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January 14, 2022 11:11 am by

1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 with 52k Miles and a Manual Gearbox

1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4

For January 14, 2022, our used car find is this well-kept 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 coupe with a six-speed manual gearbox and just 52k miles. It’s offered on Autotrader by a private seller in the San Francisco area for $30,000 or best offer.

Here’s what makes this one special.

Introduction

Believe it or not, when the 996 generation Porsche 911 debuted for the 1999 model year (in the US), auto journalists hailed it as the greatest 911 to date. That may sound crazy today, when the market clearly favors the iconic sports car’s prior versions, such as the highly collectible type 993. Where 993 examples often fetch six-figure prices these days, the humble 996 remains the cheapest 911 that money can buy.

But enthusiasm for the 996 is growing again. No longer are people bemoaning its switch to a water-cooled engine nor its trouble with failing intermediate shaft (IMS) bearings, which by now have mostly been upgraded to more robust units. Instead, the 996 is appreciated for what it is: one of the most rewarding driver’s cars ever to roll off the Zuffenhausen assembly line. And with prices still as cheap as they’re ever going to be, that makes the 996 one of the best values on the used sports car market today.

This particular 996 is one of the nicest we’ve seen in a while. In Carrera 4 spec, it offers grippy all-wheel drive as well as good power from its nearly 300-horsepower naturally aspirated flat-six engine. Even better, this one features the must-have six-speed manual gearbox (vs. the soul-sapping pre-PDK automatic). The combo gets the 911 to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds.

The Listing

This example also boasts just 52k miles from new as well as a longtime Northern California history. That’s left it looking showroom fresh, with a clean original exterior and a nearly blemish-free cabin. Clearly, it’s been well cared for by its prior owners. While this 996 is lightly optioned, it does come with heated leather seats and xenon headlights, both desirable options.

In the words of the seller…

Nearly perfect Porsche 911 Carrera 4. This car has had few owners and has been very well cared for and serviced all of its life. The Carfax bears this out. The paint is in great shape and all original and the interior is flawless. The car is completely original except for the Porsche OEM Sport Classic II rims which I purchased last year with a brand new set of Michelin Pilot tires. Oil change and brake pads were just done and the car just passed smog. The IMS bearing has been replaced. I have all maintenance records since 2012.

I’ve just had twins and unfortunately this car is far from practical. $30,000 firm, and I’ll include the original turbo look rims that came with the car. No trades.

As we note in our 996 Buyer’s Guide, the 1999 model year is sought after for a few different reasons. One is that it’s the only year to feature a cable-operated throttle (vs. an electronic throttle in later years). It’s also the only year to offer a limited-slip differential outside of a high-performance variant (such as a Turbo or GT3); however, this particular car doesn’t appear to have one (option code 220).

As interest in the 996 generation grows, it’s become harder and harder to find nice ones under $35,000. That makes this clean, original example from a desirable model year and in great spec a very attractive buy at $30,000.

Here’s a link to the Porsche 911 listing on Autotrader.

Details and Specs

  • 51,500 miles
  • 3.4-liter flat six-cylinder engine (M96)
  • 296 hp @ 6,800 rpm
  • 258 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm
  • six-speed manual transmission
  • all-wheel drive (AWD)
  • Arctic Silver exterior
  • black leather interior
  • for sale by owner
  • $30,000 (or best offer)
  • Montara, California
  • WP0AA2996XS624785

Photos

1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 interior 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 steering wheel 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 rear seats 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 engine bay

 

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