My 03 Z06 has decent mods H/C package, Coilovers, upgraded brakes...all moderate dollar mods (so to speak). And I'm very happy with it's performance, but I'm feeling something different....either a major upgrade (blower, stroker...) or another toy (low dollar). I currently drive a Lexus IS350 to work when the weather doesn't permit my Z to and I ride a Kawasaki ZX7r on the weekends....now forgive me for this BUT I'm considering a Porsche (somewhere between 81-87ish) as another toy, just like the style and look..... don't really want a huge car payments and trading the Z is not an option. Anyone's .02!

 

Twin turbo could be pretty fun on your z.
STS makes a really nice kit for right around $7500 and you could install it yourself.
I actually used to own a ZX7R myself but it was totaled and I bought a 2004 ZX6RR

 

Hey! Our car choices are pretty similar. I sold my IS350 and jumped into a Passat so that I could pour money into my C5 and make it a race car. That being said my dream car has always been a Porsche and I do want to own one one day. I take it you are looking at the 80s Carreras.

I don't know if you read Edmund's Inside Line Blog but they just sold their C5Z and bought an 87 911 3.2. They weren't huge fans of the Z but rave about the Porsche. That being said, they did justify me choosing a C5 as a track car simply because in the first 3 months of ownership(and this is babying the car type of driving IL is notorious for) they managed to rake up a $2500 repair bill on all sorts of random stuff. Imagine if actual mechanical parts started breaking.

That being said, Porsches are special and if I didn't have HPDE aspirations, I would probably own a Porsche instead. Since I already tried racing an 80s euro car(Italian none the less) and it was a repair nightmare, I decided to stick to what is generally regarded as the easiest car after the Miata to jump in and just start racing.

Now I was looking at Carreras, but if I was to buy one I would definitely go for a 993. I really like the SCs, I even like the 964s and the 996s, but the 993 is where my heart lies. That is also where the problem lies because they cost 25k.

One Porsche that most disregard and yet I absolutely adore is the front engined 968. It's a very evolved 944 that made 240hp out of a NA 3.0 liter 4 cylinder. The clubsport version was heraleded by many people inside Porsche as the best sports car Porsche ever made(years later). The Europeans even got a turbo model which made over 300hp. To me they look great. A lot of 993 styling mixed with the GT style body.

They are also very rare, so there is some speculation that their value will rise considerably. As of right now they are definitely at the bottom of their depreciation curve, and I'm still tempted to pick one up for a weekend car.

 

SFL_driver
The 6 is a light and nimble ride my 7 was cheap (3700) and way to clean to pass. I always wanted the ZX7, the thing is a tank and as heavy as one

SoDiezl350
Looking at an 80s 911 to just cruise (993) so a non turbo would work. I really want the 996 911 (03-05ish) but that would require trading the Z = not going to happen!. Thanks on the heads up about Edmunds...good stuff and thats why posted here, knew you guys would have good input

BTW how did you like the IS350 (do any mods), actually considered trading mine in for a E46 M3, until I read the articles on the BMW forums...reliablity issues!

 

That it is. Althought I noticed a much nicer ride with the 7 on the highway.

 

If you like the looks of those Porsches, go for it. You only live once and might as well scratch that itch. Not sure of the reliability of those cars - maybe someone who has one or had one can chime in.

 

Thank you sir! And thats what I'm hoping for

 

Your decision!

 

'67 turbo mini cooper, now that would be fun and less expensive!

 

Where do you find a decent one, I've only ever seen one (it was for sale on my base) and she was rusted pretty good, and not to mention the owner was real proud of it $$$$$

 

Sell the IS350 and get a sti, you can easily daily drive and mod it for a fun car. The only thing bad would probably be the MPG on the sti, i am pretty sure IS350 would give you better MPG....

Or, sell the IS350, make the Z the daily driver and go all out. Get a viper or something that's going to be your new garage queen.

 

I've been looking on E-bay and found a couple that weren't turbo'd, but they had some really nice packages. Around the $8- $16,000 range, good luck on whichever way you go. L8R ZFLASH

 

Had a 911 years ago...overrated at best and open your wallet, no crying when it comes to repairs, I seen guys going ballistic and one guy I thought was going to cry when picking up their cars at the shop!!lol

 

I TRADED my 04 Z in for a BRAND new 08 STi.....WHAT a POS! We ended up lemon lawing it a year later, bought another Z and never looked back. SOA customer service The IS350 is a much better car...and just as fast....with heated/AC seats, moonroof.....the works! 04-06s STi are nice cars, just too much $$$.

 

What year was yours, model? Thats why I want to stay away from the air cooled turbo motors...So do you think an 80s 911 non turbo cruiser is a bad move. I researched motor rebuild kits 3-4000 for a complete long block rebuild doesn't seem that bad....got that in a H/C package for my Z

 

Years ago I owned a 911SC, black with cork-colored factory Recaros. It was lowered with the factory black spoke forged alloys. It also had the factory turbo-look whale tail. It was a great car and lots of fun. However, it was more expensive then to maintain than my '03 Z06 is now. An oil change takes 13 1/2 qts plus the oil filter was like $22 with a discount. Cops also must love them because they stopped me alot to look at it and check my papers while they had me over (LOL). They sound great at high rpm, the air-cooled versions mainly. When they went to water cooled engines they actually had an option to make them sound like the air cooled motors because the water quieted them down. Handling wise they ain't close to a Vette, they can be quite tail happy. I'm reminiscing because just a couple of days ago I met someone in a parking lot who had almost a double to my car. It still looked great!

If you never had one, you should try it and come to your own conclusions. Would I go back to one, probably not, been there. I'm only switching from a Vette when I can afford an Aston-Martin, love their interiors.

BTW, I tracked my 911 on Pocono and Lime Rock. It is possible to spin them out quite easily until you get the hang of the motor way out back.

 

I'm gonna test drive this week...WAIT thats how I got hooked on the Z06

Thanks for offering your experience