As a general rule final model year cars always hold a particular cachet and command a premium over their predecessors. That isn’t mind-blowing news or anything, but what I suppose we can wonder is just how much of a premium makes sense. That is more or less where I am at with this car, a Guards Red over Cashmere Beige 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet located in New York with 28,822 miles on it. In a way I’m at a similar crossroads to my feelings on the two ultra-low-mileage and rare color 911s I’ve posted over the past weeks. They were otherwise standard Carreras and as such I wonder how high they may ever go – or at least their ceiling over the next decade. This one seems to be banking on the final model year designation, which of course in this case is compounded by it being the last air-cooled model as well, to reach its high asking price. There is no doubt that for those seeking the full open-top experience in an air-cooled 911 that an example like this one serves as a good place to start. It’s the most modern and refined air-cooled 911 available and the 993’s lines seem to work a little better with the Cabriolet shape than on some other 911s.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet on eBay
Year: 1998
Model: 911 Carrera Cabriolet
Engine: 3.6 liter flat-6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 28,822 mi
Price: Reserve Auction ($93,000 Buy It Now)
This special car is the last year for the air cooled Porsche 911, and this year also represents the lowest production volume of the 993’s, especially the Cabriolet line. This car looks and drives as flawlessly as when new, and provides the most refined open top motoring experience to be had in an air cooled Porsche. It will only continue to grow in value as a Collector’s car.
This particular vehicle is optioned with electric Sport Seats, dealer installed Motor Sport Sound package, limited slip differential, and tasteful aftermarket performance upgrades including 3 piece 17†wheels, HRE springs, a GIAC chip, and interior upgrades including horn crest, gauge surrounds, and racing pedals. The original tires, wheels and springs are also included for originality.
This 993 Cabriolet has a lot going for it, but even so the asking price here is pretty crazy. I certainly don’t begrudge the owner seeking a price like this, especially given that it’s likely aimed almost exclusively at collectors. Whether it can reach the price, is another matter. It has received a bid at $65K, which frankly seems like a fairly strong price in itself, but we’re a long way from the BIN price. The car’s presentation is good as both the exterior and interior look in fine shape. That it has the optional sport seats certainly is a plus and the owner has retained a few of the original pieces that were removed. So all in all it’s a lovely 993 and judging by how often I see them, the 993 remains one of the more popular Cabriolet variants of the 911. As we frequently are with air-cooled 911s I think we’re going to be stuck on price for a while with this one unless the owner comes down significantly.
-Rob
Mileage discrepancy on the Carfax. NY State reported higher miles at a state inspection so it’s going to be very difficult to get that corrected if it’s an error.
Sports seats are a nice option but the amount of wear on the drivers bolster is more than I would expect for those miles. I had the same seats in a C2S with twice the miles and nowhere near that amount of wear. Lots of nonstock items, wheels, springs, chip, gauge bezels, etc. Amazingly enough there are a fair number of low low miles 993’s which have come out of the woodwork these days. Many of which are better examples and are coupes, and at better prices. If this were a mint mint true number 1 car without a Carfax issue and all the aftermarket junk then the price might be closer to the market.
As is it’s not going anywhere at that price.
What Howard said.