Old Enough To Drink: 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4

This next car is tempting.  Really tempting.  It looks the part of the $100k sports car, but costs less than a used Kia from your local dealer...what gives?  Two things -- first it IS a 996 with 147k miles on the clock and second it is a 996.  However, it has de-fried egg headlights, updated IMS, clear corners, a GT3ish wing, and newer 991 wheels that makes it look newer than a 21 year old car...which makes it almost a classic.  Find this 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 offered for $13,000 in San Diego, CA via craigslist.

6-Speed Rear-Engine: 2003 Porsche 911 C2

As a non-Porsche owner, it has been painful to watch the rise in prices of vintage aircooled P-cars...but I've been watching the prices of the 996/997 and they offer a shocking amount of performance and comfort (sorry 993 owners...but they are faster and more comfy...maybe not as cool...) for the cash.  To be honest, I'm thinking I need to trade the BMW I've been driving for one of these German rear-engine equipped machines...I'd better do it before they become unobtanium. Find this 2003 Porsche 911 C2 offered for $18000 in Long Beach, CA via craigslist.

996 In Blue: 1999 Porsche 911 Convertible

The Porsche 911 is an iconic classic imbued with a finely tuned suspension, classically understated good looks and raucous sounding rear mounted flat-6 engines - a combination that is seldom imitated.  The 996 was a 911 that was faster, more comfortable, and better than the previous generation, but of course the purists and naysayers complained about the changes to watercooling...etc etc. Ironically, for the first time in Porsche history, they were correct...perhaps.  Find this 1999 Porsche 911 996 offered for $14500 in Redwood City, CA via craigslist. Tip from Fuel Truck.

Das Cheapbriolet: 2000 Porsche 911 Convertible

I can almost feel the wind in my hair now and smell the occasional waft of a mild chemical scent (all Porsches emanate some kind of petroleum based scent from time-to-time...just don't take it to the dealer and ask for a diagnosis because they will say you need a new rear main seal and a complete blinker fluid flush for only a few thousand bones.) But what was that noise...and what will the next trip to a mechanic cost you...but seriously, how bad can a REALLY cheap Porsche 911 be anyway...? Find this 2000 Porsche 911 Convertible offered here on eBay for $12500 in Tyrone, GA.

Cheap Style: 1999 Porsche 911

The 996 generation Porsche 911 was introduced for the 1999 model year with drastic changes to the exterior that included a swept back windshield, fried egg headlamps, and a tidy rear end -- but the biggest change was to the engine with the addition of watercooling.  Find this 1999 Porsche 911 here on eBay offered for $11,000 buy-it-now located in Costa Mesa, CA. Tip from Gielamonster.

Hard Top Life: 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Convertible

The 996 generation Porsche 911 was introduced in 1998 with a watercooled engine, but it was the styling that looked just like the little Boxster that really sent Porsche owners into a tizzy. To be perfectly clear, most folks who can afford to plunk down money for a brand new 911 in 1999 couldn't have cared less if the engine was cooled by air, water, or beluga caviar, just as long as the thing looked like money.  Find this 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Convertible here on eBay bidding for $7,202 with 4 days to go, located in Naugatuck, CT.

Value Proposition: 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

Cars fall out of favor with buyers for many reasons.  It could be triggered by known mechanical issues, documented design problems, or styling that just does not resonate with potential owners.  You can typically find cars in these categories at deeply discounted prices compared to the value they offer as a whole.  Find this 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet for sale in Austin, TX for $12,500 via craigslist.

2001 Porsche 911 Cabriolet

The 996 generation Porsche 911 was introduced for the 1998 model year (although technically a few were designated 1997) with a new water-cooled flat-6 and streamlined aerodynamic styling shared with the Porsche Boxster.  The new styling wouldn't have been a problem if it wasn't for the fact that your new $90k 911 Cabriolet could be easily confused with some plebeian $40k Boxster, and today the early fried egg 911s (1998-2001) are a bargain.  Find this 2001 Porsche 911 Cabriolet offered for $11,000 in San Pedro, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Rod S.

20k Some Assembly Required: 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo

The 996 generation Porsche 911 turbo is a freakishly fast sports machine that hits 60mph in 4.2 seconds and will cruise all the way up to a 189 mph top speed.  Unfortunately, it has a reputation for popping engines as often as Anthony Wiener exposes his frank 'n' beans to transsexuals on the twitter...which in case you aren't familiar is about the same frequency as an Audi/VAG product sends its coil packs packing.  BUT, if you want a REALLY REALLY fast car for cheap...it doesn't get much better than this 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo here on eBay currently bidding for $21,250 with a few hours to go located in Pinellas Park, FL.

10k: 996 Convertible: 2000 Porsche 911 Carrera

The Porsche 911 is an iconic classic imbued with a finely tuned suspension, classically understated good looks and raucous sounding rear mounted flat-6 engines - a combination that is seldom imitated.  The 996 was a 911 that was faster, more comfortable, and better than the previous generation, but of course the purists and naysayers complained about the changes. Ironically, for the first time in Porsche history, they were correct.  Find this 2000 Porsche 911 Carrera Convertible here on eBay currently bidding for $10,500 with a few hours to go, located in Utica, NY. 

DTO: Light Speed: 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo

Twenty years ago when I worked at a small Porsche repair shop, the advice from mechanic/owner was to try and get into the newest generation 911 you could afford as it offered the best performance and least maintenance per dollar.  In the last two decades, the market has twisted to make that advice totally worthless, particularly the rapid ascension of the early 911 prices, a total lack of depreciation in 993 (1993-1998) prices, and rapid drop in watercooled 911 prices.  An unexpected result is that the fastest used 911 you can buy is also one of the cheapest...specifically the 996 generation Porsche 911 Turbo.  Find this 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo currently bidding for $29,100 on ebay with less than 1 day to go, located in Salt Lake City, UT.

Coffee Brake: What Engine Goes in Here?

Time for another Coffee Brake, DT's feature where caution is thrown to the wind and mysteries of the universe are pondered.   Today, as suggested by slowcarSLOW-MPGlol, we look at an empty engine bay in this 996 generation Porsche 911 and try to figure out what belongs inside.

DTO: LS911: 1999 Porsche 911 C4 with Chevy LS3 V8

Back in September we stumbled upon a Chevy V8 swapped 996 generation Porsche 911 that was a bit ragged around the edges but mechanically sound.  Another one popped up the other day, but in a much cleaner body.  Find this 1999 Porsche 911 C4 with Chevy LS3 V8 for sale in Plano, TX for $37,500 via craigslist.  Daily Turismo Omologato (DTO) is where we showcase cars that are above the standard DT price range, but are unique and worthy of a feature. 

20k: Fast And Loose: 2001 Porsche 996 TwinTurbo

Tonight we bring you a quick one for the DT "night" crowd...and for our readers in Australia and Asia (yes, we are talking about Pierce and Daniel respectively.) The Porsche 911 Turbo was a monster when introduced for the 996 generation - pounding 415 horsepower into the pavement via all four wheels.  The 996 Turbo cost more than $111k when new, but apparently you can expect to save $90k when buying a used one.  Find this 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo for sale in an undisclosed place in the USA (but it looks like Florida in the pics) currently bidding on ebay for $20,700 with a few hours to go.

DTO: Why Didn't I Think Of That? 1999 Porsche 911 LS1 Power

The Porsche 911 is an iconic classic imbued with a finely tuned suspension, classically understated good looks and raucous sounding rear mounted flat-6 engines - a combination that is seldom imitated (Corvair?).  Those flat-6 engines, while torquey and powerful, are small in displacement, somewhat delicate and extremely expensive to repair, hence the reason for Chevy V8 transplants, especially the modern fuel injected aluminum LS1.  Most of the donor cars are older air-cooled 911s that have donated their cheap used bodies to a transplant but the idea of swapping a V8 into a modern water-cooled 996 is brilliant leap of logic that deserves commendation.  Find this 1999 Porsche 911 with LS1 V8 for sale in San Diego, CA for $25,000 via 996ls1.blogspot.com.

9 of 50: Tina: 1999 Porsche 911, 996 C2

The 996 generation of 911 was introduced in 1999 with much fanfare, ballyhooing, havering and caterwauling.  Whenever a new generation of 911 is introduced the weenies come out of the woodwork and complain about how soft and lame the new generation is...except this time they were correct.  But screw all those negative Nancys and their complaints of "its not noisy enough" or "the rear main seal always leaks oil on my baby puma skin driving shoes" and "the engine cannot be rebuilt and needs to be replaced for the cost of a kidney"...because for the price of a good 993 you can get two good 996s and they are faster, more comfortable and better cars...for the most part.  Find this 1999 Porsche 911 996 C2 for sale in Buffalo, NY for $24,900 asking via pelicanparts.com forums.

15k: 2000 Porsche 911 Electric Conversion '9-110V'

Kooky electric cars, such as the electric Saab Sonett and other electric conversions thrive when the original power-train is both expensive to replace and total garbage.  It's not a huge leap to then understand why someone would electrify a 996 since the first generation water-cooled engines are known to develop catastrophic block casing cracks and are un-rebuildable due to Porsche design, setting you back $18k to replace at a dealer. Ouch. This 2000 Porsche 911 996 'Vert electric conversion is for sale in Rancho Santa Fe, CA and currently bidding on ebay for $16,100 reserve-not-met with 1 hr to go.