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Update Mar 7/20 :This car is now SOLD

Out of all of the Porsches that we have seen over the past 20 years, there is no car that stands out to me like the 997 Turbo. From the moment I first saw it through pictures when it was first presented back in early 2006, I thought that no other car in the world could have been just as perfect from both an aesthetic and mechanical perspective. It had the looks, and carried the latest in turbocharging technology. This was the first Turbo model to have VTG(Variable Turbine Geometry) turbos, which helped in further minimizing turbo-lag. At the time, it seemed like the 997 was the sportscar to have, and in 2020, it is still a monster of a car, despite being slower than the succeeding Turbo models.

I remember browsing around YouTube in the early summer of 2006 and finding the Fifth Gear review of the 997.1 Turbo(new at the time). In that video, Jason Plato takes a Cobalt Blue example with the PCCB(ceramic brakes) for a spin around an track, and it perfectly showcased both the power and the impressive handling characteristics that the car had. That was the day in which the 997 Turbo became my favourite Porsche. To this day, I still dream of an example just like the one in that video, and due to the low production numbers for Cobalt Blue, they are difficult cars to find.

The 997 Turbo got an update for the 2010 model year, in 997.2 form. The engine displacement was increased from 3.6L to 3.8L, and the engine was now a DFI unit rather than a Mezger. The big change, however, was the discontinuation of the Tiptronic S transmission in favour of the then-new 7-Speed PDK transmission. It was at this point that more Porsche buyers began to transition from manual to PDK. Not only that, but just like the entire 997.2 range, the rear bumper and lights got a makeover as well, giving the car a modern look that even today still can pass off as a brand new car. I’ve analyzed the 997.2 Turbo market over the last couple of years, and its no surprise that it has followed the same trend as every pre-991 911 market. To start, there were more PDK cars produced than there were manuals, meaning that they are priced much lower. With this, however, I have seen that the PDK cars tend to get driven quite a lot. The manual cars, on the other hand, usually have very low mileage, though there are exceptions. I’m guessing this is because the PDK cars have served as daily drivers, while the manual cars have served as weekend/toy cars. I find it valid. With regards to pricing, the manual cars today are worth lots more than equivalent PDK examples, trading at $100K USD on average. Add to that any rare colour combination and/or options, and you got yourself a car with an unbelievable price tag.

The star car of this post is a very rare Aqua Blue on Black Cabriolet. Now, Aqua Blue is a colour that was produced in decent numbers when considering the entire production run of Turbo and Turbo S cars. Despite this, it is very difficult to come by. In terms of manual cars, however, there were very little made, making for a long-term search if one were interested in such car. Not only is this Cabriolet painted in this desirable colour combination, but it also has some very rare options, such as the PCCBs, in addition to having an interior with all of the essential options. To top it all off: its a manual!!!! To be honest, I’ve been on the lookout for one of these rare Aqua Blue cars, and before finding this one for sale, I have only seen two Aqua Blue manual Turbos for sale. Talk about finding a rare and beautiful car. The fact that it has the centerlock wheels painted in black makes for a good contrast with the exterior colour. Looking at the interior, and its got the aluminum shifter and handbrake levers, an option not commonly seen on these cars. For some reason, the original PCM unit was replaced with an aftermarket one. I’ve never had the chance to try out the PCM 3 unit, but have been told it is outdated my modern standards, despite having Bluetooth connectivity, a touchscreen, and Sirius XM radio available. Personally, I’m a coupe guy, so If I was in the market, I’d have to pass on this car. Had this car been a coupe, I would have been drooling as soon as I saw the ad for it. I would however, swap out the centerlocks for the Turbo II wheels, as I feel those look better, but that’s just my opinion. The dealer that has the car for sale states that you must contact them for the price. With this in mind, it shouldn’t be surprising if it is well above the average asking price for a .2 with a manual. With the car only having 18,944miles(30,487km), it is obvious this car has been somewhat of a garage queen, and will likely continue to be as such. I sure do hope that this unicorn goes to a good home.

More info on the car can be found on Motor Car Group’s website:

https://inventory.motorcargroup.com/vehicles/234/2010-porsche-911-2dr-cabriolet-turbo

Best Regards,
Juan Reyes-Abreu

Credit goes to:
Motor Car Group for the pictures and info to the car