Drive (both) , pick, win.

I was in the same boat, and am very happy that I went with the Turbo.

It takes several mods on a stock turbo 996 to catch up to a c6z. With that said, can't go wrong either way.

I also don't think you can go wrong with either car. Both are great cars and have different advantages. For raw performance numbers for the cost, it's very hard to beat a C6 (either base or Z06). But for me, a car is much more than just the numbers. When I was trying to choose, I went as far as renting a C6 for the weekend (I had driven Porsches before). It was a blast to drive and I could easily see myself in one.

So why did I end up with the 996TT? In the end, it was the balance of some practicality, with the refinement and performance, that tipped the scales for me. The C6 was just a little too flashy for me (ironically, even though the Porsche Turbos cost more when new, they just don't seem to draw the same attention -- good or bad -- as a vette). On the practicality side, I really did see a benefit to having some backseats (albeit small ones). The Porsche just feels like a more refined machine. Finally, since a driver spends more time looking at the interior rather than the exterior of their car, I just appreciated the Porsche's interior much more. No matter how much performance I knew I'd enjoy from the C6, it still looked too much like every rental car I get to drive on business trips. As they say on Top Gear -- "These plastics....where are they getting them from?.....Why, these are the people who land on Mars..."

keep in mind you are asking this question on a TT forum, so the answers may be a bit biased.

If maintenance cost is important to you i think the answer is easy. Vette is going to be much cheaper (i hear you can get rotors for $20). Performance wise the vette probably also has the edge. But hey a Porsche is a Porsche, nothing beats having one.

Depends on how long you plan on keeping it and how many miles you plan on putting on it. Z06s are a tremendous value, super light 3100? lb. They are super fast and make much better straight line cars than Porches and do great on curves as well.

IMO the wort thing anout 996T is it's ability to jump out of the hole in 1-2gers. Don't get me worng, in the right hands it is lightning fast and the rear engine, wide rear tires and FWD assist make for physics that are hard to beat. Still, it doesn't feel natural doing it. I think at least part these issues were ironed out with taller 1-3 gears in the 997.

It would take a pretty modded 996T with a great driver to hang with a Z06 in most scenarios, especially at the street light grand prix.

I really want a C6 Z06 as well. But i don't think I'd want it as a keeper. Corvettes are just not made to last like porches are. They're really much more of a throwaway car.

My personal opinion is that 996T prices have leveled especially when you're talking about well kept, low mileage cars, low number of owners with stock(ish) bodywork. Z06s on the other hand won't stop till they hit 20-30K.

BTW got any ideas on wen the C7 is coming out? Specs on those out already?

I plan to keep the car for around 5 years. That's a good point regarding the depreciation rate of the Z06 vs. the 996tt. A 09 Z06 is the target year I'm looking at since it has the increased oil capacity pump and they are going for around 48k. After 5 years the 996tt will probably be worth at least 5-8k more than the Z06. This should compensate for the repairs and mods which will be done to the car. More or less, it will be a wash in terms of value between the cars.

No figures yet on the base C7 but it will probably be around 475-500hp while the new Z06 will be knocking on 600hp.

You need at least a good tune and exhaust on hybrid k16 to run a stock z06. K24's with good tune will keep you in the range of the lightly modded ones. At that point its drivers race. Work on your driving skill and you'll find yourself rarely behind one. Most of the best Corvette drivers are still in C5's and even then there are a small number compared to home many of them are out there

I was in this same predicament a while back, and while i have not made my decision yet i always had a hard time picturing myself in an american car. Corvette also has this stigma behind it that i could not shake. Now i know corvettes have changed and the z06 is really not an old mans car but as bad as it sounds i could not look past that imho

Yep, in my opinion, the Z06 offers alot better bang for the buck. Really tough to beat in that category.

if you dont mind the sqeeks and clanks of the corvette , I would do the corvette . But the American cars do fall apart prematurely . I have a suburban 08 rattle can and have a fleet of service trucks chevys rattle cans as well

Just curious. Have you ever driven/owned a C6? Build quality is quite high -- built in a dedicated factory. No comparison to a Suburban.

That's like saying "Build quality of a Porsche sucks -- I own a Seat, made in Eastern Europe, and it squeaks". Same company, different quality.

996tt drives much better

I have owned an 80 Corvette, (3) C4's (including a 87 TT Callaway...junk) and a C5 with a turbo. I also have owned an 86 930 Turbo and my current 03 996tt. No comparison. Porsche is a nicer car and will always hold it's value better. Performance is subjective as we ALL tend to mod anyway. While these new corvettes are pretty bada$$, performance-wise, I can't see myself in a domestic car any time soon. Drive them both and see what yanks your chain. Factor cost in last...

In what way? Faster, better handling, etc.? In the 996TT to Z06 comparison, I wouldn't agree.

Is this broad statement from experience? Have owned a 996TT and a C6 (not even a Z06), I wouldn't agree.