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Johnny Brown
ENG 111-54
Ms. Chiquita Boyd
1 July 2014
Essay 3 - Comparison and Contrast
American Sports Car vs. Foreign Sports Car
(Final Draft)
Sports cars are a high commodity in todays society. Due to certain tastes and
personalities, many customers find themselves in the difficult predicament of choosing between
the well-known sports cars of a Corvette and/or Porsche. In choosing a sports car, one must
consider the performance, features and costs of these prized possessions; these three factors
are essential in the purchase of these well-sought after vehicles. This American (Corvette)
and Foreign (Porsche) Sports cars are of popular demand for numerous consumers.
The Porsche and the Corvette are well known for the performance generated by these two
vehicles. Taking a look from the Foreign point of view, the Porsche has some impressive things
to offer in its performance. First looking at the fierce engine, www.caranddriver.com states that
the Porsche carries a DOHC 24-valve flat-6 232 cu in (3800 cc) engine (Gall 4). It is further
power-packed with 400 horsepower engine @ 7400 RPMs (Gall 4). Included in this performance
package is the 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission which gives an edge in the sports car
world. As for the maximum speed, it weighs in at 188 mph (drag ltd, mfrs claim), (Gall 4).
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Considering the high performance of this vehicle and in using the required octane of 93% many
customers would be pleased to find that the EPA City/HWY is 19/27 (Gall 4). On the other hand,
the well-loved American- made Corvette holds a monstrous pushrod 16-valve V-8 376 cu in
(6162 cc) engine (Gall 4). A reviewer by the name of Crenshaw has been noted on Rides
Magazine to state, The fact of just how much power it makes and the way it delivers induces a
presence on the road that you cant deny once you plant your foot down on the throttle
(Crenshaw 1). With that being said, this beauty is home to a beefy 460 horsepower engine @
6000 RPMs.
The Corvette comes with a jaw-dropping 7-speed manual transmission with a top speed
of 190 mph (drag ltd, C/D est) (Gall 4). Considering the cost of fuel in todays society, the 91%
octane and EPA City/HWY of 17/29 may vary-well be part of the deciding factor in choosing
between a Porsche and Corvette.
As for features, the Porsche comes with all standard amenities and optional upgrades
including heated seats, heated steering wheel, and custom-fitted seats, just to name a few
(Porsche 1). While the Porsche includes standard features and offers optional features, the
Corvette automatically comes with Bose premium audio, navigation, lumbar/wing adjust,
universal home remote and auto-dimming mirrors, along with many other luxurious amenities
(Chevrolet 1). Both cars contain some pretty nice features including exterior and interior design,
but the Corvette offers more than just your standard package.

As in any decision making process, one must always consider the price of an item or
desired product. In the case of Foreign-made Sports Cars vs. American-made, the same issue
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exists. Based on the raw power and features that the Porsche contains, www.caranddriver.com
has the Porsche (German-made) priced between $99,850 and $148,245. Social status in todays
society has proven to mean a lot among certain prestigious customers. While trying to maintain
their social status, many high ranking customers and admirers will do what it takes to achieve
that goal. In the minds of some people, owning a high-end Foreign Sports car is the best decision
that one could make. Sometimes the pressures of society bring on this mentality, no matter the
cost. From the American point of view, there are some that are sold on the power and personality
that the Corvette brings. Based on the exemplary reputation and features of the Corvette
www.caranddriver.com has the Corvette priced between $51,995 and $68,375 (Gall 4). Just as
with the Porsche, some prefer the good ole American ingenuity of the highly-esteemed
Corvette that is prestigious in its own right.
We often encounter debates as to whether the Porsche or the Corvette is a better Sports
car. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but personally, I am in favor of the Corvette being
#1. Located on www.caranddriver.com is a survey as to which car is better, the Corvette or the
Porsche. When it came to the Vehicle itself, the Corvette obtained a total of 76 points (Gall 4).
As for the Powertrain the Porsche beat out the Corvette by one point, with a total of 52 (Gall 4).
When tested for the Chassis there was a tie. Finally when it comes down to the experience, the
Porsche gained a total of 25 points (Gall 4). But overall, the Corvette came out on top with a
total of 207 points (Gall 4). It looks to me like my opinion was right after all.
When it comes down to the decision making process, to choose a Foreign or American
Sports Car the decision is ultimately the customers. Based on what they want and how they feel,
at times social status plays a role in what their decision may be. As stated previously, the
customers decision is based on the performance, features and cost of the vehicle. The fuel
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economy for these vehicles is also considered. Both the Foreign and American Sports cars, bring
a lot to the table, but when you look at both packages including pricing, the Corvette proves to be
the better choice.
Works Cited

"2014 Corvette Coupe Models & Specs." Www.chevrolet.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2014.

"911 Carrera S." Www.porsche.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2014.

Crenshaw. "The 2014 Corvette Stingray Z51 at Sunrise - Rides Magazine." Rides Magazine.
N.p., 25 Nov. 2013. Web. 30 June 2014.

Gall, Jared. "2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 vs. 2014 Porsche 911 Carrera S -
Comparison Tests." Car and Driver. N.p., Oct. 2013. Web. 25 June 2014.