OK don't shoot me, but 996 Carrera vs. C5 Z06 vs. 1st Gen Viper

If you're looking for a toy car, the 996 isn't. It's too comfortable, too practical; it makes a great DD sports car. But it's not as successful as a toy car.

C5 Z06 is a pinnacle car. But it's a pinnacle track car. It's as close to a real race car as any sane person would want on the street because it was designed to be on the track. And you're not looking for a track car.

So, from your three choices, Viper. It's a toy so comfort and practicality aren't necessary. In fact, the less practical the more cool it has, sort of. It has torque (duh) which makes it fun to squirt around in.

Other options? I think a 308/328 would be an awesome toy car. Looks phenomenal, sounds divine. If it's a toy you maybe won't accumulate much mileage to have to do a timing chain. Can't depreciate much further.

David

What are the goals of this car? To be fast? To look fast? To get thumbs up? To make loud noises? Occasional track day? It sounds like you want a 'arm around your girlfriend/wife drive in the country on a sunny day' car. If this is the case, stop thinking fast. Stop thinking modern. Think:

If you want to prove your manhood (or have it taken away)

Viper

I have driven a few C5 Z06s and have found them very streetable in the comfort area. (This seems to be a theme the stock Z06 is to harsh as of late. Did everyone on here suddenly drive 74 New Yorkers and I miss the memo?) and they still lay down a wickedly fast lap time.

I would go Z06, because my wife has my manhood in her purse.

Porsche is too much money to buy, to much cost to repair to be a track rat IMHO. (But MHO and $0.50 won't buy you a Coke either so..)

I have owned two out of the three.

Go VIPER, or get a classic car. The vipers are easy to maintain but they are expensive, and check your insurance on the viper before you buy. My gen three was half the cost of my gen two.

wearymicrobe wrote: I have owned two out of the three. Go VIPER

You = my new hero

DWNSHFT wrote: If you're looking for a toy car, the 996 isn't. It's to comfortable, to practical; it makes a great DD sports car. But it's not as successful as a toy car. C5 Z06 is a pinnacle car. But it's a pinnacle track car. It's as close to a real race car as any sane person would want on the street because it was designed to be on the track. And you're not looking for a track car. So, from your three choices, Viper. It's a toy so comfort and practicality aren't necessary. In fact, the less practical the more cool it has, sort of. It has torque (duh) which makes it fun to squirt around in. Other options? I think a 308/328 would be an awesome toy car. Looks phenomenal, sounds divine. If it's a toy you maybe won't accumulate much mileage to have to do a timing chain. Can't depreciate much further. David

I've owned all three and the 308/328. Thoughts:

My Vipers were very reliable and enjoyable to track, on occasion. Preferred the looks of the GTS. The Viper was not too expensive to insure as I had it on a classic car policy. I left one stock and modded the coupe. I really like the clamshell hood and the engine is just as impressive to look at as the exterior. Still draws a crowd.

C5 Corvettes are a great performance bargain, reliable and can be daily driven and tracked. Mods are easy and comparatively cheap. Interior is not very high-end, but works well for its intended purpose. Plenty out there, so if you are looking to create a stir at your local C&C, not gonna happen.

The Porsche is the quality piece of the group, but the model you mentioned does have a few issues that should be checked with a PPI. Also able to be tracked and will not beat you up on the daily drive should you chose to go that route once in a while. Plenty of "upgrades"(appearance and perf) available,though not as cheap as Vette. Zero under hood eye candy.

The Ferraris are the every drive is an "event" car. Great looks and full leather interiors make you realize that you are in something special every time you drive it. Mid-engined, gated shifters and the most storied name in autodom give the F-cars serious appeal. Straight line performance suffers in comparison to the others, but the old Italians still handle and stop pretty well. A PPI is a must, but if everything checks out, they are quite sturdy. Many parts are expensive, but an owner can perform much of the work, if needed.

In summary, Porsche is boring, Vettes common but fast, and Vipers bring the heat and the crowd.

Viper. But only if its a GTS. In blue.

I mean, come on, really. Look at it!

I hate that big dumb truck motor in the Viper. I also think they look way too Jersey shore. The engine's been foolishly placed in the back end of the Porsche and no one looks twice at one. Corvette for the win. What a performance bargain, good looking too. So what if they're common.

I'm definitely in the "classic cruiser" camp here.

Javelin wrote: If you want a Porsche, why not a 964? It fixes all of the SC issues (including looks) and is still in your price range...

If you want a Porsche, why not a 993? It fixes all of the 964 issues (including looks) and is still in your price range... sorta...

Appleseed wrote: Viper. But only if its a GTS. In blue. I mean, come on, really. Look at it!

I work with a girl that owns an identical version of this car. As well as a Buick Grand National and an Audi TT with a bazillion suspension and brake mods

She's lucky

I'll jump into this one too. I've owned two of the three on your list (or very similar ones).

I've had a couple of C5 'Vettes. Neither were factory Z06s, but one was modified beyond the power of the Z06 and had the same suspension goodies. Best bang for the buck you're going to find anywhere. Crazy fast, handles great. Also comfortable enough to be a daily cruiser. It can do the daily slog thing much better than any other super fast car I've seen. Upgrades parts are readily available and not ultra expensive. Fuel mileage is actually good if you don't wail on it. Interior feels a bit parts bin, but isn't horrid. And it's a Corvette, so expect creaks and rattles, especially when it's cold outside.

Viper - I had a '99 GTS. All black, chrome rims. The most stunning car I've ever had. Flat gorgeous. Fun to drive? Not really. It was fast, but for some reason didn't feel as fast as my modded 'Vette. That may have been more of an illusion, as my Viper exhaust was stock, and it was criticized by car rags as being too quiet. My 'Vette had a crazy loud exhaust. The driving position in the Viper is silly. I never really did get comfortable in it. Clutch is heavy, needlessly so. Interior is cheap. And it followed every rut in the road, I was constantly making small corrections. Would I own another Viper? In a heartbeat...if I had a butt load of cash and could afford 10 cars. But if it was my only toy, I'd pick the 'Vette.

Can't comment on the 996, never had one. I like 'em, but I'd go 'Vette or Viper personally.

I'd rule out the Porsche on maintenance costs, and because a car that specializes in corners isn't going to be much fun on the street. Especially in the US

Now the intelligent, practical choice here is the Z06. Quick in a straight line, pretty good handling, not too bad on consumables for a heavy V8. A good all-rounder.

But this is supposed to be a fun weekend car and it sounds like the Corvette has a case of the sensibles. The Viper is basically the Corvette plus two cylinders and a heap of insanity and minus the handling (at least for the first-gen, when stock) and comfort.

So I'd say choose between one of the last two.

wrek496 wrote: I hate that big dumb truck motor in the Viper.

Yeah, cuz the pushrod V-10 is waaaay lower tech than the super high-tech 'vette motor

For all the reasons everyone else stated already: VIPER!

In reply to 93EXCivic:

The Viper's engine is damn easy to maintain. Its V10 is just an LA V8 with two extra cylinders. Sturdy caveman technology. Think of it as a mutant 318, but just as reliable.

I've driven all 3, and I've got some stuff in the garage that's similar; I would probably agree with most of what's already been said: Viper is cool, and if it's a weekend only car, this would be my choice. The 'Vette wins in my mind as the all-rounder - a track day or two, some autox, highway driving, canyon carving; the 996 just isn't, well, interesting. And I am a Porsche guy. In a big way. I only own 1 modern Porsche (meaning 25 years or newer), and it's got a lot more going on that a 996. I would buy a 964 if you could get a regular Carrera without a sunroof (I need helmet space).

I tried to find a boring shot of each to reflect the model you can afford. The 996 wasn't too hard, the Vette was moderately more difficult, and the Viper is almost impossible.

I absolutely loathe the sound of V10's ad teh viper's V10 is the worst for me. Between that, the heat and the cramped cabin the Viper is out for me.

The Porche, well I liketo maintain and work on my own stuff. I know how german engineers think and there's no way....

So that leaves the C5Z, but I really don't like the FRC look of the Z. What about a non-Z C6?

Maroon92 wrote:

Javelin wrote: If you want a Porsche, why not a 964? It fixes all of the SC issues (including looks) and is still in your price range...

If you want a Porsche, why not a 993? It fixes all of the 964 issues (including looks) and is still in your price range... sorta...

Have you priced a 993 lately? He could get a mint 964 or a parts car 993.

I like the viper of the three choices. It's the naughty love child of Jeremy Clarkson and Mae West, were that possible. It smokes, it drinks, it steals your lunch money and then your girlfriend, even if she said she doesn't like jocks.

Tho, I would go for something classic and convertible as well. 65 Mustangs aren't going down in value, XK120's aren't, heck, you could probably even hold your own with a used FFR cobra replica.

If you aren't tracking or using it as a daily driver, I too vote something classic. TR6 comes to mind.

Z06 for practicality, parts, and maintenance purposes. Viper for old school muscle feel in a newer car Porsche to feel like a 1%er

FlightService wrote: I work with a girl that owns an identical version of this car. As well as a Buick Grand National and an Audi TT with a bazillion suspension and brake mods She's lucky

Coolest girl ever??

I was in a similar situation; I came home from Iraq and wanted something to replace my RX-8. I found a clean, low-mileage, well-maintained C5 Z06 for $21k. All the Vipers I found around $25k had salvage titles. Generally, only first gen Vipers will fall in this price range. The N/A 996 can compare with neither the Viper nor the Z06 in terms of performance. I eliminated the NSX from my search for similar reasons.

The Z06 is cheaper to maintain, gets better gas mileage, and is faster than the other two. It also can carry a lot more stuff. The trunk is huge. The seats aren't the best, but they aren't really bad. The doors are big and can make tight parking a pain. Idiots in riced out civics and mustangs will want to race you at stop lights.

If I had found a 2nd gen Viper without a salvage title for a similar price, I would have bought it. How much is a clamshell? lol