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Porsche 911 (996) Carrera - Price, Specs and 360° Interactive

Porsche 911 (996) Carrera - 360° Interactive

Porsche 911 (996) Carrera - Key Specifications

Porsche 911 (996) Carrera Specifications

Specification	Details
Type	Sports Coupé / Cabriolet
Released At	1997 Frankfurt Motor Show
Built At	Stuttgart, Germany
Engine	3.4 L Flat-6 (M96/01) / 3.6 L Flat-6 (M96/03)
Position	Rear-Engine, Longitudinal
Aspiration	Natural
Block Material	Aluminum Alloy
Valvetrain	DOHC, 4 Valves per Cylinder with VarioCam
Fuel Feed	Electronic Fuel Injection
Displacement	3387 cc / 206.7 in³ (3.4 L) / 3596 cc / 219.5 in³ (3.6 L)
Bore	96 mm / 3.78 in (3.4 L) / 100 mm / 3.94 in (3.6 L)
Stroke	78 mm / 3.07 in (3.4 L) / 82.8 mm / 3.26 in (3.6 L)
Compression	11.3:1
Power	221 kW / 300 hp (3.4 L) / 235 kW / 320 hp (3.6 L)
Specific Output	88.2 hp per liter (3.4 L) / 88.9 hp per liter (3.6 L)
BHP/Weight	224 bhp per tonne (3.6 L)
Torque	350 Nm / 258 lb-ft (3.4 L) / 370 Nm / 273 lb-ft (3.6 L)
Top Speed	280 km/h / 174 mph (3.6 L)
0 – 60 mph	5.0 seconds (3.6 L)
0 – 100 km/h	5.2 seconds (3.6 L)
Body / Frame	Steel Monocoque with Aluminum Panels
Driven Wheels	RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) / AWD (Carrera 4)
Wheel Type	Alloy Wheels
Front Tires	225/40ZR18
Rear Tires	265/35ZR18
Front Brakes	Ventilated Discs with 4-Piston Calipers
Rear Brakes	Ventilated Discs with 4-Piston Calipers
Front Wheels	45.7 x 22.9 cm / 18 x 9 in
Rear Wheels	45.7 x 25.4 cm / 18 x 10 in
Front Suspension	MacPherson Strut with Coil Springs and Anti-Roll Bar
Rear Suspension	Multi-Link (LSA) with Coil Springs and Anti-Roll Bar
Curb Weight	1375 kg / 3031 lbs (3.6 L)
Weight Distribution	39 % Front / 61 % Rear
Wheelbase	2350 mm / 92.5 in
Length	4430 mm / 174.4 in
Width	1770 mm / 69.7 in
Height	1305 mm / 51.4 in
Transmission	6-Speed Manual / 5-Speed Tiptronic Automatic
Fuel Economy (Combined)	11.4 L/100 km or 20.6 mpg-US (3.6 L)
Fuel Capacity	64 liters or 16.9 gallons

Some Interesting Porsche 911 (996) Carrera Facts

Porsche 911 (996) Carrera Price Specifications

First Water-Cooled 911 The 996 generation, introduced in 1997, was the first Porsche 911 to feature a water-cooled engine, replacing the traditional air-cooled flat-six used in previous models.

Most Controversial 911 Design The 996 featured "fried egg" headlights, which it shared with the Porsche Boxster, leading to mixed reactions from Porsche enthusiasts who preferred the classic round headlights.

More Powerful and Efficient Than Its Predecessor The 996 Carrera was powered by a 3.4L flat-six engine (296 hp) in early models and a 3.6L flat-six (320 hp) in later facelifted versions, offering improved performance over the 993.

Significantly Lighter Than the 993 Thanks to its more modern chassis and construction, the 996 was lighter and stiffer than the 993, improving handling and performance.

First 911 with a Multi-Link Rear Suspension The 996 introduced a new multi-link rear suspension, improving stability, ride quality, and cornering performance compared to previous models.

Introduced the Tiptronic S Automatic Transmission The 996 Carrera offered an optional Tiptronic S transmission, allowing drivers to shift gears manually via steering-wheel-mounted buttons, a precursor to modern PDK gearboxes.

Offered as Both Coupe and Cabriolet The 996 Carrera was available in coupe, convertible (Cabriolet), and Targa variants, offering multiple choices for enthusiasts.

Facelifted in 2002 with Key Improvements The 2002 facelift brought a larger 3.6L engine, redesigned headlights, and improved interior materials, making the later models more desirable.

Affordable Entry into 911 Ownership Due to its controversial design and widespread availability, the 996 has long been one of the most affordable used Porsche 911s, but values are now increasing.

A Future Classic Despite Initial Criticism While not as loved as earlier air-cooled 911s, the 996 Carrera is gaining appreciation for its driving dynamics, reliability, and raw analog feel, making it a potential future classic.

Porsche 911 (996) Carrera Price

The 996 saved Porsche with its water-cooled revolution, but purists shunned its shared Boxster parts. Today, these are the last affordable air-cooled-style 911s, with manuals now outpacing automatic values by 300%. The sweet spot? 2002-2004 facelift models with the fixed IMS bearing.

1. Price Ranges (EUR, Mid-2024)

Standard Coupe/Cabriolet

High-Mileage (>150k km) Tiptronic: €15k-€22k (Bargain alert: Many need €5k+ in deferred maintenance)

Driver-Quality Manual (80k-120k km): €28k-€38k (Must have: IMS solution documentation)

Collector-Grade (<50k km): €45k-€65k+ (2004 "final year" cars command 20% premium)

Special Models

996 Turbo (2000-2005): €55k-€85k (IMS-free Mezger engine - the smart money play)

GT3 (Mk1): €120k-€180k (Track-day tax in full effect)

C4S (Widebody): €35k-€50k (The visual bang-for-buck champion)

2. Key Factors Affecting Value

✅ Provenance Wins

Original purchase invoice: +10% (rare for these "disposable" 911s)

Porsche Classic Certification: +15% (€3k inspection but worth it)

✅ Options That Matter

Aerokit Cup: +€5k (especially on C4S)

X51 Powerkit: +€3k (verify with Porsche AG)

Sport Seats: Dealbreaker for many buyers

⚠️ Critical Watch-Outs

Unaddressed IMS Bearing: Budget €8k for engine rebuild

RMS Leaks: Early sign of potential IMS failure

Cracked Cylinder Heads: Affects 1999-2001 3.4L engines

3. Where to Buy in the EU?

Official Channels

Porsche Classic Partners (best for certified cars)

911 & Co. (Germany) (specialists in high-end 996s)

Private Sales

Mobile.de "Garage Find" Listings (German bargains exist)

Porsche Club Europe Classifieds (enthusiast-owned examples)

Pro Tip: LHD cars trade at 20% premium over RHD in continental EU - UK cars are cheaper but harder to resell.

4. Market Trends

📈 Manual Transmission Boom

+18% annual appreciation for sub-100k km manuals since 2020

Tiptronic values stagnant - becoming the new "automatic 964"

⚠️ Trap Warning

"Low-mileage" cars often need €10k+ in rubber/seal replacements

Aftermarket navigation systems ruin center console value

5. Must-Do Checks

🔧 Mechanical:

IMS Bearing Solution Proof (LN Engineering or Porsche OEM)

Coolant Pipe Condition (plastic parts fail at 15+ years)

Rear Main Seal (weeping is normal, pouring is trouble)

📄 Paperwork:

Porsche VIN Decode (verify factory spec at dealer)

Service Stamps (oil changes every 10k km critical)

Fun Fact: The 996's shared headlights with Boxster saved Porsche €70 million in development - the cost-cutting that saved the company!

996 Buying Cheat Sheet