HAZ-Matt

CD Comparo: Z06 vs GTR vs Carrera S

Interesting comparison. They optioned the Z06 to over $100k with the stripe package and ZR1 parts. This is the only one that is available in some form for under $80,000 though.

2013 GTR lists at $96,820. Remember how much it was when it came out? +38.6% now. In the article they assume a price since it was written before Nissan released it. I used the actual number here.

Carrera S had an as tested price of $131,250... and the worst performance and was of course the winner. Although it may not have had better braking performance than the Z06 it has a better pedal feel. And it did have better observed fuel economy.

HAZ-Matt

And you have to pay to get this color on the 911. Although that is true of every color except a couple.

OutsiderIROC-Z

I can hear this site going up in arms!

Z28Wilson

Although my personal preference would eliminate the GTR, I really don't think you could go wrong with any of the three.

HAZ-Matt

I almost agree with you. If I was given any of the three I wouldn't be upset.

However there are a couple problems I have, even ignoring the ridiculous Gold Lime color on the 911. One of the most obvious is that it is almost the cost of the Turbo. I can't see spending $130k on an NA 911.

It basically won the comparison because it has the best seats and fuel economy. And isn't as noisy to ride in as the GTR. But it costs a Mustang GT more than the other two. And is slower. Maybe if this was AARP magazine, but isn't this supposed to be for car enthusiasts?

The one thing I don't get and the article made me look up is GM's odd pricing structure on the Z06. If you go to build a Z the first option you can check is the "Z06 Ultimate Performance Package" for $7500 which states that it includes:

• Ceramic brakes
• Magnetic Selective Ride Control
• Performance Traction Management
• Enhanced cooling
• Michelin PS cup tires1
• Satin Black cup-style lightweight wheels (19" front, 20" rear)
• Black painted racing-style spoiler replaces standard spoiler
  
  Requires available Z06 Carbon Fiber Package

Ok requiring another package isn't new, CFZ runs you $3995. But if you check it you will find that MSRC is not actually included for $7500. It is automatically added for $2495. Why isn't the performance package actually listed for its real price of $9995? Or described as requiring MSRC, not including?

99SilverSS

No news here. Vette wins performance tests but lost overall because of a cheap/dated/ interior, poor seats and a rough ride... same story since C6 came out.

IF GM doesn't put money into the interior for the C7 it's their own fault. Everyone that can speak has spoken... several times.

King Moose SS

Yea, I read the article when it came out, and I was upset. They were complaining about the price tag the most about the Z06. If they wanted it cheaper, why did they option it out to $100k+??? They took a cheap shot, they wanted the Porsche to win from the beginning. They are always giving brand new cars the win. Although.... That Porsche, looks like all Porsche's since the 997.

LeadSled1

The funny thing was that most of the categories were "feel" or "perception" based. The Z06 had better acceleration, better braking, better handling etc. Then it lost out because it doesn't have rear seats.

Z06 had better:
Z06 (GTR and 911)

0-150mph 17.0 seconds (17.8sec and 21.7)
Top speed 198mph (190mph and 188mph)
Braking 70-0 141ft (161ft and 148ft)
Road holding on skid pad 1.05g (.97g and 1.0g)
Lowest curb weight 3259lb (3907 and 3265)
EPA highway mpg 15/24 (16/23 and 17/24 C/D did their own "estimate" for the 911)
Lb/hp ratio 6.5 (7.2 and 8.2)

Yet it only won 3 out of 21 categories and tied for 2.

Rising Phoenix

It's nice to look at the subjective aspects as well. Personally I consider the exhaust note of a car to be extremely important and the Z06 is a slam dunk in that regard, while the GTR is mediocre at best and the 911 is "pretty good".

uluz28

This.

muckz

Whoa, 3900 lbs for GT-R? What is a pig! A pig that moves well, but couldn't they do anything to bring it down 200+ lbs?

My Audi A6 with V8 weighs 4025 lbs, and it's a large family car.

My Audi Allroad with twin-turbo V6 weighs 4200 lbs, just 300 lbs more than the GTR.

Chevycobb

I agree. They were complaining about the seats in the C6 back in 2004. The seats are fine...unless you are on a track.
I wouldn't expect them to like the Z06 at all. The rags have always loved the GTR, any porsche, and almost always beat down the corvette. The other two are great cars, but hardly the perfect cars that most writers make them out to be. I will say though...the fact they are comparing these cars against the Z06 that really hasn't changed much in 6 years does say something.

AWD can add lots of weight.

HAZ-Matt

I love Corvettes, and the Z06 but I don't expect it to necessarily win every comparison.

I think this one is a bit odd though. You have two great track cars that are good on the street against an over-optioned Beetle that costs about a third more than the other two. And is worse at about everything except fuel economy. And comfort... but honestly if I am into comfort and economy for $130k there are better options out there.

If I am doing this article I might have a hard time not picking the GTR, sad to say. And if they did I wouldn't be quite as annoyed. When the 911 beats both based on the seats I have to wonder if CD is writing for enthusiasts... or just wealthy retired people. Not that I have anything against retired people

30thZ286speed

I really don't have a problem with the Vette's interior. Yeah its dated, but it holds up well for a design that came out 8 years ago and I think its very nice with the leather and suede stitched dash.



Another biased test by C/D.

96_Camaro_B4C

Pretty much the same here. I mean, I'm not blown away by the interior (it's definitely getting long in the tooth), but the only parts I really don't care for are the HVAC and NAV / stereo setups. Neither would keep me from owning one.

I still think the gauge cluster is among the best looking in the entire industry. The C5 was great, and the C6 jumped to another level from there.

I do think the leather dash treatment should simply be standard, however.