[Closed] VIDEO: New Corvette vs 911 Carrera S

It's very difficult to overcome the advantage of all wheel drive on acceleration.

Agreed, but the Vette comes pretty close for less than half the money

I'm a Porsche fan but this new Corvette is pretty impressive.

My Podiatrist just traded his 2011 Carrera SC for a 2013 Targa...it amazes me how bland these Porsches (excluding RS or Turbo)look inside and out, and how much they are asking for them....

My proctologist wants to trade his Probe for something hardcore.

PICS - John, this looks bland to you? Whew! Tough crowd!

photo no longer available
photo no longer available

Yes, but there's more to it than just performance numbers. The Porsche is a better car. And...

... it should be too considering the significant higher cost for the car. Don't forget, I'm a 'Vette owner too.

Do you think it's a better made car or better in driving dynamics?

Ha!!! If it were me...I'd find a different Dr.!

Better in what way? Ever since the C6 Z06s came out, there was little to criticize about Corvette!

I'll admit that the Porche has lots more snob appeal.

I have to admit, Porsche makes an extremely capable car

They also have a firmly established identity. There's no mistaking a Porsche for any other brand of car and there are no other brands that look like a Porsche. My question is, "How does the new Vette stack up?" It is just a better value or does it come down off the porch and run with the big dogs?

I can't say it's better in driving dynamics. Physics are working against the 911 ...

... with the weight of the engine behind the rear wheels.

If you'll recall, it wasn't until the last 10 or 15 years that Porsche, through electronic aids, managed to get the 911 spirited handling dynamics to a somewhat predictable level. At the limit, the 911 was always prone to a frightening, white knuckle, snap oversteer which was a huge problem for the car. That problem has been minimized by electronic controls but not eliminated. Indeed, the video talks about how the car still has a pronounced understeer too. That's just a result of the physics involved with the 911 configuration.

One thing is absolutely for sure. The 911 has a much better transmission and clutch. There is absolutely no comparison between the 911 and the 'Vette. The 911 wins that comparison easily, hands down. It also has much better seats too. The 'Vette has always had horrible seats and still does today.

I won't say that it's a better driving car, it has some points over the 'Vette albeit the 'Vette does perform well. But the 911 is a better overall car with build quality regarding fit and finish, interior materials, and paint.

There is a solidity in the 911 that's always been missing in the Corvette. The Porsche feels like it was carved out of a solid block. In comparison, the 'Vette feels like it is screwed together. The Porsche has a refined feel; a visceral appeal. The Corvette feels hard edged.

Again, a lot of that is why the prices are quite different too. I don't have the wallet for a 911. I do have it for the 'Vette which is why I own one. If I had a 911 wallet, and had the opportunity to make a choice between the two cars, then I would buy the 911 over the 'Vette without hesitation. It's just a better car.

Oh... one more thing. When you go to buy a Corvette, you buy it from a Chevy dealer. The buying experience is like buying an Impala. When you go into a Porsche dealer, the experience is quite different. There is absolutely no pressure to buy the car. It is an automotive consultation and not a "sales pitch." It's a completely different experience. Now, that doesn't factor at all in my purchase of the car, but it's just a heck of a lot more fun dealing with a TRUE car guy at the Porsche store that is knowledgeable about the car as opposed to a Chevy dealership where the salesman just wants to know "how much can you afford per month."

Jim, please read my reply to John above this post. I think it answers the question...

... of why the 911 over the 'Vette. I can assure you, snob appeal is a complete non-issue and never factors into my purchasing decisions. For me, my purchases are based strictly on much more analytical and concrete criteria.

or at least ask for dinner first.

No trading 'handshakes' either!!