My 996 Carrera 4 Cabriolet project

Long post warning So after selling my 987.2 Boxster 2.9 PDK a couple of weeks ago it was really about time to find the next car to tinker with and enjoy. After a few false starts, decided that this time I wanted something a little older, but still usable every day without being too precious about it and that I could do some diy mechanics and servicing when needed. Decided that the 996 911’s were getting close to the bottom of their depreciation curve and as such there was a slim window for me to get one within my self inflicted budget of no more than i received for the Boxster. Of course, if you follow the internet ‘experts’ the car I wanted is the worst 911 ever made - a 996, cabriolet, Tiptronic - but I really didn’t care what they said and it helped make the purchase possible. I love cabriolets and this would be my 3rd Porsche after a 2010 987.2 3.4S PDK and a 2009 987.2 2.9 PDK I quickly fell down the rabbit hole of 911’s on the internet, IMS, bore score and endless other things that would easily put off many buyers. As usual, most cars i found on the classifieds were at the opposite end of the country to me, but I finally decided I was after a 996.1 3.4 preferably with amber lights. Undeterred by all the naysayers, I managed to shortlist a couple of cars to view the day after I returned from holiday and convinced my F1 mechanic nephew to come with me. The first car I viewed was being sold by a lovely chap who also owns a speed yellow 987.1 and a Guards Red 997.2 and was looking to sell the 996 because he needed the space. He had taken the car to Simply Porsche at Beaulieu but as I was on holiday at the time I couldn’t get to see it. Luckily for me, a friend offered to give it a once over and make sure it wasn't a basket case. With a thumbs up, I felt comfortable to go a see it. A year 2000 3.4 996.1 in triple black with hard top. It had high mileage but a substantial service history and a pretty clean MOT history, but needed some cosmetic attention including all 4 of the BBS split rims needing refurbishment. A quick test drive didn’t uncover any major issues but was determined to see the 2nd car before making a decision. After a 2hr drive and we arrived at a stunning house in the country to view a 2002 3.6 cab in polar silver with black leather. It had half the mileage of the black car and the IMS had been done along with a bunch of other work. The MOT history was not great but I thought if it’s been gone through recently, then it could be good. The recent mot only had advisories for cracked tyres due to age, and it was at the top of my budget with no safety net. it looked amazing in the sunlight, but started to go wrong as I got closer - quickly saw a dodgy paint finish on the passenger door, then both bumpers, over spray on the headlights, basically everywhere. The tyres were cracked quite badly and surprised they got through the MOT. Not quite as bad as when I started looking closer, and found a very wet oil leak at the front of the engine, a tatty interior hood lining and the ability to push my finger through the passenger side outer sill. It also hadn’t been serviced in 4 years and all the work quoted in the ad was from 2020 and 2021. I didn’t even take it out for a drive and quickly left as it felt too much of a risk for me. To be honest, I was surprised that a newer car with half the mileage could be so bad compared to the older, higher mileage car, so after some consideration, I made an offer for the first car the next day and sealed the deal. luckily another family member was travelling to the area the next day, so I was able to grab a lift and pick up my ‘new to me’ car and my first 911! A couple of quick photos: this one after I’d just taken ownership While I was with the seller, he also mentioned that he had a set of fully refurbished wheels that he would be open to selling - so after another negotiation and more money changing hands, i was trying to figure out how to fit 4 immaculate wheels into the car as well The ancient sat nav got me home fine, although some of the roads and roundabouts weren't always shown and the retro fitted cruise control was great through the 50mph roadworks. Yes it has a few more rattles than my previous Boxsters, but its 25 years old now and it was my first 911 As I mentioned, the history file is huge, with paper work going back to the original order sheet at AFN Chiswick - a mere £76,188 - ordered late 1999 for a delivery date of March 2000. The car has only had a couple of owners, the first owning it from day 1 for 19 years and the person i purchased from has had it for the last 4 - its had everything its ever needed with some substantial bills in there including a bunch of work done while the engine was out in 2020 including the over engine brake pipe, loads of suspension, engine mounts, radiators, brake pipes, etc etc. The IMS was checked and deemed good as well as a clear bore score check. mechanically it seems great to me - i've no plans to track it or drive like a nutter - this is a cruiser to enjoy and my wife doesn't drive a manual so its perfect for me. It does need some cosmetics though and i plan to take it back to as original as i can. The rear bumper needs painting and i need to look at options for parking sensors as you can't see much out the back The hard top needs repainting due to a couple of areas of bubbling paint Obviously all 4 wheels need to be swapped over to the refurbished ones I also want to find some crested 996 seats to replace the 997 ones currently fitted - i know the 997 seats are meant to be more comfortable, but they don't look as good to me I'll document my adventures along the way

Got some time to had a dig around the car - surprised to see the full original tool kit and the complete spare wheel kit, including the plastic bags for the wheel. The CD changer sort of works, but only on CD 1 - doesn't read the other slots at present - one to look at. I also added another job to the list today! removed the hard top to enjoy the soft top experience and found that the window has come away - about an inch long - didn't notice that when viewing as the roof was quickly dropped Already contacted a local trimmer to see if it can be repaired or if its simpler just to put a new window in

Cruise control too - nice addition. The C4 came with PSM as standard too, which is a collosal bonus IMHO, especially in the rain. Nice purchase!!

Might be a new roof replacement looking at that rear window. The plastic goes brittle over time and starts to break up.

Very nice indeed... what's the mileage ..?

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currently on 145k

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Be interested to hear your thoughts on how the 911 compares to the 987 as i too moved from a 2.9 to the 996 , both manual . In fact i'm considering moving back to a 987 as miss having a cabriolet , as good as my C4 coupe is.

911 cab is your next move then

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Still early days for the 996 - obviously a lot older so tech not quite up to the same level. Feels a bit heavier in the steering and not so nimble as the Boxster, but putting that down to being the Carrera 4. So far, not feeling a huge difference between the PDK and Tip in normal driving. The Sports chrono in my Boxster S would be nice though for a little sharper throttle response. Main thing is that the 996 is a lot less practical in terms of storage - not as much frunk and boot space, no glove box or cup holders The one button roof raise and close on the 996 is a lot nicer than the 987 Hardtop is a nice improvement over the Boxster though - will be interesting to see if i use it though as its a job to get on and off

I'm with you on the steering but as you say they're 4wd so it's to be expected. Enjoy mate.

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Perhaps, if i sell mine, i may have a look at buying Jays' seeing as he hardly drives it..... in all seriousness i doubt it'll be a 911 as they weren't designed as a cab and would want a 2 seater. I've got her in at MLR next week sorting out a few very minor issues then i think i'll advertise her for sale, probably on here first and PH.

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don't think you can go too far wrong with a 987.2 to be honest - great value for money for the performance, handling etc - but after owning 2 of them, i wanted a 911 I must admit, my first one was my favourite, 3.4 S PDK with sports chrono pack - purchased from Maundrells in Oxfordshire, you didn't see many in that colour combo. Had to sell to fund a house renovation project after 3 years of playing with cheap cabriolets - Alfa Spider, Mk1 MX5, Mk3 MX5, BMW Z4, Mini Cab, SLK etc i got my 2nd Boxster - 2.9 PDK - rarely do i own another car that i've already owned in the past, but this one was good and cost peanuts in the 2 years i had it - but it was almost too good, i had nothing to tinker with

My 2.9 manual was on 158000 miles when i sold her....drove like clockwork but just that little bit underpowered.... lovely balance though.... 996 is alot more grown up even thought they're alot older.

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one of the guys on the Boxa forum purchased a 2010 2.9 last week with 122k on it for £8,250! I sold mine with 102k on it for £11,750

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Really?