I know this is tough to reconcile at the moment, but spring is here. Warm temperatures have returned or nearly returned, and convertible season is upon us. Sure, most trips in said convertibles will be point A to point A, but we’ll get there sooner or later. Of all the convertibles offered by the German marques, and there are many, the Porsche 911 always seems to be near the top of the discussion when it comes which one might be the best. From the G Body all the way up to the new 992, you can have a topless 911 in nearly every variant. In terms of the least expensive, we always come back to old friend 996 to see where the bottom is. Can you get any lower than a base 911 with the 5-speed automatic transmission?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 Porsche 911 Cabriolet on eBay
Year: 2003
Model: 911 Cabriolet
VIN: WP0CA29933S651669
Engine: 3.6 liter flat-6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 63,000 mi
Location: Ludlow, Massachusetts
Price: $22,950 Buy It Now
“YOU ARE LOOKING AT A BEAUTIFUL ACCIDENT FREE 911 CABRIOLET CONVERTIBLE IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION. SHE SHOWS MUCH NEWER THAN HER YEARS AND DRIVES LIKE SHE WAS BUILT YESTERDAY. PICTURES DO NOT DO THIS SPECTACULAR CAR JUSTICE.†PRICED FOR A QUICK SALE THIS CAR WILL NOT DISSAPOINT. COMES WITH THE OPTIONAL REMOVABLE HARDTOP.
Naturally we are here for Orient Red Metallic paint because it sure is looking very pink. It must be the sunlight, because every other Orient Red 996 does not look like this and has much more of a red-ish hue to it. Inside, we find black full leather with a painted silver center console that is a little bit of a surprise. The condition looks good enough from the photos, but the lack of any kind of information at all isn’t doing anyone any favors. Fun to see is the optional hard top that is a rare piece, and in terms of hard top, doesn’t look half bad. Add in all the other options, and you were looking at a 2003 sticker price of $97,440. I can’t imagine what it took for someone to spend nearly $100,000 on a base 911 Cabriolet with the Tiptronic gearbox back in 2003, but it happened.
Today’s asking price is $23,000, which seems like an okay deal. The 63,000 miles saves this car just a from it being a sub-$20k example, but there probably is a market for something like this. I don’t want to stereotype or anything, but you can probably picture the kind of people who are okay spending around $25,000 on a convertible in bright colors and automatic transmission. Yes, I’m talking about husband and wife golf teams who wear matching shirts. Let’s just hope they store their clubs at the country club clubhouse. Don’t want to mare up that supple leather, after all.
– Andrew
The pigment in red paints break down much faster from uv damage than other paints. Look at any guards red 911 that has been outside most of its life. It will be almost orange. One that was indoors will be bright bright red. A lot of enthusiast under 40 don’t care for cars like this (cap,tip ) Older people like them and buy them. It doesn’t appeal to me or anyone I know. But they say “there’s an @$$ for every seatâ€
One of the best colors. My ’03 X50 Turbo was Orient Red over grey with the carbon pack. Wonderful color. I haven’t seen many 996’s in OR. I was told it was mainly a 993 color?
the perfect candidate for a subtile deep blue wrap and a naval blue canvas interior … a real porsche convertible and a nice hard top for very little dosh seems nice… real world performance is right in the mid range where 90% of driving occurs with steering and brakes easily handling the job…
this $23k deal is within reach for many people that recognize a chance to have a mid life balm to the ego… one of those cars that looks above it’s price… nice…
@Ricky Weston – I think the 993 color you’re thinking of is Arena Red. It was popular on the 993TT.
@ Joe – It was oxidation on the old single stage paints, but on base/clear, paint, it’s a matter of the clear coat yellowing. Yellow + red = orange. You also notice it on blue cars; as they age they become more green.
Carter, you’re right. I’m getting my cars confused. I had a an AMG W126 that was Orient Red. My 996 Turbo was Arena Red. Thanks! It’s been 5 years since I owned the 996 and almost a decade since I sold the W126.