Porsche vs. c5z ???

[chewbakkah]

Porsche 996 vs. c5z

so here is my problem....

i'm finally serious about looking for the new car, but i have come across a recent discovery. i can either get a c5z or a 911

here is the setup on the porsche
2000 Porsche Carrera Coupe, Black exterior, Black Leather Interior, Well maintained 42,000miles, 18 MPG City, 28 MPG Highway an estimated 5.1 0-60

for $28,000

now for the same price i can get a c5z with about the same millage, and they are rated the same in gas millage.

i know that the vette is faster but its also less refined. the vette also has better looks in my book for the base model coupe on the 911, but i plan on spending 6k to get the gt3 body work put on, and then i like the porsche more.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS FOR OPINIONS FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO OWN/DRIVE BOTH OF THEM.

my plan as of now is to get the 911 in the spring/early winter and drive it for a year and a half, then let the wife "have" it and get the c5z or a c6z if i can afford it by then (depending on what the prices do) that way i can get the best of both worlds, because if i buy the vette first i'm not letting her have it because i just don't trust her driving something that fast. plain and simple, she has a heavy foot and bad eyes

[exSSer]

If you're gonna give it to the wife anyway, get the Porsche. It's alot better status (poser) car, and a really great car to drive. Of course I wouldn't put another 6k into it for a body kit, but that's just me. The Z and 6k in engine mods are more to my tastes.

[chewbakkah]

the vette will get its mods someday too, but the wife doesn't like the stock look to the base 996, she likes the gt3, she has good taste in my opinion because she likes the vette too. i think that the 911 will be more civilized for her to drive though

[vant]

If you really loved your wife, you'd buy her the GT3. (kidding )

I don't understand your problem. Sounds like a plan to me. Happy hunting!

[ZO Fast]

i would say find a Z for about 22k, buy the mcm hood for it, maybe a cam and some longtubes. Because i bet your wife would have more fun riding in the Z then she ever would driving the Porsche. And then get her the porsche later for like an anniversary present... can somebody say brownie points

[REDROCKET02Z06]

Originally Posted by ZO Fast

i would say find a Z for about 22k, buy the mcm hood for it, maybe a cam and some longtubes. Because i bet your wife would have more fun riding in the Z then she ever would driving the Porsche. And then get her the porsche later for like an anniversary present... can somebody say brownie points

His point was his concern for the wife having too much power under her foot with the Vette. I have a vendor rep. who has a Carrera 4 with the GT3 body kit in the UK. The car is very refined and looks absolutely incredible. The only problem he has is with those who think that they are challenging a GT3. He gets left behind more often than he would like. Sounds like you have a good plan if you can be content with a car that will be challenged by LS1's. I have always loved the 911 but if you want refinement, looks, and power find you a used 06' Z. If you look you can find some pretty good deals. Leaves the Wife without one of the greatest sports car icons of all time so you just have to bite the bullet and make a decision that both of you can live with.

[chewbakkah]

sadly when we get ready to make the buy on the first car the wife will be the person bringing in the most money ( i know, start the flaming now ) so i think she deserves the good car, and she won't be racing it because thats not the type of person she is, she just tends to not watch her speed. i also won't be racing it, because if i do she'll never let me get the z. but once i do get the z then all bets are out the window, AND she can't get mad at me for spending a little cash on upgrades because after all the 911 will already have a 6k body kit on it, right?

[GR8 WHITE]

Congrats on the big decision to make. If you got the $$$ to buy it, foot the insurance, and maintain the car (it is NOT as cheap as a Corvette), then do what YOU think is best.....Just make sure the Porsche is WHITE! Hahahaha

Seriously, I had a 944 S2 cabriolet (1 of 200 in the country) and a tune up was $1400. Tires are tires, but anything "shop related" is going to cost MORE than a Corvette would. I had mine for 2 years and traded in on a 1996 Corvette. That, was a mistake in itself because the 1996 Corvette was SLOWER than my 4-Banger S2. (It was a 3.1 Liter, 16 Valve 4 Cylinder).

So, although mine was NOT a 996, the 996's (if i am not mistaken) are All Wheel Drive and can move upwards of 200+ with the TT system. Just enough "passing power" for the wife..... But again, anything "PORSCHE" related, is going to cost much more than a Corvette.

Good luck, and remember.....WHITE is BEST!!!

[FiveOJoe]

This months Car and Driver has an article with the same question. What to buy for $25 K? It lists a group of cars including the 911 and a 2002 Z06. It talks alot about the costs of maintaining both.


28K for a 2000 Carrera seems like a good deal.

[chewbakkah]

wasn't aware of that article fiveojoe, must check that one out, and i had thought of the up keep expenses, which won't be great with her, so i sat down and had a conversation with the wife, and she told me what she REALLY wanted for a car, and it looks like i probably won't be getting the 911 unless i buy it for myself. she wants the Fahrenheit edition vw gti, its got a "cool orange color" she says. and she has always liked vw. sooo it looks like we'll end up spending that 30k on a new car not a great used one. and the vette jumps back to the front of the line for me, because if its going to end up being my car (the 911) the vette is first on the list, then maybe by the time i get ready to do the 911 i can actually get the gt3.

[whyb2nd]

based on the porsche model that's in your financial reach I would opt for the Z. You'll have more fun with it then the pcar.

[K M]

I think everyone has laid it out pretty good. But to me it seems like its kind of ironed itself out. Wife gets the VW and you get a Z, works out perfect in my book.

Used 996 P cars were among my list when I looked for my toy car and it's obvious where i ended up! (maint. cost was a big downer for the p car). So far the Z has be very easy as far as maint cost but I have not had any problems with it yet either. Get your wife the VW so you can pick up a Z!

[chewbakkah]

yeah but i want the 911 AND the z, its one of my goals in life to collect my favorite cars, and i was hoping the 911 could be the "wife's" car, because eventually i will have it. oh well, the gti will be a good wet weather car i guess

[Jim]

Do whatever it takes to keep your wife happy!






~Jim

[ZO6 AL-X]

I would get the 996, but I wouldn't keep it for very long. Problems are not worth fixing when the car is that old. Are you thinking about a silver one? Good luck.