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2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible - Competitors
There are many cars that compete with the Corvette, especially considering its expansive price range. On the lower end of the scale you have loaded Nissan 350Zs and Infiniti G37 coupes, and on the high end you have Dodge Vipers and BMW M Roadsters.
Historically though, the classic match up is between the Corvette and the Porsche 911. They came into being at about the same time, and have been competitors on the streets, showrooms and on the racetrack for more than four decades. Corvette fans love their cars with the same passion and fervor as do Porsche lovers, and their fierce loyalty is often borne out with derision for their competitors.
The Corvette has made its greatest strides in refinement, traditionally the area where the Chevy gave up the most to the Porsche. Dynamically, the two are closer together than ever before, and while the 911 still has an edge in most areas – except for outright raw power – the edge is dulled considerably. Which is the better sports car? It’s too close to call, but the Corvette’s price advantage, which even at $70,000 is thousands less than a comparably equipped Porsche 911, continues to give it an edge to the uncommitted buyer.
Compared to other cars, it’s still a tossup. While a fully-loaded Corvette is considerably pricier than a Nissan 350Z, the less expensive versions are much closer in price, and the performance advantage of the Vette over the Z is considerable. On the other end, the Dodge Viper is more powerful and faster, but much more difficult to live with than the easygoing Chevy.
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