C&D Z06 vs F430 vs 997TT

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Poverty

Poverty

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1. Ferrari F430 - the best sportcar in the world and the most charismatic
2. Porsche 997 TT - the supreme supercar when conditions underfoot get tricky
3. Corvette Z06 - the best corvette ever and a performance-car bargain for the ages
 
...Atleast C/D knows how to drive the Corvette compared to AutoBild...

It was an outcome that could be expected, as the Corvette is down on refinement compared to the other Europeans. But generally speaking, most budget-oriented folks who realise what a great car the Vette is will generally pick it over the others, but why the hell am I explaining why the Vette lost? It was up against the two best cars from Europe....
 
I would give my first born child to have the job of doing comparison tests like these. What a great job. Honestly how can you argue about the results? No matter who won this comparo it's worthy.
 
Yeah, that is my dream job.

"Awww, you mean I've got to go thrash ANOTHER $300,000 worth of cars around a test track?"

Lucky bastards.
 
1. Ferrari F430 - the best sportcar in the world and the most charismatic
2. Porsche 997 TT - the supreme supercar when conditions underfoot get tricky
3. Corvette Z06 - the best corvette ever and a performance-car bargain for the ages
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I have to ask, given the results of this test, how, exactly, is the F430 the "best sportscar in the world"?
Most charismatic, maybe, but best?
it just got blown out of this world by a 70,000$ peice of American Iron (though the iron weighs substantially less) by two and a half seconds! I didnt see that coming. I expected a much closer battle here. A Viper definetly should have been in this. not for the Vette, but to see if that coulda beat the other two.
 
LeadSlead#2
I have to ask, given the results of this test, how, exactly, is the F430 the "best sportscar in the world"?
Most charismatic, maybe, but best?
it just got blown out of this world by a 70,000$ peice of American Iron (though the iron weighs substantially less) by two and a half seconds! I didnt see that coming.
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I was about to say the same thing.
 
LeadSlead#2
I have to ask, given the results of this test, how, exactly, is the F430 the "best sportscar in the world"?
Most charismatic, maybe, but best?
it just got blown out of this world by a 70,000$ peice of American Iron (though the iron weighs substantially less) by two and a half seconds! I didnt see that coming. I expected a much closer battle here. A Viper definetly should have been in this. not for the Vette, but to see if that coulda beat the other two.
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No kidding! Apparently I think there was a transaltion issue here, and what they were really testing was luxury. Because if they were testing 'sport', the American car blew the galdarn pants off those two stuffy Euro cars!
 
It is rather odd that the ranking is the opposite of the laptimes.

Oh well, the 997T can't win them all. I still find it impressive that the Porsche is faster than the lighter and more powerful Z06 around the Nurburgring, especially when the Z06's time caused such a stir. I'm surprised the Turbo didn't do better here.
 
Wolfe2x7
It is rather odd that the ranking is the opposite of the laptimes.

Oh well, the 997T can't win them all. I still find it impressive that the Porsche is faster than the lighter and more powerful Z06 around the Nurburgring, especially when the Z06's time caused such a stir. I'm surprised the Turbo didn't do better here.
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Well, you have to think about drivers, who drove the cars in this test and who drove them around the Ring?
 
87chevy
Well, you have to think about drivers, who drove the cars in this test and who drove them around the Ring?
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Exactly. That's why I said that it can't win them all.

I'm willing to wager that the 997T is all-around the fastest of the three, but I won't lie and say that the other two aren't close enough to beat it with certain tracks and/or drivers.
 
The Corvette definitely has the horsepower and grip to dominate the other two on a smooth track. Someplace like the Nurb, or on the road, well... that's another story, and anyone's guess who'd win.

And the rankings are entirely subjective. As all road tests are.

Put this way: I finish a day of testing on track and out in the mountains, and I've found out that a Caterham is faster, much faster than a Ferrari. But the Ferrari just... feels better to be in, is more comfortable, is involving without being punishing... which would I pick, despite the laptimes?
 
niky
And the rankings are entirely subjective. As all road tests are.

Put this way: I finish a day of testing on track and out in the mountains, and I've found out that a Caterham is faster, much faster than a Ferrari. But the Ferrari just... feels better to be in, is more comfortable, is involving without being punishing... which would I pick, despite the laptimes?
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However, in terms of luxury, comfort, and driver-friendliness, the differences between the Z06, 997T and F430 are not as vast as the differences between a Caterham and a Ferrari. Also, in the end, this is a comparison between sportscars, which revolve around performance.

As you said, road tests are subjective. That doesn't mean we aren't allowed to disagree with the results, or label them "odd."



Oh, and for the record, I would choose the Caterham over the Ferrari in a heartbeat. :lol:
 
True. 👍 Me, too... the least reason of which is that I can afford to maintain a Caterham, but not a Ferrari... :D
 
Did any of you notice the torque on the Porsche? 502 ft.lb. @ 1950 RPMs...holy ****?! And here I thought the ZO6 was the torque monster. Ok it's time for me to put on my anti-Ferrari hat. What the hell is wrong with Ferrari when the Germans and Americans can so EASILY RAPE the F430? I mean, come on. 0-150mph ... the ZO6 wins by OVER SIX SECONDS! And the 911 just as easily ate the Ferrari's lunch. They both leave the F430 in the dust from a standstill...as well as the track. Ferrari's either slipped or the others have caught up...or both. Why bother buying an F430 if for anything but looks and noise? Performance is rather daft compared to German or I guess now American muscle. I feel sorry for the F430, such a good looking good sounding car to be eaten alive by two cheaper, faster, and frankly better looking cars.
 
This comparison seems abit off.

You're comparing the high performance C6 Z06 which is very track orientated (Oh noes, I'm gonna take Jeremy Clarkson's word on that!!!) against a Ferrari F430 that does have a track orientated version available and the 997 Turbo which isn't the best track based porsche.

Evo IMO did it better when they put the Z06 against the, Exige Cup 240, Noble M400 and (996) GT3 RS.
 
The base F430 IS a track car...make no bones about it. I don't care if there is a CS model coming (or already here) the "regular" model is 99% pure track oriented. The 997TT is fair comparison because of it's power numbers and the fact that it is the next best thing to a Carrera GT. Name me another MAIN STREAM Porsche with power numbers to compete with the ZO6 that isn't the Carrera GT? The only "Porsche" that can compete numbers-wise is the Ruf R Turbo (based off the 996). But it's not "main stream" so I don't count it.

So why is the Noble in competition with the ZO6? And it's obvious why you think the Exige is so I won't even ask. The goal of this test from C/D was cars with a paticular power band and class competing on a track. Not an all out war with cars that produce similar numbers with smaller engines regardless of price. I don't want to see some Exige or Noble in this contest--it just wouldn't look right. And no I don't hate them, I just feel that they aren't competition for the Ferrari, Porsche, and ZO6. They aren't even in the same type class.
 
JCE3000GT
The base F430 IS a track car...make no bones about it. I don't care if there is a CS model coming (or already here) the "regular" model is 99% pure track oriented. The 997TT is fair comparison because of it's power numbers and the fact that it is the next best thing to a Carrera GT. Name me another MAIN STREAM Porsche with power numbers to compete with the ZO6 that isn't the Carrera GT?
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Maybe the Porsche 911 GT3 would have been better?
 
JCE3000GT
The base F430 IS a track car...make no bones about it. I don't care if there is a CS model coming (or already here) the "regular" model is 99% pure track oriented. The 997TT is fair comparison because of it's power numbers and the fact that it is the next best thing to a Carrera GT. Name me another MAIN STREAM Porsche with power numbers to compete with the ZO6 that isn't the Carrera GT? The only "Porsche" that can compete numbers-wise is the Ruf R Turbo (based off the 996). But it's not "main stream" so I don't count it.
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You just fulfilled the biggest automotive stereotype of American motoring possible. Power is everything.

The fact is the Z06 is running on track orientated gear (it's almost a Le Mans car afterall....) and the 997T and F430 are more designed for the road. The 997T especially as it's really the rich guys porsche, who couldn't get a Carrera GT.

So why is the Noble in competition with the ZO6?
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Because the Noble has claimed 0-60 of 3.5sec, and also produces more Bhp/ton than the Z06.(361bhp/ton for the Z06, 407bhp/ton Nboble M400)

And it's obvious why you think the Exige is so I won't even ask.
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Please explain that comment. I am by no means a fanboy. I used that name when I joined this site almost 3 years ago, since then I've learned a hell of alot.

The goal of this test from C/D was cars with a paticular power band and class competing on a track. Not an all out war with cars that produce similar numbers with smaller engines regardless of price. I don't want to see some Exige or Noble in this contest--it just wouldn't look right. And no I don't hate them, I just feel that they aren't competition for the Ferrari, Porsche, and ZO6. They aren't even in the same type class.
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Well define your 'class'. If you're looking for your Road-legal track-day cars, they both fit.
 
JCE3000GT
And no I don't hate them, I just feel that they aren't competition for the Ferrari, Porsche, and ZO6. They aren't even in the same type class.
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Well, the Z06 may be in league with the Ferrari and the Porsche on the numbers of performance. But from a retail perspective they're going for a totally different market of people. Most people that own a Ferrari wouldn't even CONSIDER buying a chevy. Same with Porsche's. Hence the very different price tags.

So putting the lotus or noble in there wouldn't be wrong, if it could hang. But if it couldn't then there's not point.

I personally thought it was a pretty decent article. But like all must be taken with a grain of salt. Obviously, you get three drivers virgin to all three cars, the easiest car to drive will be the one to win the comparo. But if you've got people that understand the "quirks" of each car. Especially the Porche and Vette, it's a totally different story.

What I'd like to see is the Chevy test driver, Porsche test driver and Ferrari test driver in a comparison. That would make it fair. :)
 
Absolutely, unless it was at the ring and Porsche used Walter Rohl :lol:.
 
ahh gotta love chevy finally makes a car with all the creature comforts of abs heated seats ac the works and its starting to make the euro guys scared for 1/2 the price
 
Too bad the interior is still reminiscent of a Malibu... :rolleyes:

You can also get a car that has the same horsepower as the Z06 for only $10k more -- one with two more doors, three more seats, many more luxuries and equipment, an interior that's much nicer to be in, much, much more cargo space, and an exterior design that is less likely to grab cops' attention. Because of the extra weight, it's about a second slower to 60mph and not as fast in the corners, but it's still quite capable -- it's only 10 seconds slower than the Z06 around the Nurburgring -- and it's easier to drive.

I'm talking about the BMW E60 M5, of course. Personally, I think all of that extra stuff is worth the $10k, the somewhat reduced performance, and the lower fuel economy (no uber-cruising gear for the M5). Then again, I am a BMW guy. :lol:
 
I skipped past the first post and came here to say that I hate you, Poverty, but only temporarily. See, I haven't recieved my September C&D yet. I hope you realize that you came this close, ><, to crushing all enthusiasm for an entire issue of Car and Driver. I just hope I get it soon so I can share my thoughts on the test.
 
...I still think Clarkson's opinion that the Z06 is a track-only car is a but overdone. The Z06 took quite a few compromises to be more "civil" on the road as to how Team Corvette wanted it, as even C/D pointed that out in their first shootout with the car against the SRT-10 Coupe.

In this situation? I'd obviously go Z06. The argueably better sound, better fuel economy, and similarly civil ride and comfort levels make it a great option against sie Deutscher und sie Italiener.

Meh, it probably lost with the interior. The Corvette always loses because of it's interior... I'll find out when I get mine later this week...
 
YSSMAN
Meh, it probably lost with the interior. The Corvette always loses because of it's interior... I'll find out when I get mine later this week...
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:banghead: IT'S A PERFORMANCE CAR! who gives a flip about the fL*cking interior?!?!? That's what drives me crazy! Anyone looked at the interior of an Exige lately? There ain't a whole lot there. Why? Because you dont buy an Exige to ride in the lap of luxury! You buy these cars to get thrown back in your seat and feel as many lateral Gs as you can stand!


/rant off.
 
Yes, and I realise that most folks don't care about their iteriors in a sports car, but at $70K fully-loaded, you better be getting something good. In a car like a Caterham or Exige, of course an interior doesn't matter as they are regulated to track-only circumstances most of the time. But when you buy a Z06, it can be used as a daily driver, and must offer some compromises for their owners.

I personally don't think the Vette's interior is bad at all, as a matter of fact I'd say it is quite nice compared to some of it's competition. But it still feels kinda cheap, especially in comparison to models like the 997T and F430.
 
keef
I skipped past the first post and came here to say that I hate you, Poverty, but only temporarily. See, I haven't recieved my September C&D yet. I hope you realize that you came this close, ><, to crushing all enthusiasm for an entire issue of Car and Driver. I just hope I get it soon so I can share my thoughts on the test.
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lol sorry dude, I myself thought this was rather old.
 
KSaiyu
Maybe the Porsche 911 GT3 would have been better?
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I don't know, it's less powerful than the 997TT so it probably wouldn't be as fast. But who's to say that it still wouldn't of beaten the F430. ;)

ExigeExcel
You just fulfilled the biggest automotive stereotype of American motoring possible. Power is everything.
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By the way I'm not American, do NOT stick me in with that catagory, I take serious offense to be generalized as one just because I live here.

Because the Noble has claimed 0-60 of 3.5sec, and also produces more Bhp/ton than the Z06.(361bhp/ton for the Z06, 407bhp/ton Nboble M400)
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The Noble isn't widely available in all markets across the world, the other ones are. And don't start with the "oh but you can build one" crap--that alone makes it null and void for a legitimate comparison.

Please explain that comment. I am by no means a fanboy. I used that name when I joined this site almost 3 years ago, since then I've learned a hell of alot.
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You are still biased towards the Exige, period. Next.

Well define your 'class'. If you're looking for your Road-legal track-day cars, they both fit.
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Supercar class. The Exige and Noble do not fit into this catagory. You can't be actualy serious to put in the Noble and Exige into the same field as a Ferrari F430, Porsche 997TT, Viper, ZO6, and Lamborghini Gallardo. That would just be lunacy.
 
JCE3000GT
By the way I'm not American, do NOT stick me in with that catagory, I take serious offense to be generalized as one just because I live here.
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Yeah fine, sorry for following your location.

The Noble isn't widely available in all markets across the world, the other ones are. And don't start with the "oh but you can build one" crap--that alone makes it null and void for a legitimate comparison.
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You can't dismiss something because you don't like it. The fact is the Noble is available in the US. All you (Or someone hired) need to do is drop the engine in , as far as I know.

You are still biased towards the Exige, period. Next.
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You're a frickin hypocrite, period. You hate being called American just because you live there, and yet you will call me bias towards the Exige because it's in my name. Not to mention the fact I'm actually using an Evo magazine test, so they too must be extremely bias.

Wise up.
Supercar class. The Exige and Noble do not fit into this catagory. You can't be actualy serious to put in the Noble and Exige into the same field as a Ferrari F430, Porsche 997TT, Viper, ZO6, and Lamborghini Gallardo. That would just be lunacy.
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But I'm not proposing the Exige and Noble are in the same class as the F430, 997T, Viper and Lamorghini. Where on earth did I say that?

I do however think it's fair to put the Noble M400, Exige and Corvette in the same class as they are all track based cars that are also road legal and day-to-day useable.

Here are the figures comparing the M400, Z06 and Exige, from Evo.
Z06 &#163;60,000 361bhp/ton 0-60 3.4sec*
Exige Cup 340 &#163;45,996264bhp/ton 0-60 3.9
Noble M400 &#163;55,995407bhp/ton 0-60 3.5

Now the Ferrari F430 is &#163;118,500. That's a hell of alot more than the Z06 before you even factor in the large premium on the Z06 in the UK. I also understand that the Exige and Noble M400 will cost more in the US and I'd be grateful if you could donate some figures for these in the US.

But the fact remains, the Exige and M400 are close to the price of the Z06 (more so once you inflate the price of the Exige and M400 for the US and decrease in the Z06 price for the US) and all are track ready road-legal cars.

As opposed to the 997T and the F430 that are not track versions and are much more expensive in price.

* Taken from wiki as Evo only had 'sub 4 sec'.
 

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