Carrera 4S (2002 to 2005)

The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (996.2) is widely considered the aesthetic and tactile "sweet spot" of the first water-cooled generation, produced globally between 2002 and 2005. While it utilises the 235kW 3.6-litre flat-six from the standard Carrera, the 4S is defined by its "Turbo-look" wide-body shell, uprated suspension, and high-performance braking system, resulting in a more muscular stance and significantly sharper handling. Visually, it is distinguished by a unique full-width rear reflector strip—a nod to classic air-cooled 911s—and the omission of the Turbo’s side air intakes, creating one of the most cohesive profiles in the model's history. In the Australian market, the 4S has achieved genuine modern-classic status, with manual coupes being particularly sought-after due to their mechanical purity and a roughly 6:1 rarity ratio compared to the Tiptronic automatic. The buyer pool is comprised of seasoned enthusiasts who value the aggressive wide-body presence and the added security of all-wheel drive without the complexity of a turbocharged engine. Market value for Australian-delivered manual examples remains exceptionally strong, often commanding a significant premium over narrow-body models, as they are increasingly viewed as a blue-chip bridge between traditional Porsche soul and contemporary usability.

The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (996.2) is widely considered the aesthetic and tactile "sweet spot" of the first water-cooled generation, produced globally between 2002 and 2005. While it utilises the 235kW 3.6-litre flat-six from the standard Carrera, the 4S is defined by its "Turbo-look" wide-body shell, uprated suspension, and high-performance braking system, resulting in a more muscular stance and significantly sharper handling. Visually, it is distinguished by a unique full-width rear reflector … Read more