NJ-GT

I have driven the C5 and C6. They're great performance cars. They perform well, except brakes but that's an easy fix.

However, the driver's feedback is not that fun. Engine sound is incredible, but pedals, shifter, steering, seats have a lot to be improved, and these are essential areas that connect the driver with the car. I don't mind the plastic interior or the Chevy Cobalt steering wheel, but I would like better feedback.

Yes, the ZR-1 and Viper ACR are faster than any Porsche road car, but when I buy a car I look for a nice balance of fun, performance and price, and Porsche beats all the other brands in these three factors combined.

The C5 Z06 is the best performance money can buy right now. Affordable car, quite reliable, just needs better brakes and good shocks and gets track ready.

Paul, on that budget, get a 997TT and install the Bilstein B16 Damptronic sold as an upgrade for the 997 GT2 ($4k installed). Find one with the Adaptive seats.

MJSpeed

Funny you should say that 'cause the ZO6 is shorter and lower...

Porsche GT3 dimensions
Length 176.93 in
Width 72.91 in
Height 50.51 in

Corvette (C6) ZO6 dimensions:
Height 49.1 in - 1247 mm
Length 175.6 in - 4460 mm
Width 75.9 in - 1927 mm

OldGuy

MJ
like I said earlier its the wideness. THe whole thing is carried out in a different manner.

Rad I think you know where I am going!!

Jack I thought I said somewhere there is not much support in the seats.
on the track you would be SO sore from driving the Z06.

MWM

Those comparing the exterior dimensions of a Z06 and saying it's smaller are kinda missing the point. One of the most significant dimensions when it comes to driving feel is the wheelbase, and on a Corvette it isn't smaller:

Z06: 105.7 inches
911: 92.5 inches

That is an enormous difference when it comes to cornering.

Porscheholic

I drove my C5 Corvette for 10 years as a daily driver and seriously considered replacing it with a new
Z06, did the test drive and everything. I'm not bashing the Corvette at all, I don't think you can accuse me of bashing when I just spent 10 years driving one. But the new Z06 just doesn't compare favorably with a used 997TT, for all the reasons mentioned above, build quality and driver involvement being the most important to me (rather than just outright performance). I've decided to go the used 997TT route and in my opinion at 80K they are now a terrific value.

MJSpeed

You're correct although I think the perception comes from the fact that the car is much wider and in fact you're sitting lower IN a lower car. Sitting in the chassis as oppossed to on the chassis.

More importantly it's down to feel and no doubt about it, it feels bigger/massive. Believe me I had a C5 ZO6 for about 7 years whilst having a 996 GT3 and the difference was night and day.

Now maybe if you change the stupid, plastic, leaf-spring, suspension to a proper coilover...hmm.

And OG is right the seats are rubbish! The steering, pedals, shifter and other intrical parts are way too soft!

iLLM3

Your impressions are spot on.. BTW I think your C63 sounds way better then a Z06 too

leif997

when I owned one; proprioceptively, I felt out of balance and touch with the external aspects of the car.

Gobs of power and lots of fun...very hot when the tunnel warmed up and felt exceedingly unsteady and light wrt the front end at any speed over 130...I was not overly confidence inspired by the car but it was fun to play with that power...same interior as my suburban

what's wrong with Sea Rays as long as they don't have 4 wheels??....(we have a 52' sedan bridge that is perfect for weekend partying)

roberga

I love my SeaRay too. The sedan bridge is a great choice. Ours is only a 370 Sundancer. Perfect for the Puget Sound. .73 mile/gallon. twin 454s.

OldGuy

Maybe I have been watching too much Discovery TV but I want a 168' Crabbing vessel, with a luxury lounge for the TV show guys.

The Baron

Alan,

What exactly is your definition of "significantly shorter and lighter" ? ? ?



Corvette Z06 curb weight 3180 lbs.(GM website)
Porsche GT3 curb weight 3075 lbs. (Porsche.com)

Corvette Z06 length 175.6 inches (GM website)
Porsche GT3 length 175.7 inches (Porsche.com)

Corvette Z06 wheelbase 105.7 inches (GM website)
Porsche GT3 wheelbase92.7 inches (Porsche.com)

Corvette Z06 width 75.9 inches (GM website)
Porsche GT3 width71.1 inches (Porsche.com)

I' not quite sure what your definition of "significant" is, but you might want to check your references before posting.

Chuck

leif997

OG...that is so funny...I def. watch too much of that stuff as well....biggest seas I have been on were the occasional 10 footer in rough 6-8's....not by choice!!....those guys routinely see 20-30 footers and the occasional rogue 50' or so....holy sh*t!!!...I would for sure be the guy losing his cookies and being caught on camera

leif997

for those that missed it...he wrote 0.73 miles per gallon!!!...I guzzle it up at 50-55 gallons per hour at 31 knots....not too much of a carbon footprint....

MJSpeed

Mine felt the same but once over 140 MPH it really found it's balance once again...over 160 MPH you're on your own, it's very unstable!

Targa Tim

Paul,

sounds like a 997TT with adaptive sport seat will be your next car, the odd is 1:1 that it will happen this year.