The first water-cooled 911 built from a clean sheet — and the generation that proved the 911 could still be the world's everyday supercar.
Unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and produced until the arrival of the 992 in late 2019, the Porsche 911 type 991 was a genuine generational reset. It was 56 mm longer in wheelbase than the outgoing 997, 45 mm wider, and built on an entirely new chassis architecture that finally banished the last vestiges of the original 1963 floorpan. For the first time, every 911 body panel was made from aluminium, electric power steering replaced the old hydraulic rack, and a seven-speed manual gearbox was offered alongside the increasingly dominant PDK twin-clutch transmission.
The 991.1 generation (2011–2014) carried over naturally-aspirated 3.4-litre and 3.8-litre flat-sixes in the Carrera and Carrera S, before the 991.2 facelift (2015–2019) replaced them with a new family of 3.0-litre twin-turbo engines. The move to turbocharging was controversial at the time, but it brought a useful step in torque, efficiency and real-world pace. Today, with the 991 out of production and the market beginning to separate the memorable variants from the ordinary ones, it is the generation collectors are starting to take seriously.
The 991 is the 911 that Porsche re-engineered rather than evolved. It introduced the wider, more modern proportions that define the 992, it delivered the last gated seven-speed manual in a mainstream 911, and it spawned some of the most compelling driver's cars of the modern era — the 911 R, the 991.2 GT3 with its 4.0-litre engine, and the 50th Anniversary Edition. For buyers priced out of air-cooled 911s but unwilling to accept the digital complexity of the 992, the 991 represents a sweet spot of analogue feel, daily usability and relative value.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrera | 2011–2019 | Not separately recorded | 3.4L (991.1) / 3.0L turbo (991.2) base coupe; 350–370 hp. |
| Carrera S | 2011–2019 | Not separately recorded | 3.8L (991.1) / 3.0L turbo (991.2); 400–420 hp. |
| Carrera 4 / 4S | 2012–2019 | Not separately recorded | All-wheel-drive variants; wider rear body. |
| Targa 4 / 4S | 2014–2019 | Not separately recorded | Retractable targa roof with classic brushed hoop. |
| GTS | 2014–2019 | Not separately recorded | 430 hp (991.1) / 450 hp (991.2); the sweet-spot driver's car. |
| 50th Anniversary Edition | 2013 | 1,963 | Carrera 4S-based; unique Fuchs-style wheels, wider body, limited to 1,963 units. |
| GT3 | 2013–2019 | Not separately recorded | 3.8L (991.1) / 4.0L (991.2); PDK-only track-focused road car. |
| GT3 RS / 911 R | 2015–2019 | Not separately recorded | Limited motorsport-derived variants; now the most collectible 991s. |
| Turbo / Turbo S | 2013–2019 | Not separately recorded | 520 hp (Turbo) / 580 hp (Turbo S); four-wheel drive, PDK. |
The models below represent the most significant limited and special edition variants — factory-produced cars that command meaningful premiums over standard examples and warrant specific attention from serious collectors.
As with any modern Porsche, the strongest cars carry a fully stamped service record, original options list, and a clear ownership trail. Look for annual services at Porsche Centres or recognised independents, evidence of the four-year PDK service if applicable, and factory recalls completed. Cars with original Pirelli P Zero or Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, matching keys and the complete leather document wallet are small details that add up at resale.
The base Carrera is the best value daily-use 911, but the Carrera S and GTS offer the stronger engine, wider rear body and the more desirable specification most collectors want. Manual cars are increasingly rare and carry a premium. The 911 R, 991.2 GT3 and GT3 RS are already collector-grade, while the 50th Anniversary Edition combines limited production with strong visual identity. Turbo S cars offer stupendous performance but are less engaging as driver's cars.
A 991 should feel tight, rattle-free and linear in its power delivery. On a PPI, insist on a full ECU diagnostic read, oil-condition check, underbody inspection for coolant residue (the plastic coolant lines on early 991.1 are a known concern), and a test of PDK clutch wear if fitted. For 991.2 turbo cars, check charge-air-cooler integrity and turbo coolant-line condition. A compression test is worthwhile on any higher-mileage naturally-aspirated car.
The 991's aluminium body panels are more expensive to repair correctly than the steel panels of older 911s. Use a paint-depth gauge across the front wings, doors, rear quarters and the vulnerable front bumper. Check panel gaps around the headlights and the rear decklid — a front-end shunt can be hidden well. A fully documented cosmetic history is acceptable; a concealed structural repair is not.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-08 | Mecum Indianapolis (Lot S134) | 2019 911 Speedster | — | $594,000 Sold |
| 2026-01-23 | RM Sotheby's Lot 137 | 2018 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series | — | $379,000 Sold |
| 2025-08-15 | Gooding Christie's Pebble Beach (Lot 174) | 2019 911 Speedster | — | $610,000 Sold |
| 2024-08-15 | RM Sotheby's Monterey (Lot 324) | 2019 911 Speedster | — | $775,000 Sold |
| 2024-04-27 | Broad Arrow Air|Water Auction (Lot 156) | 2016 911 Carrera GTS | — | $100,800 Sold |
| 2023-12-02 | RM Sotheby's The White Collection (Lot 2136) | 2014 911 50th Anniversary | — | $224,000 Sold |
| 2023-11-11 | Iconic Auctioneers NEC Classic Motor Show (Lot 144) | 2016 911 Carrera | — | £54,000 Sold |
The 991 is the first water-cooled 911 generation to be fully out of production and no longer directly compared with the current showroom model. Within the range, the strongest long-term prospects are the manual Carrera S and GTS, the 50th Anniversary Edition, the 911 R, and the 991.2 GT3 / GT3 RS. Base PDK Carreras are likely to remain plentiful and depreciation-resistant rather than appreciating. As air-cooled 911s continue to climb, the 991 offers a logical entry point for collectors seeking the driving experience of a modern 911 without the digital complexity of the 992.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
