look for the infiniti version of the gt-r after the nissan release (1-2 years)...

the gt-r will have a very basic interior, whereas the infiniti release will be more luxo-based (and have a restyling to the body as well)

 

I always compared the TT to anything else and ended up going to FVD Stage IV and kept the car, Then bought me a F-GT because when I drove it, I was captured. Now my sights are in a 6Sp M5 as a Daily Driver. I'm keeping these 3 for a while...

 

Great thread scott. The only thing to add would be depending on your driving needs, I believe a GT3/2 may be a better choice than the Turbo for some of the younger/crazier folks to daily drive = ) I pulled the drive shaft after 1 month because the AWD made the car extremely sluggish and hard to throw around due to the extreme understeer. Most likely due to my lack of driving skills lol...

that said, hitting 2 months ownership of the turbo, i'm embarassed to say that having learned stick on this car, I've yet to really "push" it.
The e46 M3 was my previous car, and with full Moton and n/a mods, I felt like I could drive that car harder and faster than the turbo.

I think the M3 was an excellent daily driver for the performance, fun factor, versatility, price and zero maintenance w/ warranty makes it a winner.

I must admit, there's no question which car I'd take in the morning if I wake up to an M3 and the Turbo.

 

The 996 TT is very hard to beat. Given that you just don't see any Z06s on Sydney streets (we don't get them in Australia) I can't comment on them. I think you're spot on with your other analysis, however the difference is that there are Skyline GTRs by the bucketload in Sydney.

The GTR is a great car in the bang for buck category. You can mod them to a decent power level while retaining some streetability .. for much less than the similar mods on a 996 TT. I know GTRs have more of an "aura" in the US because they are so rare. But when you see them every day and race them at the track every week .. they don't have any glamour.

I have a friend with a heavily modded GTR and it's a great car. He'd swap it for a 996 TT any day. Because at the end of the day, Porche vs Nissan .. there is no contest.

 

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan, has stated clearly that the GT-R will be branded ONLY as a Nissan.

 

-Cobras and Shelby GT500's use large displacement, are heavy, don't use IRS, and build quality is not comparable. Also difficult to put power to the ground effectively.
Just for the record the 03-04 Cobra Does have a IRS and weighs in at 3665 only 150lbs or so heavier than a 996tt. The GT500 is a pig and not as good of a car (It just has the right name). Dollar for dollar in mods a 03 modded would kill a 996tt modded. Even the fastest ones are no match for the 03 Cobra TT cars. putting well over a 1000whp on a stock block for under $15k. Of course don't make them take any turns

This such a loaded debate. Is this straight line performance or road coursing. The other thing if put a 700hp kit on a 996tt you are easily at 20k. For 20k I could take allot of the cars you named and beat the snot out of a 996tt with only 20k in mods. So thumbs down for affordability. Build quality is good (Fit and finish). Not sure about reliability. The Japs probably do it that much better. Stock for stock???? It's definitely a contender but not a easy win. I bought my 996TT because of it's ok performance, classic looks and prestige. It is what I consider a entry level exotic sort of.

BTW
Why would anyone even bring up a 350z. I have never seen the attraction to them slow portly and expensive to mod. WORTHLESS!

 

I love the daily ability of my TT. That said, I believe my Noble M400 to be the best sportscar on the market for under $400k. It might not make HUGE power or run 10's, but it is so interactive and just feels right driving it at all speeds. It rewards an above avg driver and eats corners most cars wouldn't attempt at half the speed. And at the valet they move Aston Martins and Porsches out of the way to park it right in front of the door.

 

absolutely no other better high performance all around daily car. esp on the secondary market.

 

While individual cars can compete with a 911 Turbo on individual strengths, for the overall package, combining performance, reliability, modifiability, quality, luxury, daily driveability and civility, there is no substitute....

 

agreed....

a different branded version for infiniti is what im told.......

((the gt-r looks and interior wasnt considered parallel w/ infinit's lineup))

now lets hope we see a TT and not a v8.........

 

The original question, what cars overall, are really better than the Porsche turbos? The answer to this is obviously subjective. However, I think the word "overall" changes the answer a bit, but hold that thought....

I have had 4 NSX's, All supercharged and tweaked, and like many NSX owners, an S2000 as well. Had a couple of highly mod'd Supra turbos (debt to karma paid, thank you) as well as an F355F1 with its wonderful engine sounds and nightmarish maintenance. there were some other cars of little to no relevance.

First, let me briefly explain what led me to the 911 turbo, as this clearly explains why I think it's the ultimate sports car. I bought a neighbors Audi A4 1.8t Quattro and chipped it to over 250bhp (stay with me) not allot, but very impressive especially in the rain, snow, imperfect roads etc. The traction, drivability and reliabity was amazing! I soon sold this for the S4 Quattro and quickly mod'd that to over 450bhp. Jumping Jesus On A Pogo Stick was this car fun!

If my Audi "4dr 911turbo" was this much fun, how good would a real 911 turbo be? I looked at 993TT's while the exterior is stunning, the interior is awful compared to the Audi's (and everything else). So off to the 996TT's. After a year of looking for the right one at the right price, I bought my '01 earlier this year ...in addition to my '06 RS4.

Overall... if I had to have ONE car to drive everyday, it would be my Audi RS4, the only downfall if any, is that it is NA. Otherwise it's damn near perfect.

But if you are looking for a 2 door "drivers" performance car... "Porsche - There is no substitute" ... nothing comes close for the money, period.

 

One note I must make about this conversation is, that for a car to be considered a true purist sports car, it must have rear wheel drive only and either no traction control or traction control that can be FULLY disengaged. For example my G35 traction control must be turned off repeatedly, and even so if the car is pushed really hard it will come back partially.

Another example is of the former owner of my car. His experience w/ performance automobiles was with a TT. That is why he had an accident w/ the GT2 he sold me because his background w/ 4 wheel drive did not prepare him for the proper response to a high hp rear wheel drive only vehicle breaking traction. When I break the rear wheels loose it is very ordinary because I have driven many high hp vintage Mustangs that are much less forgiving (hp for hp....a 300 rwhp Mustang is about 80% as dangerous as a 600whp GT2) than a Porsche (although no where close in terms of ability).

Lets be completely honest here. All these modern bells and whistles are designed to protect the car companies from liability and take full responsibility for a cars performance away from where, IMHO it should belong: The driver.

 

You've disconnected your ABS then?

 

disengaged your electronic throttle body too?

 

lol....ok, good points. I am just annoyed when traction control can't be turned off