Boosted BRZ/FR-S vs 997 Carrera S

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by Sideways&Smiling

That's still quite a bit of monies doing it all yourself. I'll stick with the S2000 and add forced induction. :P

I mean, the bulk of the cost were the rotors ($325) and those only need to be replaced every 60k or so...

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Was at the track today. A 2006 Boxster S owner talked about the $8000 rebuild he had done. Just a rebuild. Not a built engine. Just a flipping rebuild. But it runs great at 100k miles! Course the dealer wanted 20k for the job.

That's about right. $20k from the dealer is about right, too. I've seen $20k repair orders on Subarus before, too. However a short block for a BRZ is probably $2500 at most, vs. well, I'd rather not think about the cost of a 997 engine.

[Tgionet]

35-40k will get you a built engine that addresses pretty much all the M9x faults from flat six innovations. It's what I would do if I were buying an out of warranty 997

[zdr93523]

Here's my .02:

I have owned many, many cars and currently have a JRSC BRZ, 2008 Porsche Cayman S Sport (http://caymanregister.org/faq.php?fa...ls#faq_cssport), APR tuned 2012 Audi A5 Sport Package, and a 2014 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec.

The Porsche is the finest car I have owned. Since I have owned it I have only had to change the oil and tires. They are generally very reliable cars and do not require "Supercar" maintenance. If I were to be in the market for a new one, it would be a Cayman GTS or GT4. Hands down. There is more storage room in the Cayman than a 911 and it is a better driving car. 997's are excellent as well, but I would probably still choose the Cayman, unless it was a 997 Turbo (probably the best all around daily driver you can buy), but then you're really looking at a GT car instead of a sports car.

The BRZ is a blast and it is our track car. I flog it in ways that I wouldn't do in the Cayman since it is a numbered car. The Audi is a great dd, very smooth, and the Benz is simply exceptional, but is our BRZ's tow/track support vehicle .

Z Germans make fine automobiles. The only thing they can't get right is cupholders. The Audi has 2 different sizes, one of which only seems to fit Red Bull cans, the Benz's aren't tight enough for tall bottles, and the Porsche's cupholders are small and flip out of the dash.

Originally Posted by Turbowned

THANK YOU! This is exactly how I'm feeling, especially now having driven the 997 Carrera S manual. Considering the $28k (with tax) I paid for the BRZ plus the mods I'm up over the cost of this used 911 I'm looking at, and I'm sorry but even with older tech the Porsche is a better car hands-down in everything but the looks department (I think the BRZ, especially my BRZ in GBS with the 18" Prodrive wheels, looks gorgeous). I went to an auto-x with the BRZ today and I must say I had a blast like I always do, but as soon as I had to go drive it home I was still mildly annoyed with the cabin noise at highway speed, random rattles, weak stereo and idiotic navigation unit, harsh ride, and well, it could use some more power... Looks like I'm putting her back to stock this week and trading in soon. I would still recommend this car to anyone, I guess I've just been spoiled with too many high dollar euro cars...

[Turbowned]

I should really consider a Cayman, too. I did think about the lack of trunk space in the 911; however if I have a sedan for a DD it should be no concern.

[EAGLE5]

"I flog it in ways that I wouldn't do in the Cayman" <-- Exactly why I don't own a BMW anymore and won't buy a Porsche.

[zdr93523]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

"I flog it in ways that I wouldn't do in the Cayman" <-- Exactly why I don't own a BMW anymore and won't buy a Porsche.

Keep reading... If my particular car wasn't one of only 100 in the U.S., I would track it.

[Braces]

Modded twin vs. 911s. I'll take the 911 as would most. I've owned both the 996TT and the 997TT. The 996TT developed CELS at around 18000 miles. Something about the variable valve sensors. Dealership could never fully diagnose the problem, therefore they gave me a great deal on a new 997TT. I loved that car. The older turbo was very nervous at speed. The 997TT was rock steady and was trouble free for the 40,000 miles I put on her. Now ... If I was to buy another P-Car ... It would be a Cayman GT4.

[Coaster]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Just for a frame of reference, at my local dealership (Leith Porsche in Cary), an oil change is $250 (Pennzoil) or $300 (MobilOne). Doing it yourself costs roughly $80 (9 quarts of MobilOne and $25 Porsche filter).

They quoted me $1250 last year to replace my front pads, rotors and sensors. I'll be doing it myself Saturday afternoon for $570 in parts (all Porsche OEM parts).

Did my spark plugs last month - cost $50 for the plugs. Took me 4 hours; no idea what the dealership charges.

I've heard the clutch on a Cayman S can cost $2000-4000, depending on where you take it.

And while Porsches are generally better maintained than say, a Chevy Malibu, they are still sturdy reliable cars.

JD Power rating #1: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0...21.html#s74578
TUV 10-11 year durability rating #1: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...reliable-cars/

(sorry couldn't find anything newer).

How is it working on the Cayman?
And how is it going from the 86 to the Cayman?

Someday I hope to own one.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by zdr93523

Keep reading... If my particular car wasn't one of only 100 in the U.S., I would track it.

If my particular car wasn't one of only 69 in the world.... well... I still track it

[zdr93523]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

If my particular car wasn't one of only 69 in the world.... well... I still track it

Yea... Its a daily battle in my head. It takes a lot of restraint.

[humdizzle]

There really isn't a right or wrong answer. Just gotta find what works for you. I personally will change up cars every 3-4 years so it doesn't make sense for me to drop a bunch of money on a build that I will never get back.

If you are trying to turn the FRS into something that will crush lap times and out drag cars costing 2x as much I think you've lost focus on what the car was originally designed for.

[Turbowned]

The good thing about Porsches (for me) is that modifications are outrageously, inexplicably expensive, and OEM parts not so much. All the more reason to just leave the damn thing alone and worry about modding the driver!

[TemeCal]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

The good thing about Porsches (for me) is that modifications are outrageously, inexplicably expensive, and OEM parts not so much. All the more reason to just leave the damn thing alone and worry about modding the driver!

I was actually thinking the opposite. I found the mod pricing to be pretty comparable to the FR-S/BRZ/86. For example (stuff I plan to do to mine for the track):

Sebro Slotted Rotors (once my current ones die): $120/each
Pagid track pads: $250/pair
Third radiator (OEM): $399
RSS LCA or GT3 LCA: $700-$1000
Bilstein PSS9 ($2,000) or JRZ RS1 ($4,000) or Ohlin ($2,500) coilovers
GT3 brake ducts: $39/pair

I personally think the 86 platform is just as expensive to mod. If you compare cheap rotors (on the Porsche) with cheap rotors (on the 86), they're similar. Compare track pads, they're similar. Radiator, same thing. Suspension, same. Tune, with cable...same thing (Softronic cable and tune vs EcuTek cable and tune). etc...