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I guess I am in love with you Corvette. Just have to put this out to all you car guys. Is there another sports car on the planet that can compete with the Corvette (within reason), price wise/looks/reliability/maintenance/insurance premiums/fuel economy/comfort/preformance and just pure fun?? Let me know if you found one...and NO the Pontiac Solstice doesn't count,
Last edited by El original; 09-27-2017 at 03:03 AM.
Miatas can be a very compelling drivers car on regular roads. I don't know why everyone knocks them, they're about fun and driving, not lap times. I'd still take the Vette any day, but I think a lot of people get hung up on numbers.
In response to the OP I have to echo what people have already said. Lower priced Porsches, Miata, Vipers. These all offer an amazing driving experience with wide variations on price and power. I'd own any of them... if I could also still keep the Vette
I think Corvette is more than just an amazing performance car, its something that grabs you at an early age and follows you until you realize you're finally in a place where you're able to purchase one. Its a culture of people who love cars and driving. The orhee cars likely have that to among their owners, but once you commit to loving one of them its hard not to.
I like the old British tubs; Bugeye Sprites, Spitfires, TR4 and 6, MGs. Sports cars are about excitement and not necessarily about pure speed and never about comfort.
It's much more fun to go fast in a slow car than slow in a fast car.
Where else can you buy a car as good as a used Z06 for the price of a used Z06 that can run with a $200k supercar and have a trunk big enough to take a long trip reliably with great gas mileage. I've owned a 911 and that couldn't either.
Anyone who bashes the Miata has never driven one in earnest and jumps on the "har har hairdresser har har" bandwagon. The Miata is one of the most engaging and purest of driving cars built in the last 25 years. There's a lot of manufacturers that wish they could have built something like it but literally everything that tries to be it just falls by the waist side. In the way that the Mustang defined the "pony" segment the Miata continues to define it's modern class of small, two-seat roadsters.
The Viper is a good comparison but it's pricing structure puts it above the C5. The older clamshell models are starting to creep up in price and about the lowest price you'll find compared to the same time period the C5 was built would be 03-04 models (some have crept below $30K but it would be a questionable buy).
As much as the purists want to bash post-air cooled 911s they're still incredibly good cars and early non-turbo 996s (the 911s built in the same time period the C5 was built) that are fairly well-sorted can be found for C5 money easily. They're going to be slower, but just as engaging in the driving experience. And the 2+2 seating makes a good argument if you need to haul a kiddo or two. I'd gladly own a good 996 alongside my C5 were I in the market.
early non-turbo 996s (the 911s built in the same time period the C5 was built) that are fairly well-sorted can be found for C5 money easily. They're going to be slower, but just as engaging in the driving experience. And the 2+2 seating makes a good argument if you need to haul a kiddo or two. I'd gladly own a good 996 alongside my C5 were I in the market.
I was really looking into 996 911s but they have a vital flaw in the IMS bearing. So add $2k to the purchase price of the vehicle to have the IMS bearing replaced with an aftermarket unit. Otherwise you risk your motor blowing up from normal driving.
The only 996 that doesn't have the IMS issue is the 996 911 Turbo, which is a bargain in the Porsche world, at around $40k, and makes around 400hp. So the C5 Z06 is more comparable to the 996 911 Turbo but is at least $15k less for a car that has similar if not better performance (both power and handling), about equal looks, about equal reliability, and lower cost of parts/maintenance. Also the C5 had multiple year wins/dominance at Le Mans, so there's the heritage aspect. The C5 Z06 was just a much better buy, which is why I went with it.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; 09-27-2017 at 10:17 AM.
I'll add the Cayman. It's as much fun to drive (and sometimes even more) on public roads at speeds lower than what'd instantly end you up in jail. Then there's build quality, attention to details, and materials that aren't really even comparable.
I'd take a Honda S2000 over a Miata any day. I have to laugh at the mention of the Porsche Boxter, its reliability is far below a C5 with the notorious and devastating crank creep the boxter motor has. Setting aside speed, many sports cars are a hoot to drive. The vette is just one of them.
I think Corvette is more than just an amazing performance car, its something that grabs you at an early age and follows you until you realize you're finally in a place where you're able to purchase one. Its a culture of people who love cars and driving. The orhee cars likely have that to among their owners, but once you commit to loving one of them its hard not to.[/QUOTE]
That 'grab' happened to me in 1955 at the age of 8 when a neighbor bought a new Vette and gave the kids a ride. After owning two previously, I still have that 'tingle up my leg" when I get into my vert an go cruzing.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Viper I'm a long time Corvette guy and always will be but I did add a Viper GTS to my garage 2 years ago. It is an absolute blast to drive. Loads of low end torque and the quick steering ratio with fat Michelin Pilot Super Sports make the handling great. Wish I bought one sooner.
That 'grab' happened to me in 1955 at the age of 8 when a neighbor bought a new Vette and gave the kids a ride. After owning two previously, I still have that 'tingle up my leg" when I get into my vert an go cruzing.
NFL
For me it happened in 2001 when I was 14 with a black C5 just like the one I have now in a Chevy showroom.
Originally Posted by capevettes
Viper I'm a long time Corvette guy and always will be but I did add a Viper GTS to my garage 2 years ago. It is an absolute blast to drive. Loads of low end torque and the quick steering ratio with fat Michelin Pilot Super Sports make the handling great. Wish I bought one sooner.
I'd love to have a Viper one day. It would of course have to be in addition to a Vette though so it may be something thats out of my reach.
the Corvette is and has been my dream car, in regards to the others mentioned, nothing sounds better than a V 8 especially a LS engine, the Corvette (LS based) has a sound all it's own !!!!! When I drive my C5 I can't imagine a better car to drive it does it ALL !!!!!!!
09-27-2017, 02:59 AM
Corvette..Is there another sports car??
when I get into my vert an go cruzing. 
NFL
I'm a long time Corvette guy and always will be but I did add a Viper GTS to my garage 2 years ago. It is an absolute blast to drive. Loads of low end torque and the quick steering ratio with fat Michelin Pilot Super Sports make the handling great. Wish I bought one sooner. 
