Is the Porsche 911 a good investment?

The thesis

The 996 generation has long been the unloved 911—'fried egg' headlights and IMS bearing fears kept prices suppressed. But the 4S (widebody, 320bhp 3.6L) with manual transmission is now being re-evaluated as the most affordable way into a proper 911 with all-wheel-drive traction and classic proportions. Clean UK examples with documented IMS/RMS work and full history sit around £28k–35k. As 997 and 993 prices climb, the 996 is finally attracting serious buyers, and the 4S manual is the pick of the range. Early-cycle, real upside if sentiment continues to shift.