Price: SOLD
Mileage: 121,100 Miles
Engine: 296HP M96 3.4-Liter 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Black Exterior
Interior: Black Full Leather Interior
Additional features:
Granite Grey Interior Trim (1998-1999 only)
Limited-Slip Differential
Sport Seats w/ Painted Seatbacks
3-Spoke Steering Wheel
Sony Touch-Screen Stereo w/ Bluetooth
Focal Direct-Fit Speakers
Xenon Headlamp Package w/ Integrated Fog Lights
Speed Activated Rear Spoiler
One-Touch Power Windows
Power Sunroof
Traction Control
Porsche Enthusiast Owned
18” MY02 BBS Wheels
Tinted Windows
Porsche Logo Floor Mats
Recent Mx:
Intermediate Shaft (IMS) Bearing Replacement
Clutch / Flywheel Kit
Front / Rear Brakes
Motor Mounts
There has been no more controversial Porsche 911 than the 996. It was the first water-cooled 911, the first complete redesign—not evolution—of a lineage that arcs back to 1963. It was also the 911 that saved Porsche from near collapse. Traditionalists (myself included) were appalled by its dramatic break in form; its runny egg headlights (inspired from the 911 GT1) and its reputation for intermediate shaft bearing (IMS) failure. But time has been kind to the 996, and hindsight has shown that, perhaps, we were wrong. Early 996 years (996.1 in Porsche-speak) were actually some of the best 911s. Yes, the headlights are a controversial (runny not fried eggs like the 996.2’s), but the early 996s still had a mechanical throttle cable (no throttle-by-wire delay) and cable actuated rear deck and hood releases. Anybody who has had to plug a jump lead into the fuse box to power the hood latch in order to access the battery will appreciate this. The 996 is more similar in character to a 993 than it is to a 997 as well, honoring the legacy of the legend whose footsteps it had to follow.
This 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe is a unique and desirably-optioned example of an early 996. Finished in Black over a Black leather with factory options that include the early 996.1-specific Granite Gray interior trim, leather sport seats, 3-spoke leather steering wheel, BBS MY02 5-spoke wheels, and a limited-slip differential. The original Becker stereo has been replaced with a modern Sony touch-screen stereo and 996 direct-fit Focal speakers. It has a production date of June 10, 1998 and was delivered to its first owner in July of that year. Other than a brief stint in New York, it spent the subsequent two decades in California before we brought it to Colorado. In the 2000s it bounced around through multiple owners before landing with a meticulous enthusiast in 2012 at 78K miles. That owner kept an extremely detailed log (over 60 pages in an old-school pocket notebook) of all maintenance, every fill up, tire pressures, and even comments about notable drives and events that they attended. In October of 2020 at 117K miles it received an extensive service that included the clutch, flywheel, and all-important IMS retrofit kit. In December all idler pulleys were replaced. In preparation for sale, we replaced the front and rear brake rotors, pads, and sensors with a brake fluid flush in addition to motor mounts. The next oil change will be due on October of 1,000 miles whichever comes first. The Carfax details frequent services prior to ours and the previous owners’ work and reports one incident of minor damage in July of 2018. As it sits, this is a stellar example of an early 996. It’s the type of drive-quality car that we all want to keep: one that is presentable enough to be proud of, yet imperfect enough to use and enjoy without guilt. The limited-slip differential, early 996 mechanical throttle cable, and sport seats add exponentially to the driving experience. We would like to find a new owner who will enjoy it as much as we have in our brief time with it and fill out some more pages of new adventures in that old school notebook.
The Black paint is in excellent condition given the 911’s age and mileage. It presents fantastically, but close scrutiny reveals minor defects in the form of very slight rock chipping, a few small dings in the hood, and other typical slight imperfections. The entire car has been painted at some point, it gauges at between 5 and 13 mils, with average depth being 7-9 mils. We do not know why it was repainted and the Carfax is clean other than the report of minor damage. All trim is present and in good shape, with slight only UV fade in spots. The headlight, indicator and taillight lenses are brilliant, clear and crack free. The windshield glass is free of cracks, but it does have slight pitting in spots; the side and rear glass are tinted. The eighteen-inch MY02 BBS wheels are in excellent shape with no curb rash and only a few small paint chips. They are wearing Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires with 2014 DOT date fronts, 2017 DOT date rears and all have 6/32 tread remaining.
The interior is also in excellent shape. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpet is free of stains or rips and is protected by Porsche floor mats. The seat leather is in good condition, but there is moderate bolster wear and creasing. The painted seatbacks are a nice touch, the painted portions of the lower hinges do have some paint failure. The passenger seat bottom is also slightly deformed from leather shrinkage. The dashboard condition is good and the graphite trim is a subtle, yet defining feature of the interior that is unique to the early 996. The driver’s side vent louvers are broken; we have special ordered a factory replacement that had not arrived yet when photos were taken. The steering wheel leather has only light wear. The instrument cluster, HVAC, and stereo displays have no failed pixels. The aftermarket Sony stereo and Focal speakers sound amazing. There are no warning lights and the oil level shows full. There is slight wear on the E-brake handle. All power functions, door locks, window switches, mirrors, and seat motors work correctly. The heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. There is some typical 996 scuffing on the driver’s doorsill; both the hood release and engine cover release switches function correctly—and cable operated instead of powered. The hood shocks are weak, but do not warrant replacement yet. One key, the spare tire, and owners’ manuals are all present.
Proper ownership is key with any Porsche 911, and this one meets that requirement thanks the recent maintenance we completed and the previous owners. The engine fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. The manual throttle cable is fantastic, having no throttle-by-wire delay of later 996s. There are no fluid leaks or drips, the next oil change is due in October of 2021 or 1,000 miles whichever comes first. The IMS bearing has been replaced with an updated single row retrofit kit. The clutch was also replaced; it has zero slip, the take-up is correct, and the shifter is crisp and precise. The driveline, transaxle, and wheel bearings are quiet with no vibrations. The suspension is firm, yet compliant and the brakes were recently replaced. We ensure it passes and pay for emissions in the State of Colorado. This is a turn-key 996.1 with some very desirable options. The 996 is a reliable and robust platform that you can use and enjoy, we wouldn’t hesitate to drive it across country.
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