Porsche 997 Carrera GTS: performance icon
When has a nearly new £63,850 car been a bargain? When it’s an extremely high-specced, 400bhp Porsche Approved 911 for less than the price of a brand new 991 Carrera; that’s when.
The 997 GTS is in transition. Extremely subtle to the eye, it almost gives the impression of being an insider secret from launch. Many of the first GTS owners have moved on to the new generation 991, meaning OPC and specialist dealers have a rich array of ultra-desirable GTSs in stock.
Prices start from £55,000 for a 2010 model at a specialist, or £60,000 for a 2011 car from an OPC, with the latter offering the full reassurance of a Porsche Approved warranty – the closest thing you’ll get to a used car that feels new.
The GTS still looks new too, with this resplendent Carrera white model from Porsche Solihull being the perfect example. It really did look as if the protective film had only just been removed.
The wide-body GTS was packed with a very desirable standard aesthetical specification haul, including RS Spyder centre-lock 19-inch alloys, a SportDesign front apron, black side skirts and a special black section between the rear apron, plus black tailpipes.
An enhanced flat-six rasp is assured thanks to the sports exhaust, while inside, the GTS enjoys black Alcantara sports seats, steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake as standard.
The GTS also revels in Porsche’s Powerkit option as standard, too, taking the 3.8-litre 997 up to 408hp. To get that much power in a brand new 991 means spending at least £83,448, already a £20,000 premium over the 997 GTS.
Judging by the classifieds, there’s nothing shy about the original owners’ willingness to buy options either: many have PDK, most have PCM with satnav, and lots have BOSE stereo.
To read more about the 997 Carrera 2 GTS and our other selection of ‘Performance Icons’ (including the 997 Turbo and 996 GT3 RS) grab your copy of Total 911 issue 107 at the Imagine Shop now. Alternatively, download it to your digital device here.
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