The Classic 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera
Picture this: a 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe, a true testament to the golden age of sports cars. It’s lived a seemingly charmed life, nestled in sunny California under the wings of a single owner until November of 2021, when the current seller took the reins. A host of crucial updates, including a shiny new starter motor, spruced-up timing chain tensioners, and brand-spanking-new variable valve timing actuators and solenoids, were methodically installed just a month later in December.
Through the Years: Upgrades and Replacements
Fast forward to April 2022, a camshaft, valve lifters, and the obscure yet vital camshaft sensor received some much-needed attention. Come August 2022, the water pump got its day in the maintenance spotlight too, with a Pierberg composite impeller and an LN low-temperature thermometer adding to the upgrades.
As if that wasn’t enough, July 2023 saw a flurry of suspension components replaced, including trusty brake rotors and pads. To top it off, the car was treated to an upgrade with Koni Active shocks and those enticing M030-style lowering springs.
Now, let’s admire this beauty in its full glory. Dazzling in Glacier White with a dash of Graphite Grey leather, it’s powered by a powerful 3.4-liter M96 flat-six engine, partnered with a six-speed manual transaxle.
This gorgeous 996.1 coupe boasts a vigorous 122k miles on the odometer. It’s proudly offered with an owner’s manual, a comprehensive collection of service records, oil analyses, the results of a borescope inspection, and—drumroll, please—a clean California title sitting pretty in the seller’s name.
Design and Exterior Features
Visually, the car is an eye-catching spectacle, finished in Glacier White—a hue that seems like it was coaxed directly from a mountain peak. The Porsche sports an electric sunroof, sleek integrated fog lights, a deployable rear spoiler coated in black, and dual exhaust outlets with polished finishers. A noteworthy tidbit from 2003: the hood was given a facelift and yes, the invoice is ready and waiting in the gallery section. In a minor hiccup, there is some rust clinging to the left side of the sunroof, but nothing a dedicated enthusiast couldn’t tackle.
Wheels, Tires, and Handling
Let’s talk wheels. This Porsche proudly flaunts 18-inch Turbo-look wheels, albeit with a bit of a history, showing those familiar battle scars of curb rash. As for the tires, they’re Michelin Pilot Sport, nice and fresh, having only been fitted this July 2023.
- Koni active shocks
- M030-style lowering springs
- Zimmerman rotors
These were some of the touches added during the current ownership. The control arms, tie rods, sway bar links, and bushings were replaced, ensuring that the ride is plush and responsive. However, a little quirk reveals itself when cold, with the steering rack feeling chatty in a full lock position.
Inside the 911: Comfort and Technology
Inside, the cabin is wrapped in Graphite Grey partial leather, a throwback to an era when simplicity married luxury. The amenities list reads like a who’s who of comfort features: power-adjustable front seats, a Becker Porsche CD stereo, a remote six-disc CD changer, cruise control, and automatic climate control.
Fun Fact: This Porsche’s steering wheel is clad in leather, sporting an array of gauges including a digital odometer reading 122k miles, dodging around a curious mileage inconsistency from May 2008 in the Carfax report.
Performance: Under the Hood
Power is the name of the game with a factory-rated 296 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from that iconic flat-six engine. Back in December 2014, the infamous IMS bearing was given a fresh lease with components courtesy of LN Engineering. December 2021 saw an overhaul of the starter motor, timing chain tensioners, variable valve timing gadgets, ignition coils, and more. April 2025 brought a routine yet essential oil change.
- LN low-temperature thermometer
- Pierberg impeller
- Engine diagnostics including oil analyses and bore scope results
The Drive: Power and Transmission
All that horsepower gets channeled through to the rear wheels with the precision of a maestro via a six-speed manual transaxle. An occasional, delicate quirk is the transmission’s disposition to slip from second gear at the start of a journey. Meanwhile, the 2023 overhaul of the transmission fluid ensures that it’s as smooth as they come.
Decoding the Options Sticker
Let’s delve into the enigmatic tapestry of Porsche’s option codes, a beautifully cryptic combination that only true aficionados revel in deciphering:
- L3AU – Glacier White
- CC – Graphite Grey partial leather
- C02 – US market version
- 236 – Tire-specific production code
- 413 – 18″ Turbo-look wheels
- 490 – Hi-Fi sound system
- 580 – Non-smoker package
- 692 – Becker-Porsche CDC-3 six-disc CD changer
Closing out the Carfax report, that mysterious mileage inconsistency makes its appearance once more, a tantalizing riddle for car sleuths to ponder.