tyre sizes as I had a puncture on one tyre. I couldn’t find a matching tyre, my specialist couldn’t either, so I ended up replacing all 4 at quite a significant cost…

[andy43]

Not a fan of the ricer style wheels - they’d be more at home on a Nissan - but other than that and the boring silver I really like that. Bet it cost near enough the asking price to mod it. Cheap!

[PorkerHam]

Agreed. Thought that would be a lot more.

[Bluehorseshoe]

When these came out Clarkson reviewed one an quote 50 to 70 time of 1 second which was insane. Like the idea of near 600bhp but maybe keep 4wd

[Dusty964]

mjspencer348 said:

Surprised to see the rear wiper still in place (a factory option), there's a 2kg weight saving right there. Looks a well sorted car and seems good value, given the amount of time/money spent. Apparently, it's now running 525bhp, not 575, still a rocketship, just more manageable.

2kg weight saving...or the practicality of being able to see out of the back. I think I would prefer seeing out of the rear window.

[MC Bodge]

mjspencer348 said:

Surprised to see the rear wiper still in place (a factory option), there's a 2kg weight saving right there.

A PHer's watches (at least one on each wrist) probably weigh more than that

[SS427 Camaro]

Nearly bought a 996T back in 2019, spent months going up & down the country looking at lots & all of them had issues, i was shocked as there were some really rough ones out there back then.
Finally found the one, a really nice 450hp version, with the circa 2002 revised dash. I had a long test drive of it, but after owning 3 air cooled 911, it just lacked driver involvement, its steering feel & feed back was a big disapointment.
However, i made the seller an offer, which was rejected, the car then sold & the buyer had to replace both turbos. I was told it’s now in OZ.
This rwd car must be an absolute riot to drive.

Edited by SS427 Camaro on Wednesday 2nd September 09:55

[V12GT]

It’s a nice example of the 996 and seemingly modified with a good attention to detail. Attractively priced too.

525hp and RWD on a 996: I do wonder how it handles in less than perfect conditions though.

[GTRene]

sounds like fun, and agree with one poster here, the wheels do not really do the car justice.

[Amanitin]

Dusty964 said:

2kg weight saving...or the practicality of being able to see out of the back. I think I would prefer seeing out of the rear window.

real men step on it and let the airflow take care of the screen

[Dusty964]

Amanitin said:

real men step on it and let the airflow take care of the screen

Of course they do. Perfect for in town when its raining.