A CLASSY sports car with a 175mph top speed and luxury interior can be picked up for less than the price of the UK’s cheapest new motor.
The Porsche 911 is one of the most instantly recognisable cars on the road but second-hand motors have seen prices plummet to bargain levels.
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Porsche has been making the model since 1964 and the car has remained largely the same over the years.
The German firm is notoriously reluctant to make changes to the design, sticking religiously to its rear-engine set-up and distinctive shape.
A significant change last came in 1998, when the company went from air-cooled to liquid-cooled engines, a controversial move among fans at the time.
The first generation to feature the new powertrain was the 996.
An example of the 996 type is currently up for sale on AutoTrader.
The silver 1998 model has 113,180 miles on the clock and eight previous owners but still looks in great condition.
As the standard coupe variant, it featured a 3.4-litre flat-six engine, generating upwards of 400 horsepower and a 175mph top speed.
In its day, it would have been sold new for £64,000, the equivalent of over £120,000 in 2024.
This example, though, is on offer for just £11,000.
That’s over £2,000 cheaper than the Dacia Sandero, which currently holds the title of the UK’s cheapest new car at £13,795.
The Porsche comes with a full service history, a new coolant header tank and a fresh stainless steel exhaust.
Inside, it boasts a Sony CD and radio system with Bluetooth connectivity.
However, there are a couple of things to watch out for before buying an older 911.
First of all, the 996 was famous for experiencing issues with cylinder cracking and leaks on the rear main seal.
If the engine bears the code M96.01 or M96.02 it might be worth getting it checked over by a professional before handing over the cash.
Secondly, it might not be the best buy for people living in major cities with active ULEZ/CAZ schemes.
The 996 generation only meets Euro 3 emissions standards, while the more stringent Euro 4 is currently used as the cut-off for environmental charges.
As such, drivers living in affected areas could see bills mounting up each time they hit the road.
But if neither of those issues is a concern for you, then it looks to be a real gem of a deal.
It comes after a hot hatch that Jeremy Clarkson called “one of my all-time favourite cars” went under the hammer for a huge sum.
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