Porsche 997.2 911 PDK

For us, the 997.2 Carrera S is one of the real sweet spots of the modern 911 range. It retains the compact proportions, hydraulic steering and wonderfully analogue feel that make the 997 so appealing, while the second-generation car brought the newer direct-injection engine and addressed many of the concerns associated with the earlier 997.1 generation.

This particular Carrera S is an especially appealing example, and importantly, one of the very last 997s. Late cars like this rarely appear for sale in Ireland, particularly with this level of history and recent expenditure. Finished in black with a beautifully preserved black leather interior, it has covered 125,000km and presents exceptionally well throughout.

The cabin genuinely belies the mileage, with the seats, dashboard, carpets and switchgear all remaining in excellent condition. Being the Carrera S, it is powered by the 3.8-litre direct-injection flat-six, producing 385bhp and giving exactly the sort of performance a naturally aspirated 911 should have. It also has the later PDK transmission, which suits these cars remarkably well and makes it equally enjoyable on a Sunday morning as it is covering serious distance.

The specification includes electric sunroof, heated seats, Sport and Sport Plus modes, Porsche Sport Chrono, red Porsche brake calipers and the desirable later-style alloy wheels. It has also been tastefully updated with a 991-style Porsche steering wheel and modern Pioneer touchscreen head unit, bringing Bluetooth and modern connectivity without detracting from the character of the car. What really separates this car, however, is its history.

It comes with a substantial service and maintenance record, with in excess of €10,000 spent with respected Porsche specialists RPM Technik in recent years alone. The important age-related maintenance has been attended to rather than deferred, making this a car that has clearly been maintained with a view to keeping it right rather than simply keeping it on the road. It will also leave us having received a fresh service, giving its next owner a properly prepared example ready to enjoy.

The 997 has aged exceptionally well. In fact, with every new generation of 911 becoming larger, faster and more technologically sophisticated, cars like this increasingly feel like the end of a particular era. The 997.2 combines classic 911 dimensions and steering feel with enough modernity to make it genuinely usable every day.

With its late production, excellent history, substantial specialist expenditure and superb overall condition, this is one of the nicest 997.2 Carrera S examples we have seen for some time. A genuinely lovely 911 – and arguably one of the best generations to actually own and drive.