Porsche 911 (996) Turbo Tiptronic S

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

“The mid-range punch is so fierce that you can feel your internal organs being compressed against your spine and my passenger audibly gasped then broke into involuntary laughter the first time I stomped on the loud pedal. The deceleration is even more violent and I feared I had detached his retinas, so hard did his head jolt forward the first time I clobbered the brakes. With four-wheel drive and the engine slung out the back, both grip and traction are incredibly strong, so much so that after a short drive you feel completely invincible."

So good it hurt, the Porsche 996 Turbo is widely regarded as the finest all-round sportscar of its era (better even than the Ferrari F355 according to Top Gear), and so blew the minds of contemporary road testers that some even declared it too fast for the public highway (although not Evo magazine who wrote the words above).

Launched in 2000 with all-wheel drive as standard, it was powered by a development of the legendary twin-turbo ‘Mezger’ engine that was originally designed for the 600bhp 911 GT1 Le Mans race car and also went on to power the hardcore GT3 RS. Completely different to the regular 996 engine (which had a reputation for catastrophic failure) the 3.6-litre Mezger unit has proved virtually bulletproof and the standard 420bhp can be readily tuned to well over 500bhp if the fancy takes you. The 2002 model, sometimes known as the Mk2, also saw body revisions which increased stiffness, improving handling and crash safety.

The six-speed manual is a typically good Porsche box but many Turbos were sold with the Tiptronic semi-auto five speed which only added half a second to the 4.2 seconds 0-62mph dash and lopped just 4mph off the 189mph top speed. Fuel economy is good for such a rapid car, high-20s on a gentle run being easily attained with most owners averaging around 20mpg.

A Cabriolet version of the Turbo pitched up in 2004, along with a Turbo S version with carbon ceramic brake discs before it was replaced by the new 997 in 2005. By the end of production 22,062 996 Turbo models of all types had been sold worldwide. A blue chip classic of the future, prices are already rising fast.

Supplied new by Porsche Swindon in September 2002, this 2003 model year specification 996 Turbo Tiptronic S has covered only 57,500 miles with 10 services to date, the first 8 (up to 44,200 miles) being main dealer stamps in the book with invoices for two subsequent services at specialists, the last only 300 miles ago.

Fitted from new with a factory Aero Kit, it looks stunning in Midnight Blue Metallic with a full black leather interior and Porsche embossed headrests, an Alcantara headlining and 18” Tech Art alloys shod with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport tyres. Other equipment includes heated electric memory seats, electric sunroof, air conditioning, stainless steel treadplates, aluminium dials, gear selector and handbrake lever, plus Porsche overmats.

Said to be in very good and highly original condition throughout (apart from the addition of an aftermarket sports exhaust back box), it is also said to drive superbly with an MOT until July 2016 with no advisories recorded (other than the usual clause about ‘undertrays obscuring some components’). All 10 old MOTs are present plus various invoices and a Porsche Cerificate of Authenticity confirming the origins and specifications of the car.

Supplied with all its original handbooks and two keys, it is guaranteed to put a massive grin on the fortunate new owner's face and, given the way that all 911 Turbo prices seem to be going at present, it could well prove a shrewd investment at the tempting guide price suggested. Already widely tipped for greatness, this is yet another car to put on that 'buy now while you can still afford to' list...