In Part 1 of our two-part series, we introduced air-cooled Porsche 911s from the 70s and 80s. This second article leaps forward to the water-cooled 2000s before concluding with a pair of air-cooled models from the 90s that Japan Car Direct sourced at Japanese used car auctions and exported to enthusiasts abroad at highly reasonable prices.

2002 Porsche 996 Turbo

Incredible value and performance

For those who aspire to own a used Porsche 911 Turbo, but refuse to spend an arm and a leg for a classic air-cooled model, there’s the 2002 Porsche 996 Turbo.

It’s more reasonably priced than many other 911 turbos, and its parts are also cheaper because they were mass produced and largely shared with the contemporary Boxer. At today’s prices, the Porsche 996 Turbo is probably still a solid investment for enthusiasts and collectors — especially when imported from Japan.

Purists may remind you that the 996 broke from 911 tradition when it replaced air cooling with water cooling, hand assembly with mass production, Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche styling with Pinky Lai design, and round headlights with amoeba-shaped lamps. But the 996 outperforms most of its air-cooled predecessors and is one of the most popular 911s ever released.

Its water-cooled, flat-six 3.6-liter engine with twin intercooled turbos and VarioCam Plus generates 415 hp and 415 lb·ft of torque for incredible thrust across much of the power band and 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 4.2 seconds whether mated with the 6-speed manual or 5-speed Tiptronic transmission.

Unlike the engines on other 996 models, it was derived from a Porsche GT-1 racer, making it more powerful and reliable. Most important, it never suffered from their infamous faulty IMS bearings.

Handling is phenomenal even on slippery surfaces thanks to a stiff chassis, four-wheel independent suspension, stability management and the foolproof traction of four-wheel drive. There are none of the high-speed cornering issues found in earlier 911s. So you can enjoy spirited driving with greater peace of mind.

Why not satisfy your dreams today while making a solid investment for tomorrow!

The experts at Japan Car Direct can help you buy and import a secondhand Porsche 996 Turbo or other used JDM European car (with left or right hand steering) from a Japanese used car auction or Japanese used car dealer at a price that puts a smile on your face.

2004 Porsche 996 Turbo Cabriolet

Topless bliss

Whether racing through the wind or slowing down to smell the roses, driving a Porsche 911 with the top down is one of life’s great pleasures.

The 2004 Porsche 996 Turbo Cabriolet was the last model of the first generation of water-cooled Porsche 911s and is a favorite among 911 enthusiasts who consider air-cooled 911s outside their budgets.

When the 996 was introduced in 1999, many purists were disappointed with Porsche’s switch to water cooling. But the 996 offered more tractable power and easier handling. Turbo models further raised performance and were topped off by the 2004 Porsche 996 Turbo Cabriolet.

Its twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-six engine delivers 420 PS at 6000 rpm and 415 ft lbs of torque at 2,700 rpm, enough to power you from a standing start to 60 mph in about 4.2 seconds. The engine is mated with a crisp 6-speed manual or 5-speed Tiptronic transmission.

Handling is foolproof even on slippery roads thanks to AWD, stability management, vented disc brakes and a finely tuned four-wheel independent suspension. The all-wheel drive system includes a viscous unit that compensates for differing wheel speeds during cornering. If grip is lost, a stability management system applies braking and adjusts engine power to maintain stability.

The ride is extremely quiet with the hard top in place. A fabric top is also provided that can be folded down automatically with the press of a button while driving at up to 31 mph. Even with the roof down, the ride is relatively quiet due to a wind deflector behind the seats.

Wherever you live in the world, you’ll find the best deals on LHD and RHD used JDM Porsche 911s, used European luxury cars and other used JDM foreign cars in Japan, where more vehicles in better condition are available at lower prices through Japanese used car auctions and Japanese used car dealers.

Two of the many 911 models exported by Japan Car Direct

1993 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (964)

Like all 964 non-turbo models, the 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (964) is more streamlined than previous 911 models, with a more integrated front bumper and a rear spoiler that stays flush with the engine cover until you hit 50 mph, when it rises to reduce drag unless you disable it from the cockpit. While retaining the iconic styling of past 911s that won the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide, the 964 series features a totally new chassis, a more advanced engine and a better suspension that makes it drive with greater stability — a big plus in old 911s.

Being the last of the non-turbo 964 series models produced by Porsche, the 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (964) offers a higher level of refinement. Its 3.6-liter air-cooled engine produces 250 PS (184 kW) and 228 lb·ft of torque, which is enough to accelerate from zero to 60 in 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed 164 mph (264 km/h). Standard features worth noting are ABS, power steering, dual airbags and a Tiptronic automatic transmission. The “2” in the model name tells you it’s driven by the rear wheels.

We exported this particular used JDM foreign car to a customer in Europe who checked out European markets and realized the Japanese market offered more car for less. The car was in great condition with extremely low mileage and a very reasonable price. Wherever you live in the world, you can similarly expect to find better deals in Japan than in your home country. Just ask Japan Car Direct.

1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (933)

The 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (933) is popular with 911 enthusiasts for a number of reasons.

One of those reasons is the air-cooled engine that so many purists demand. Nothing sounds better or impresses friends more. Another reason is the flared rear wheel arches that look totally cool and usually require the purchase of a more expensive Turbo model. Last but not least, it offers the superior traction of 4-wheel drive, which was usually limited to Turbo models as well. So the 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (933) lets you enjoy major attractions of classic Turbo 911s without paying their exorbitant prices!

The Porsche 933 series replaced the Porsche 964 series we covered earlier in this article with a more modern design that significantly improved almost every area of performance while still retaining enough classic 911 styling to keep purists happy. In this particular model, the “4” in the name stands for 4-wheel-drive while the “S” indicates sportier performance than other non-turbo 964 models.

The 3.6-liter engine generates 285 hp, which is more than the 964 series, but the 4WD system adds some extra weight that slightly slows acceleration down. So this model accelerates from zero to 60 in about 5 seconds. That might not seem very fast today when million dollar production cars rival F1 racing machines. But anyone who drives this model will tell you it’s quick enough to make driving a joy.

We found this 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (933) at a Japanese used car auction, where its excellent condition and low 57,982 km mileage earned it a very high 4.5/B rating. After purchasing it for an overjoyed customer abroad, we had it exported without delay — like all used JDM foreign cars we handle — to a port near his home.

Why Japan Car Direct?

Japan continues to be the best market for purchasing used Porsche 911s. Not only are the prices more reasonable and the range of models more extensive, but Japanese tend to take better care of their cars. This includes fewer miles on the odometer, more frequent maintenance, more attentive care and stricter adherence to dealer recommended parts replacement.

What’s the best way to purchase and import used Porsche 911s from Japan?

You can prioritize low price and end up with a lemon from an unreliable source that provides inadequate service and leads you astray. You can choose a big name that surprises you with hidden charges every step of the way. Or you can depend on a proven used car exporter with pages of praise from satisfied customers and over a dozen years of experience sourcing the best used Porsche 911s and other used JDM foreign cars at Japanese used car auctions and Japanese used car dealers and exporting them to enthusiasts around the world.

The dedicated team of professionals at Japan Car Direct knows how to meet the needs of serious enthusiasts with swift knowledgeable response, clear communication, and the ability to handle special requests like objective third-party inspections and long-term container storage at port with regular engine startups and checkups.

Our honesty and hard work has paid off over the years and we want every customer to be so satisfied that they tell their friends and families, spread our reputation far and wide and fulfill our dream of being recognized worldwide as Japan’s most trusted used car exporter.

Contact Japan Car Direct today and become one of our many satisfied customers!