Right Now in GA: 2006 Porsche 911 (997)

Up for grabs in the Atlanta region (technically the Marietta, GA area) is this cool 2006 Porsche 911 Carerra 997 in classic silver on black.

Currently on Craiglist for $36,500 the car looks to be everything one could ask for in a 911, with one glaring exception: turbo. That omission aside, the 997 is still a great car to own – like any 911 since, well, the dawn of the Porsche brand.

The 997 on sale in Georgia shown here is a gorgeous example.  at around 44,000 miles on the odo, his one has a 3.6-liter, 24-valve, six cylinder engine with variable valve timing. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and an electric engine management system with electronic throttle. The car also has 19-inch Tequipment wheels and sports Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

Sweet.

The Allure

The 997 is, logically, the next progression in the 911 line following the wildly successful 996. My favorite thing about all 911s is how subtly the Porsche engineers update the aesthetics. The 997, 996, and even earlier designs look timeless as a result of such a slow visual evolution of the cars. As a result, this 2006 911 looks just as good as a new one – or an older one, depending upon how you look at things.

The engine is effectively a carryover from the 996. The gearbox will provide spritely performance and lane-commanding acceleration, as one would expect from a Porsche 911. Of course, you can also expect the sometimes shocking handling that one would expect (and most would actually look forward to) from a 911, too.

The interior is the main area where differences can be seen between this 911 and the preceding generation. The interior styling is more akin to vintage 911s of yesteryear than the somewhat bland 996, which we’ll count in the plus column for the 997.

The Disclaimer

Why do I like Porsche so much? 

Well, compared with the other performance cars rolling out of Europe, the 911 is generally reliable and (even better) can be fixed at any halfway decent German import garage. In fact, even though I live in a fairly rural area, I am less than a block from a German auto specialist.

That being said, nobody said it was cheap. Porsche parts are costly, and routine servicing is a must for the life of the engine. Expect to invest more than a few quid on a yearly basis to upkeep a 911. But rest assured, a well-kept one is not too likely to leave you stranded, making the Porsche 911 a good choice for a third car that can actually be your daily driver.

The Conclusion

If it can be said that deals can be found for any Eurocar, it is certainly the 911. The 2006 shown here is a bargain over the new ones, and you’ll love the style and performance – even without the turbocharger. Silver on black is a classy look for the 911, too.