Dave-ROR

I'm going to be in the market for another car in 4 months or so and am considering either a C5 Z06 or a 996 (or possibly a 964).

This would be my first Porsche to own, and my first WC Porsche to work on (have worked on early(ish) 911s and 964s). The IMS, RMS, etc issues aren't a huge concern to me as long as the car has been maintained and I'd probably just replace the IMS bearing during PM. The C5 has it's own issues as well.

The car would be used for some street driving, but mostly autocross and track (HPDE, I have a dedicated race car already) use so I'm curious to see the opinions of those that have owned, or driven, both for autocrossing/road course use.

I've driven a few C5 Z06's but have yet to drive a 996, I'll find one at a dealer to test drive whenever my next free weekend will be...

All maintenance/repairs will be handled by myself, with the assistance of friends who own (or owned) 911's, so while I know the 996 will be more expensive to maintain I doubt it'll be a deal breaker considering it's limited use. The only thing I'll probably go through often would be brakes...

Sorry for posting this, I know this thread is mostly useless, but I research things to death and like to get a feel for what owners think of the cars under the same use I'll be using it for.

Thanks,
-Dave

AudiOn19s

I could write pages on this. I've had a good bit of seat time obviously in my car and have been fortunate enough to have a good number of laps in my friends '01 Z06 as well. Are you after ultimate lap times despite the fact you've got a dedicated track car. If so the Z06 is where it's at.

However, the 996 will teach you quit a bit once you've mastered it (which after 2.5 years tracking mine I can't say I've done yet)...and likely make you even quicker in your dedicated track car. It's a whole different ball park when it comes to feel and feedback to the driver when compared to the C5 Z. The place the 996 falls short is in the motor department, esp if you get an early 3.4l car like mine with 295 hp. My buddy's Z06 had exhaust and intake and was making 120 more hp at the wheels then my car.

I have to say in the quest to go quicker I've thought a time or ten about getting a Z06 however they've never really done much for me emotionally so I'll stick with my slightly slower 996

Malakas

I've driven both on the street -- the power of the Z06 is incredible, as is the sound and overall "muscle" feel of the car. The handling is ok, but every time I jump back into my 4S I notice how much better the steering is. Also, the P-car grip is pretty outstanding, as is the feedback compared to the Chevy. They really give two different driving experiences.

Dave-ROR

I'm not concerned with having the quickest track times, nor impressing people with it's performance, I'm looking for something that will be an excellent driver's car, something more communicative than the S2000 I just sold a few months ago. While it was a nice car, the S2000 was just a little too refined in my opinion. It was fast, especially for autocrossing, but considering it was only a 240hp car I'm not really after big HP numbers. I loved driving a friends 964 RS America though.

I like my cars to have a specific purpose, I have a daily driver, I have a light use tow vehicle (which I autocross for fun also, but it's mainly used for short towing of the lemons car and mtn bike hauling), and the lemons car. So I'm really looking for a car that will be a blast to drive on track (and driving to and from the track) and for autocross use. I'm with a group that runs a track event for Integra Type-R's that includes a two-day HPDE every year, so I will be driving the car for long distances, possibly across the country, so I do want something that's at least bearable on the highway...

Thanks.

Meister Fahrer

Reasonable question, although most of us probably have our own reasons for choosing a certain car.
You'll wonder if the 996 is sleeping until you get over 4k rpms.

If you wander over to the 996 GT2/3 forum, there's a guy "Z06 convert" (Steve) with a GT2 who has apparently compared and contrasted.

A couple folks have picked up extremely low mile 996 GT2's in the low '90s or less, which is a steal considering is was originally a $200k car.

The other option is bolting on a supercharger, although I'm not sure how that affects your class.

Dave-ROR

I have found an 01 996 at a local dealer (Porsche dealer that is, plenty at buy-here-pay-here lots but I don't even want to bother with that, I would buy from a private owner only really, but I don't like test driving private owner vehicles unless I'm 100% ready to buy). Unfortunately, they are closed on sundays, and I'll be very hard pressed to get there before they close after I leave work, and this Saturday I'm autocrossing

Maybe next week...

AudiOn19s

hummm..you need to drive one. The 996 is probably more "refined" than the S2000, but as previously stated it's a much more difficult car to get right at the track and thus a much more rewarding experience.

You'll also be hard pressed to find another car with the feel and feedback to the driver that you'd get from a 996.

Other than the exhaust I found my buddy's Z06 to be pretty civil...esp on the freeway with it's tall 6th gear and big comfy seats

jetskied

I currently have a 996 and my brother use to own a Z06. You have to ask yourself what kind of car do you like. If you like an all out muscle car the Z06 is it. Its fast, burns rubber and makes great V8 rumble. With that said its still a relatively composed car on the track with lots of grip. What it does lack is the overall refinement and feel of a 996. There is less road feel and a lack of precission in the Z06. Its not bad, but a 996 is better. Also there is a lack of quality feeling in a Z06. The seats don't feel as solid and the plastic in the car looks cheap. What can you expect for a car as fast as a Ferrari at 50K. I think the driving experience is better in a 996, but it is slower. If you really like your S2000 a 996 will be probably the better choice. If you what something different and fast then a Z06. Both cars are fun, but they go about its business in different ways.

striker27

From someone who has a 993 no question Z06!!!!

Palting

LOL!!!

ivangene

I had lunch with a guy the other day having the same conflict in his head. IMO if you are even thinking about it, then get the Chevy.

For me there is and never was a question. I wanted the Porsche and have NO desire to ever get the Corvette. - Lotus Elise, well maybe, but only if I can keep the Porsche too. I would hate to drive that thing everyday.... well, hate is such a strong word

RaceCarDriver

I agree. I went from a C5 Z06 to my 996 C4S, and I had two vettes before that, so this was my first porsche.

The Z06 is much faster and has a lot more torque, the 996 will seem very slow by comparison, but the 996 is more fun to drive, steering feel and grip are worlds better than the Z06.

Z06 was probably more fun when you're ringing it out, but the 996 is fun at any speed, even in rush hour traffic. The Z06 would make a better auto x car, too much understeer on a 996, esp with all wheel drive.

The 996 can easily be used as a daily driver and throw on a pair of snow tires, can be driven all year round and you can easily fit 2 kids in the back. No need to take an SUV for family drives.

In a perfect world I would have both, but if I had to only one I would choose a 996C4S.

G

RaceCarDriver

What year was your S2000? I'm looking to pick up one to use as a track car. I've test driven the AP2's 2004 & up and they are refined but the 00-03's are pretty raw.

thanks

G

bella1

I do not own a Z06 but my student drove a 2006 Z06 at Chin VIR in December. That is a lot of horsepower compared to my 2001 3.4L Carrera. As for handling I guess it is a personal preference. If you are looking for flat out speed, the Z06 is a monster. Trouble comes at you much faster in a track environment!

Dave-ROR

I don't get your reasoning at all. I want the car that's a better driver's car for track and autocross use, I don't see how you can deduct that I should get the Z06 just because I'm not sure which car that would be.... I'm not someone who cares one bit about the badge on the car, I want the car that will fit my driving style and my preferences more.

As for the Elise, coming from someone who has spent a bit of time in one, they are great cars, and piles of crap at the same time. If you only care about the driver's experience when driving (and can catch the rear view mirror falling off randomly..) it's a great car, but if you want to drive it across the country to do track days all over, or care about build quality, then it's not so great