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

I know, I know, these threads suck the spheres of a donkey, but I have a legit debate about them. They are roughly in the same price range. I am seriously looking into one of them when I get back to the states. Please let your hate/anger flow for one or the other, whether cost, parts cost, maintenance, handling, power, whatever! I just got tired of talking to a strictly horsepower/car show kinda person. Please try to sway me on one.

What I like about each myself:

996 - its a freaking Porsche, interior is awesome, the unique handling.

C5 Z06 - Best bang for the buck horsepower and handling, looks pretty cool.

Viper - Has the most striking looks, E36 M3 ton of horsepower, no assist, just gotta have restraint to drive.

This would not be a daily, just a toy to occasionally drive. Not a track toy either. I have something already to ball up in a wall at Road Atlanta.

Viper. Just because it is so awesomely cool. Also I think the Viper will probably rise in value much quicker then the other two (not that matters too much).

I think that it matters. I wanna hear everything like that. I didn't even think of that. Also, I am talking about a base Viper, not R/T10s or ACRs obviously as those go up significantly.

Only car in my list not a base model is the C5.

Z06. I wouldnt want to sell a kidney to fix/maintain the other two. Vipers are cooler though...

I don't want any of them.

If you are getting a 996, pony up for the C4S. By the time you get back, they will likely be further into your price range. They are the only ones that MIGHT appreciate.

A base carrera is junk... I'm not sure why you like the interior, it's downright horrible.

If you are really set on a 996 carrera 2, go drive a 987.1 Cayman. Handles better, better interior, about the same price, almost as powerful.

If you just want to feel like the coolest berkeleying guy in a car, viper. The others actually do things better, but the viper does the best job at being awesome.

I know Woody, I really contemplated a Boxster S or a 911SC but my reasoning is for the extra $6K or $7K(not based on steal of a deal SCs) more I can get into a newer Porsche with modern amenities. Talk me into a SC, that was my initial thought anyways. I want people to beat the E36 M3 out of my ideas so I can be happy with a decision.

Cayman, is another idea. Maybe I should be considering this. I was hoping you would give some insight Brad. You know more about Porsches than I will ever know.

None, really but... if you put a gun to my head I'd say Viper. It is so obnoxious it has to be cool.

The Viper always turns my head.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: None, really but... if you put a gun to my head I'd say Viper. It is so obnoxious it has to be cool.

I haz been tempted

Current examples:

996

Corvette

Viper

Okay, I'll play.

Viper: Stupid fast and head-turning looks. However, ever drive one in traffic? I did San Diego to L.A. in one during rush hour: The heavy clutch, lack of a dead pedal and a very warm cockpit might not be for you. It also seems to grow when you have to park it. However, did I mention that it's stupid fast?

C5 Z06: Also excellent performance and better than you'd expect carrying capacity. Downsides? Those doors are kind of big and the nose is low. Be careful when parking. Good or bad, the base C6 seems to have torpedoed values. Personally, I also love the exhaust note. The C5 Z06 also has some of the best factory wheels ever offered.

996: Probably the slowest car on the list, but it offers excellent performance. I'd also say it feels lightest on its feet. Probably the most practical, too, considering it has a (tiny) back seat. I'd also have to list the PCA as an asset. Downsides? The earliest ones seem to have a bad rep for engine problems, and out of all 911 production the 996 and 2.7L cars seem to have the least fans.

How about a 996 with an LS swap?

Buying a blown up 996 & swapping it would cost about the same as buying a good 996, be as fast as the Vette & much cheaper to maintain than the stock Porsche 3.4...

FWIW, when the kit becomes available, my Boxster is getting an LS swap

In reply to Woody:

Agreed.....

N-S-X

David S. Wallens wrote: Viper: Stupid fast and head-turning looks. However, ever drive one in traffic? I did San Diego to L.A. in one during rush hour: The heavy clutch, lack of a dead pedal and a very warm cockpit might not be for you. It also seems to grow when you have to park it. However, did I mention that it's stupid fast?

This is why I would buy the Viper if it is just a toy. Vipers are rarer, cooler looking, fast as hell and practical as a chocolate tea cup.

The Viper's hood is ridiculous expensive if it gets damaged. But from the very little I have looked at these cars, they don't seem hard to maintain.

David S. Wallens wrote: The earliest ones seem to have a bad rep for engine problems, and out of all 911 production the 996 and 2.7L cars seem to have the least fans.

THIS, is specifically what I want to hear. Tell me how stupid I am for picking something. I do not want to buy something and then have the "You know... these things are known for E36 M3ting the bed as far as head gaskets(or something similar)"

I know Miata is the answer when it comes to everything, but I am looking for a price range car that I can enjoy with out spending coin fixing it all the time while having the look. I know, it stupid to buy a car for vanity reasons and I want some criticism as to why I shouldn't. You won't hurt my feelings.

Honestly, I lean to Porsche because it is my dream car(of any variant of 911) but the Corvette seems the most reasonable. The Viper just screams awesomeness though! Also, the simplicity of the Viper seems more like a wrencher's car.

JFX001 wrote: In reply to Woody: Agreed..... N-S-X

This is literally the first thing I thought when I saw the candidates. It wont depreciate anymore, its slow by comparison but who cares, maintenance is cheap (from what I hear), and they are sexy.

I'd pick the viper because of the reasons everyone here has said. As much as that porsche is sexy, I've worked on them, lots of them. Good God I'd never want to HAVE to work on one for free (my own) and I'd never want to pay that kinda money for service. I think we were getting $400 for an oil change!?!?
The Z06 is a great car, but it lacks the cool factor you'd get driving the Viper.

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...

Nobody looks at Porsches here in Edmonton unless it's a super-badass model in a very loud color.

EVERYONE will look at a Viper though, even if it's a 1994 era one. It's like the epitome of every dudes car wet dream.

Now, if you don't really care about being looked at, as mentioned in this thread and in grm magazine, 996 awd LS swap.

If I was looking to buy between those three, I'd say a 993.

HiTempguy wrote: Nobody looks at Porsches here in Edmonton unless it's a super-badass model in a very loud color. EVERYONE will look at a Viper though, even if it's a 1994 era one. It's like the epitome of every dudes car wet dream. Now, if you don't really care about being looked at, as mentioned in this thread and in grm magazine, 996 awd LS swap.

You make a good point. I think that the Viper is really a guy's car, so it's going to be a lot of dudes giving you glances.

Mitchell wrote: You make a good point. I think that the Viper is really a guy's car, so it's going to be a lot of dudes giving you glances.

Hey man, if you use a viper to pick up dudes, all the more power to you Mitchell. We don't judge on the GRM board.

In reply to Javelin:

Booyah. W e finally agree on something 100%

if it pumps water, it is more complicated than it needs to be.