Levy: Since the dawn of time, there have been Corvette people and Porsche people. Lazy automotive historians haven’t bothered to dig through the mythic pools that predate the relatively new invention of the automobile, but I guarantee you this rivalry was in full effect back when horses were pulling carts. Gives new meaning to the term ”ass engined” huh? Anyhow, never the twain shall meet. Until, maybe, now. And well, if you’ve read my humble musings, you will know that I’m a dyed in the wool Porsche guy. So I have to agree with the opening statement. I really have never been a fan of the plastic cars from Bowling Green. I had the (dis)pleasure of driving a Z06 during three days of torrential downpour early last year, and because my Mom always told me if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it — well I didn’t write about it. We had another ‘Vette too — a very base stripper with an autobox in one of those reds that only USC alumni covet and generally makes all of the Autofiend writers throw up a little in their mouths — especially when the interior is beige. That car really confirmed for me why I’m a Porsche guy. I just couldn’t get my head around it. But for some strange reason, after spending some time with a hot little yellow number last month, I’m finding myself swaying over to the other side. A little.
Lieberman: I tend to find both Porsche guys and Corvette guys tedious bores (sorry boss). That said, Porsche guys are usually a little bit more, um, correct. While Corvettes are faster (can’t replace displacement) 911s handle better (despite engines in the butt), are made of metal and feature interiors I wouldn’t mind being buried in. Knowing that, I went for a 1,000 mile road trip in the new for ‘09 Corvette Z51 and must say I was shocked by how livable it is, especially when you take into account the mega-nuts level of performance. As long as you keep your hands on the wheel (and ignore the sloppy seats) the ‘Vette really is a driver’s car. From the big, legible gauges to the right-sized wheel to the why-isn’t-this-on-every-car heads up display, the yellow Chevy proved itself to be a user-friendly tool that easily chewed up miles. Even the pedals were perfectly placed. In other words, I was comfortable. Now, normally, all of the above is true about Corvettes yet they just aren’t very good to drive for more than a few laps. What gives? The Z51 suspension. It really is quite good, no?
Levy: There’s a reason the Porsche guys are more correct. Let’s talk about keeping the hands on the wheel. Yes the wheel is actually fine, not a favorite but sized OK and just on the right side of not too thick. But the problem is there is NO feedback from the road. Honestly, you get more input from a Logitech PS3 wheel in Gran Turismo 5. Sure, the hand-eye messaging is about right. Move it quick and the view out front changes correspondingly, but there’s nothing telegraphing where the actual tires are and what they are rolling over. Certainly not the case in any Porsche I’ve driven. That said the grip is phenomenal, I know you pumped the heads up G meter into the 1g range, and the ability to change direction quickly is huge, though slightly disconcerting. The big, wide, flat expanse of plastic that is the hood, stays flat no matter how fast you corner, and of course with 436 hp on tap and big fat torque deployable at the smallest throttle opening, steer by gas pedal is a squeeze of the big toe away. Didn’t we come to the conclusion that around 400 hp is the perfect number for any car?
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Posted By: Jonny Lieberman | 14 Comments »
Tags: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 2009 Corvette Z51 Chevy Chevy Corvette Corvette Corvette Z51 Fiends vs. Fiend LS3 Z51
The only Porsche that has ever made my trousers rustle was the 928.
@MeatFarley: I always think about risky business when thinking of the 928. A great car that I hope makes a come back.
It think the stereotypes that go with either are what would keep me from picking either one at my purchase range (which would be more like a 5-8 year old example).
That said, at the 5-8 year old level, I’d have to go Vette. I’ll take degrading plastic and a serviceable-by-me V8 over the clusterfnck that is Porsche maintenance.
Technically if the only Porsche you like is the 928 then you are definitely a Corvette guy.
Wait! I’ve reconsidered.
I’ll take a 914.
Electric, if you’re offering.
928? Run away! Run away! That’s Monty Python-ese meaning you don’t wish to pay $15K for a transmission redo for your $25K beloved, classic dream car. And that’s just the first installment. Go ahead, ask me how I know. No, please, please don’t. Bumper sticker reads “Abandon hope all ye who enter here”. Take that extra $25K (Z06) or $55K (ZR-1), or much less, and commission another interior to match whatever ego-mobile your heart desires. If it’s $55K, call me, I’ll do it or project manage it for you.
Hey..Renegade Hybrids. Put your favorite America V8/SBC (including the LS3) in a basket case Porsche 928.
Supposed to be the best of both worlds
I’ll agree that the C6 seats leave a bit to be desired. Aside from that, the Vette is about the best bang for the buck. In the long run a Vette is say more economical.
To the Porsche guys, my buddy who races Spec Miata and Drives a 911 would rather take the Miata to the track than the Porsche. It handles better. The 911 does have a touring package so it’s nice on the highway but a bit top heavy on the track.
This debate is like Ford vs Chevy. It’s never ending.
I thought the C6 seats were incredibly comfortable. The look and feel were a little cheap, but I’m used to an LS400 daily driver (that’s pretty nice leather).
I have to admit that I’ve never driven a modern Porsche. But the C6 that I drove impressed the hell out of me, and now… it must be mine. I never wanted a Corvette before, but driving is believing.
I’ve driven the new Cayman S and the Vette. I consider the interior to be sub-standard for a car the Vette wants to be. Porsche has the same problem with the older 911 but they have moved on. If you pay serious cash for a car then at least you don’t want have to wonder if some of the $$ could have been spent on a real steering wheel and perhaps leather not sourced from Wall-Mart. Hard Plastics abound. Whats funny is that the Cadillac coupe is built in the same factory and that interior is world-class. A Rabbit GTI interior would put it to shame…
The difference is that if all you like is burning rubber from the traffic lights and your favourite car movie is fast and furious then the Vette is perfect. Its a great point and shoot missile. However take the Cayman out any weekend on some nice backroads and the more you drive it, the more you want to never stop (even more fun in the dark;-). The Vette you can use every day but the Cayman is what you keep in the garage and take it out to waste anything on the road bar supercars handled by real drivers (rare) and superbikes. I saw both being tested at the Nuremberg ring and the better driver just could not figure out why his vette was slower by 3 secs every time, without fail. Good on the straits but the corners were just slower . Steering Feedback is worth having to get a feel for whats possible and where the limit is.
A caymen…..my new 370z with bolt ons easiy handle all aspects of the caymen S and my Zo6 is a rockect that can throug you out of the car with the windown down. on a quick turn.
Caymen S interiors are ok…but hell man if that the best shot you have at the vette..the vette ins Nice. period…don’t be an ass Its 3lz pckage make its a trnmedous buy…and buying a=the last of the 427’s makes buying a Zo6 worth it….an engine you’ll never see ever again.
Zo6 is so superior to the caymen it a sin to say them in the same breath
my 37Z matches up perfectly and is a better daiy driver with a Catman S
and if you ever wann go back i n time with thick leather and killer 6.0 and interior my 05 and 06 GTO’s are here so say the old muscle feel is refined enough..and there aussie interior are fantastic..BMW like.
the Z51 is the poser Z a real man buys the 427.
a NA 427…i make 551rwhp with just a cam swap and headers….i’m owered and have better than runflat tires and bette r shifter..
my Zo6 rocks…and 370 rock as well though not a firebreather..it willpost 4.6-0-60 with 2 breathign mods.
.98 g and 60-0 in 102 feet… bring the cayman on.
and all for 33k otd. incuding mods.
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I think the whole “porsche guy” and “corvette guy” is overplayed. I own a 2008 Z06 and love it, but I’m not a corvette guy. I don’t really care about the past vettes as much as I should, and would buy a porsche possibly in the future. The problem is that a similarly priced porsche would be a loaded cayman s. Good car, but I’m not in love with the looks from the rear. Also, 330 hp is a bit disappointing to me. I cross shopped the Z06 with an M3 btw.