This has nothing to do with 'vettes (if it did it would have turned out differently), but I can attest from a very interesting personal experience yesterday, that my Porsche 996 with Tiptronic automatic (13.48 in the 1/4 at a sanctioned track) and the new Aston Martin V8 (also has an automatic) are an even match in acceleration, at least from a standing start to about 80-85 mph: relative position never varied by more than three feet one way or the other: (320 HP and 3100 lbs vs. 380 Hp and 3500 lbs). I have no idea who would win the quarter mile, but I expect at some point the Aston would pull ahead because it is lower and smaller and has more HP--> less wind resistance with more power to overcome it.

And it is no contest when it comes to looks. The Aston looks even better on the street than in the showroom.

 

Man Lee, I wouldn't toss either of those bad boys outta the garage for leaking oil. I really do share your love of the Astin's.... they are unbelievable cars. Your Porsche, though, is also one of a kind! I haven't seen any pictures of it, now that I think of it.. would you happen to have any handy?

 

Thanks for the compliments. One of the pictures in the gallery shows my Porsche with the vette: its nothing special, just your run of the mill (actually bottom on the line) Carrera (911) - 3.6 liter, 320 HP, 5-speed auto). More can be seen on this forums sister Porsche site gallery, at
http://www.germanautoforums.com/albu...Type=1&apage=2

 

STUNNING! Wow, Lee, if that's a "bottom of the line" Porsche... that's crazy. I know that car is psycho fast. It's such a nice looking car, too. I have always admired Porsche's. Is it totally different to drive than the Vette, from a "feeling" perspective? Never had a ride in one of the newer generation Porsche's and can't help but wonder what you think, given that you've got that wicked nasty Vette too.

 

My Porsche is a great car. I will really offend a lot of Porsche fanatics (I doubt there are too many reading this, though), with some of this, but:
- They are expensive. I was shocked. Mine was the cheapest Carrera ("911," they haven't actually been called that since 9-11) on the lot, at $87,850 sticker. Base supposedly is about $70K but that comes with 205-section tires on the front - who puts 205s on a sports car?! Buy the time they option it up, it is expensive. and my car lacks lots of stuff I was used to in previous cars: no power seats, no auto dimming mirror, etc., single-CD player, etc.., although it has an all leather interior (and I mean all leather - the heradliner is suede leather). Still, it was the color and options I wanted and I think it was worth every penny.
- They get more expensive: the car next to it on the lot was the top of the line Gt2 at $186,000.
- I don't think of my car as a sporty car: it's just a really really nice car for driving around town and for weekend trips. It "fits" the driver perfectly. Its ahs perfectly linear controls. It communicates to the driver very well. Its comfortable for my wife and the back seat holds luggage. Its fast enough to deal with traffic, etc., but comfortable and quiet (mine has the optional sport exhaust which has an extra set of mufflers you can cut in to make it as quiet as an Accord). And the quality is close to flawless: not just good assembly, good design. This is where Prosche has no competition I can think of. Much as I love GM, they don't even compete here: they are totally inept compared to these guys. The car is just flawlessly designed. Everything where it should be, well done, no mistakes, no slight misses, all just perfect and intuitive. Easiest car to live with I have ever owned
- It handles, brakes, and corners only about 90% as good as a 'vette. Don't believe all the BS- a vette can kcik it on the straights, in the top end, in the corners, in braking. It has much more understeer than you would think, and its limits are not as high as the 'vettes.
- But it is so easy to live with. I prefer to drive it to work most mornings, particularly when I am tired and thinking about other things and going to stop at Starbucks for a quarter hour to just wake up and read the paper, etc. It is just so easy and comfortable to drive.

But it never, ever sets my heart to beating, and when I look at the vette, and fire it up -- my heart skips a beat or two, every time.

That makes the vette an automobile. My Porsche is just a really good car.

 

Wow, Lee, I can't get over how much they are. Man, that interior must be like sitting in the lap of luxury! $180k + for a car is just unreal in my books. I REALLY like what you got there, and for far less than $100k!! Really, in the big picture of things when you look at exotic imports, that's not a bad price at all for what you get!

Up here in Canada, to get a brand new Corvette, you'd better bring along a suitcase with $110k-ish (all in, pretty much) if you don't want a police escort leaving. So from here (in my lil' igloo with an antenna for internet LOL) that seems like good value for the price. GREAT value, actually.

I have seen a few older model Porsche's up close, and like you said, it's obvious the quality and design of the cars; even when they are 10-20 years old. You don't have these fit/finish/rattle issues we have in our Vette's. But, like you said.... mine makes my heart skip too everytime I see it. And mine doesn't have no where NEAR the punch yours does.

Anyways... interesting observations you posted about the driving of the car. I could picture it as I read your post. I hear you, totally... we have a new to us Dodge SX2.0 R/T (it's the Canadian version of the Neon) with full load; leather interior, etc. I do actually really enjoy driving that car, too, for the same reasons you mentioned. It's, how to put it, easier? But you just cannot beat a Vette for hands on pilot maneuvering. Sure, the Neon is no Porsche, and isn't fair to compare, but I was just noting similar feelings.

Thanks for taking the time to post that. I really enjoyed reading your take on all that, Lee.

 

Lee,
I was snooping around this thread and saw your post. I checked out the pictures of your cars - AND THEY ARE INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL. Outstanding!