2005 Porsche 911 (997) 3.8-Litre Carrera S - manual

The 997 marked another new chapter for Porsche, although to look at, the new generation seemed to hark back to former glories, particular in profile and the design of its oval headlights. The 997 was initially available from July 2004 in two guises, Carrera and Carrera S, both rear-wheel drive only with identical bodywork. The base Carrera stuck with the well established 3.6-litre power unit producing 325bhp, however, the Carrera S had useful extra power – some 355bhp – thanks to a larger displacement engine (3 litres). Other general 997 enhancements included better suspension, reduced drag-coefficient, a more appealing interior and extra room for passengers.

The Carrera S also benefited from a sports exhaust, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), bigger brakes, 19” wheels as standard and Xenon headlights with red brake callipers the only external clue.

The car presented here is a 2005 Porsche 911 (997) 3.8-litre Carrera S specified with the ‘drivers’ choice’ of the manual 6-speed (G97/01) gearbox (which was reinforced by Porsche for the ‘S’ model). It has a full Porsche service history, the most recent of which was only a few weeks ago, and included some remedial work to repair and ensure the longevity of the engine’s top bearing. This is sure to be peace-of-mind to any potential buyer of this era of 997, with marque specialists Zentrum Ltd. of Nottingham observing absolutely no piston scoring when this work was carried out. The car is accompanied by a large history file, showing its fastidious service history, and supporting its 76,000 miles (which equates to under 4,500 miles per annum).

The car presents well in a very stylish colour combination and, having been first registered on 24th March 2005, its condition belies its 17 years, indicative of diligent ownership. There is nothing quite like the urgency and sound of a large-capacity normally-aspirated Porsche flat-6 accelerating, giving an instant response, with real torque and a potent sound, especially channelled through the more vocal Sports exhaust. Our vendor is a private Porsche enthusiast and having enjoyed this car for the last three years, a change in circumstances dictate that he has now decided to offer the car for sale. Currently, the 997-Series Porsche 911 seems tremendous value, particularly at this guide, offering real performance with everyday usability and an entry into the fascinating world of 911 ownership.