I've been looking at the 996 for a while. I just tried looking at local listings for rear drive manual cars, and dang, Corvettes look cheap by comparison.
A base 2008 costs somewhere between a C4 or C4S in similar shape. It's a little cheaper than a 997 C2 with miles. Shopping nationally, I can find a Z06 under $30k pretty easily.
The horsepower numbers on the Corvette are shocking after looking at Porsches.
Anyone have the experience to compare the two cars?
I own a 996 C2 and have driven plenty of Corvettes. If you are after power, the Corvette is going to get you a lot more for your money. And the price difference between 'vaguely fast' and 'actually fast' 996s is 20k+ unless you're planning to do major mods to a Carrera.
Having said that, i've driven a lot of Corvettes and still never bought one. It boggles my mind that anyone would buy a non-zo6 c5 for 996 money unless they plan to track it. C6 makes a bit more sense with the greater power out of the box but to my eyes the headlights are dealbreaker ugly (vs C5).
I bought my first 996 for $24,000 in 2012. I bought my second 996 for $16,000 in 2014.
Pussy Magnet Yellow.
I fully prepared my second 996 for AStreet - including the class legal GT3 Cobra Seats (I have documentation showing they were an option and even an order sheet showing them as delivered, off the factory assembly line), full custom exhaust, koni yellers, M030 springs and swaybars - it was a RIOT to drive. It made a man out of you. Every co-driver spun it at least once, if not more.
Don't lift.
Unfortunately, it wasn't even remotely competitive with the AS C6 Grand Sport I got to drive the same year.
Get the Corvette.
It seems I'm alone in the wilderness, as I prefer the styling of the C6 to the C5. The C6 is smaller, has a nicer interior, and just proportionally looks better to me. I was never a fan of the C5's nose, or big butt----not to say a C5 Z06 isn't an appealing proposition. (especially as you can find a nice one for about $15K)
My time in the 996 chassis was limited to a C4 that was loaned to me for a week. (yes--- nice friend!) While it was fast, composed and competent, it wasn't fun or exciting. It was almost too refined......it just left me cold.
A C6 Z06 is a beast. Sure it will putt around town like a family sedan, but when you push the go pedal.....you GO! The noise is pretty fantastic too. The Vette doesn't have the build quality, or refinement of the P-car, but for visceral thrills---- the I'd pick the C6 Z06 every time! (cheaper to keep too)
Joe Gearin wrote: It seems I'm alone in the wilderness, as I prefer the styling of the C6 to the C5. The C6 is smaller, has a nicer interior, and just proportionally looks better to me. I was never a fan of the C5's nose, or big butt----not to say a C5 Z06 isn't an appealing proposition. (especially as you can find a nice one for about $15K)
You are not alone. I was a little puzzled by all love for the C5's looks in the other thread (I think it started out being about E46 M3's). I would take a C6 over a C5 any day.
Anyhow, I am really interested in the whole 911 vs. Corvette thing. I've already done Corvettes and kinda thought that I would be looking at a Porsche next, but the price of pretty much any generation of 911 seems to be going crazy right now.
In reply to Joe Gearin:
I also have never liked the looks of the C5 for the same reasons you mentioned. If talking a C5 I would get the 911, vs a C6 its a tougher decision.
With very few exceptions, I like the styling of newer Corvettes more than older. I like an early C1 or an early C3, but otherwise, newer is better in Corvette styling. At least to my eye.
I do agree that a C6 vs 996 conversation is never going to involve excellent headlight styling.
Have you driven them both yet? I'm a small guy and I can't stand the ergonomics of pre-C7 Corvettes. On the other hand, 911's fit me like a glove. YMMV.
They are both great cars. You just have to drive both to decide which one is more to your personal tastes. Of course, the 911 has the 2+2 seating that might make a big difference, depending on your situation. The Corvette, being a pure 2-seater, really should be compared to the Boxster S or Cayman S.
I've been in a few C6 Corvettes as an instructor. Those things are effortlessly fast in a way that a 996 non-turbo isn't. 996s can be quick, but the approach necessary is very different.
BTW, $30k buys you a turn-of-the-century Viper GTS if you look around a bit. Given my experience of driving a 2016 GTS on the track, those are like bringing a Howitzer to an OK Corral Gunfight reenactment when compared to a 996.
Mind you, the consumables are probably a tad more expensive, too.
Between build quality, durability, reliability. Parts access and cost and other factors, the 996 would be the winner for me. Plus, honestly, the 'vette has been known as the fat mabs,spirts car for the middle aged guy needing to compensate for something. And that's what I always seem to see.
Vigo wrote: C6 makes a bit more sense with the greater power out of the box but to my eyes the headlights are dealbreaker ugly (vs C5).
Says a 996 owner 
markwemple wrote: Between build quality, durability, reliability. Parts access and cost and other factors, the 996 would be the winner for me. Plus, honestly, the 'vette has been known as the fat mabs,spirts car for the middle aged guy needing to compensate for something. And that's what I always seem to see.
Again, a Porsche advocate criticizes the Corvette on durability, parts cost, and owner image problems. Pot, meet Vantablack paint
markwemple wrote: Plus, honestly, the 'vette has been known as the fat mabs,spirts car for the middle aged guy needing to compensate for something. And that's what I always seem to see.
It depends on perspective. I know quite a number of people who see both cars the same way with regards to "compensating." The only difference is a Vette seems to have more "blue collar" appeal than any P-car.
If I drove through rural PA in a Vette, I'd mostly get thumbs up. Drive a 911 and a different digit may be raised towards you. Drive a little British car (what I actually drive) and they just look at you confused...
Six-liter C6s are worth a lot more respect than they get - barely heavier than a C5Z with the same power, and with most of the errors fixed.
-Better steering wheel
-Better steering feel
-Shorter gear lever with longer throws
-Far better window sealing
-Much shorter overhangs and less scraping on everything taller than a flush manhole cover
The fix for the seats is simple: pitch them and install Tilletts. Just price it into the car.
Joe, my thoughts exactly.
Ian F wrote: It depends on perspective. I know quite a number of people who see both cars the same way with regards to "compensating." The only difference is a Vette seems to have more "blue collar" appeal than any P-car.
Corvette owner stereotype = Sleazy midlife crisis poster boy
Porsche owner stereotype = Seething mass of rich snootiness wrapped in human skin
GameboyRMH wrote:Vigo wrote: C6 makes a bit more sense with the greater power out of the box but to my eyes the headlights are dealbreaker ugly (vs C5).Says a 996 ownermarkwemple wrote: Between build quality, durability, reliability. Parts access and cost and other factors, the 996 would be the winner for me. Plus, honestly, the 'vette has been known as the fat mabs,spirts car for the middle aged guy needing to compensate for something. And that's what I always seem to see.Again, a Porsche advocate criticizes the Corvette on durability, parts cost, and owner image problems. Pot, meet Vantablack paint
I DD a 996 and have DDed air cooled 911s, along with a plethora of other cars. My 996 has had Toyota reliability. I have yet to meet a vette owner who can say thst or one with 100k that wasn't on the verge if falling apart. Just personal observations. Nothing arrogant about that.
In reply to markwemple:
That kinda makes me want to buy a Vette for DD use. Just to see if one will last since I can put 100K on a car in about 3 years.
For a C6, the Z51 package seems like a minimum must have (comes with too much good stuff). Z06s seem to command a very significant premium over the lesser cars.
Modification potential not withstanding, take a look at C&D's historical lightning lap results. I've always wanted to own a C6, but for the price of a 10 year old car you can get a not far off new Camaro. 997s are slower than both, I'd have to imagine 996s are significantly slower still. Not that numbers are everything, but it's food for thought.
Ian F wrote: In reply to markwemple: That kinda makes me want to buy a Vette for DD use. Just to see if one will last since I can put 100K on a car in about 3 years.
Go for it
Says a 996 owner
Well, in my case the 996 was the only 911 i could afford anyway. If i was shopping C6s i'd be shopping C5s too and i'd pick the C5 due to a number of personal preferences including the way the headlights look, the way the interior looks, and, to a much lesser extent, the way the rest of the exterior besides the headlights looks. Obviously the HP was not a huge factor for me since i bought a 911 that was slower than either one.
997s are slower than both, I'd have to imagine 996s are significantly slower still. Not that numbers are everything, but it's food for thought.
They're definitely slower, and it's definitely not everything. I've driven C3-C6s and the only one that made sense to me personally from a value proposition are the cheaper end of the C5s. And since the low end of C5s is pretty close to the low end of 996s, i went that way for a number of reasons. So even though i'm a 911 owner in a 911 vs Corvette thread, I did seriously consider Corvettes and figure i will probably own a C5 in the future.
The answer is the 996TT, it has the reliability, speed. poise and incredible limits
What if a C6 or a 996 was your only car? Which one will start every time and be more livable?
nderwater wrote: Have you driven them both yet? I'm a small guy and I can't stand the ergonomics of pre-C7 Corvettes. On the other hand, 911's fit me like a glove. YMMV.
I really do need to go find them and drive them. I'm pretty tall.
I've never DDed a 'vette but have been DDing a 996 for about 7 years. Rain/shine and even winter. I use it for almost everything (my powerstroke covers the rest). I've even driven the kids to school and gone grocery shopping.
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