2009 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet
When it comes to water-cooled Porsches, the 997-generation 911 is arguably the most popular. They had done away with the somewhat divisive looks of the 996, added more power, better quality interiors and resolved some of the reliability woes that plagued the earlier generations.
It should be no surprise that their popularity continues to grow as these cars develop into modern classics. Across the full range of models, from Carrera to GT3, every rung of the 997 ladder is lined with automotive gold.
This example is quite special, as a 2009 model year, 997.2 Carrera S Cabriolet. For the facelifted 997.2, Porsche added more power, tweaked the handling, updated the interiors and lifted the exterior with new lights, bumpers and trims.
This car is also pretty special as it is a factory Manual car, finished in Basalt Black over a black interior, it wears a set of 19” multi-spoke alloys, finished in a bright silver and subtle Carrera S badging.
The interior is everything you’d expect of a Porsche. The highest quality materials, with an excellent standard of finish and German precision throughout. Leather adorns nearly every tangible surface, a smooth finish everywhere except the seats, which feature perforations throughout the centres. Optioned from new with Porsche’s PCM infotainment system, it has just enough tech to enjoy without getting distracted from the real reason you buy a Porsche. To drive it!
And, drive it you will. As this is a Carrera S, you’re treated to a 3.8-litre flat-six that, in this 997.2 guise, produces 380bhp. In today’s world, we’re blinded by enormous power figures, but that is not to be sniffed at. A similar amount of power to that of a Ferrari Testarossa. Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.