Motor Trend: Ferrari F12 vs Corvette Z51 vs Porsche 911 C4S

[kaisen]

Here are the numbers:

Ferrari F12
0-60mph: 3.6 secs
1/4 mile: 11.3 secs @ 131.7mph
60-0mph: 106 ft
Lap: 1:38.04
Price: $434,144

Corvette Z51
0-60mph: 3.7 secs
1/4 mile: 12.0 secs @ 118.4mph
60-0mph: 95 ft
Lap: 1:38.28
Price: $70,770

Porsche 911 C4S
0-60mph: 3.9 secs
1/4 mile: 12.3 secs @ 114.4mph
60-0mph: 98 ft
Lap: 1:39.00
Price: $151,260


The video is worthwhile. Randy Pobst is not only a great driver, but capable of relaying exactly what the car feels like on the track. He's a fantastic guy for these videos.

No spoiler, the 991 wins the subjective driving award

[kaisen]

I forgot to include a link to the accompanying article:

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 vs. 2014 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta vs. 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S - Motor Trend



This one for Denis:

"For the first time in my professional career, I can honestly say that a new Corvette is a complete package. There's nothing anywhere to betray America's favorite sports car. Stuff like crap seats, crappier interior, and an indismissible feeling of cheapness have been banished to the dustbin of automotive history. The new Corvette absolutely rocks."

[Jim Richards]

It's good to hear that Chevy has a solid product nowadays. I still look past the Corvette to the 911, from an aesthetic point of view. And the 2+2 package is important to me.

[motion]

I think I read the same stuff about C5 and C6 quality, LOL.

I always enjoy it when these shootouts pick the 911 as the best overall package, but continue to bemoan its outdated design.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by motion

I always enjoy it when these shootouts pick the 911 as the best overall package, but continue to bemoan its outdated design.

Not a single negative mention of the 911's design in this particular comparison test. Motor Trend really does love the 991.

I like the 991's "face" better than the 997, but I much prefer the 997's rear. I'm still undecided on which has the prettier silhouette.

[cairns]

I hope the Corvette looks better in person than it does in the pictures....the numbers and price are more than impressive.

[Christien]

Cool video. The Corvette I think is finally a real contender in its own right, but man, look at those price tags! It's really hard to justify the 911s advantages over the Corvette when you could buy TWO Corvettes for the same price. Then you could really drive the snot out of it at the track, knowing if you wrecked it, you'd have a spare.

In all seriousness, though, there is something there. Most folks would be scared to drive a $150k 991 C4S at 10/10ths, or even 9. But if that's where your budget is and you buy the Corvette, you might be much less worried and enjoy the car more.

[kaisen]

I've got a good client that ran a 2008 997 Turbo for track days, and we just replaced it with a 2012 997 Turbo S PDK. To him, stuffing a $200K car into the guardrail is simply better than a $400K Italian, so it's a relative bargain. Especially at $120K used. People who buy $150K new 991s don't consider a $60-70K Corvette. Two different buyers.

And for F12 buyers, the 991 would be a grocery getter or the car they let their mistress drive. Most F12 buyers have several cars, and more than one Ferrari.

[kach22i]

Extra info I looked up.

EDIT: Ignore the part in RED.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=33907

Premium Gasoline
21
Combined
17
City
29
Highway

Corvette - not the Z51 though
Fuel Economy of the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette

Premium Gasoline
17
Combined
14
City
21
Highway

Porsche
Fuel Economy of the 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S

22
Combined
19
City
26

Ferrari
Gas Mileage of 2013 Ferrari F12

11
City
13
Combined
16

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Extra info I looked up.

Corvette - not the Z51 though
Fuel Economy of the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette

Except you looked up last year's Corvette. The Z51 option has nothing to do with power or fuel economy, so base or Z51 would be the same.

Here's the 2014 Corvette 7 speed manual (as tested):
Fuel Economy of the 2014 Corvette

21
Combined
17
City
29
Highway

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Except you looked up last year's Corvette.

Oops, went back an corrected it with your link - thanks for catching that.

These cars might not be about fuel mileage, but there is a certain amount of crowing rights associated with such accomplishments.

Does anybody remember the dirty looks and or looks of sympathy in previous periods of gas price spikes?

There is a certain political element to a highly visible car such as a sports car.

They get people's attention, in both good and bad ways.

The more I see the 2014 Corvette on the road, the more and more I like it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

You can't argue that the new Corvette is a freaking steal for the money, but I still can't make myself like it over a C6. Of course I also like the 997 better than the 991, so I suppose there's a theme there.

[gr8fl4porsche]

My favorite line from the video.

"Best Corvette ever?"

"Not yet"

[Eric Hahl]

Dear God, that Ferrari sounds incredible!

[Chocaholic]

Interesting that in the early part of the Corvette review, they were agreeing that the Vette required "more work" to drive fast than the 911. Comments about rear drive, high power oversteer required more attention and care. Toward the end of the review, they completely reversed. Indicating they were going incredibly fast and it was relatively easy and well controlled.

All in all....the Vette is incredibly good. Perhaps not on the Ferrari's level in terms of panache, but in terms of performance, driveability and real world useability, it's hard to beat.

[livi]

Very good video!

And thankfully NOT damaged by too loud silly music. Instead focusing on the engine sounds.

[RWebb]

for the price of the Pooschey you could buy the Corvette and a body kit to cover up the looks

for the price of the Fcar you could buy the Corvette and a cloaking device...

[cairns]

I owned three Vettes and would consider another. But not if they look like some Japanese video game power toy fantasy...the rear especially. WTF were they thinking?

They could have done something like this.....


or this....


but instead we get this....

[ZAMIRZ]

LOL at the shift paddles on the wheel of the 'Vette.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by ZAMIRZ

LOL at the shift paddles on the wheel of the 'Vette.

Not shift paddles. They are for rev-matching with the manual transmission.