2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S

Guide price: £20,000 - £25,000

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

● 350hp 3.8-litre flat-six

● Specification includes PASM, Porsche satellite navigation and BOSE sound system

● Engine rebuild by Barr Tech in 2016

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Most of us will have hankered for a Porsche 911 at some stage in our motoring lives. Over the past six decades these rear-engined coupes have been remorselessly developed from ‘slow and challenging’ to ‘fast and fulfilling’.

The biggest problem for any used 911 buyer is likely to be choosing the sweet spot. Earlier cars demanded the hand/eye skills of Dynamo to master them. They, along with later cars, will be financially inaccessible for many.

For everyday driveability, reliability and 911 authenticity at sensible prices it’s hard to look past the 2004-2013 997 series – and we’ve got a nicely run-in 2005 example of one of those for you here.

The base Carrera 997 delivered 321hp from its 3.6 litre flat six, but our auction car is a Carrera S which means 350hp from a 3.8 litre engine, providing it with the sort of performance (0-62mph in 4.7sec, 182mph top speed) that would bring out the best in the 997’s bigger brakes, lowered ride and new stability control system.

This 87,000-mile 911 is no garage queen. Get up close and you’ll see battle scars. Importantly however all the mechanical issues associated with 911 engines of a certain age were rectified at considerable expense just over 45,000 miles ago. We reckon that the service history makes this an ideal first 911 for someone who doesn’t want to just admire their car sitting in a heated underground garage but who also wants to put more worry-free miles on it and discover exactly what all the 911 fuss is about.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

● The car has been in the same ownership for the past 7 years.

● It comes with a full book pack, two keys and all service invoices for the past seven years.

● There are no outstanding finance or HPI check issues.

● The last MOT test was carried out in October 2022 when there was one advisory for some damage on the windscreen that didn’t adversely affect the driver’s view. This fault was first noted in the August 2020 test.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

● This car is equipped with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche satellite navigation, BOSE sound system, heated seats with two-way electric adjustment, folding rear seats, Bi-Xenon headlamps with headlight washers, rain sensor

● The leather and carpets are all said to be in good condition but there are small areas of staining to the carpet in the front boot.

● A BOSE sound system was fitted at the factory.

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

● The bodywork presents well for an 18-year old car but there are some scuffs and marks, the most obvious of these being on the driver’s door and on both door handles.

● The front underbody panels have normal wear marks.

● There’s a small ‘bullseye’ stone chip plus another mark on the windscreen (MOT advisory since 2020).

● The inner edge of the rear bumper’s number plate recess is damaged.

● There’s a slight crack in the offside rear light lens.

● Some stone chipping is visible on the lower section of the front bumper.

● The owner reports no history of any paintwork or bodywork having been carried out.

𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

The car was fully serviced according to Porsche’s schedule until 2016.

Since the current owner took over stewardship of the car in that year the services were carried out on an annual basis until 2021.

● March 2007: minor service (8,824 miles)

● January 2009: major service (12,580 miles)

● October 2010: minor service (23,997 miles)

● December 2012: major service (including drive belt) (36,407 miles)

● November 2014: minor service (43,087 miles)

● June 2016: major service (including drive belt) (45,245 miles). This service also included major engine work comprising six new cylinder liners, six new pistons, new main and big end shells, a new clutch and dual mass flywheel, new engine stretch bolts and a new IMS bearing.

● June 2017: new nearside air conditioning condenser & re-gas (54,627 miles)

● June 2017: minor service (54,964 miles)

● April 2018: new front springs (60,053 miles)

● August 2018: minor service (63,221 miles)

● August 2019: minor service (71,655 miles)

● August 2020: minor service plus spark plug change, new offside air conditioning condenser + regas (76,965 miles)

● November 2020: ignition coil, plugs and heat shields replaced (78,219 miles)

● October 2021: minor service (82,817 miles)

● July 2022: new vacuum pump and pipe

● October 2022: new brake discs, pads, pipes and wear indicator leads, new alternator (85,135 miles)

● April 2023: new coolant pump and belt (85,913 miles).

● The alloy wheels are showing usual signs of age with slight rim scuffs and surface corrosion to some of the wheel nuts.

● Pirelli P Zero tyres date-marked and fitted in August 2021 are said to be in excellent condition with loads of wear left.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

Sixty years. That’s how long the 911 has been at the heart of the Porsche brand. By the time our 997 was registered to its first owner in March 2005 Porsche had long since turned an unlikely-looking design into a sweetly handling and, in this S version, genuinely quick car with the welcome bonus of fast touring mpg figures in the low 30s.

Much work has been done and many new parts have been fitted since the present owner took it on in 2016. They describe its overall condition as ‘good’ and the images suggest that’s a very fair assessment.

To arrange a viewing, please call 01332 913070. All viewings will be held at Donington Park from Monday to Friday between 9AM and 2PM.