1998 Porsche 911 Carrera S (993) Returns to Auction Without Reserve

A 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera S (993) returns to Bring a Trailer with no reserve after a $202,000 prior bid. Explore specs, history, and auction context.

A 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera S of the 993 generation has returned to Bring a Trailer. The same car appeared on the platform in early February, where bidding reached $202,000 but the reserve was not met. This time the scenario is different: the car is offered with no reserve, leaving the final result entirely to the market.

The Carrera S remains one of the most sought-after versions of the 993. A total of 3,714 examples were produced, with 1,752 delivered to North America. Its appeal lies in a familiar formula: naturally aspirated Carrera mechanicals combined with the wide “Turbo-look” body, including the split rear grille and flared rear arches. For many enthusiasts, it represents one of the most balanced configurations of the air-cooled 911 era.

This particular example is finished in Zenith Blue Metallic (L3AX / 3AX), a shade listed in Porsche color catalogs for the late 1990s, paired with a Classic Grey partial leather interior. While publicly available sources do not provide exact production figures for Carrera S models in this color, Zenith Blue Metallic was offered on the 911 between 1997 and 2000.

Power comes from a 3.6-liter air-cooled flat-six M64 engine equipped with VarioRam. For late 993 models, factory output is rated at 282 horsepower. The engine is paired with a six-speed manual transaxle driving the rear wheels, a configuration widely regarded as emblematic of the final air-cooled 911 generation.

The option list includes the Motor Sound Package (code 159), typically verified via the factory option sticker. Technical descriptions associate this package with modified exhaust components and airbox elements designed to enhance the engine’s acoustic character at higher revs. The option sticker also lists XRB – 18-inch Sport Classic II wheels, an important detail given the textual mention of Turbo Twist wheels, as factory codes remain the primary reference for original specification.

The odometer shows under 42,000 miles. A 2014 record documents an odometer repair attributed to an inoperative trip counter. On 964 and 993 models, such issues are commonly linked to worn internal plastic gears within the instrument cluster, typically resolved through gear replacement. Service documentation indicating mileage progression is noted in the listing.

The car has been registered in Texas since new and is accompanied by documentation dating back to 1999. The Carfax report shows no accidents or other reported damage, and the vehicle passed a California emissions test in January 2026. It is currently located in Newport Beach, California.

The auction context adds another layer of interest. With a previous high bid of $202,000 under reserve and the current listing offered without a minimum price, the outcome may serve as a real-time indicator of market sentiment for late-production, manual 993 Carrera S models.