Porsche 996 Turbo

The 996 Turbo, produced from 2000 to 2005, was the first water-cooled 911 Turbo. It's powered by the legendary 'Mezger' engine, a dry-sump flat-six derived from the 911 GT1 race car, which sets it apart from the standard 996 Carrera models. With 415 horsepower, standard all-wheel drive, and a 0-60 mph time of around 4 seconds, it delivered supercar performance that could be used every day.

For years, the 996 Turbo was an overlooked performance bargain, but collectors now recognize its significance as the last Turbo with a true motorsport-derived engine. The optional X50 Power Kit, which bumped output to 444 hp, and the 2005-only Turbo S are the most desirable variants. These models came standard with Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes (PCCB), a feature that's expensive to replace.

The market has matured significantly, with average prices climbing from their lows a decade ago. Based on 893 recent sales, the average price sits around $66,000, confirming the car's status as a modern classic. While high-mileage drivers can still be found, low-mileage and special-edition cars command a substantial premium, showing a clear split in the market between usable drivers and investment-grade examples.

Prices for the 996 Turbo range from $25,250 for project cars to $549,950 for low-mileage, top-spec variants like the Turbo S.