Corvette or not corvette? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

threpwood · 12-20-2008, 06:53 PM

Hello all,

I know this is a boxster board, but is buying a corvette a recommended move these days?

I just looked at the pricing and since US$ rate is so cheap now I was kind of drooling to get the 6.2L version. But also since GM is on the verge of bankruptcy, is it advisable to buy one of their cars? I would hate getting one and then the company goes bankrupt!

I'm keeping the boxs for life, but kind of miss the growling sound of pure american V8.

silver arrow · 12-20-2008, 08:35 PM

GM isn't going away, even if they filed for bankrupcy. They would just restructure and shed legacy costs like retirement and healthcare, lay off people, close some plants etc... but they aren't going away.

Pros of the Vette: great drivetrain, great performance short of an supercar, great bang for buck.

Cons: the interior of a Cobalt. Makes the Boxster interior seem luxurious

JP-s-in st. louis · 12-20-2008, 08:53 PM

The NEW interior of a 3LZ package on the new Z06 is on par with any Porsche. If I had it to do all over again that is what I would have done.

12-21-2008, 04:18 AM

IMO, another con is fuel consumption, I've seen complaints about Boxsters and I think the fuel mileage is reasonable...

E Kaplan · 12-21-2008, 04:38 AM

If you have not driven the vette, go for a test drive. Porsche and Vettes feel and drive completely different. IMO, the Porsche is tighter, harder and I feel like I have better control (sounds like a Viagra commercial) than the Vette. I'm just not impressed with the drive of the Vette.

Eric

Brucelee · 12-21-2008, 06:26 AM

I would suggest you drive both cars at least twice, if not more.

These are both great cars IMHO but they are different in look and feel, so it is such a personal issue.

GM is not going anywhere, no issue there IMHO.

The gas mileage on the C6 is actually quite good, depending on how you drive it.

26MPG highway for the base C6. My friend does better than that at 70 MPH.

Good luck.

coreseller · 12-21-2008, 08:13 AM

About a year back before buying the Boxster S I now have the choices were down to it and a used ZO6 Corvette. If you have the opportunity, like BL said, drive both. I see you are in Japan so I don't know easily that could be done. I have seen a few guys on this forum deride the Corvette but I love them, great cars and fun for the money. One of the deciding factors for me was that the Boxster, even in S form, was much more usable without getting into the "stupid fast" zone. A C6 ZO6 can go 125 in third gear, they are absolute beasts.

R60us · 12-21-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP-s-in st. louis

The NEW interior of a 3LZ package on the new Z06 is on par with any Porsche. If I had it to do all over again that is what I would have done.

X2...

vath2001 · 12-21-2008, 03:51 PM

Well, I like the Vette.... but my concern is that other Vette owners are slightly "older" than myself. To be blunt, every Corvette owner I see is an old guy who babies the car around. The average age is got to be 62.

Do get me wrong, great car, great numbers, lots of power... I may get one when I can start pulling from the 401K. Until then, I'll keep the Boxster.

chrisdridley · 12-21-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vath2001

Well, I like the Vette.... but my concern is that other Vette owners are slightly "older" than myself. To be blunt, every Corvette owner I see is an old guy who babies the car around. The average age is got to be 62

X2 for me......Vettes are great cars but most of the guys I see driving them are old, bald guys.
I am not sure how well a ZO6 handles either. I've read the reviews and the specs but a few weeks ago on the Tail of the Dragon a ZO6 couldn't come close to keeping up with me and my little RS 60 on two runs. I couldn't convince the Vette driver that I was stock.
Now.....that ZR-1 may be a whole other story........

ekam · 12-21-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisdridley

Vettes are great cars but most of the guys I see driving them are old, bald guys.

Don't forget they have no teeth and they roll up cigs up their sleeves.

I got his joke from the Ferrari guys...

JP-s-in st. louis · 12-21-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisdridley

X2 for me......Vettes are great cars but most of the guys I see driving them are old, bald guys.
I am not sure how well a ZO6 handles either. I've read the reviews and the specs but a few weeks ago on the Tail of the Dragon a ZO6 couldn't come close to keeping up with me and my little RS 60 on two runs. I couldn't convince the Vette driver that I was stock.
Now.....that ZR-1 may be a whole other story........

Dude really it was the driver and not the car. A well driven C6 ZO6 will eat a Boxster and this is coming from me. I adore mine and have made it very fast, I have driven both and there is NO comparison.

Fletch986 · 12-21-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP-s-in st. louis

Dude really it was the driver and not the car. A well driven C6 ZO6 will eat a Boxster and this is coming from me. I adore mine and have made it very fast, I have driven both and there is NO comparison.

x2
I'm a vette owner and i can attest there is no comparison between a Z06 and a boxster when based on performance. i like my boxster a lot but the vette is a different animal.

Fletch

Motobob · 12-22-2008, 04:11 AM

I test drove a 2007 Corvette on May 20th (my birthday wish) as well as a Porsche 911. (Both automatics) As Fletch mentioned..... different animals. Both had great power, but the Vette had unbelievable power (throw you back in the seat power - get in trouble power, break the wheels loose power)

I have a full head of hair but I am 50...

I may still get a vette in a few years after the love affair with the Boxster gets fullfilled.... waiting to see what the next new vette style looks like...

Bob - Colorado Springs

2001 Boxster S

stephen wilson · 12-22-2008, 05:45 AM

I agree about the "stupid fast" part, the penalty for overstepping the limits of a Corvette on the street are likely to be high. But the reason I don't like them is they're BIG, and WIDE. I like that "flickable", nimble feeling of a small, lighter car.
YMMV.
Steve

Brucelee · 12-22-2008, 06:06 AM

I have owned vettes since 1967. My first, a 63 Sting Ray was a blast. I do lament the fact that this sized vette is gone.

Having said that, there is nothing quite like the sound and feel of a small block Chevy engine when you hammer it. Very nice indeed.

Having both these cars is the answer. Depending on what you want to experience on that given day, you can have it.]

Do you want the lady that is sophisticated and responsive or do you want your back scratched really really hard???

Mike_Yi · 12-23-2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisdridley

X2 for me......Vettes are great cars but most of the guys I see driving them are old, bald guys.

And the Boxster is a chick car.

Adam · 12-23-2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_Yi

And the Boxster is a chick car.

LOL.....true. It's also been called a hairdresser's car.

It's ironic some guys on here are stereotyping corvette owners. People in glass houses shouldn't be throwing stones.

wild1poet2 · 12-23-2008, 06:47 PM

I would also hesitate because of GM's status. A CH11 filing could quickly precipitate to a CH7 if consumer concerns continue to drop sales. There is concern over the viability of the dealer network and even in a CH11 some of the dealers will lose their franchises without buyout payments.

Many do not think GM would be viable even in a successful CH11. I agree the Corvette brand would continue but it could go through a few years of "neglect" and potential disruption in warranty programs. Just a thought.

chrisdridley · 12-23-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

LOL.....true. It's also been called a hairdresser's car.

It's ironic some guys on here are stereotyping corvette owners. People in glass houses shouldn't be throwing stones.

I didn't intend to stereotype Vette drivers....I only stated that most of the Vette drivers that I see are old bald guys....not that all Vette drivers are old bald guys.
I would love to have a garage full of '50s and '60s Vettes but my limited experience with the newer Vettes has not impressed me. The '91 ZR-1 my father-in law bought new was one of the fastest cars I have ever been in but it had more squeeks and rattles than a freight train.
My 2006 LS2 was a monster but the fit and finish was horrible. Many screws in the dash and under the hood were cross threaded from the factory and my dash lights and drivers door window motor stopped working before I got 1000 miles on the clock. The seats in the car had squeeks in them and the top didn't seal right.

And the Boxster is a chick car.....most of the Boxsters I see are driven by old fat guys....here's a picture on one of them blowing the leaves out of the road.