Porsche 991 Carrera and Targa: identify the variant before comparing prices

This guide covers the German-market Porsche 911 type 991 from 2011–2019 as Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera 4/4S or Targa with a petrol engine. It separates the 991.1 and 991.2 and excludes the 997, 992, Turbo, GT, R and other special models. The type, engine, body, drivetrain, gearbox and production date need to be confirmed for the individual vehicle.

ADAC describes the 991 as a very reliable, well-built sports-car icon with excellent steering, powerful brakes, comfortable seats and surprising long-distance ability. The boot is small and the rear seats have limited use. At the facelift, Carrera models moved from naturally aspirated engines to a 3.0-litre twin-turbo, so the engine, sound, power delivery and technology differ materially.

ADAC says the 991 performs particularly well in the TÜV report. Registration volume is too low for a robust place in ADAC's breakdown ranking, however, and more than half of the recorded breakdowns involved starter batteries. Battery condition, tyre age, brakes and storage history therefore belong in the individual assessment, especially for seasonal or lightly used cars.

Our editorial view: despite strong series-level results, a 991 needs Porsche-capable diagnostics, a specialist inspection and a traceable history. Carrera, S, all-wheel drive, Targa, cabriolet, PDK, manual gearbox and options affect use and running costs. Vehilo did not road-test a 991 for this article; this is not an in-house driving review.

Describe both cars fully before comparing their prices. “911 Carrera” still leaves production phase, body and exact version unresolved. Record the installed gearbox and documented equipment. These are not freely interchangeable factory options: identify the version actually offered.

An important distinction is 991.1 versus 991.2. Porsche describes the Carrera's switch to turbocharged engines with the update; its September 2015 introduction lists three litres and 370/420 PS for Carrera/Carrera S. These are historical standard specifications, not figures for every 991 or special configuration. Porsche's 991 history · 2015 Carrera update

A turbocharged Carrera is not the separately named 911 Turbo model. Turbo, GT and special models are outside this guide's price-comparison group.

Fictional example: You want a coupé for regular drives. A cabriolet looks attractively priced but does not meet that requirement. Another coupé fits, yet the invoice for claimed servicing is missing. Those are different outcomes: the first fails your requirements; the second needs an answer. Neither can be assessed by applying an arbitrary deduction to a market-wide 911 average.

Try the equipment that is meant to justify an extra payment. An option helps only if it is present, works and suits your use. Any necessary repair and its cost need an assessment of the particular car.

Our sources do not establish a defensible current range for these specific versions. We therefore remove the former broad figure containing excluded Turbo, GT and special cars. Record the date and differences when comparing suitable adverts. A listing disappearing does not establish a completed sale at its advertised price.

Use the VIN to establish which actions apply and which have been completed. Consult Porsche's official recall portal or a Porsche Centre and request completion evidence. The portal can require a security check; an unsuccessful online lookup does not mean there are no outstanding actions.

A general model or production-period entry cannot provide that answer or establish that a workshop has already done the work. Keep it on the pre-purchase question list without treating a general campaign as a defect in every 991.

For a particular advert, First Look can help identify missing information. Mechanical condition and vehicle-specific campaign work still need the appropriate qualified assessment.

This article is buyer guidance, not a technical diagnosis, workshop inspection, guarantee, legal advice, or proof that a specific car has a fault. Model notes are inspection prompts. A specific car still needs history, condition, recall status, and qualified inspection context.