C3 vs 911
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
I beg your pardon but really i dont get this kind of parallelism between VW and Porsches...they're completely two diff brands, two diff cars and, most important, two different technologies...
Only half century ago, when Porsche was building the (cute) 356 with the ''same'' 4 cil engine of the bug, i could see some neighborhood, otherwise it's two planets altogether...where this urban legend is coming from?
Only half century ago, when Porsche was building the (cute) 356 with the ''same'' 4 cil engine of the bug, i could see some neighborhood, otherwise it's two planets altogether...where this urban legend is coming from?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: Racine Wisconsin
I never owned a 911 I thought they were a bit better on the road. However, I'll share a humorous story. In the '70's I worked in California. Many of the single guys I worked with had Corvettes and Porches. My roommate had a '54 Corvette (in restoration) and a '69 Corvette (driver). I had a '70 Corvette. Our other roommate had a Porsche 914 (I think that was the number, it had the VW engine). The roommate with the '69 Vette sold it to buy a Pantera L. I was getting pressure from the Porsche crowd to trade up to a 911. I drove my '70 Vette over to the Porsche dealer to look at 911's. I figured I could afford an S but not a Targa. While I was talking to the sales person considering my purchase, the rest of the Porsche sales staff had surrounded my '70 and seemed to be paying particular attention. I still have not owned a Porsche. Just like the Porsche sales staff, there is something about the styling of a C3.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
I beg your pardon but really i dont get this kind of parallelism between VW and Porsches...they're completely two diff brands, two diff cars and, most important, two different technologies...
Only half century ago, when Porsche was building the (cute) 356 with the ''same'' 4 cil engine of the bug, i could see some neighborhood, otherwise it's two planets altogether...where this urban legend is coming from?
Only half century ago, when Porsche was building the (cute) 356 with the ''same'' 4 cil engine of the bug, i could see some neighborhood, otherwise it's two planets altogether...where this urban legend is coming from?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Sorry to be the one to say it but I had a 1978 Porsche 924 in 1980. Blew the doors off a 1978 Corvette with a 4 cylinder from a dead stop in the quarter mile. (used to do a lot of street racing in my younger days.
) It had an Audi engine. I am sure the 911 is much quicker. That said I would rather have a vette. You are comparing apples and oranges.
) It had an Audi engine. I am sure the 911 is much quicker. That said I would rather have a vette. You are comparing apples and oranges.
Last edited by 63mako; Feb 17, 2008 at 10:35 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
When Road & Track magazine did a test comparison between the 911 and the LT-1 Vette in May of 1970 the C3 Vette WON! hands down as the favored car. I guess you just need to be driving the RIGHT model of C3 Corvette like I do 
8th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
When I worked in a gas station back in the early 70s I drove a 911 Porsche-ugh in for servicing. Of course, since it wasn't my car, and I had heard all those fabulous stories about how great the performance was, and did I already say it WASN'T MY car (heh-heh), I decided to see if the stories were true. First I tested acceleration. HA! WHAT ACCELERATION????
Pretty much any American V8 in a pony car could blow it away, and it sounded like a loud Volkswagen inside. Next I tried it through some sharp curves. Yes, it did corner pretty well. But curves are the ONLY thing it had going for it. The inside felt like I was in a cramped bathtub and there was no "style" to it at all.
Obviously, later production versions meant more power and better performance. But I'd still take even a slug late 70s Vette over an early 70s Porsche-ugh.
Pretty much any American V8 in a pony car could blow it away, and it sounded like a loud Volkswagen inside. Next I tried it through some sharp curves. Yes, it did corner pretty well. But curves are the ONLY thing it had going for it. The inside felt like I was in a cramped bathtub and there was no "style" to it at all.Obviously, later production versions meant more power and better performance. But I'd still take even a slug late 70s Vette over an early 70s Porsche-ugh.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 1
older 911 guys are a lot like us. Go to your local road track/vintage track day. Check out the 911 forums & message boards. Those guys love their old 911's just like us C3 guys love our vettes.
Huge aftermarket, club racing, local shops, vendor markets etc.
In reality, the older 911's are a lot like our older C3's (when comparing them to the newer 911 and our newer Z06 Vettes).
Before I bought my C3, I had been comparing a C3, a 1970-73 Datsun 240z, an older 911 Porsche, an older bmw 2002 for my project car. I like these older sportscars of their day (guess which one I happily purchased? a C3 vette). BUT...I have nothing but good things to say about these old porsches....except that on my way home from Eastern Oregon a few years ago, an older (late 60's?) 911 and I were "spiritedly driving" through the gorge at a pleasant rate of speed. It was great. We each acknowledged eachothers car
but to compare these cars side by side is kinda....well, dumb. As for looks, there are a WHOLE SLEW of folks who think the C3 vette is very tacky, gaudy & disco-esque. But...opinions are like elbows right?
AP
Last edited by OregonVette80; Feb 18, 2008 at 01:55 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
[QUOTE=M1A1;1564151239].... Next I tried it through some sharp curves. Yes, it did corner pretty well. But curves are the ONLY thing it had going for it....
Many europeans would not even look at a car that had not a speeding actitude through sharp bends, even if it had 1000hp and covered the quartermile in 8''...on the contrary many here would consider a car as 'fast' depending on how fast it would cover that distance
This is why, as many already have said, you cannot compare both cars, they feed different passions, have antitetic breeds and purposes and give satisfaction to totally different kind of drivers.
I must say, though, that i'd rather prefer a new 911 GT3 to a C6Z, even if the vette would cover half second earlier the 1/4mile the GT3 would eat the vette for breakfast on any winding road
Many europeans would not even look at a car that had not a speeding actitude through sharp bends, even if it had 1000hp and covered the quartermile in 8''...on the contrary many here would consider a car as 'fast' depending on how fast it would cover that distance
This is why, as many already have said, you cannot compare both cars, they feed different passions, have antitetic breeds and purposes and give satisfaction to totally different kind of drivers.
I must say, though, that i'd rather prefer a new 911 GT3 to a C6Z, even if the vette would cover half second earlier the 1/4mile the GT3 would eat the vette for breakfast on any winding road
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 1
nope. Not according to Automobile. They set the Zo6 against the Porsche and the Ferrari (F430 ???).
The Vette did a tad bit better on the Slalom, braking, and obviously the straightline 1/4 mile etc.
What the corvette was lacking was the interior refinements, the quality of build and interior sound. BUT...at $100,000 less than the Ferarri & Porsche, many enthusiasts could forgive GM for those issues.
Many trade publications did the test:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test
Corvette C6 ZO6
0-60: 3.7
1/4 mile: 12.2 ( 11.7 powershifting)
lateral accel. : 1.00g
BHP: 530 bhp
Engine: 7.0L V8
Torque:470 lb-ft. 4800 rpm
Curb wieght: 3150 lb.
Braking
60: 109 ft.
80:197 ft.
Ferrari F430
0-60: 3.5
1/4 mile: 11.7
lateral accel : .93g
BHP: 483 bhp
Engine: 4.3L V8
Torque: --
Curb wieght: 3150 lb.
Braking
60: 113 ft.
80:192 ft.
The Porsche Turbo tiptronic s is faster to 60 by a tenth (3.4vs3.5), and runs through the quarter mile at the same time as the corvette , but a couple mph's slower (11.7@121 vs 11.7@123). After 120 mph, the ZO6 pulls away from the turbo, and has a faster top speed (useless on public roads) of 198 vs the 185 for the turbo. Around a track, the Corvette was 1.7 seconds faster, at 1.6 mph faster as well. Driving at topspeed in the corvette is very nerve racking, for the steering of the earlier cars were very "sensitive and twitchy." The Turbo is much more stable at topspeed.
-Sadly, I couldn't afford either of these cars
I'll locate the other results too!
-just saying
Last edited by OregonVette80; Feb 18, 2008 at 02:12 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Yakima Washington
All true
i agree with above. There is no better sportscar in the world for the money than a late model Vette. Period.
Owned a 1980 911SC gray-market car (imported from Germany) so it had an extra 25 horse. This put the car around 225 HP, very similair to my 78 L82 Vette. However, the Porsche is a 6 cyl and the Vette an 8 with alot more weight. Like others have said, it would outperform my '78 on nearly all fronts but one- that classic American automobile look and character. But that's to be expected since the Porshce is made in Stuttgart! Duh! The Porsche comes across as no nonesense and too business-like for me. A great car for for performance with a unique look no doubt, but I'd rather look at my Shark.
Owned a 1980 911SC gray-market car (imported from Germany) so it had an extra 25 horse. This put the car around 225 HP, very similair to my 78 L82 Vette. However, the Porsche is a 6 cyl and the Vette an 8 with alot more weight. Like others have said, it would outperform my '78 on nearly all fronts but one- that classic American automobile look and character. But that's to be expected since the Porshce is made in Stuttgart! Duh! The Porsche comes across as no nonesense and too business-like for me. A great car for for performance with a unique look no doubt, but I'd rather look at my Shark.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Oregon, I beg your pardon my friend , i didnt mean the Porsche 911 Turbo, i meant the 911 GT3 which is a lightweight club racer, set up for driven tracks
I dont think either Ferrari nor the C6Z could stay in front of it on sharp bends...
, i didnt mean the Porsche 911 Turbo, i meant the 911 GT3 which is a lightweight club racer, set up for driven tracks I dont think either Ferrari nor the C6Z could stay in front of it on sharp bends...
Last edited by panic; Feb 18, 2008 at 03:13 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 18
From: Florida
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...st+page-4.html Copy and paste then please read.... their is a reason why these cars dont run in any class together they are completely different. I know for the money now that GM is the car to beat hands down. I will also say that for little money invested in suspension/ a c3 can be made to out perform any 1970-1980 911 and still be street friendly. The older 911 quickly become less street friendly when upgrading suspension and engine.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: Peoplez Republik (communist portland) Orygun
I stand by my statement that I cannot afford any of those three cars
in hind sight...: It's been two years since I compared the 911, C3, 240z and the bmw 2002.
I am soooo damn happy I ended up with the C3. Not only is is fun to "muscle" around the track & autoX days, it really has the other cars beat hands-down on the aesthetic department. For real, I have never had soooo many people approach me with the "Cool car" and thumbs up ever. (but...i wouldn't complain if handed the keys to a 1969 911 Porsche
).
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 1
From: North Bend Ohio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Laps#Power_Laps
If you look at #47 you will find the Porsche 911 GT3 at 1:27.2. They note that this was done on a "mildly moist" track. Their allowance for this is 2 seconds so we can say the GT3 did it in 1:25.2. Now, look at #16. This is the Z06 which ran the track in 1:22.4.
How's that for superior German engineering?
On a sad note, I'll bet they get $30,000 more for that slower car too.
BigBlockk
Later.....
Last edited by BigBlockk; Feb 18, 2008 at 07:57 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
[QUOTE=BigBlockk;1564155499]
I also see in no. 15 the GT3 RS at 1.22.3, the RS is the very same car of the GT3, just 45lbs lighter...which it's easy to understand that cannot justify 5 seconds diff between the two cars, if not for unappropriate track conditions when the GT3 test was done.
Anyhow i'm not here to support the german engineering against the american one, far from me, otherwise i'd be posting on a porsche forum and enjoying street racing on a 911 instead of on a C3...(...and with the money spent on my C3 i easily could have bought one and half 911, not one...)
Said this, on a real world 'winding road' (i didnt say 'on a track'), i'd still prefer a GT3 instead of a C6Z and not only for the performance but because the GT3 is closer to a street racer image then a C6, lighter, harder, no fuzzy softass comforts, no power windows, no soft leather seats, only streight and pure adrenaline components.
Of course on relation price/performance the Vette wins hands down, no doubt about it.
Anyhow i'm not here to support the german engineering against the american one, far from me, otherwise i'd be posting on a porsche forum and enjoying street racing on a 911 instead of on a C3...(...and with the money spent on my C3 i easily could have bought one and half 911, not one...)
Said this, on a real world 'winding road' (i didnt say 'on a track'), i'd still prefer a GT3 instead of a C6Z and not only for the performance but because the GT3 is closer to a street racer image then a C6, lighter, harder, no fuzzy softass comforts, no power windows, no soft leather seats, only streight and pure adrenaline components.
Of course on relation price/performance the Vette wins hands down, no doubt about it.
Last edited by panic; Feb 18, 2008 at 06:38 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: North Fork California
C3 vs 911
I own a 78 vette. I used to own a 1985 Porsche 928. The Porsche is a beautiful looking rocket on rails and is very comfortable...but it broke a lot. The engine is all aluminum, dual overhead cams and is water cooled.
Have you ever changed out a torque tube? Not very much fun and expensive. Also, the electrical system is quirky to say the least. The good thing about the 928 is that it seats four. Other bad things are you better change the cam belts when needed (not easy) or you'll be changing valves/pistons.
I loved driving the 928 but couldn't trust it and got tired of the constant expense for parts.
The Corvette on the other hand isn't nearly as easy on the butt nor is it as fast (I'm fixing that) or handles as well (also fixing this) but I like the way it looks...and it doesn't break. And if it does break it's easily fixable.
The 928 is still in the family...my son owns it now. It's in his garage waiting for another torque tube replacement!
Have you ever changed out a torque tube? Not very much fun and expensive. Also, the electrical system is quirky to say the least. The good thing about the 928 is that it seats four. Other bad things are you better change the cam belts when needed (not easy) or you'll be changing valves/pistons.
I loved driving the 928 but couldn't trust it and got tired of the constant expense for parts.
The Corvette on the other hand isn't nearly as easy on the butt nor is it as fast (I'm fixing that) or handles as well (also fixing this) but I like the way it looks...and it doesn't break. And if it does break it's easily fixable.
The 928 is still in the family...my son owns it now. It's in his garage waiting for another torque tube replacement!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
When I was vintage racing my A Sedan '67 Mustang (now before y'all start with the Rustang jokes understand that I bought my Vette as a streetable replacement for my by-now too-radical Mustang) the 911s always were gridded with us (all the Mustangs and Corvettes). They were classified in C Production, the Mustangs in either B Production or A Sedan, and the Vettes in A or B Production. As 911s tended to be, they were finicky and cantankerous and rather unforgiving of ignorant drivers and/ or owners who didn't maintain them well and set them up right. Mustangs were (and still are) very popular vintage racers because they're fast, noisy ,cheap to build and maintain, easy to set up and forgiving of poor driving technique. Vettes are the same, but a little less so than the Mustangs. But on their day a properly-set up 911 from where I was sitting could run at Willow Springs, Buttonwillow or Sears Point with the best Vettes or Mustangs out there. It just wasn't often that somebody with that particular car and the ability to wring the most out of it ever showed up, because it certainly cost more money to make that 911 go as fast as the American iron.