I think it's time to let my E39 M5 go. One reason is because the repair bills are starting to stack up because it is difficult to pinpoint the problem and i don't like to keep on throwing money at the car trying to fix it.

The main cars I'm looking at are the 996tt and C6 Z06. The car will be tracked several times a year and my skill lvl is only intermediate. It will only be driven 3k-5k miles a year. Ideally I would like a 4 seater because I can take my family out on the weekends but a 2 seater will work but it will not be driven much. The 996tt seems like the better fit being a 4 seater but I'm afraid of the repairs.

If I'm afraid of the M5 repairs should I steer clear of the 996tt because it will cost even more to repair the problems? I like the C6 Z06 because of it's power and warranty but it will only be driven once or twice a month. What do you guys think?

 

Wow... Tough choice. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

They achieve the same goal (amazing performance, and can be driven daily), two vastly different ways...

Turbo, AWD
N/A, RWD

I favor the 996tt (out of your choices), because it is slightly more versatile.

The Z06 may prove to be cheaper to own in the long run.

 

From much of the time I've spent here on these forums, I think that the vast majority of recurring problems people have with their 996TTs are due to intake/vacuum leaks. I've dealt with 2 of these myself (in my short time owning one).

That said, they don't so much affect the drivability of the car and probably won't blow up your engine. If you stay stock the thing can be decently reliable for a german sports car and doubly so for an almost-supercar.

 

Oh... and i guess buying both is out of the question? I'd like to have one of each, myself.

 

996tt.

 

Have owned both and really like both cars, but honestly...the 996TT is the better built machine.

 

And from what I understand a 996TT is going to be more reliable in the long run. Think of it this way, Porsche only makes higher end vehicles, so they start with a good base, rather then start with a truck chassis and pushrod V8, and then throw parts from a cavalier, etc, you get my point. That being said, I would LOVE to own a C6 vette at some point, but if I had to choose between a Porsche or a SHHHHEVAy, I would choose Porsche.

 

Wife had a '79 and '85 Vette bought new. Sporty fast Chevys with lots or rattles and squeaks, cheap to repair, poor build quality, cheap interiors. I've looked at new ones over the last several years and researched them. I don't know that they have significantly changed. I've also had 6 Porsches and don't think I could ever be happy with a Corvette unless Porsche ownership was totally out of the question.

To me it's like, once you've had a robust micro brew or a fine wine, Bud light is not very satisfying. Or if you've been to a Formula One or GP race, Nascar doesn't cut it.

To each their own, don't think there is a right answer. I don't mean to sound pretentious as my DD is a humble Jeep Cherokee and my fun car of choice a 996 Turbo.

 

+1 for 996tt.

 

Thanks for the replys. I guess there is no real loss in the long run because I will own a vette and a 911 sometime in my life. Right now it's just a matter of deciding which one comes first. I don't think I can wait till the kids are out of the house before owning a vette(18 yrs).

Right now I'm leaning toward the Z06 because it does have a warranty and I can pick up a 997tt in 4-5 years once the prices has stabilized.

 

Have you driven both cars in a short timeframe?

I really like the Z06s, but when I drove the 996TT I just felt at home.

 

Wait, you think the 996TT is a "4 seater"? On paper perhaps...


I suppose it is for the 4 years after they leave a booster seat.


IMO the cost of the E39 and 996TT is not much different in terms of repair/maintenance. Lots of variability from owner to owner, car to car. Just like the E39 cost 75k when new, the 996TT cost 120k+...and parts and maintenance costs are commensurate. Trading the devil you know for one you don't...(and from what I recall your issue with the M is pretty simple, a saturday afternoon and $400!)

A

 

996TT might cost more to maintain but definitely worth it.

 

It is a tough choice and you've gotten a lot of misinformation in this thread. Don't compare a C6 Z06 reliability to a C3 or C4 (especially C4). Don't compare the reliability to Cavalier (that one was weird -- not aware of a 500HP Cavalier).

I haven't owned a Z06, but owned and loved two C6 convertibles. Moved to a 996TT for ONE reason -- AWD. I live in Iowa and my C6 was worthless in the winter. The 996 soldiers on through the snow.

All that said, this is a 'too close to call'. It is PURELY personal preference. I MUCH prefer the instant torque of the C6. I miss it. Waiting for the turbos to spool up annoys me. Yes, I could mod it, but I shouldn't have to. Porsche should have done it right. When I want the thrill of acceleration, I don't drive the 996TT, I drive my wife's station wagon (E55). How sad is that.

You can't go wrong with either one. The Z06 and a warranty is great, but if something breaks on the track, Chevy can be a pain on warranty (as can Porsche, I suspect). I bought my 996TT with 50K miles and am up to 76K miles and the only repair is an alternator. Yes, the wing doesn't rise anymore, but I live with that.

Overall repair costs out of warranty will be wildly higher on the Porsche.

Just pick one and have fun

 

My father has a c6 zo6 that I have driven a lot. The zo6 is a little faster straight line than my 500 hp 996tt, but judging by posted track times and my personal experience of driving the zo6, the vette is much faster on a road coarse.
Daily driver or long road trips 996 TT is the best choice. However, for track and spirited weekend drives, I would pick the zo6.