Umrswimr

Right now I have a '00 C5 Corvette convertible that is my weekend car and autoX car (no track duty due to the softtop) and a '95 C4 Corvette as my DD and track car.

Over the weekend, a friend mentioned that he's selling his '99 996- a black six speeed with some suspension work (details unknown yet), Tubi exahsut, CAI, and, it seems, a new transmission. I guess trannys are a little weak on these cars? Mileage is around 90k or so. All work was done by RUF in Dallas.

He's asking $20k.

I'd be selling my C4 and using the 911 as my DD and track car. Just some DE events a few tiems a year, nothing fancy.

I'd have the car inspected by RUF and all, but I was wondering your thoughts? Anythign in particular I should be aware of? Is this car a ticking timebomb of maint hassles?

blown 87

TTT

joes c4 cab

Have you driven the 911 much? I have to say it surprises me to read around here that some of the guys own Corvette's and 911's. They are such completely different animals.

I have owned several Porsches, and when I met my wife, she was driving a Corvette. I gotta tell you, and I mean no offense, I HATED driving that thing. It was bumpy, rattley, had NO head room, it was like the loud, drunk chick at the bar. No sophistication. Once I remember blowing by a driveway on the brakes HARD in that thing that my Porsche could have made easily.

My advice is to borrow the car for a weekend and see if it is for you. My guess is that you will think it is slow and kinda boring since it is not as loud and not made for straight line performance.

Just my 2 cents.

ivangene

Interesting, I don't know if I agree, but that is surely something to think about, sometimes a loud drunk chick is kinda fun too!
Anyhow, I have an older one and DD it. Some track time, not much. I love to drive it, but its no 1/4 mile car for sure. $20k seems like a great deal. If you end up changing your mind down the road, you should be able to back up w/o much $ being lost.
(Unless the ticking stops and is followed by a loud BOOM)
But that clock is not easy to predict how long it was set for now is it?

JC3D

I say go for it. I have a 99 that has been converted to a race car. Have already replaced engine and transmission. It runs great, is fun to drive, and you can't go wrong for 20k.

blown 87

The C5 is a pretty capable car.

I think he wants to know about if there are any major problems that tend to be common on that model 99 996.

redridge

talk to Karlooz... he has a 99 and calls it his gt3 killa. It was SC at 70K unbolted and gutted and is now his race car for club racing... original RMS.... Strong car. He mostly hang out in the gt3 and racing section.

IamSMC

As a DD, perfect

As a track car, perfect

But as a dual purpose DD/track car, not so perfect

Too many compromises to make one car be all things

Umrswimr

Unfortunately a dedicated track car is not in the cards. I simply don't spend enough time on the track for it to be worthwhile. I can't justify a car that will only get used 6X a year that can't be driven on the street. The only other option is a DD that is trackable and doesn't have too many compromises.

Fissionx

What suspension mods have been done to the car?
What is your level of driving experience? Will you be on street tires or R-comps? (honesty works best)
How many track events do you plan to do a year?

I agree with canysmc. This is a problem encountered by all makes/models, street vs track compromises and limitations.
A standard 996 C2 with ROW M030 sport suspension and street tires is a pretty fun street and track mix, for low budget. A standard C5 (coupe) you would get more bang/buck, but not provide you with the feel and rear engine driving dynamics the Porsche 911 is known for.
Either is a good call IMO.

AudiOn19s

I think alot of this decision is going to boil down to where your preference is in cars. If you're really keen on the 'vette's then ultimately the C5 is a quicker car for the money. Find a nice FRC or early Z06 and go beat the tar out of it. I'm kicking myself for not picking up my buddy's 01 Z06 he sold the other day for $20K. It made 400hp at the wheels, weighs 3000 lbs even, can fit 305 width tires under all 4 corners without blinking an eye. All it needs is an upgraded suspension and you're set for probably 25K and you've got a car that's capable of everything. Not to mention consumables are dirt cheap. Rotors are like $40 each!

However my heart is with the Porsche. It's soo much more alive to me and I just "feel" it soo much more than the 'vette. That's why I drive what I drive.

Andy

Umrswimr

I don't know what suspension mods yet. I usually run on R-comps when I run/ran my C4 and C5. Kumho 710's. I'm just a novice driver- maybe 5 hours of total track time to this point, spead over the last two years.
The C5 is a great track car, but I already have a C5. Parts are really, really cheap (rotors are $27, BTW) and it'll run much faster than the driver at this point.

OCNYPORSCHE

I owned a 99 C5 and it was great. C5s are very refined and powerful. I would disagree that a C5 is faster than a 996. A Z06, that is different. I definately would agree that a C5 is much less expensive to race. Overall, I would never trade in my 996 for any C5 or even a C6 (though they are much faster).

But overall, I think most people on here will prefer a 996 over a C5.

As a DD, a 90K 996 can need an engine relatively soon. If you get 120K on a 996, I think you did OK, so you should take into consideration that at anytime a 90K 996 may need a 10K engine replacement.

IamSMC

Just wasn't sure how far you wanted to take the track thing.

But as Fissionx suggests, you'll can have a DD that's capable on the track.

IamSMC

Tracking will definitely accelerate to that point.