It’s not often that you find the words “Porsche” and “No Reserve” in the same sentence. However, that is the case with this 1997 Porsche 911 Targa. It is a tidy, driver-grade classic, ready for action with a new owner behind the wheel. It has a few cosmetic faults, but none are what most readers would consider urgent. The seller has listed the Porsche here on eBay in Eagle, Colorado. It has received a single bid of $55,000, and with No Reserve, the Porsche is days away from finding a new home.
Former Top Gear UK host Jeremy Clarkson once stated that the 911 was a car Porsche forgot to stop making. I guess that is true to a certain extent, because the styling cues and drivetrain configuration of the modern version can trace their roots back to the original 911’s launch in 1964. However, the two cars are like chalk and cheese beneath the skin. The company launched what was known internally as the 993 in 1994. Our featured car rolled off the line in 1997 as a Glacier White Targa variant. The seller has listed it on behalf of a friend who is its sole owner. It has spent its life in a favorable climate, so rust isn’t an issue. The car looks presentable, although a close inspection reveals that the clear coat is failing. The seller peeled it away in a couple of spots, revealing that the White paint beneath is in good condition. The buyer could continue that process, and if they are careful, it would take more time than money to improve the appearance. There are a few minor bumps and bruises, and the windshield has a small crack. The remaining glass is in good condition, as are the 17″ alloy wheels.
Although Porsche has dabbled in the world of front-engined vehicles, most cars leaving the Stuttgart factory follow the rear-engine/rear-drive design philosophy. This 911 is no exception, with its 3.6-liter flat-six sending 282hp and 251 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a six-speed manual transaxle. Power steering is standard equipment, as are enormous four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. If you compare the Porsche’s power and torque figures to those delivered by cars like the Chevrolet Corvette, they don’t seem impressive. However, Porsche is a master at squeezing every ounce of performance from its vehicles, which is why it declared that this car could hit 171mph. The owner purchased the 911 from the dealership and used it for years as her daily driver. It runs and drives well, but has received limited recent use. The seller recommends a service, new tires, and an investigation into why the ABS light remains illuminated. They believe that flushing the system and replacing the pads might cure the problem, and since they possess significant experience with the marque, this could be true.
This Porsche has covered 153,000 miles during its lifetime, so it is fair to expect some interior shortcomings. Trimmed in Cashmere and Black leather, the driver’s seat outer bolster shows wear. This is typical and unavoidable, but it hasn’t developed into a hole. Therefore, a leather specialist might be able to stop the deterioration in its tracks. The remaining upholstered surfaces are in good condition, as are the dash and plastic. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power top, and cruise control. The owner splashed additional cash with the premium ten-speaker stereo and power seat package.
I have previously stated that I don’t feel a genuine passion for Porsches. That isn’t to say I dislike them, because I respect the engineering principles and the performance the company extracts from engines with what appear, on paper, to be relatively modest specifications. Porsche proves that you don’t need a million horsepower to achieve impressive speed, just the ability to effectively utilize every pony at your disposal. Someone is guaranteed to become the new owner of this 911 Targa in a few days, having the chance to experience that driving sensation. Could that person be you?
Nice car that’s fun to drive. And yes Martha, it will go 170 mph.
Well, when you put these up for no reserve, the world finds out what a used, in-need-of-some-service 911 variant is really worth. I think $55,000 is already a stretch for this used ride, but some people need the Porsche badge for their emotional health.
282hp might have been a big deal in 1997, but in 2026, you can get that in a Japanese sedan all day long and 480hp in a brand new Mustang for the same as this bid price.
I’m with you Blue. Mustang GT all the way. Brand new, warranty, better stuff inside, handles better, reliable, awesome performance, great MPG.. Need I say more? Oh yes, sexier! P Cars are only around to impress with your wallet, not much more. A new Stang will be a car you could jump into and head to a different coastline with 100% confidence. This? What if this breaks down in the middle of now where, will the local boys be able to fix it in a timely manner? Now, I never have had the money for something like this, so maybe I would think differently if I did, but I would hope I would realize that a mans worth has little to do with the car he drives, much less the respect he commands. People might kiss the backsides of the rich and powerful in publ;ic, but privately?
Pinto, I’ve owned a Porsche 911 way back in 1980. That was when they were truly different than a lot of other stuff on the road. Somewhat underpowered, but they made up for it in RPM and a huge, flat power curve and tracking. So I am a Porsche guy.
In 2026, I just don’t get the cult that surrounds them when there is so much other product out there now that seems every bit as worthy. Vipers, Corvettes, Jags, Mercedes, BMWs, Toyotas and Nissans.
Honestly, I am a WRX fan. They are a boatload of fun, not expensive and the only people that care about your Subaru emblem are the other boy racers, and not fashion models at a marina.
Bluesman, you seem to have a good head on your shoulders. I have never owned a Porsche, but back in the 70s I drove many 356s when they were cheap and got no respect from the well to do crowds. I thought they were fun and quirky. Never made sense for our family at the time. My wife told me I could buy a very cheap one to play around with, but I had my 68 Stang (my car soulmate) and a young family as well. I have nothing against Porsches, just the reason that many buy them today for..
Pinto, thanks, but I am just an old gearhead who likes just about everything. I’ve never been a Detroit-only or one marque-only person. They are all just cars to me, made for fun.
I think that marques like Porsche, BMW, Jaguar, Aston, and others have gravitated toward the “make it more complex, make it more expensive, make it more exclusive” crowd that uses cars as another form of personal validation. Even if the owners can barely drive a stick shift or have never changed a spark plug. They can buy the car and the apparel schwag that goes with it. Maybe even their bikes and luggage.
I’ve owned Porches, BMWs, and an Alfa when they were not glamour marques. Just fun cars.
Those marques and a few others willingly feed the ego that needs exclusivity and they have made billions doing just that. It’s a very calculated game that leave me ice cold.
The WRX was master stroke car. Fun affordable, ran like hll and not snobby. Subaru seems to have lost a bit of their boy racer edge, though.
The whole “cars as investments” circus is annoying. All it really does is run up the price of decent old cars to the point where most people can’t afford to own them or risk driving them. I have no use for trailer queens.
At 68, I’d much rather own a used Caterham 7 or vintage Alfa these days and I hope to sometime soon.
But that’s just me.
If this were a rare car, we could overlook some of its faults, but so many other, nicer, ones are available all day. Mileage is high. Rust has started. It needs new tires, a windshield, paint correction, a seat repair, brake work, and more. A better one is super-easy to find. The owner used it as a daily driver, Eagle, Colorado, is not a dry place; it’s in the middle of ski country, so winters aren’t easy there. (Yes, I live in Colorado, and own a Porsche.)
Clearly not a Targa as shown in the headline!
A Targa is a type of car roof design that has removable roof panels and sturdy central bars, allowing drivers to enjoy open-air driving without sacrificing safety. The benefits of a Targa top include pleasant open-air driving experiences, improved visibility and flexibility,
I owned a 97 C4S – what a great car. This is the last of the air cooled, and while I don’t love the Targa, this is a really fun car to drive, with a fantastic motor.
Last of the air cooled, it will be interesting to see what it goes for. White and Red are my favorite colors for a 911, I have had both, and they were Targa’s. I prefer the old style Targa roof. Good luck, this may be a great value.
Had plenty of these every variant I grew up with – even restored 1962 X019 Factory werks Lemans Carrara racer with my dad’s personal friend Dr Porsche.
The Lady owner is emotionally attached & thinks the car is worth her Feelings & Memorys a common issue with owners of both sexes but even more so for women oddly.
It’s gonna need a ton of expensive maintenance work price needs to come down significantly.
153k miles & the lady wonders why it’s ABS system is shot.
Porsche models to me are a Headache typically extremely vain people drive them.
Never liked the snotty attitudes.
Sold for $65,100