BEST-VALUE BARGAINS
We highlight the models that offer a lot of car for the money when compared to other 911s at a similar price point
There are differing ways of approaching value, as our experts demonstrate, but they largely come to the same consensus with one model being repeatedly mentioned by all. Paragon’s Jamie Tyler says, “The best value cars are the ones that lose the least money, or possibly increase in value over time.”
We’re not necessarily talking inexpensive then, with the Paragon team suggesting that any Porsche sporting a GT or GTS badge can be considered good value, because while you’ll spend a decent amount on your initial outlay, the eventual return (should you ever wish to sell it) will be substantial. That said, Tyler’s quick to pick up on any smaller-engined Carrera too. As the base model, any Carrera is the foundation for all the differing 911s spun off it, and Porsche rarely takes liberties engineering on the core model in the range.
Simple, unfussy Carreras are echoed elsewhere by our experts in the value class. This is because they’re often overlooked for either more powerful S models or other derivatives and, in most cases, unjustifiably. There’s a huge amount of love out there for the 997 Carrera among our group. Phil Raby, of Philip Raby Specialist Cars, loves the looks and drive of the 997.1 Carreras. Jonathan Franklin of Jonathan Franklin Cars also picked up on the 997 Carrera, saying: “There are known issues with them, but we know the checks and remedies, and at around £25,000, they’re an absolute bargain.
Jonathon Ostroff, from Hexagon Classics, is another who’s quick to identify the demand for the base 3.6-litre 997 Carrera, saying they’re so often bypassed for the more powerful versions, yet they’re extremely sweet to drive, with ample power and fine handling, and modern enough to be a useable proposition day-to-day should you desire. Franklin agrees, suggesting that with the swell in interest in 996s of late, the 997 has been overlooked a bit, and looks like the better value proposition against the 996, highlighting its better build quality and styling.
Franklin says: “A 997 3.6 is really, really nice to drive. In fact it’s a beautiful car to drive. Look at the market for 964 C2 coupes. I think the 997 C2 is much the same. People will, and are, starting to seek them out, and there aren’t that many out there that are stock, have sensible mileage and have been properly looked after.” He adds it’s not a car that he sees as a means of getting you rich, but a good one will serve you superbly as a car to enjoy. Furthermore, if it’s properly looked after, it’s unlikely to ever lose you any money. Raby goes so far as to say many consider the 997 as the last ‘true’ 911. Strong sentiment there, and not without merit too, with the 997 Carrera being a real favourite among our assembled pool of experts – and rightly so.
Our value runner for 2022 has to be the 997 Carrera then. The experts are largely in agreement that it’s a car to seek out if you want a usable, enjoyable 911 at an attainable price. With the eulogising here, don’t expect those prices to stay so affordable as the market starts to wake up to what it’s missing out on and good ones get harder to find. So, if you’re looking, we’d suggest you start moving on actually buying, before everyone else does.