Porsche 911 (991) buying guide

The 991.1 Carrera has a 3.4L engine with 350 hp, and the Carrera S a 3.8L with 400 hp. The 991.2 Carrera has a 3.0L twin-turbo with 370 hp, and the S makes 420 hp. The facelift also added Apple CarPlay. The 991 brought a seven-speed manual alongside a seven-speed PDK, and PCARWise calls the early manual cumbersome and unpopular, though it was improved for the 991.2.

Even so, PCARWise considers the 991.1 the pick for manual cars. FlatSixFinder goes further and regards the 991.1 Carrera S manual as the last great naturally aspirated Carrera. Compare them on our 991.1 Carrera S page and the 991.2 Carrera page.

PistonHeads calls the 991.2 Carrera T the last narrow-body 911. It has the 370 hp engine, a seven-speed manual, reduced sound insulation and no rear seats as standard, and its 20kg weight saving over the S leaves it feeling not far short of that car. PistonHeads adds that the GTS is a regular nomination as the pick of a Porsche range, with PDK or manual. Porsche Club GB lists 430 hp for the 991.1 GTS and 450 hp for the 991.2, and says plain cast iron brakes are plenty for everyday driving, so there is no need to hold out for ceramics.

At the top, the 991.2 GT3 has a 4.0-litre 500 hp engine that revs to 9,000 rpm, with PDK or a six-speed manual. The 991.2 GT3 RS makes 520 hp and is PDK only, and the GT2 RS has 700 hp, rear-wheel drive and PDK only. The 911 R paired a 500 hp 4.0-litre with a six-speed manual. Our pages for the 991.1 GT3, 991.2 GT3 RS and 991 GT2 RS cover each market. The Targa is all-wheel drive only with an automatic roof, and the last 991 was a 2019 Speedster, of which Porsche built 1,948.

Early GT3 engine fires

Defective valve springs on 991.1 GT3s could break and let oil reach hot exhaust parts, which led to a recall, and many cars had their engines replaced. Renndriver reports that the first 785 GT3s were recalled and re-engined after two fires.

PDK maintenance and faults

A PDK that has not been serviced correctly can become a weak point, and PCARWise puts the cost of replacing one north of $20K. On the 991.1, mechatronic and solenoid faults appear at 120,000 to 220,000 km and cost €800 to €2,000, according to VIN Service Planner. A consumer-magazine used-car review also reports dual-clutch trouble on earlier cars.

Transfer case issues

PCARWise lists known transfer case problems on the four-wheel-drive models. Targas are all-wheel drive too, so they belong in that group.

Coolant and thermostat leaks

Coolant pump leaks occur mainly on 2017-18 991.2 cars. On the 991.1 the thermostat housing can leak, and carchecker.pro gives a repair figure of up to €1,800.

PASM damper leaks

PASM dampers typically start leaking at 80,000-120,000 km. Repairs can reach €3,500, by carchecker.pro's estimate.

High-pressure fuel pump

A fault here may cause hesitation, power loss or stalling. Budget up to €2,500, says carchecker.pro.

Paint and wheel damage

Earlier cars drew owner complaints about paintwork quality. The same review says curb damage to the alloys is costly to put right.

Servicing follows a schedule. VIN Service Planner has engine oil and filter due every 15,000 km or 12 months on the 991.1. Carchecker.pro's PDK schedule has the gearbox oil changed at 120,000 km or after 4 years, with the clutch fluid following at 180,000 km or after 12 years.

FlatSixFinder says rear tires can wear out in as little as 10,000 to 15,000 miles under spirited use, at $600 to $1,000 per tire. It puts ceramic brake replacement at $10,000+ per axle, a reason to consider the cast iron setup Porsche Club GB finds adequate. Our Porsche 911 price guide covers what the cars themselves cost.

If you want a manual, the sources point to the 991.1: PCARWise prefers it, and FlatSixFinder rates the Carrera S manual as the last great naturally aspirated Carrera. If you want the turbo car in its purest form, PistonHeads makes the case for the 991.2 Carrera T, which has a seven-speed manual and saves 20kg over the S. PistonHeads also nominates the GTS as the pick of a Porsche range.

Skip any PDK car with gaps in its service history, and any 991.1 GT3 that cannot show paperwork for its engine replacement. Among the 991s for sale, spend your inspection time on the dampers, where carchecker.pro puts leak repairs at up to €3,500, and check that the rear spoiler works smoothly.