itsmeek

I'm looking to move up and get out of the e55 soon here. I have just had my '10 range rover sport replaced (father totaled the other one). I'm looking to buy a second car but want a sports car this time. I'm looking at the $50ish thousand price range.

I know you guys are busy, but can someone give me a fair comparison of the three cars mentioned above? Which year would qualify for the price range, which model, etc? I'd like a gtr above all but not until they drop to the 50s.

Thanks in advance!!

Nait Sirhc

Are you looking at 996 or 997 Turbos?

tscales

Has to be looking at the 996. 997s still aren't in the $50K range.

I haven't owned a Z06, but did own a C6 Z51. Now I have a 996TT. Honestly, I liked the low-end torque of the C6 better, but the 996 is more practical for me (AWD in Iowa + car seat for the 4 year old).

Personally I would never consider a Viper, as I actually enjoy driving my cars daily.

Drive them all and pick what you like!

emoving

Your not gonna touch a 997tt for 50k.

MB_Forever

+1 as that maybe a stretch. The 996 are great as well though

alqamzi

The zo6 will be the best choice. Its the newest and better performance of all 3 and u can get 2008-2009 zo6 for 50's these days.

C63newdude

I never owned a 996 TT but I have had a Carrera 4 Cabriolet a long time ago and was impressed with Porsche quality. I recently purchased a new C6 Z06 (a 2008 model) and the car was fast but I could also give you a small list of things that I did not like.
Even though I don't have the C6 Z06 no more I think is a good choice compraed to the other two cars. The 08' is a better car than the 07, they changed the transmission from the T56 to a TR6060(tremec).

Good luck!

InTheBenz0

If you want the newest car the z06. If you want more practicality, back seats and awd the 996tt, and if you want a pure weekend toy that will attract the most looks - the viper. I don't know enough about you, or your situation to say what the best car is. They are all great, and all pretty fast.

If I had to have a car for about 10k miles a year, it would be the 996tt.

If I wanted a car to race with, id choose the z06 - can't touch the performance for the price.

If I wanted a pure weekend car, that would see maybe 3-4k miles a year max, I'd choose the viper

revolutionml55

porsche all the way 996tt protomotive=)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbbnN...next=1&index=1

vegas55amg

I had a C5 ZO6, and granted, the C6 is a nicer car in every way, but it's still a chevrolet, and it still has a low-rent chevy interior.

another thing about corvette's: after buying mine (I was in my early thirties and just started making good money - and I had ALWAYS wanted a corvette, after all, ALL red-blooded american boys always wanted a corvette) I noticed a funny thing.

corvette owners are a friendly bunch, they always wave at another corvette owner (I used to experience this on motorcycles, except for the occasional harley rider who thought he was too good to wave at someone on a crotch-rocket).

and I started to notice another thing.

MOST corvette owners are OLD MEN. gray and/or bald.

why is this? because EVERY red-blooded american boy always wanted a corvette, and most of them couldn't afford it until they were over 50!!!

on the good side though, the insurance on the car was dirt cheap compared to comparable sports cars. why? because the average owner was a 55 year old man, and 55 year old men are generally safe drivers!

930chas

996tt all day. Get an Evoms or Proto kit for it and have a monster!!

soulsearcher

It would be helpful if you are more specific as to what you want in a car.

I was in the market for a z06 or a 996tt and after lots of test driving I went with the 996tt (750hp)
I have raced the z06 a few times and it is fun but it did not even come close to out performing the Porsche on the track (Road Atlanta). The z06 sounds better, especially when u pull out the exhaust flap fuse and get that wonderful v8 rumble all the time. On the track the 996TT/997TT usually are ahead of the z06. Repairs on the vet are cheaper. 50ishK will get you into a 03-04 996 but will get you into a much newer vet with a warranty. I can go on and on and on but it would be helpful if you narrow down what your looking for. Also if you are looking to mod the car.

Blair_MD

I recently sold both my 996tt and ZO6.. The Turbo is a much nicer car all around, the build quality made the Z feel like a piece of junk. That aside, I liked to drive the Z more than the tt, it's a complete animal on the road and a ton of fun to drive. The Z is also much easier to modify, MUCH cheaper to get more HP than the tt was.
That all aside, the tt on the freeway from 60-120 is awesome, pulls like a bat out of hell. The tt from a stop feels like slug off the line until the turbos wind up then it's a rocket (the 0-60 is mid 3's but since it has about 1 sec of turbo lag your really looking looking at a 2 sec 20-60 time which is pretty impressive IMO)

It's all about what you are looking for in the end, both a nice cars, both are fast. The tt is a better track car and the Z is better on the road..

Max.H

I vote for Z06. As mentioned way easier and cheaper to mod. I think it looks better then the 996 tt.

02cl55amg

zo6 hands down

Uber Wagon

You really need to specify what you want to do with it - as others have mentioned.

Corvette - If you want to track it - the Z06 motor is a little fragile - SCCA T1 guys blow them up all the time. Overall - it's a nice package. Good low end torque, growly American V8. Chevy interior. Pretty common. Probably a little more punishing than you'd want for a DD.

Porsche - more refined, much better build quality and all that comes with a Porsche. Not owned one - but I anticipate this being the easiest "daily driver". Will blend into the crowd. Do you want tiptronic or other auto variant? Probably the best bet for that, as well as being the most practical. Also - doesn't it have back seats for a small dog?

Viper - I drove my 2003 convertible daily - it's not that difficult to do - and these cars can be had very cheaply. Interior is dark / drab, seats are great if you are not 300 lbs. GOBS of low end torque and the drivetrain is pretty bulletproof as it's way understressed at stock HP. DO NOT GET THIS CAR IF YOU JUST WANT TO HOP IN AND HAMMER THE THROTTLE. Get one of the 2 above. Actually -if you are cross shopping the cars above - don't get a Viper.

Mamba003

If it was up to me I would go Viper all the way but then again I guess i am a bit jaded.

It definitely is not the best daily driver but it is gobs of fun. If you like the torque of the e55 you will love the Viper. It is not a car you can just get in and go fast. It take some respect and patience to learn the car. With not traction control or stability control it could be dangerous if not respected.



















Sorry for all the pics. I got carried away.

itsmeek

You guys are great! I say I don't want to mod, but I know I will. I have previously owned a c5 z06 and absolutely loved the car in every way. Sure the interior wasn't all that great, but the engine was awesome. I also owned a c4 996 and a c2 996, I was HIGHLY disappointed in both of those cars. The drivetrains were horrible, and left a lot to be desired. The interiors looked like garbage but were surprisingly very comfortable. I realize it's not a turbo and that the turbo's are a different world. I would want a manual, would drive it often, and would definitely mod. No tracks.

ItalianStallion

Prob the Z06. 997TT is my favorite. The 996TT might be too dated. The Z06 right out of the box is an animal. With bolt-ons, you're pretty much untouchable and believe it or not, it is totally a daily driver. I do LOVE the 996TT though, just I would need a modded one and mods are $$ unless you get it with mods already...then you could be looking at an abused car.

Max.H

Amen to that. Z06 is such a ripper! Not an easy car to drive though. I have beat one in a stop light race. But, if we switched drivers It would have been straight murder for my car.

BenzHawaii

I'd say go with the Z06 aswell! Everyone knows they are beastly lol Fun to drive, fast, nice body style. Just custom the interior lol I'm sure you'll be happy you bought one!

MB_Forever

Keep in mind that in terms of modability, I believe the viper probably wins, as I've seen some putting down 1200+ rwhp and running 7s in the 1/4 mile However, they are definitely not an everyday car. They're perfect as a weekend car or partial driving car, but I don't think they have the comfort of the Z06.

HadiLaw

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...fCarsQ5fTrucks

That's a ice buy if you want the Z06. I've also been looking at the same vehicles, 996TT, GTR, but not a z06. I just can't get myself to purchase an american car. Like wise, I'm waiting for the GTR to drop into the $50s. Should be sometime next year. If it still doesn't, then 996TT all the way!

Timeless

This is a good post. I too will be moving into another vehicle in this price range later this year as my extended warranty runs out in December.

I believe I can live without four doors now and am looking hard at a Z06...my MAIN concern is the daily driver aspect and rough ride along with tiresome rowing of gears.

If I could see myself ever driving a Caddy, I think the CTS-V is the hands down best bang for the buck...but it is a Caddy.

If I stay with MB, it would most likely be a nice SL55 or SL600.

Let us know what you do and how happy you are!

HadiLaw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMT4JSGL3NU