Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The 997-generation 911 is widely loved for blending classic Porsche feel with modern usability, and this 2008 Carrera S cabriolet has two things enthusiasts prize most: the naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six and a proper six-speed manual. Better still, it wears the rare and striking Malachite Green Metallic, a color commenters are calling the best on any 997. It is on Bring a Trailer at no reserve, bid to $41,500 with four days to go, so it sells this week.2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S CabrioletBring a TrailerWhat it's worth right nowThe manual 997.1 Carrera S has settled into a sweet spot of the used-Porsche market. According to Classic.com, the six-speed Carrera S cabriolet averages around $45,144, with a wide range from the mid-teens for tired examples up to the high $80,000s for exceptional cars, so condition, specification, and color drive the number significantly.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis car has several factors working in its favor: the desirable manual gearbox, the rare Malachite Green paint, a strong options list including the Sport Chrono Package Plus and sport exhaust, reasonable mileage at 36,000, and an unusually well-documented service history. Set against that is a disclosed repaint on the right front fender.2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S CabrioletBring a TrailerWeighing those together, fair value realistically lands in the $42,000 to $55,000 range, most likely the high $40,000s to low $50,000s. At $41,500 with four days remaining and no reserve, the bidding is climbing and guaranteed to sell.Condition and detailsThe car presents beautifully and, crucially for a 997, is backed by real documentation. It left the factory in Malachite Green over a Sand Beige all-leather interior with a nicely chosen set of options: 19-inch Sport Design wheels, the Sport Chrono Package Plus, sport exhaust, navigation, Bose audio, and the color-matched instrument dials. The seller has posted a detailed chronological service history running from 2012 to 2025, showing consistent oil changes, periodic brake-fluid flushes, and a water-pump replacement in 2024, with no signs of deferred maintenance.2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S CabrioletBring a TrailerThe disclosed items are minor but worth verifying. The right front fender has been repainted, which the seller says was done to a high standard with no overspray, so confirm that in person and consider a paint-meter check. There were a few flakes of A/C insulation foam when the dealer acquired it, a common 997 issue, though none have reappeared since. The convertible-top hydraulics are believed original but operate correctly with no leaks, and a commenter noted some indentations in the passenger seat leather.2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S CabrioletBring a TrailerThe most important point applies to every 997.1: the M97 engine has well-known potential issues, namely the intermediate-shaft (IMS) bearing and bore scoring. This car's strong service record is reassuring, but any buyer should commission a pre-purchase inspection by a Porsche specialist that includes a borescope of the cylinders and ideally an oil analysis, and should clarify whether the IMS bearing has ever been addressed. That inspection is non-negotiable on a car of this type.The offerSpecificationDetailMakePorscheModel911 Carrera S Cabriolet (997.1)Year2008Mileage36,000 milesEngine3.8-liter flat-sixPower355 hp and 295 lb.ft of torqueTransmission6-speed manualDrive typeRear wheel driveExterior colorMalachite Green MetallicInterior colorSand Beige leatherCurrent bid$41,500, no reserve, with four days leftInterested in this 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet? View the listing here.What makes the 997 Carrera S uniqueThe 997, built from 2005 to 2012, is often described as the car that got the modern 911 right. It restored the classic round headlights after the controversial 996, brought a marked step up in interior quality, and, in this first-phase 997.1 form, offered the naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six in the Carrera S, making 355 horsepower with a wonderful, free-revving character and a soundtrack the later turbocharged cars cannot replicate. Paired with the six-speed manual, it is exactly the analog, driver-focused 911 experience enthusiasts increasingly seek out.2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S CabrioletBring a TrailerAdvertisementAdvertisementIn cabriolet form, it adds open-air motoring without sacrificing the 911's everyday usability, and the sport exhaust on this car sharpens that flat-six song further. As the last of the naturally aspirated, hydraulically steered, relatively simple 911s before electric steering and turbocharging arrived, the 997 occupies a special place, which is why clean manual examples in desirable colors have such a devoted following.My takeThis is a genuinely appealing 911 for someone who wants to drive rather than collect, and the combination is hard to fault: the naturally aspirated 3.8, the manual gearbox, a rare and gorgeous color, a sensible options list, and a documented service history that takes much of the usual 997.1 anxiety off the table. Offered at no reserve, it will find a new home this week, and for a buyer who values the analog 911 experience with the top down, that is an exciting prospect.Fair value sits in the $42,000 to $55,000 range, and the rare Malachite Green paired with the manual could push a motivated bidder toward the top of that. The essential step is the inspection: budget for a specialist pre-purchase check with a borescope given the 997.1 engine's known risks, verify the repaired fender, and confirm the IMS history. Do all that, and you have one of the most desirable and usable analog 911s in a color you will rarely see again, bought at a fair number.Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.AdvertisementAdvertisementAutoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.