CHECKLIST

BACKGROUND

The 997 appeared in 2004, basically a comprehensive re-panelling of the 996 chassis, particularly noticeable in the frontal treatment which recalled the 993. The 997 model also turned the ‘S’ into a more powerful engined version, the ‘base’ Carrera carrying over the 996’s 3.6, while the new Carrera S was bored out to 99mm to make 3.8 and 40 more horsepower. Introduced in 2008, the second generation 997 had minor changes to the front and rear, but underneath, two entirely new DFI engines, which were lighter and, among other advances, dispensed with the troublesome intermediate shaft. Porsche also used the occasion to launch its double clutch transmission and at a stroke the PDK became the preferred gearbox of 911 buyers despite being a £2500 option. The ‘base’ Carrera now had a 3614cc flat-six rated at 345bhp at 6500rpm and 390Nm at 4400rpm.

WHERE IS IT?

Cridfords is a well known name in the Porsche retail firmament. Jonathan Leach started trading inweybridge, upped sticks to premises in Ripley (where, incidentally, your correspondent bought his first Porsche), before moving in 2014 to the Surrey village of Ewhurst. “I particularly liked this site because it had not only a traditional car showroom on the main street, but also a workshop,” says Jonathan who in 2017 is celebrating 30 years in the Porsche business. Today Cridfords employs 12 and its busy four hoist workshop also houses an MOT bay – two employees are registered testers – and the latest geometry alignment rig. Cridfords services around 25 cars a week, and also undertakes both water and air cooled engine rebuilds. The stock of 30–40 Porsches sells at the rate of five or six per week. cridfords.co.uk

FOR

Gen 2 997, full service record, attractive specification and colour

AGAINST

Purists would prefer a manual gearbox

VERDICT

Virtually a Carrera S (less 40bhp) for Carrera money