7 days with a Boxster, comparing to my FRS.

[joe strummer]

Originally Posted by Teseo

Yes, but warranty is way much better than toyobaru. I mean Porsche encourage owners to track it and warranty still in without question.

From the 2016 Porsche New Car Limited Warranty, from their website

This Warranty Does Not Cover:

Abuse, accident, acts of God, competition, racing, track use, or other events.

Note 1: Components and/or parts that fail during racing or driving events (including Porsche sponsored events) may not be covered by the new car Limited Warranty.

[Celica00]

Originally Posted by Teseo

Yes, but warranty is way much better than toyobaru. I mean Porsche encourage owners to track it and warranty still in without question.

Could you cite please? That sounds ridiculous

[Sideways&Smiling]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

There were actual comparison tests with the 1st generation Cayman. In fact, in these tests GT86 outperformed Cayman. Check here for two examples:

I am pretty sure that the 2nd generation Cayman is a much more advanced car and the comparison would be much tougher, but overall it was not just a marketing thing.

meh. that is rather dull comparison. handling is much more than that.

[SUB-FT86]

I remember when Chris Harris tested the Cayman/86/Z and he came away more impressed with the 86's handling/balance wise but liked the Cayman more for the power difference and cheaper used price. I have a feeling the biggest difference lies in the F6 vs F4 and the more refined interior.

[pinski]

Originally Posted by FRStock

Summary:
I always thought the FRS/BRZ is 90% of a Boxster/Cayman but I am completely wrong. Boxster/Cayman is out of the twins' league, it's not fair to compare these two. The sound, the awesome PDK, the interior quality, and just the overall experience is several times better than when in an FRS. They are completely different cars and it's not fair to compare the two.

I've yet to drive a 981 Boxster/Cayman, but have seat time in a 987.1 model and I consider the FRS/BRZ about 80% of that. I know Porsche further improved/refined the car in the new model you had, and may have put it completely out of the twins' league, but earlier models are not that significantly better. Better obviously, but not absurdly so. My opinion, of course.

[echo419]

for double the price it damn well better kick the poop out of an FRS.

[brzaapi]

I have owned an 06 Cayman S manual, an 09 Cayman S PDK and now a 15 Boxster S manual. In addition I have owned a 13 BRZ (FBM turbo) and 15 BRZ (NA E85).


They are both great cars. I am proud to have owned both. But in many ways the BRZ will never hold a candle to the Porsche. However, when it comes to capability per dollar, fun factor and learning curve.....the BRZ is actually better in my opinion. I love running my Boxster, but more often than not I would take my BRZ first. The rougher more direct feel. The simplicity of driving the BRZ. The fun factor at lower speeds.


These are points that make the BRZ so great. If you are a modder or DIY kind of guy, the BRZ is just a f@cking ball to play with, not to mention an aftermarket and community that is very accessible.


I miss not having a BRZ, although I am still active in my local BRZ community. But the Boxster is a shared treat between my wife and I on the track. Yes, she tracks too. The boxster is so good, it feels like cheating. Plus it has great track driving characteristics that allow you to really work on becoming a better driver. Plus it is still very daily drivable. That I think is the genius in Porsche. And although you can certainly make the Porsche better and more "racecar", you will lose the balanced characteristics quickly, once you do.


The BRZ however is a blank canvas. Its a good chassis, with an engine that is good considering todays emission standards. You can really grow with the BRZ. As you become a better driver, you can mod the car right along with your needs and abilities. Its shortcomings are to be expected at this price point(many can be overcome). The only reason why I got rid of mine was that I wanted a car that I could grow with even more and take to a level that in the end will require extensive changes $$$$. So for me it came down to price. The BRZs are still too new to find decent ones for 10 - 12k, my initial price window for a toy car. This left me with Miatas or S2000s. The S2000 gives me everything my BRZ(s) did, but a little more in every way. Since it is my 4th car (track toy only), I don't give a damn about practical attributes, which is the only thing the S2000 lacks.


But back to the BRZ vs 987/981. Below I will list some points for each car. Of course each points importance will vary from person to person. Which is why we all own different cars in the first place. But at least we are all car guys in some form or fashion. I will place a number from 1 to 10 showing my personal opinion of each point.


981 Boxster:
1. AX and track ready for novices( most of us) and intermediate racers. 8
(needs brake fluid and maybe tires, that's it)
2. Honey of an Engine. 9


3. Driving position. 9


4. Convertible. 2


5. Warranty. 3


6. Community. 5 (PCA is great, but community is very small)


7. Aftermarket. 6 (good but not great, again smaller numbers hurt here)


8. DIY. 3 (unless you have the tools and shop setup $$$$, most things you will need to go to someone else for)


9. Exclusivity/status 8 (honestly, the stupidest reason to buy a car in my opinion. I love cars, and when a person gives me attention for the badge or status of my car....I run away fast. Sorry for the rant.)


10. Refinement/interior. 8 (its nice, I like it...but if it wasn't there I wouldn't cry. Like dessert after a nice dinner. If its there I will enjoy it, but most likely will not miss it by the time I am leaving my table)




BRZ


1. AX/track ready. 5 (AX is fine if you are not seriously competing. Tracking the car is fine for first timers, but brake fade and oil temp will get you fast if you start to improve your driving at all. Luckily, these problems are easy to address and part of the fun in my opinion. I love tires and pads. I buy tires like most women buy shoes. This car needs, NEEDS tires. )


2. Honey of an engine 6. ( really for most people it will be fine. Plus there are so many options to make this engine better that are available. Not too mention if you need more power on track, maybe it is time to move to a different car. Or, the less sexy answer.....learn to drive the car faster and quit blaming HP/TQ)


3. Driving Position. 9 ( I love the driving position. Tied for 1st with my 981 Boxster. I prefer it over my 06 Cayman, 09 Cayman. Slightly over my S2000 and better than my C5 Z06. Just getting into a BRZ feels so right.)


4. Convertible 0 (who cares)


5. Warranty 5


6. Community 9 (one of the funnest things about owning this car, conversations everywhere about it. Finding an answer to a question on an FT86 is pretty easy)


7. Aftermarket 10 (Its already very good and growing. Only 3+ years and the size of it is staggering)


8. DIY 9 (for a modern car this one is very accessible, one of the easiest cars to work on in my opinion...also quite fun. Of course that was probably because it was so new that there was no rust or corrosion)


9. Exclusivity/Status. 5 (Who F'ing cares)


10. Refinement/interior 5 (everything I need, nothing I don't. Great seats, good ride for the handling, not needed but has Ipod hookup, and I like the Spartan look of the interior. Basic and Clean.)


Anyways, those are my thoughts. Two great cars. I love both. Everyone will feel different about them, and no one is right or wrong about them. A car comparison is never a right or wrong anyway. I love my Boxster, and I believe it is the better car in virtually every way that matters to me. But if someone came to me and said you can only own 1 car. A boxster or BRZ. I would pick the BRZ. I could play with a BRZ and be happy for a long time.

[echo419]

after reading this I have concluded that @brzaapi has had to many fun cars and I hate him.

[brzaapi]

Hello. My name is BRZAAPI and yes I am a car-aholic.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by brzaapi

BRZ

1. AX/track ready. 5 (AX is fine if you are not seriously competing. Tracking the car is fine for first timers, but brake fade and oil temp will get you fast if you start to improve your driving at all. Luckily, these problems are easy to address and part of the fun in my opinion. I love tires and pads. I buy tires like most women buy shoes. This car needs, NEEDS tires. )

A 5 for AX/track readiness is a very low value for BRZ. Especially for a car that it was highly tested and reviewed by many top-qualified racers in Japan. Too bad that people don't know what they buy.

[Captain Insano]

Originally Posted by echo419

after reading this I have concluded that @brzaapi has had to many fun cars and I hate him.

LOL... exactly. Jealous. Seriously brzaapi thanks for the fantastic compare.

[brzaapi]

Originally Posted by Captain Insano

LOL... exactly. Jealous. Seriously brzaapi thanks for the fantastic compare.

Of course, I always love talking cars.

[echo419]

Next thing he'll be telling us is that his girlfriend is hot and not a complete pain in the ass

[brzaapi]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

A 5 for AX/track readiness is a very low value for BRZ. Especially for a car that it was highly tested and reviewed by many top-qualified racers in Japan. Too bad that people don't know what they buy.

You know I struggled with that myself. The 5 was more for tracking than AX. But these are only my numbers, they are neither right nor wrong...just my two cents. 3 years ago, I would have said 7 or 8....but after all my AX, HPDE and school/instruction I say 5 for track. I can exploit the weaknesses of the BRZ pretty quickly on a track. Stock brakes fade 2 - 4 laps in and oil is pegging 290 - 300 halfway through a session. But both problems easily fixed, which is why I love the car. But what comes from the factory isn't up to the task.


But, what number would you give? That's the whole point of us discussing this. Sharing opinions or ideas.