Porsche 911 Carrera

964 generation
A reputation for reliability has always stood Porsche in good stead, and the 964 is no exception. However, early examples of the four-wheel-drive Carrera 4 can be problematic, and oil leaks from the transmission are
common on cars produced before 1991.

Revisions to later versions fixed this, so models made from 1992-1994 are the ones to go for. But don’t rely on the date of registration to confirm a car’s age, because the UK was in recession at the start of the Nineties, and Porsche sales were at rock-bottom. Consequently, many cars wearing 1992 and 1993 plates were actually built much earlier. So, check build dates using the chassis number.

Early cars start from around £12,000, but spend a bit more, and you should get a really tidy example. Late-1993 cars with a driver’s airbag can fetch as much as £20,000. Targas are the least popular models and typically go for £2,000 less than similar coupés.

Service intervals for all variants are every 12 months or 12,000 miles, and alternate between minor and major inspections. The latter is a day’s work and will cost around £430 from an independent Porsche specialist.

993 generation
You can never be completely immune from depreciation, but it will be very low on a good 993, making it an excellent used buy.

The 993 is mechanically bulletproof, so major problems are rare. Maintenance should be carried out annually, but the only big regular bills will be for brakes, tyres and clutches. However, parts are far from cheap, so be prepared for a hefty outlay. Clutches can be fitted for as little as £700, but the job is more involved on a Carrera 4, so costs around £1,000.

Post-1996 cars are more powerful, thanks to engine improvements, but condition, mileage and history are generally more important than spec and body type when it comes to price.

However, Tiptronic auto models will always be worth £2,000 less than manual cars and the wide-body S versions command a 30 per cent premium over ordinary Carreras.

Air-con was an option until 1997, but it rarely works, and recommissioning an inoperative system can cost as much as £3,000!

Enthusiasts love the 993 because of its characterful air-cooled engine and handling. However, they’re terribly dated inside. Later models make the most suitable everyday cars.

996 generation
The 996 caused controversy because of its water-cooled engines and slab-sided looks, both of which divide opinion among enthusiasts. However, many fans were won over by its modern cabin, refinement and vice-free handling.

If you’re picking between a 993 or a similarly priced 996, your needs will have a major bearing, because the latter is a more attractive prospect as a daily driver. And if you don’t like the headlamps, a 2001 facelift saw them replaced by much improved items.

These cars are preferable, because engine capacity increased from 3.4 litres to 3.6 litres as well, and early 996s are troublesome, with leaky rear main oil seals a common complaint. In extreme situations this can bring about engine failure. There’s no easy way of finding the problem, so a professional inspection is essential.

Prices for facelifted cars start at £30,000. However, while stability control was fitted to all Carrera 4s, it was an option on the Carrera. Cabrio values vary depending on time of year, but Tiptronic autos are popular, so don’t expect to pay less than for a manual. However, watch out for oil leaks, because fixing the rear main oil seal is an engine-out job on the auto.

997 generation
A return to round headlamps marks the current 911 out. On first impressions, the 997 looks like a heavily revised 996, but Porsche claimed the current car is 80 per cent new. It is certainly more reliable, as many of the 996’s weaknesses have been sorted. As ever, the line-up includes rear and four-wheel drive versions, Carrera and more powerful 3.8-litre Carrera S derivatives, plus cabrio and Targa models.

Cars with yellow brake calipers have ceramic discs, which are highly effective and last for ages in normal use. But they wear out quickly with prolonged track action and are expensive to replace. Going for the correct spec of any 911 is important, but particularly so on the 997, as it is the priciest here – so you have most to lose if you get it wrong! Making a poor decision can seriously affect resale values, so avoid lurid colours and stick to manual coupés.

If you’re planning to buy any 911, get an independent professional inspection carried out. Franchised dealers and specialist garages will do this for just a few hundred pounds, and unless you’ve uncovered a mint example, the chances are it will pay for itself before you’ve finished haggling.

Thanks to: Northway Porsche, Berks www.northway.co.uk 

911 Carrera specifications

964 generation
Price range: From £10,000
Manufactured from: 1989-1994
Engine: 3.6-litre flat-six, 250bhp
Insurance group: 20
Economy: 30mpg (combined)
Beware! Oil leaks, corrosion, worn tyres, patchy service histories, non-standard modifications, undesirable Tiptronic auto-equipped models
Worst bit? Extremely dated cabin

993 generation
Price range: From £20,000
Manufactured from: 1993-1998
Engine: 3.6-litre flat-six, 272bhp (285bhp 1996-1998)
Insurance group: 20
Economy: 25mpg (combined)
Beware! Overpaying for one of the many derivatives, inoperative air-conditioning, tired interiors, worn tyres and brakes, modified cars
Best bit? Air-cooled engine

996 generation
Price range: From £18,000
Manufactured from: 1997-2005
Engine: 3.4-litre flat-six, 296bhp; 3.6-litre flat-six, 320bhp
Insurance group: 20
Economy: 25mpg (combined)
Beware! Oil leaks on pre-2001 facelift models, early cars with electronic gremlins, worn interiors on high-mileage examples, blown turbos on flagship versions
Best bit? New engines

997 generation
Price range: From £40,000
Manufactured from: 2004-date
Engine: 3.6-litre flat-six, 325bhp; 3.8-litre flat-six, 355bhp
Insurance group: 20
Economy: 24mpg (combined)
Beware! Lurid colour schemes, Tiptronic models command a £700 premium over manuals, more powerful Carrera S versions fetch £5,000 more than regular cars
Best bit? Classy interior