I've been lurking for some time now and with the money for either (996/Z06) is fairly close, what put you over the edge for the P car. I do have a turbo now, but and i'm looking for a more modern car to use more as a DD. Having never owned a vette, maybe this might be my time to go over to the dark side (although that's generally reserved for TT's). Just curious if any fellow members have had this affliction and how you dealt with it

 

My good buddy and track/DE partner has a ZO6...waaaaay different feel.
The Porsche is much more refined and usable as a DD, interior/exterior fit and finish is also superior. That being said, the ZO6 is a monster on the track, a great setup for DE and lapping. and the gearing is also much longer in 1st gear, fun to drag and jump off the line. Im a Porsche guy and respect the vette, but 911's have an appeal the vette cant match. Drive em both and go with your gut.

 

it will come down to a personal choice, they cars are way different

I just sold my Z06 and am looking for a turbo now but its just by personal choice both cars are awesome in their own ways

 

C6Z06 is a fantastic car, i almost bought it when i was looking at 996tt's. Its just hard to come up with any negatives. Like Blue FVD said , drive both and go with your gut...you wont go wrong with either car. IMO , C6Z06 is the best made modern US car.


In my case, i always wanted a 911, so the 911 won me over emotionally , if you look objectively a C6 is far better than a stock 996tt on most aspects. But with some mods 996tt can be formidable.

When i was modding my car my friends C6z06 with tune and intake was my benchmark to beat, which i did when i got the k24/18g upgrade.

 

I've owned two C6 Corvettes (convertibles, not Z06). Don't underestimate the Vette. Personally, I liked the looks of the C6 better and there were many aspects I preferred (more comfortable, for example). Handling, to me, was more predictable and the torque was great fun.

I would have kept the Vette and been quite happy if I still lived in Florida. The ONLY reason I went to the 996 was so I could drive it year around in Iowa.

Either would be a fine DD.

Oh, and the Vette will have some nice things like Homelink, auto shutoff headlights, steering wheel controls -- comfort features curiously left out of a $140K car.

 

I'm glad they were left off.

 

Both are great cars.

If you plan on staying 100% stock, get the Z06. Stock to stock, it's the better performing car.

However, if you plan on modifying for increased power (or keeping the car for long time), get the 996TT. It's a MUCH better built car that will handle power mods and age far better than the fragile Z06 will.

For reference, I've owned both cars, in both stock and modded configurations.

 

I to had the same choices to make over the summer when looking for either a 996tt or a c6z06. Drove both, was an inch away from buying the z06 since the bang for the buck was the best for that car. But in the end the 911tt has always been a dream of mine to own and if I am going to spend that kind of money I would rather have my dream then have the better deal for my dollar performance wise stock on stock. Never looked back.

 

I drove my friend's ZO6; and as much as I am impressed with its power and speed, it's just not refined enough for me. The clutch felt too soft, and the engine had too much vibration during idle. I like the look of the car inside and out, but the materials used such as the soft plastic rear bumper and cheap leather seats drove me away from it.

 

I own both. As far as a daily driver goes I would say the 996 would be a little easier to live with. The only reason I say this is because the Z06 is a bit louder inside and sits lower in the front so you have to be careful every where you go (speed bumps, parking curbs). I have coil overs on the 996 and it still has more clearance than the Z06 at stock ride height. Other than these two issues I would say they are evenly matched although they are very different cars. I think the best thing for you to do would be to drive both for a couple of hours NOT just around the block. This would help you decide. A few things to note:
996 better materials inside, alacantra head liner, leather dash, door panels, nicer carpets. Ride height easier for daily use. Don't see as many turbos. Sunroof, express up and down windows. Better traction (awd). much tighter turning radius.

Z06 much faster. Better handling and brakes by a considerable margin. Stereos are equal IMO. Easier to cart suff around. There is quite a bit of room in the hatch area. Parts way cheaper. More info on the DIC. More comfortable for the long haul, but as mentioned earlier it is louder inside (road noise, exhaust, motor).

 

God bless you for helping to rectify the tremendous dearth of "Porsche v Corvette" threads

 

I test drove both on the same day with a very open mind (I owned a C5 Z06 formerly) and the Porsche won me over. The C6 Z06 was a monster with regard to power, but the overall feel and quality of the Porsche was a night/day difference relative to the Z06. Like others on here said already, certainly drive both and I'm sure one will jump out to you more than the other.

I'd love to also own a C6 Z06, but only in addition to my 996TT. If I can only have one (this is the case for me), it's going to be the 996TT.

 

I owned the Z06 for 2 1/2 years and it literally fell apart... Various trim pieces came unglued, it developed numerous rattles and squeaks from the body panels, the interior was cheap, my serpentine belt broke and flailed around under the hood and destroyed the lining... The z06 has a brilliant engine, one of the best ever, but the rest of the Car is just horrible.

My 2c.

 

You liked the stock Z06 brakes? The ones that begin to fade in a matter of seconds when you're on them hard? I thought they were horrible compared to the stock 996TT brakes.

 

I agree... Stock brakes were utter trash.. track them and they faded in two laps and were eating pads like there's no tomorrow. Search on the Corvette forums and you will see that everyone that was serious about track days changed out their entire brake system (calipers, pads, lines, fluid).