The first production-ready Porsche 911 with all-wheel drive came out in 1988, bringing engineering that was once tailored exclusively for race applications to street-legal cars. By the early 2000s, all-wheel drive had become a popular option among Porsche buyers. The Pick of the Day is a 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Bradenton, Florida.
“This is a beautiful Guards Red car with Savanna Beige interior and a black convertible top,” the listing says. The “996” generation of the Porsche 911 was produced from 1999 through 2005. It marked a significant engineering development compared to prior generations – most notably because it had a water-cooled (versus air-cooled) engine. At the rear of this car is a 3.6-liter flat-six mated to a five-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual was also available).
The 911 was always known for its precise handling and strong performance, but when enhanced stability was added to the equation via all-wheel drive, it made the car even more capable (not to mention confidence-inspiring) to drive. A magazine advertisement from the period said “1.1 million words in the English language, and not one can describe the feeling.”
The “4” in this car’s model name means that it is equipped all-wheel drive. The system is of course designed to enhance traction and stability, and the level of engineering behind it is impressive. The system is referred to as “passive”– it responds to wheel slip rather than staying constantly active. It uses a viscous coupling and is controlled by the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) interface. The interesting thing is how the PSM can split the distribution of torque: In normal driving, 31 percent of torque goes to the front wheels and 69 percent to the rear. When slip is detected at any corner, torque can move accordingly.
Showing just 46,385 miles, this Carrera has been driven relatively sparingly over the course of its 22 years. The listing calls out the car’s headrests, door sills, headlight washers, stainless-steel exhaust system, and 18-inch wheels with Porsche center crests.
While many Porsche owners in some regions of the country are starting to put their sports cars on battery tenders for the season, it’s nice to know that with a Carrera “4” (especially when equipped with a set of winter tires), you could theoretically drive a 911 all year long.
The asking price is $32,000.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
