Shane D

I don't have a 997, but I vote no. There is a used car shop in Denver that has one or two of these. IMO, it is an "interesting" shape up close, but cannot hold a candle to the looks of a 997.
Especially the 997 C4S!

John Velasco

I would not trade my GT3 for many things and would not trade for the Z8 but I have always thought that the Z8 would be a great go to dinner car or a nice fall day in the country car. I will have one in my stable at some point.

jv

Robert Linton

In the years since I bought a 964, the Z8 is one of the few cars I have bought and kept. Admittedly it does not handle like a GT3 (RS) but is has a beautiful design and style and, other than the Bugatti 16.4, it has one of the nicest production interiors built in many years.

P.S. If anyone is interested, I'll post pictures of some of the upgrades we've made to my Z8.

afridi

Having owned 4 BMW's since late 1999 I do know for a fact that BMW cars = Bimmers and motorbikes = Beemers. I dont have a 997. DO have my first Porsche though (and a nice car it is).

Personally if I had the choice of a 997 and a Z8 I would go with the 997. The Z8 is a good car. Not a track machine by any means but would make a great cruiser for lazy summer weekends.

I certainly would take a Z8 over any Merc/Audi out there.

I think BMW do put in some great engines in their cars. But over the years they have gone soft. Rear sub frame weaknesses that require reinforcement especially if you track them. The cars keep getting heavier and it seems they are slowley trying to chase Mercs in making GTs. Plus the newer cars are ugleeeeeeeeee.

Robert Linton

We've fairly easily taken 215+ pounds off the Z8 and this changes it character -- particularly as each corner has lost 20+ pounds of unsprung weight including approximately 12 pounds of unsprung and rotating weight. Nevertheless, I would not consider it a track car but, to be sure, it was not bought for this purpose.

ty328

I love my 2006 997 C2S, I would not trade my to Z8. Sorry!

gab997

Do not care about the pronunciation, and dont care about the car. So the answer is no and no..

mooty

never mind

greenhouse

I'd rather have a 507, but I guess you'd need to swap in a Ferrari.

Dr 997

...this one went for about $650K, I think.

http://www.fantasyjunction.com/archi...1c9430c0d026f6

Okay, enough of this; back to 997 related stuff.

jjl

say what you will, but that Z8 is a gorgeous car. it's ok to love the 997 and admire other cars too.

Nine9Sixer

what a bunch of haters on this board! my boss has a Z8, and with its 400hp M5 engine and retro-techno design, is pretty damn unique and quite frankly, cool. i think it's pretty sweet. personally, i wouldn't trade it for my C2S but only because i don't like convertibles. an Z8 coupe would be a different story.....

Robert Linton

Of course, it does come with a removable hardtop.

007GT3

No. The Z8 strikes me as an old man's car....very soft all around....fabulous body work, but just not enough horses under the hood and too soft of a ride.

Also, the interior makes me feel like I am driving an old Mercedes....just doesn't do it for me.

Robert Linton

Though my walker and I took a bit of time to get to the keyboard, looking at statistics, a new Carrera S Cabriolet weighs approximately 3131 pounds (the wide body version should weigh appoximately 100 pounds more), has 355 HP and 295 lbs. ft. of torque. My "stock" Z8 has 375 HP and 383 lbs. ft. of torque and, with my modifications, weighs approximately 3250 lbs. All things being equal, it is not quite an ancient mariner -- and, of course, if I implant the 4.4 liter supercharged V8 with 500 HP and 515 lbs. ft. of torque it might meet even your hurdle rate. As to the ride quality, some of us centenarians prefer a more comfortable ride - some like my friends MaaBen, Rockenfeller, Luhr, Bernhard or Dumas, who drive cars for a living, will tell you that, in many instances, softer makes for better handling than rock hard -- and only amateur racers equate an ironing board with a properly tuned suspension. Having said that, should you wish, with adjustable dampers and anti rolls bars and higher rate springs, the Z8 can be made as miserably hard as one can make any Porsche. Seriously, though, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Porsche has no more loyal fan than I but one can like a variety of cars as one likes a variety of people. And, for sure, having seen the other side of death, I can assure you that no one should love a car, any car, as it is only a collection of metals, plastics and composites and one can always be replaced by another.


P.S. One of my Porsches -- with more HP and torque than all of the above.