I am between a 02 Z06 or a 96 911 (coupe-non turbo-20K miles) for 50K. Any converted 911 owners out there?

 

As an owner of both, I'd say that it really depends on what criteria you are using.

The Porsche is exciting and impressive. The Z06 has twin-turbo beating performance without the snooty dealers ...

If you want to have pure fun, the 'vette is the better choice.

Graham

 

Porsche: Prestige, classic styling, mediocre performance, no warranty

Z06: Top knotch performance, awesome ride and comfort for a performance car and full factory warranty.

I would go with the Z, but it is your choice.

 

Long term P-car owner & lover here: 92 C2, 94 968, 96 993, 99 996. All great. All driven like they were intended to be, including plenty of track time.

And despite the rumors, excellent reliability with nothing but basic maintenance. But it is true that any maintenance, basic or not, is huge $$.

A 96 993 in any flavor is an impressive car by any standard, you would not be unhappy if that is what you choose. A really really thorough pre-purchase inspection is a must for that car. And if you haven't already, go to RennList, a great P-car foum: http://forums.rennlist.com/index.htm

Having said that, I am at this moment the proud owner of a new Z06 and it is a totally different beast. The power is just insane for one thing. I find driving the Z to be a more immediate, raw experience. Absolutely enjoying it.

Someday I hope to own another Porsche again, but definitely in addition to (not instead of) the Z.

Go and drive both (if you haven't yet), good luck and hope to see you around in the forum!

:cheers:

 

A '96 911 TT was the last car I drove before I ordered my Z06. It's actually what made the decision for me. Everyone knows the pros of the Porsche TT, but my cons were:

* Not enough right leg clearance. This car had the optional car phone center console which is wider than the regular one, but at 6'4" I was not comfortable driving the car.

* Braking effort and steering effort were tiring for an everyday driver.

* Ride was much firmer and harsher than the Z06.

* Engine, though it made sweet music, was obnoxiously loud to have to deal with everyday.

* Though P-car owners have gotten used to them, the cabin ergonomics are crap.

* As mentioned before, no warranty.

And all this for only $30K more than the Z06 which will whip it in most venues.

Which color Z will you be getting? :cool:

 

No brainer.....Z06! :yesnod:

"Made in the USA!" :flag

Zippy :chevy :chevy

 

I hate to go against the flow but, being that I have owned 5 911's before buying my 00' C5 and I have a 02' Z on order and am about to cancel my order.

I think the 993's are the best looking of all the 911's.

Issues with the Z06 is build quality. It is a piece of poopie compaired to the 993. I wrecked my 94' Turbo and bought a new C5 and I hated it. It took about 3months to get use to the rattles and shakes of the C5 and all of the plastic in the C5 looks cheap compaired to the 993.

A none turbo is slower than the ZO6 but. I think the 993 is more fun to drive. There is nothing like driving a rear engine car. It is like learning to drive all over again. To me it is more comfortable (I am 6'2") mine didn't have the cell phone center console.

Go for the 993 if speed is not an issue. If dragging for light to light is what you want to do get the Zo6.

The Porsche parts can be somewhat expensive. But I have put over 100,000mi on two different 911 before. Reliability is an issue when you start to modify either.

I am going to buy a 96' TT the first of the year and trade in my Vette. I almost forgot, you get more girls in the Porsche. :D

 

I really wanted to want a 993, and my wife and I looked at and drove several before we bought our Z06. We also looked at NSX's and new Boxster S's. I actually preferred the Boxster S to the 993, overall. The Boxster S has very close, if not equal overall performance, but doesn't have the time warp to the 1960's ergonomics of the 993.

The Z06 is much more then a straight line car. It also excells on road courses . Sure, the brakes may fade, but the fast 993s I see at track days have all been modified, with lowering springs. big red turbo brakes etc.

The Porsche is cool looking and the doors go 'click' quite nicely when you close them, but I couldn't see spending 50K for a 5 year old car with 25,000 miles and no warranty.

The 02 Z06 looks to an improved version of our 01 and a 993 is just another year older....

Jim

 

Well, being a former Porsche owner, I cannot agree with the post on rattles or noises on the C5.

Remember the Z06 is now in the 6th build year of the C5. The quality of the fit and finish has improved.

The wiring in the car may be of a thinner gauge. The metal behind all of the panels and the dash may be thinner, but the performance exceeds that of a 911 in any model year or level. Either car will only depreciate 50K. Chances are the Z06 will be more desirable.

I will go on record here for the first time to say that the Corvette Z06 will retain its value just like the 69 Z28's have. They depreciated, then took off.

From a fun factor - the Z06 wins in my opinion. The cost of ownership is also a lot less with the Chevrolet product.

And you are getting 5 year newer technology.

I like VW's the new Audi's, the Benz's and the Porsche's, however for now I am in a Chevrolet mood.

Buy whatever you want. If you post on the BMW board, guess what they will tell you. Same with the Porsche board.

Have Fun in either case ! :chevy

 

Well, being a former Porsche owner, I cannot agree with the post on rattles or noises on the C5.

Yup, I'm with you on this one.

My Z06 doesn't rattle, and neither did the previous '99 C5 convertible.
My BMW doesn't make a sound and is SOLID.
My '00 996 is cheaply made, has nastier plastic interior than the Z06 and DOES rattle in a couple of places.

Maybe the quality of the 993 and earlier was better, but I'd say that my '00 996 is very cheaply made for the price ... how people can complain about the quality of the corvette in comparison to the Porsche I really don't know - and remember, the TT isn't that much different at all in this respect. Whilst I love the dynamics of the Porsche, I think that the quality, finish and general feel of the plastic componentry doesn't live up to what you would expect of an $85,000 car. I wouldn't buy another. :cuss My cheaper BMW puts it to shame. :boxing

I'm not so sure about the depreciation/appreciation angle with the Z06 ... it's a modern mass produced car like all the others so it's going to drop. Just enjoy the ride and don't worry about it.

However, there is something to be said for the joy of driving the Porsche that the Z06 doesn't quite match ... which is why I kept it. Sometimes speed/power isn't everything.

Graham

 

The question is do you want a raw beast or a smooth cat. Ive owned both, I give the Z06 the edge in the fun factor.

 

Well said Graham.

 

Guys:

I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT - I AM going with the silver ZO6. It could be friends with my 67 327/350hp conv. Rationale....the 96 is 5 years old, no warranty and it's not the twin turbo. What are the odds that the 2003 Z06 will come in a coupe as opposed to the hardtop?

Regards,

Daren :flag

 

Here is picture of the 67. :chevy

 

Just beautiful!! :cheers:

 

Per Dave Hill (Corvette Chief Engineer) the Z06 will only be offered in the hardtop. The 50th anniversary edition cars (03) will not include the Z06.
You may as well get the 02 now and start enjoying it. :yesnod:

 

I consider myself a Corvette guy, but I have had a couple 911s.

'96 993 C4S
'01 996 Turbo

Both cool cars, but the pedal setup on the 96 sucked butt. Shifter is not fun. In texas it runs warm, along with the AC. Great looking car. Brakes are great, fit finish - great, cool car. Nothing was cheap on the SOB. I mean NOTHING. The Turbo was a rocket. The pedal setup is much better. The car was comfortable. Not having a trunk was a pain. No, the front doesn't count as a trunk. :-)

I have a '02 Z06 and a '94 ZR-1 now.

Wish we could get a moon roof in the Z06...I really like that about the 911.

I had a 2000 C5 coupe...I didn't like it. I upgraded my ZR-1 from a 90 to a 94 and bought a 911. 2000 had squeaks, leaks, etc. Now, the 2002 Z06 is a different story. I don't need a 911 when the Z06 is so good.

So, for the guy talking about guying another Turbo - take a chance on the Z06 I think you will be happier with it for the bucks.

D.
:cool:

 

My friend just bought a 2000 911 Cpe for $53,000 with 11,000 miles on it in the NYC area. Either he is pulling my leg because he doesnt want to admit he paid alot more than I did for a used porshce with 300 bhp or your price was way to high. Once again my license plate reads "911EATR" Nick

 

I never said the 996 was super nice. I don't like the new Porsche's. They are plastic and cheaply built compaired to the 993's or 954's. I think the new ones look very cheap (Boxter :rolleyes: ). The 95' through 98' are the last of the aircooled and the nices in my opinion. I am in love with the rush of the turbos and it is easier for me to get in and out of :D :p: .

 

Oh, I almost forgot.

50K is to much for a 96' non-turbo coupe w/20k miles. Check traderonline.