Sold 996 Targa Manual, fantastic condition

[jerzybondov]

A change in financial circumstances lead me list my fully sorted (and rather rare) *manual* 996 Targa for sale, sadly only after 8 months of ownership. I bought her to be a keeper and spent the money on her to be a keeper too (unfortunately for me, fortunately for you)!

I believe condition, maintenance and history trump spec list on these, and whilst the spec is lovely this car’s is about as good as it gets on the provenance front, so let’s cover that first:

2003 996.2 Targa 3.6 manual
99k miles
20 (yes really) service stamps across 2 books. Every service and maintenance receipt since 2012.
£20k++ spent prior to my ownership
£8k+ spent during my ownership. Recent highlights:

• *All* suspension arms / mounts replaced (Yes, Centre Gravity were involved)
• New Bilstein B4 shocks all round
• All new brake lines
• All new AC lines
• All new coolant lines (yes, engine out job)
• New OE engine mounts.
• Yes, a replacement IMS (yawn)

Huge folder of receipts for everything spent on the car - far too many to photograph it all. If it’s needed doing at any point in the last 12 years, it’s been done. Feel free to ask and I can dig through the pile of invoices.

Targa roof: works perfectly, and most importantly it might be the only one in the UK with NO LEAKS, SQUEAKS OR CREAKS.

Corrosion watch: car is extremely good on this front. Has had some sealant applied underneath to protect further. Wheel arches, sills, jacking points all spot on.

Bore watch: Both Wrighttune and SBD911 agreed there were none of the telltale signs of scoring. Engine butter smooth when v hot, both pipes clean and doesn’t drink oil.

Paintwork: very good by the standards of 21 year old 996s. A few stone chips on the bumper and bonnet and that’s it. Lustre, finish and lacquer all superb.

Interior: extremely good. Nothing loose or hanging off, seat backs and centre console have been professionally refinished. Drivers seat has literally just had replacement OE seat foam, base and bolsters. Leather throughout has been re-dyed & treated.

The drive: Car drives absolutely beautifully, far better actually than the 40 Jahre I owned for 7 years. I think complete fresh suspension F&R, brand new tyres and spot on geo are what makes the difference.

So finally regarding spec:

Factory options:

• Arctic silver over graphite grey
• PSM
• BOSE
• Xenon Litronic headlights
• Rear park assist
• Sports seats
• Heated seats
• Porsche crest on headrests
• 18” Carrera II wheels
• Rear wiper

Upgrades/deviations from OE:

• Top Gear 200 cell crossover cats
• Top Gear / Eurocup GT back boxes (sounds incredible. No drone at all).
• Cruise control (Wrightune retrofit)
• Pioneer head unit with £500 special BOSE adaptor to use BOSE amp. Sounds amazing.

Car is currently wearing brand new Continental Sport Contact 7 tyres all round (date code 2024). BUT you get to choose your wheels! Can sell the car instead with 17” Boxster S II wheels & new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asy 6/5 tyres (date code 2024/21) which are lighter still and give incredible ride and handling benefits. See pics for how it looks on different setups.

Finally - bad bits:

• A little leather hardening at back of passenger seat base from historic leak (but can’t feel it when sitting!). See pics, although not very obvious.
• Recent AMS service only advisories were the LH front rad was getting on a bit (but not leaking, or about to) and a small crack in the plastic undertray at the back. Can send vid of their inspection on request.

Any questions just ask. And apologies for the randomly assorted nature of the photos - the weather and work has precluded taking a full set the last the few days!

£17,500 firm.

Am taking a big bath at that price but that’s the market at the moment and a reflection of how undervalued 996s are as a model right now.

Here’s the service history for reference:

• 31.03.2004 / 7,826 miles – service by Porsche Centre Solihull
• 29.06.2005 / 14,546 miles – service by Porsche Centre Solihull
• 05.06.2007 / 22,633 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by Nick Whale Sportscars
• 14.11.2008 / 31,367 miles – service by PCT Cars, independent Porsche specialist
• 04.11.2009 / 35,811 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by PCT Cars, independent Porsche specialist
• 03.11.2010 / 40,258 miles – service by PCT Cars, independent Porsche specialist
• 18.10.2011 / 45,153 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by PCT Cars, independent Porsche specialist
• 09.11.2012 / 51,282 miles – service by TWG Sport
• 19.10.2013 / 58,815 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by TWG Sport
• 25.10.2014 / 65,677 miles – service by TWG Sport
• 24.10.2015 / 70,287 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by TWG Sport
• 27.10.2016 / 75,192 miles – service by TWG Sport
• 24.10.2017 / 79,795 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by TWG Sport
• 29.10.2018 / 82,995 miles – service by TWG Sport
• 11.07.2019 / 84,901 miles – intermediate bearing upgrade and new crankshaft oil seal by eporsch at a cost of more than £1,400
• 21.11.2019 / 86,627 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by eporsch
• 25.11.2020 / 88,925 miles – service by eporsch
• 30.11.2021 / 91,197 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by eporsch
• 11.10.2022 / 93,894 miles – service and fresh brake fluid and gearbox oil plus miscellaneous fettling by AMS Porsche including four new Bilstein dampers at a cost of £6,229
• 03.10.2023 / 96,687 miles – service by AMS Porsche
• 24.10.2024 / 99,358 miles - service by AMS Porsche

 

[Skoosh1970]

Lovely targa...good luck and as good a price as it is, you're right, the market is very suppressed at the moment. Hang in for a sale though as she's a beaut.

 

[Steve Wright]

What a cracker.

 

[jerzybondov]

Appreciate that - thank you chaps!

 

[Skoosh1970]

Really surprised how well the 17" wheels suit the car...it just looks right.

 

[jerzybondov]

Really surprised how well the 17" wheels suit the car...it just looks right.

Helps they’ve got spacers to make them fill the arches properly!

 

[Marty*]

Really nice example

 

[jerzybondov]

Price drop to £17,500 (firm).

 

[jerzybondov]

Car is now sold. Hopefully the new owner will present themselves on here!

 

[Skoosh1970]

Without being nosey, and with all the current threads on here debating car prices..... do you mind me asking if you got near the asking price..?

 

[Marty*]

Great to see it sold