Super Rare, Sub 250-Mile 2016 Porsche 911 R to Cross the Auction Block

Near-mint 2016 Porsche 911 R is one of the most iconic models to come out of Stuttgart. Now you can put a nearly new one in your garage.  

When the 991.1 911 GT3 was released, it was met with overwhelming praise for the fantastic car that it was. However, there was one thing that was nagging at Porsche enthusiasts. That one thing was the transmission. The 991.1 used the excellent dual clutch PDK automatic. Nothing wrong with that except there was no manual transmission option at all. How can Porsche do this to us? Don’t they understand how important a manual transmission is to the rabid Porsche faithful?

Turns out they do, and the 2016 Porsche 911 R was released to smooth things over with the Porsche fanatics. It did a good job of that. Actually, it did a bit too good of a job. Even though it had an original MSRP of $185,950 the manual transmission cars were quickly being sold for two or three times that amount.

The 2016 911 R sold out fast, and many folks that had the means to buy one were left out in the cold. Well, we have good news for those wealthy enough to spend half a million dollars on a weekend toy. A nearly brand new 2016 911 R is being offered for auction by the folks at ShiftGate Automotive Auctions.

This car is located in Canada and shows fewer than 400 kilometers on the odometer. That is less than 250 miles for folks not familiar with the metric system. The good news is this is your chance to put a new 911 R in your garage. The bad news is you can expect to pay well above the original MSRP.

What Makes a 2016 911 R Special?

If you are not familiar with the specs of the 2016 911 R, you really need to spend more time reading Rennlist. However, for those new to the game, 500 horsepower comes from a 4.0L naturally aspirated flat six engine. The power is of course controlled by a special 6-speed manual transmission. Extensive weight saving measures were taken with this car. Carbon fiber, and magnesium are used extensively.

Titanium is used for the exhaust and the reduced sound insulation means you can hear its glorious note all the more. Inside you will find leather seats with a Pepita tartan insert. The gauges have green markings as a tribute to the early cars of Porsche. On the outside the 911 R was notable as it lacked the traditional large wing fitted to the GT3. This was a 911 GT3 Touring, before there was a 911 GT3 Touring.

What Makes This One More Special?

The car offered for sale here is number 502 of the 991 ever produced. It is finished in white with the distinctive green stripes. It is a flawless example of an epic Porsche driver’s car. And there is the rub. This is a car that is best appreciated behind the wheel. However, the previous owners averaged about four miles per month in the driver’s seat.

That will keep the value high, but owners missed out on a great driving experience. No doubt that folks that own cars like this probably have many others in the garage. Still, it is a shame to treat such a wonderful car more like a painting than an actual automobile. This presents a dilemma for the new owner that will likely pay top dollar for this machine.

Does the new owner buy it and drive the wheels off it as Porsche intended? Or do they buy it and stick it away in a climate-controlled garage somewhere? Chances are it will be the later. Either way, this is a historic Porsche and it will be quite interesting to see the final hammer price on this one. If you were the winning bidder, what would you do?

Let us know in the Rennlist forums.

Photos: ShiftGate Automotive Auctions

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Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the ‘70s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.