how old was the Viper driver? 70?

 

or maybe it's for elitists who try to justify paying more for a sports car (not discounting cars like the GT3)? if not for objective performance, everything else is subjective opinion, and heaven knows we have plenty of that to go around in 2009

 

I lapped a 996TT my first HPDE in my Miata when it was still stock. What did it prove? Only that I was a better driver (the TT owner was new to DE's).

It's def. more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow, and you certainly get more respect at the track that way.

 

one little snapshot like that proves nothing, the circumstances of the photograph are completely unknown

 

I think it was a friend of the owner? Hogpen is pretty intimidating, high speed turn so novices tend to coast through it.

 

The C6 Z51 was 2nd on my list, and I was planning to buy one until I found a great deal on the car I really wanted but which was at the upper level of my budget.

You know all the good stuff about the Vette, here's what I didn't like relative to the CS:
- the steering. I know, it doesn't make you go any faster, but it felt more like a video game and def. diminished the driving experience. This was my #1 complaint, but the '08+ years are better.
- shifter feel - felt more like a truck
- view over the hood - it was much harder to place the corners
- wide turning radius
- seats
- interior is functional, but doesn't feel special
- the gearbox sounded like a truck at low speeds

The Vette is a hoot when you're hauling ass, but I don't think it's so much fun around town at normal speeds. The Porsche feels great, and is a pleasure to drive, in pretty much all situations.

It has nothing to do w/ elitism. The Porsche was my first European car, and personally I'd rather have the Corvette + $6-7K in my bank account if it produced the same level of satisfaction for me. Heck, I've even considered the STI and Evo as family-friendly replacements - not much elitism w/ those options!

Just my $.02, YMMV...

 

Porsche is such a great car and I'd love to have one... but Corvette's performance can't be argued either.

If I were to make only one choice based on the budget, I'd seriously go for Vette, the performance gap is fairly huge.

 

Great, another bench racing noob.


I have dozens of regulars on this forum who I track with, compete with or have instructed who can vouch for me. A couple of them were probably at that particular event.

If you don't think a well driven Miata with r-comps can't run down and pass a poorly driven vette, Viper, S2000 or Porche, then you you have ZERO actual track/autoX experinece.

 

calm down, chief....of course it's all about the driver, but equally skilled, your little miata is toast

 

Awesome post, well said.