GT3 or ZO6
 

The last vett I had was a 63 fuelie split window in college '65. I'm looking for a track car/steet car and the new vett keep coming up on the list. Wish I still had the '63 car.
I can't ignore the performance stats for the new Z06 which has a power to weight ratio of 6:2 to 1. I've tracked and driven Porsches for 20 years. My best track outings are running down vetts. Now I see that "on paper" 505hp and 3100 lbs with 6 piston brakes for 65K. Corvette appers to have done their homework with this car. Since the GT3's are out of production, I'd like some views from the board. Do I pull the trigger and get the vett or wait for the next Porsche. The current offerings do not appear to be as compeitive unless its the CGT.

JJB,

Don't know if it's true, but a sales-lady (yes sales-lady) at my local Chevy dealership said that one can tweek the ECU in the regular C6 and get 500 HP out of the engine. Of course, the ZO6 with titanium innerds, and other upgrades, is a better car, but if one can get a C6 with GM employee price now, tweek the ECU and get free-flow headers and exhaust for another $2.5k, it's an incredible deal. The $40k price difference (compared with GT3) pays for a lot of track days.

However, to be honest, I was not impressed with the test drive. The shifts are not crisp. The chasis is not as balanced as a Porsche. That's why with a Porsche, there's no substitute. However, just as a pure toy on the track, the Vettes make strong arguements.

I don't track, but as the ultimate cheap-skate, I'd still prefer a stripped Miata. $3k for a new engine and $500 for tires and brakes make tracking that much more 'budget-friendly'. Just my two cents.

CP

The C6 isn't available with the employee discount.

Indeed, why anyone would take a normal 911, be it 996 or 997 for the same price is beyond me. PAG in their quest for $$ had decided that normal 911's are not worthy of a dry sump block, while CHEVY for crying out loud is sticking their racing dry sump block in a Vette, a Vette of all things.

Although, given the choice between GT3 and the Vette, I would probably get the GT3, but that is only because of my perference for German cars, and in no way a reflection of the competency of the Z06.

Perhaps a More Interesting Thread??
 

This type of post gets old after a while:

997 vs 996, GT2 vs GT3, Turbo vs Non-Turbo.

:rolleyes:

Jax,
It's a legitimate thread that has little to do with the P-car comparisons you mention above.

I think it's significant when a long-term Porsche racer like Jim considers buying the new Z06. I'd really like to read his review when he drives one, preferrably at WSIR!

And CJ, whom also has a modded TT, where are you? Off racing your Z06?

Lots of comment already Here

And the primary reason why most vettes (and i'll exclude the new Z06 since I've yet to drive it) pale against 911's....

Feedback. As in what the car is telling you every millisecond.

That does seem to be something the General really struggles with approaching, let alone match.

I qualify my statement by saying, I have never driven the ZO6 but I have seen them run at the autocrosses and track. Based on that experience, I believe the GT3 is much closer to a race car in terms of feel, behavior and feedback. Is it quicker on the track? Depends on the driver. Despite their favorable power to weight ratios. the ZO6 and new C6 are still (IMHO) street cars. This is something you really only know by getting the car to the track - so if you have a line on a great deal and you can easily resell the vette if you don't like, give it a try. What's to lose?

That said, I guarantee in the short term the vette will depreciate at a faster rate than a GT3 - the good news is there is just less to depreciate. Long term, both cars may be collectable.

Simple, if money is the main issue, get the vette, if not the GT3 is a much better balanced track machine. Now, if I could just get a GT3 with a Hendricks motorsports 780hp SB chevy.......hmmm.
( all aluminum/titanium, 2/3 wt of a flat six, 10k redline...)

So, a normal 911, be it 996 or 997 is not german cars ??? :)

JJB, ZO6 are amazing cars for the money,.. on top of everything that has already being mentioned, consider how you'd feel in 5 years driving a gt3 vs the C6-ZO6, i'm certain the wear and tear will catch up to the zo6. Just something minor to consider as well, my $0.002.

I previously owned a C5 Z06 that was totally built for trackiing. It basically met or exceeded all the performance specifications the Genreal is claiming on the new Z car. So basically I beleive I can give you a pretty close comparison on the two vehicles as I own a 2005 GT-3. You will find the Vette will pull very hard down low due to the huge torque band, however getting hocked up out of the corners will be a problem without the tranction control on. The GT-3 would always get a better hole shot until I could run them down at the next corner. You will find the Vette a large car that can be thrown around in comparison to the delicate inputs required to finess a GT-3 . The Vette was also prone to throwing codes when pushed excessively while you can beat on a GT-3 all day long and drive home later. There in no doubt in my mind the new Z car will be very quick. I am however suspicous if it can take the heat of open lapping? They really are two totally distinct cars with different applications in mind. Having said that ther maybe one in my drive way some day.

I think that owning a C5 Z06 I definitely know that the GT3 is hands down a better car. The C6 Z06 is going to be a beast but I haven't driven the car so I can't say for sure but I think that I would still take the GT3. I think that the GT3 is hands down the best all around street/track car out there.

Jim. Can I have that old beat up black car now?

I bet you wish you still had the split-window.