New member advice on getting a 911
 

Might I suggest owning both. Completely different experience owning an air cooled 911. I also offer advise on your wife's orders....... ignore them.

Hard to say. I've driven modern cars with 500+ HP - if you like acceleration that feels like you're about to make the jump to light speed, you won't get that in a 911. If you like a small, nimble car that's fun to drive through the twisty's, the 911 will likely be more fun than the Vette.

I like the looks, the heritage, and the quirks of a 911. I like the camaraderie of ownership. I like that I can pretty much make any mechanical repairs myself. In stock form the 911 is worth having a radio in, and you can easily have a conversation with your passenger. And with a stock suspension the ride will likely be better than your Vette, but that's hard to predict from afar.

A 911 of that vintage is only going to be about 180-235 HP. Mods for significantly more reliable horsepower are going to be very expensive ($10K+). It's also very hard to get proper AC working in an old 911 if that's important to you. Some parts are really expensive. If you need to pay someone to rebuild an engine, think about $15K-$20K. Gearbox rebuilds probably $3k-$4k.

I think the only advice that really makes sense is for you to try to find one you can drive.

Mark

I mean I don't want to state the obvious but if you get rid of the wife and her car it seems like it would be problem solved! hahaha

Seriously though maybe I can add to the discussion. I have a high horsepower loud as hell Cobra that I built. A total blast to drive. I also have a 2018 C2S that I completely love. Only problem with both those cars is they are to fast to really get full use (really not anywhere close to fuil performance) out of on regular streets without driving like a complete irresponsible moron. Not sure how you drive your Vette but for me I have a great time in the Cobra going from a stop to speed limit +10 in a blaze of speed and sound but that takes all of about a few seconds and I spend the rest of the time cursing around well within the performance limits of the car.
Early this year I decided I wanted to add an air cooled 911 to the garage. It is quite a different driving experience it. Sure it is slower, in fact very slow compared to the other two fun cars but it is so engaging to drive. You can actually exercise the car through gears 1-4 without the danger of killing somebody or going to jail. I just love driving it around. Hard to explain but there is just something really enjoyable about it. Now I am fortunate to be able to keep the loud fast car also so I did not have to evaluate getting rid of one to get the other.
My suggestion is to drive some and see what you think. My Uncle is a big car nut and tells me sports cars are like shirts. You get tired of wearing the same one every day. Maybe you are ready for a change and to experience something different.

No other car can match the handling experience of the rear-engined 911. The 911 also has very low dive on braking, and a fabulous light steering "touch" - both due to the rear engine.

You will want to drive a few before making a decision. IIRC, you can join PCA w/o owning a Porsche now and there should be members nearby who will give you rides at least; maybe let you drive theirs.

Driving a 911 on snow is like nothing else (maybe telemarking). But just wait until spring if you need to.

Also, the Benz can sit outside. Only MB that really should be parked indoors is a Gullwing...

If you can responsibly afford it, I would lobby the wife to let you buy the 911 and then decide which car to keep after a summer of use. My gut is; if you really enjoy that older corvette you will be disappointed with the 911, at least in the engine. Your corvette is unique enough that it sounds like it would be hard to replace. It would be a shame to miss out on trying the 911 experience, because they really are great cars, just in a much different way. It would also be a shame also to lose that vette on a whim. If your wife is just being a dick, stick to your guns and your word and negotiate an extended test drive of the 911. If she's arguing that you shouldn't have both because you legitimately will put a strain on the family, I'd probably keep the corvette.