Test drove BRZ, a few observations/questions

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Well, 996 is '99-'05, but while the IMS bearing DID stay though the 997 era as well.

Yes, but substantially reinforced, so the failure rate on 997 IMS bearings is much smaller (though still not zero until the bearing went away entirely in the latter half of the 997 gen).

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Well, 996 is '99-'05, but while the IMS bearing DID stay though the 997 era as well.

Originally Posted by chrisl

Yes, but substantially reinforced, so the failure rate on 997 IMS bearings is much smaller (and it went away entirely in the latter half of the 997 gen).

Thanks for clarifying. It's too bad those issues persisted for so long. Fortunately the faster models were immune to those problems. Those are the cars that really captivate me anyway.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by bestwheelbase

Thanks for clarifying. It's too bad those issues persisted for so long. Fortunately the faster models were immune to those problems. Those are the cars that really captivate me anyway.

Agreed - the entire IMS issue really was a black mark on Porsche's overall quality and reliability, and it did take far too long to solve (I know the bearing disappeared entirely in the '09 Cayman and Boxster when they switched away from the M97 engine, but I don't know if that happened concurrently in the 911 as well). Fortunately, it seems like the '07 and newer engines are pretty reliable, and the '09 and newer engines are great. I'm hoping to get the chance to upgrade mine to either an '09 or a '13 in a few years, depending on pricing and how the reliability of the 981s seems to be panning out.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by chrisl

Agreed - the entire IMS issue really was a black mark on Porsche's overall quality and reliability, and it did take far too long to solve (I know the bearing disappeared entirely in the '09 Cayman and Boxster when they switched away from the M97 engine, but I don't know if that happened concurrently in the 911 as well). Fortunately, it seems like the '07 and newer engines are pretty reliable, and the '09 and newer engines are great. I'm hoping to get the chance to upgrade mine to either an '09 or a '13 in a few years, depending on pricing and how the reliability of the 981s seems to be panning out.

Regardless, the old aircooled block will always be known for how stout it was - especially over the first watercooled blocks.

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by acg2010

If you buy used at that price, you've probably already taken care of the depreciation. I have not seen too many used BRZ Limiteds, but if you can find one for that, its probably not a bad deal.

That's what I was thinking. They are out there, might have to ship it - but shipping is still cheaper than depreciation.

Drove the M3 the last few days after being in hibernation for a month and getting used to my 120hp Jeep. Holy good lord that thing is powerful!

But it's still missing that "fun" factor.

[bfrank1972]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

That's what I was thinking. They are out there, might have to ship it - but shipping is still cheaper than depreciation.

Drove the M3 the last few days after being in hibernation for a month and getting used to my 120hp Jeep. Holy good lord that thing is powerful!

But it's still missing that "fun" factor.

Lol I know the feeling - I bought an 85 RX7 as a second car to my M3 back a few years ago purposely because it was slow (but still fun to drive). Whenever I'd need a power 'fix', I'd just drive the RX-7 for a week. After that my M3 felt like it was supercharged!

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

That's what I was thinking. They are out there, might have to ship it - but shipping is still cheaper than depreciation.

Drove the M3 the last few days after being in hibernation for a month and getting used to my 120hp Jeep. Holy good lord that thing is powerful!

But it's still missing that "fun" factor.

@ayau is selling his WRB 6MT Limited for ~$23K. 10K miles on the odo.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

@ayau is selling his WRB 6MT Limited for ~$23K. 10K miles on the odo.

Considering just keeping it now.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by ayau

Considering just keeping it now.

Holy crap, make up your mind. You don't need 3 cars.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Holy crap, make up your mind. You don't need 3 cars.

You don't need two cars, either.

If he wants to keep 3, that's cool.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

You don't need two cars, either.

If he wants to keep 3, that's cool.

ayau and I are internet buddies, I'm just ribbing.

That said, he was bitching about the BRZ forever ago and how he doesn't want to track a new car nor does he want to put miles on it...so he bought a DD, then bought a track car, then realized he has a car in the garage that he's making payments on yet not driving.

[AznKirby]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

So, I've had a wide range of cars over the years. MK4 Supra's (hence the username), NSX, C5 Z06, C6, Elise, Cayman S, MK5 GTI, and most recently an E92 M3.

Nobody is going to say it? I guess I will, then

I want your job.
Then I'd wait for the 2015 NSX, if it ever gets here.

[chrisl]

Also, just out of curiosity, what are your thoughts on the NSX vs the Cayman S? I love my Cayman, but I have to admit, I've always been really curious how the NSX is to drive and own.

[SirBrass]

The new NSX is going to be waaaaaay more expensive (possibly by as much as $100k) as a base Cayman S, probably.