Buying a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS (991.1)

It was almost six months since I’d sold my GT3 with the Touring Package. Lately, I’d been thinking that if I bought another Porsche, I’d want either a base 718 Cayman or an early 991, so those were the models I’d been keeping an eye on. Then, a 2015 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS (991.1) with 32,000 km on the clock appeared on Carsensor.

Agate Grey Metallic

A five-lug wheel setup—an extremely rare choice on a GTS.

A two-seat configuration with no rear seats—another rare option. Like the GT3, it has embroidered GTS logos.

The spec looked promising: a good balance of model year and mileage, and—unlike the center-lock wheels fitted to most GTS models—a deliberate choice of five-lug wheels. The car was finished in Agate Grey Metallic, a color that’s recently been getting a fresh look and was also used on the new 992 GT3 Touring as a signature color.

It also had the GTS interior package with red stitching, plus a two-seat configuration with the rear seats removed, giving it something of a GT3 feel. This is the sort of spec only a Porsche enthusiast with a discerning eye would order. I’d been hoping to find a GTS without center-lock wheels, and cars equipped like this rarely come up. I knew I had to try to buy it.

When You Find the Used Porsche You Want, Act Fast

I fell for the thoughtfulness of the spec and called the dealer the next morning. I told them I’d come see the car that afternoon, then drove my Cayenne all the way from Kansai to Nagoya, where the dealership was located. When buying a used car, speed matters. Cars with a rare spec like this don’t come along often, so I moved quickly.

If a car is listed in the evening, it’s a good idea to call first thing the next morning, as soon as the dealership opens, and book an appointment. Then, go see it as soon as you can. Finding the right used car is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even if the dealership is far away or you have work, if you really want the car, it’s worth making the effort. And if it’s the one you absolutely have to have and you think there will be competition, you can even take the bold step of telling the dealer over the phone that you’re ready to buy.

When I bought a Nissan Note e-POWER NISMO S, someone else had arrived to see the car before me. They said they’d take some time to think it over rather than decide on the spot, but apparently they waited too long to make up their mind.

I said I was ready to buy it right then and there, so I ended up getting the car.

To make a decision on the spot, it helps to visit the dealership with clear criteria: what would make you say yes immediately, and what would make you walk away?

What I Look for in a Used Porsche

I’m not a car professional, nor do I work in the automotive industry, so I can’t give a formal inspection or appraisal. Instead, I focus on one thing: rather than simply asking whether the car looks clean, I look for signs of whether its owner treated it with care and respect.

When I arrived at the dealership, I went to inspect the car. The first thing I checked was the tires.

Tire wear, surface roughness, and signs of melted rubber can tell you a lot about how a car has been driven. It’s also important to check whether it’s fitted with N-rated tires approved by Porsche. That may suggest the car was serviced at a Porsche dealer, and it can also make it easier to obtain an extended warranty through a Porsche dealer later.

As soon as I saw the car, I turned on my phone’s flashlight and immediately started checking the tires—which seemed to make the young salesperson a little uneasy. I ignored that and carried on with my inspection, starting underneath the car (laughs).

The tires on this car were still quite new, and it was clear the car had been driven with considerable care. The rubber showed almost no signs of melting or roughening, and the tires were in great shape. All four had worn evenly, with no unusual wear on any one side.

I’m not too concerned about the exterior. A few minor scratches or stone chips don’t bother me much. If they really get to you, you can always have them repaired, and a car is bound to pick up marks as you drive it.

What matters more to me is the interior. The interior doesn’t lie. When I bought my 964, the condition of the interior was ultimately what convinced me to buy it. Scratches and seat wear can be harder to repair than exterior damage, and unlike the bodywork, they can’t be disguised with a glossy showroom wax when the car is put on display.

The interior tells you a lot about how the previous owner used and drove the car.

First, I check the smell. I don’t want the car to smell of air freshener, pets, or cigarettes. Given the choice, I’d rather drive a Porsche that still smells like a Porsche than one whose original scent has been masked.

Air-cooled Porsches have their own distinctive aroma, and even water-cooled models have different smells from one another. The scent varies subtly depending on whether the interior is trimmed in leather or Alcantara, too, but there’s a characteristic Porsche smell that sets these cars apart from other makes.

I pay particular attention to wear on the outer side bolster of the driver’s seat. If it’s badly scuffed or cracked, it may be a sign that the owner wasn’t careful getting in and out of the car. Personally, that’s a significant mark against it.

This car passed with flying colors. Its interior was even cleaner than my Boxster GTS.

Next, I check the center console and buttons for small scratches. They can easily get scratched if keys or other small items are placed on them. On cars owned by women, the lettering on the buttons can sometimes be worn away by fingernails, too. I inspected these areas closely, but everything was in excellent condition.

On 991 and 981 models, cars that have spent a lot of time parked in the sun often have loose door trim, so I checked that carefully as well. I also tested the cupholders. Both passed inspection.

I checked the leather seats for suppleness, softness, and moisture, then made sure the wear on the steering wheel was in line with the mileage. It had an Alcantara steering wheel, and the material still had plenty of nap. No concerns there, either.

The only thing that bothered me was the mounting marks from a phone holder and radar detector on the leather-wrapped dashboard. The marks from the radar detector looked like they’d come off cleanly, but I could still see a faint patch of double-sided tape in one spot. That was about the only deduction I made. (I’m planning to have an interior specialist repair it later.)

There were also door-edge protectors and urethane protectors fitted to the lower sections of the front and rear bumpers to prevent scrapes. I asked the dealer to remove them before delivery.

I personally didn’t want to keep them, so I had them taken off. But the fact that they were there suggested the previous owner had taken very good care of the car. That kind of attention showed me the owner’s affection and respect for the car, so I counted it as a plus.

I checked underneath the car, too. The exhaust had developed a nice, even fox-brown patina, suggesting it had been driven long enough to get properly warm rather than used only for short trips. That was another good sign.

I wasn’t able to take the car for a test drive, so I asked to start the engine and waited for the coolant and oil temperatures to rise before giving it a few revs. I listened for engine response and sound, especially any unusual noises. The GTS’s ferocious soundtrack was impressive, but I kept a clear head and checked this box, too.

Finally, I asked about the service history and the car’s general background, then discussed the details and price with the salesperson. I asked them to apply Hi-MOHS COAT paint protection and to have the car inspected at a nearby Porsche Center before delivery, with the oil and battery replaced. They agreed, and I decided to buy it.

In the next installment, I’ll share the delivery-day experience and my first impressions behind the wheel.