I don't know that I would get a C7, but definitely not an 86 with 10k of mods.

The 86 is stuck with all the extra steel they needed to make people fit in the back, and the drivetrain sitting further forward. You can strip one but it will still be light in the rear, and relatively heavy considering how much power it has. Engine swaps are way too much money and trouble, while modding the original engine too much gets expensive quick.

IMO, the twins are best enjoyed as stylish practical cars with good handling. Brakes, suspension, and a tune would be as much as I am willing to do.

:lol:

I kind of doubt a sub-$40k C7 would be in particularly desirable condition as of today...

If you can comfortably afford the C7, buy it. It's the better car and it's the better financial decision as your mods on the 86 won't hold value like a stock C7.

C6 Grand Sport is another alternative, or Porsche 987.2 Cayman S. Both of these would, in my mind, be better choices than a highly modded 86 - and both retain value better than a C7 or modded 86.

This C6 Grand Sport is practically brand new at 38k at Criswell.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0949/overview/

If resale value and appearance of status were discounted to leave only fun factor, which would it be?

LS swap the twin! For real though if I had 40-50k for a car I'd look at a Cayman R.

If you're thinking about dumping $20k into mods, resale value should be the last thing on your mind lol..

I'll agree with those talking about resale. The C7 would be my choice - with an extended warranty.

Buuut, which would it be? :D

Still the twin for me because go-kart.

Stingray is better for literally everything except competitive autox.

Low running costs, large competitive fields, and deep support make the 86 a great autox car right now. Especially now that you can get one for $15k and put together a competitive STX car for <$25k all said and done.

I'm going to keep modding my 86 full well knowing that I could have bought a faster Corvette for less money on day one. It's not the logical choice, but it's my choice. It will always get blown away by a well cared for C5 Z06, or any C6 or C7 with a competent driver.

C7

1. Used 86 in all circumstances if you want the most fun at the lowest possible costs (initial price as well as running costs). ~$15k-$17k + whatever u want on mods and consumables for a 2013/2014.

2. Used C5 or C6 if you want the fastest car at the lowest cost. ~$20k-$35k (various conditions)

3. Used C7 if you want a fast car with most "layperson prestige" than any of the above cars.

This premise might be moot though because the chance of finding used C7 in decent shape for $40k is not high. ~$50k prices seem to be the ones floating around the net ATM.

Why not a low mileage GT350 >_<

For me I think I'm going to take a break from modding and see what the car market looks like when I pay this bad boy off lol, I'm not sure if we're going to ever get another 2+2, RWD, Manual, Lightweight Coupe. Checks all the right boxes for me just want a little more umph :)

I had the chance to ride shotgun in a well-driven C7 stingray w/z51 package at the track a few years ago. In terms of speed, complexity and price, it's a number of tiers higher than a BRZ or any of the typical BRZ competitors (S2000, RX-8, Miata, etc.) For that reason it's hard to compare the two, but the things that stood out the most on the C7 were the PTM system (clearly track-tuned and great at holding a small slip angle out of turns) and the MRC (well-damped, similar to the better aftermarket options on the BRZ, but more comfortable). There were the obvious differences as well - more power, better brakes, and a higher quality interior, but honestly PTM and MRC were so good I wouldn't get a C7 without Z51 package and MRC.

That said, even with those options there's no hiding that a C7 feels significantly bigger and heavier (+600 lbs) than a BRZ on track. I also wasn't blown away by the optional competition seats (BRZ is better), although they are miles better than the old C5/C6 Z06 seats I've tried.

At the end of the day, the C7 is more car for more money than a BRZ. The reasons I see for getting the C7 are it's the much faster, more sophisticated, and more impressive car out of the box. The reasons I can see for getting a BRZ are the smaller size/weight, simplicity, cheaper initial price, lower consumable costs, and the practicality of the rear seats. Personally I liked the C7, but I wasn't itching to trade my FR-S for it. For reference three cars I'd trade my FR-S for in a heartbeat are the Exige 260 S, Cayman GT4 and 997.2 GT3 RS so you can get a sense of what I'm looking for.