BRZ vs Cayman/Corvette
 

Hey guys, first post here. I'm looking for my 1st fun car, ya I have never owned a sports car. The cars that interest me are BRZ/FRS, cayman, or a Corvette. I get it, these cars are totally different. But older Cayman's, 07/08 Vetts and newer BRZ are roughly the same price. So ya, I'm considering them all. Don't live near a Porsche dealership and maintenance is SCARY so mostly Vette vs BRZ. Just would like to hear opinions from people who have owned or drove all. This will be an every day driver, parked outside, 48mi to work 3 days a week, etc.

Like I said, I have never owned a sports car, 40 years old and just got miss diagnosed with cancer and said F-it. These cars are all now cheap enough to pay cash and forget it. Just curious which one you would enjoy the most.

I have test drove the BRZ/FRS but both times just the dealership "loop".

Welcome. First off all three cars are great. The handel well and preform great. Brz would be on the bottom of the list overall. Still fun.

You sound like you did your homework already, so I'll just go from what I seen and talking to people that take them to track days/ help them learn.

Porsche, they are great till they brake. Then you really feel the Porsche price tag for repairs. That's all the complaints I hear from the Cayman. If buying used be on the look out for the IMS baring. Many have been recalled and fixed, but some are unknown.

Corvette, same thing great till they brake. But depending on your mechanical knowledge you save on labor. Prices are pricey but it's still GM guts and what nots.

Brz. So far engines are ok. Common problems are fuel injection issues and notchy trannys, and bad throw out bearings.

Besides that problem/complains are space. If you are a loner or have one friend then it's no problem. If you have more baggage then it's an isssue. If you can call it that. Another complaint is gas. These cars run best on high octane fuel. So 91 is now your go to fuel. If you ever bitched about gas prices, then you'll bitch even more.

The brz is great on gas out of the three.

Other than that, it's really up to you what kind of sports car you want. If you just full power and don't care about gas, corvette.
You want power and better drivability and that "look at me I drive a Porsche" get the cayman
If you want a entry level cheap bear bones "sporty" car that's reliable for daily driving get a Miata.

Get the brz if you don't want a convertible and want a place to keep your hat on the "back seat" and like the look.

the BRZ is way more practical than a Corvette, and modding it is probably a lot cheaper than modding a Corvette as well. there is a huge aftermarket for the BRZ too (Corvette as well, but I am not sure about the Cayman), so that is a plus. I think the aftermarket for the twins is one of the largest.

you can always go FI with the BRZ and slap on some good tires/wheels and get great lap times. hell, even just changing out the tires from stock will get you an instant and noticeable improvement. just be careful when you're doing your suspension mods since it is very easy to ruin the balance of the car (the way it is stock is pretty good IMO but dat wheel gap tho).

if you also want to buy the BRZ new, I would recommend the 2017 with performance package as well since you get the Brembos and better dampers (plus all the other significant MY17+ changes).

Don't want to do mods, just want a fun reliable car. Not looking to track just fun weekend drives. I have been itching to get another bike but know that's a bad idea. Thought a fun car might scratch that itch.

I really think they have made some great improvements on the 17 but I doubt I will buy new. Only thing I don't like is the spoiler, looks too rice rocketish for me. Other than that I think they made some good improvements. Don't really think the PP is worth it for someone not planning to track the car.

The initial price of those 3 cars may be the same, but the upkeep/maintenance and repair costs are not. The BRZ is in a totally different price category than the other 2 cars. Just price up oil changes, tires, a brake job and other stuff like that. The Porsche and Corvette will need a lot of maintenance soon too

My gf recently got herself a C7 Z51. We're learning that running costs on a vette are higher than you would expect.

To put it into context, ONE replacement front tire (OEM MPSS ZP) on a C7 costs roughly $375. Replacement OEM brake pads were $500. I can only assume prices for the C6 will be similar.

Reminder that BRZ's have the PITA spark plug change cost every 60k mile interval, as well as the TOB issues that long-term owners will be paying out of pocket to fix. Not cheap.

@Norcalkid as a 40 year old "kid" I'd say there are plenty of other cars you might want to look for. BRZ's are fun for cheap but at the cost of comfort and features. Porsche and Corvette's have better suspensions for instance, have enough power to run A/C full blast in traffic, etc. while a BRZ is only near Corolla-quality on its interior and comfort.

This thread title made me laugh.

My mother owns a Vette, stepdad owns a Cayman, and I own a BRZ. Out of the 3, I love driving the Cayman the most. It seems the most balanced in terms of power, ride quality, and driving experience.

if you have 120k to spend...
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULIuS_wO6o0&t=0s"]415 HP Porsche Cayman GT4 by Sharkwerks - One Take - YouTube[/ame]

or if you have 70k to spend...
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjeKSumjcRA"]425 WHP Coyote-Swapped Porsche Cayman by Limitless Motorworks - One Take - YouTube[/ame]

buy a 370Z...the poor man's porsche

In my opinion the C6 would be a more fun daily/weekend driver than a BRZ. Having power on tap and the loud pedal is always fun.

The BRZ is probably more practical from a comfort/MPG/cost perspective.

I have raced both cars (autocross) and the BRZ is much more fun in that regard, however.

If this is a last go around, last hurrah kind of a car. Skip straight to the corvette. You could find a well maintained C5Z or low mileage LS3 C6 and love life.


Corvette maintenance costs are cheap except for tires and weird specialty corvette only parts. Brakes, engine, transmission etc... dirt cheap on the LS equipped cars.


If you're considering those three vehicles, just don't even consider a BRZ unless you HAVE to have something new. It isn't even in the same ballpark in terms of performance, and everyone deserves to drive something fast in their life.


Also: Highway mileage on my old LS6 car was high 20's - low 30's sometimes. So....mileage in a corvette is not bad, you have to remember in 6th gear at 75 they're cruising at idle RPM for the most part. :lol:

Wait, 3 days for your work week? What do you do? Man I need a job like that.

Honestly with your commute I'd go BRZ. It will get the best gas mileage if you baby it, several people on here including me get 32 mpg dd'ing it.

Are you mechanically inclined? If you can do your own work then you might chance a cayman. Or maybe get a normal dd and something a little older and more fun like a 2nd or 3rd gen Supra or an MR2 or look for a deal on something interesting in your local want ads, craiglist or auto trader.

And you say you won't mod it, but if you go to meets and drive some of the modded cars you might change your mind, Just a few tweeks can really change the behavior of the car.

If you're buying a sports car because you're getting old, I highly recommend the Corvette.

3/12's, nurse


Thanks everybody. Not sure I'm any closer to making a decision, maybe even more unsure now. I think I'll probably buy the best deal in the end.

I kinda feel like the high maintenance may be offset a bit when comparing with a newer car depreciating more(for a Corvette, maybe not a Porsche). I actually also considered keeping my DD and getting an older 996 just for fun. Their cheap enough(under 20k with IMS replaced). But for 20k I can almost get the Cayman that's much newer and probably a better choice for a DD.

I used to do all my own maintenance. Have rebuilt bikes from bottom up, rebuilt a T350 years ago in a truck, etc. Was really into 4X4s for years. Honestly, I don't want to deal with that anymore.

Get the corvette. Just... do it. It will be a more rewarding experience. Especially if you have never had a sports car.

FYI the Cayman is like a BRZ but better in every way. If you can afford the Cayman get it over the BRZ.

LOL... I remember when I used to think of folks who were 40 as "old." Then I hit 40, and I STILL felt like I was 24. I'm way past 40, and I can unequivocally state that 40 is nowhere NEAR "getting old."

Why? What is your reasoning for this?

because racecar?

I would go with the corvette for sure. You cant beat the power and noise of that V8, plus corvettes (minus the zr1 and z06) have the removable top witch is a bonus. Also, if you come from riding bikes, im sure your going to want something fast.

drove a 987.2 cayman today...
 

interior is mehh AF. feels so old. really a pretty plasticky car. REALLY. went in sat in a new 86 immediately after, and MANNN..the Twin is a nice place to be, for a coupe.

987 "felt" good, steering and all. PDK is garbage. steering wheel "paddles" are garbage. steering and brakes felt wonderful.

long story short...not sure if worth the money and headache..at all.


o yea. drove a nismo 370Z as well. THE worst shifter/clutch of any car ive ever driven. old 350s/G35s werent near this bad. a bunch of torque but just not usable because all the controls/inputs are terrible.


BRZ it stays.

I drive a 2011 328 RWD 6 Spd with M-sport and my only regret is waiting this long on life to get one. I even got invited to M-track day this summer and drove EVERY M car they make (except convertibles) and I can honestly say my car handles very close the an M.

Then last summer I picked up a 2013 BRZ for my son and MAN this car is a BLAST to drive! It's a go kart. I LOVE it. Add a second car or toy, I wouldn't hesitate one second. And I love how cheap and raw and basic the car is. Every switch is precise, no frills, etc. Old fashioned hvac controls feel like they will work forever.

I took it on my first long day trip and was surprised how comfortable it was. And 39 mpg was a pleasant surprise. Sure, back seat room is minimal, but who cares in this conversation.

Plus, my son gets more looks and compliments on it that you will with a Vette or Cayman because most don't know what it is. My wife thinks it's a baby Ferrari.

Get a used BRZ. Enjoy it. When you're ready to sell, you won't get as hurt as the other two imo.

PS Glad it was a MIS-diagnosis.

Out of your choices I would go Cayman hands down, but I'm also able to do all my own work so that takes a lot of the financial headache of owning one of those away.

If I were you I'd strongly consider a Miata. There's ridiculously fun cars, only reason I swapped to an 86 is because it wasn't quite practical enough for my daily.

Theres an indy porsche shop thats does Vlogs on youtube of them fixing porsches. They have all these homegrown techniques they honed through the years that put the original called-for procedures to shame.Really fascinating watch. "Do my own work" would appear to take on a different meaning when referring to porsche.

Why did you think PDK was garbage? Do you mean you just didn't enjoy it as much as manual? It's difficult to argue the PDK is garbage when it's the best dual clutch out there.

The "paddles" on the base steering is stupid, you really have to step up to the sport steering wheel to get the nice paddles.

This decision is so much personal preference, its not even funny.

OP, what vettes and caymans are you looking at. Price range/year/equipment level. There is no correct answer, but the arguements for each car are very fluid depending on how you would answer the above.

I have owned 3 987s and 1 981. I have also owned 3 BRZs. My only vette to own (i have tracked others) was an 03 Z06. I could share a lot with you, but would likely only muddy your decision. But share the above info, and what you find the most fun about driving and cars, then maybe we can make some good points for you.

Good news is, this is a great problem to have and there is no wrong choice.

Please do your homework before posting things that aren't accurate. There has never been a recall for Porsche Caymans because of anything IMS related. There was a class action lawsuit (which Porsche lost) for the IMS on 986 Boxsters and 996 911s. The Cayman was not included in that lawsuit because it's IMS bearing is a more robust design with a considerably lower rate of failure. Overall the 987 Cayman is a very reliable car. However yes as a car ages there are things that need to be replaced, and those items are more expensive on a Porsche than most cars.

I agree that the interior, as noted by someone else, of a Cayman 987 isn't that great. The materials are sturdy and interior is well put together, but they're not luxurious. Still, they're CONSIDERABLY better than what you'll find inside of a C6 Corvette.

The prospective buyer has stated that he does a lot of his own vehicle maintenance. Knowing that, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend owning a Cayman S. A lot of people are put off by the unique drivetrain packaging but most items on a 987 aren't super difficult to service. It is true that you cannot access the engine via a traditional hood, however you can access the engine from underneath, as well as from above and in front (via 2 removable panels).

Things to know before potentially purchasing a Cayman S:
-If the IMS bearing hasn't failed on a 987 yet, then it honestly probably will not ever fail. However, it is important to note that unlike a 986 or 996, you cannot retrofit a "fix"/upgraded bearing without completely removing the engine and splitting the crankcase.
-brake rotors are (technically) designed to be replaced when the pads wear out. Not really required, but typical lifespan of rotors are around 60k miles (front, longer for rears). Figure around $300/pair.
-the water pump needs to be replaced every 50k miles to prevent potential problems related to it's eventual failure. This is a DIY for anyone of moderate skill.
-Spark plugs need to be replaced every 50k (this isn't due to plug lifespan issues but rather to ensure no problems with plug threads getting stuck/frozen - you cannot use anti-seize on these engines)
-clutch replacement is very expensive if performed by a shop; seems like costs I've seen online have varied between $2500 and $4000. Average clutch life varies, but sometimes they wear out as early as 60k (obviously driver dependent)
-it's not uncommon for the door window regulators to fail prematurely. It happened to me but I fixed it myself (having never worked on a window mechanism previously)
-Having work done at the dealership is EXPENSIVE, however if you can perform most maintenance yourself there are a few dealerships with great online parts warehouses, where you can buy OEM parts at wholesale pricing (Suncoast, Sonnen in particular).
-If you join the Porsche Club of America (a no brainer at ~ $50/year, including an excellent magazine subscription) you have access to the Cayman Register, an excellent resource for technical data, advice and semi-factory help.

I've driven a friend's C6 Z51 Vette and it just wasn't for me. I loved the engine, but that was about it. The seating position was horrible, and the outward view atrocious (especially out the back which surprised me given how large the rear hatch glass is). I certainly wouldn't make a decision without driving all three cars but for me the Porsche was the way to go.

Good luck with your car buying process:thumbsup:

to second question, this 2011 had the sport wheel. it still had the thrustmaster rocker switches. no paddles. in 2011.

and i get that the car came out in 2006. but a MK6 GTI literally has superior seats and steering wheel. thats a Japanese-esque mistake on VAG's part if i ever saw one.

to the first question, a little harsh i guess. it DID hold a gear pretty good around a corner one time. its good for what it is, but its not an automated manual. not a sequential gearbox.

hitting buttons in D mode doesn't override D like in a GTI. there was no "sport" setting for the tranny logic. (non spasm car, maybe spasm has it??)

Apparently you're not familiar with how Porsche price gouges people?:laughabove: lol. Proper gear shifter paddles were/are available - but they cost extra. Likewise, better seats were/are available - they also cost extra. And yes there's a cost extra steering wheel also available.

And FWIW the standard seats in my Cayman are fine. Yes I preferred the seats of my BRZ but these seats work well enough on road courses.

Project Mayhem, it sounds like you drove a non-Sport Chrono equipped car. With Sport Chrono comes Sport Plus mode, as well as launch control. A 2011 Cayman S without SC won't have Sport Plus mode, but I thought it would have Sport mode (could be wrong about that). Either way, again it's all about the OPTIONS.

And for someone searching for a Cayman S on the used market, most cars are fairly loaded down with options unless special ordered (most dealerships order cars with $10-15k worth of options). That's an important point to bring up actually. If you are looking at a used Cayman S (or any other Porsche) you can look up the VIN on a Porsche database to find out what options the car came with (assuming the seller doesn't have the Mulrooney sticker anymore). Likewise, sometimes the cars come with the option codes listed on a sticker on the underside of the trunk. Again, you can determine how to interpret the option codes online. While Porsches are sold as a wide variety of models (base, S, GTS, etc) you can also order every available option a la carte (something I wish Japanese manufacturers would do).

Thanks for the input. Was looking at base cars actually.
Price gouging yes, porsche is the apple of the autoworld IMHO. re options, ive been using vincoderz. I keep seeing DIFF LOCK ($980). and im reminded that you have to pay extra for optimal sportscar spec "sport" wheel "sport" seats yada. Turns me off in a big way, even going used.

Im sure the cars are telepathic, and i will sorely miss not having hydraulic power steering, but am thinking i will go BRZ for a few years until i just absolutely have to have a porsche (and 991 GTSs get cheaper lol!!!)

I imagine these three come up often in comparisons. However, they are very different cars. As most have suggested, try to drive them back to back and choose which one is more fun to you. As much as I wanted to go with a used Cayman S, I need a back seat in a pinch.

The BRZ makes a great daily driver in stock form. You'll also see good gas mileage. Maintenance is low and prices for parts are cheap. Heck, you can get an entire engine/mission from a low mile wrecker for cheaper than you may pay to get repairs done on the Porsche.

Speaking from experience, no, it isn't, when you get in there and do as much of it as you're capable of yourself. There is a whole community out there of people who work on these cars themselves. But if you're going to be paying a dealer or a high-priced independent specialist (hint: find a reasonable one for those jobs that are beyond your grasp... trust me, they're out there) then yes, maintenance is a scary thing. You do, however, have to accept that, whatever the sports car, you have to pay to play.

Drive a Cayman, you'll love it. I have a soon-to-be 20 year old Boxster that is basically spec-for-spec a Twin with two extra cylinders, another half-litre of engine that does nothing more for it than make gorgeous sounds, same power, a lil bit more torque, and said engine placed behind your head instead of by your feet. Up until getting my Twin (and the jury is still out until I can do comparison drives in the nicer weather) best handling car I've ever had or piloted. Anything younger is better, more modern, has much more usable power, and makes 911 owners sweat in the right hands. Power-wise even a base first gen Cayman will put a Twin to shame. Handling I'd say I find very similar(what drew me to the 86/FR-S, besides Toyota love), with the Porsche being more stable before stepping out on you, but at the limit I think you'd find a BRZ to be more manageable. That said, spend enough time with a car and know how it behaves and that really is a non-issue. And if you're talking mostly commuting with some fun road driving here and there, you're not likely to really push either car into that territory without serious intent. For that, find yourself some autocross and track days to do (easy to find if you buy a Porsche and join the local PCA).

I can't say which you'd find to be a better daily driving experience between the two because that's really up to you and which compromises from the respective cars you're willing to accept. The Porsche is actually likely to have more storage space in-cabin (and better thought out cup holders) than the BRZ, but you get 2 trunks with a surprisingly usable amount of space in them to compare to the BRZ's surprisingly usable lone trunk, especially when the rear seats are dropped. Creature comfort-wise, there's really no comparison, but again, that's based on your want/need for such things. If all you want is a seat, driving controls, and a great handling setup, they've both got it in spades. One is just more upscale than the other. My late-90s car is actually a little less equipped than the FR-S (zero cup holders, no glove compartment, just a literal glove box in the center tunnel, some small and narrow storage pockets in the doors that can't hold much, one cigarette-lighter-cum-power-outlet, but in a better place than the main one in the FR-S, and a big but not tall storage pouch behind the head that also stores the wind deflector) but I didn't buy it to be drinking stuff in it and storing a bunch of crap in it, so that doesn't really matter to me. As the years wear on and the people with the money complain, these things make their way into what you'd be shopping for today for a Porsche.

I can't talk Corvette other than to say driving a C6 convertible was pretty great and actually very domesticated when you wanted it to be, and neither of the other cars can compare in any parameter, especially dollar-for-dollar. The interior may be an afterthought, but if that's not a big deal to you, I have to hand heavy consideration to the Corvette. You picked 2 that I'm biased in favor of that I can talk about all day, but your 3rd, while the poster child for mid-life crisis-mobile, is nothing to turn your nose at.

Get some seat time in all 3, hopefully more than just a dealer loop (find some friends who'll let you drive theirs) and go with what stirs you the right way. But don't be scared of the "Porsche maintenance" stigma that comes mostly out of people who don't own one. Parts cost money. Shop smart and DIY and you won't feel it as bad as you would with dealer pricing and $150/hr labor rates.

My reasoning is I like to crack jokes every now and then.

THANKS, a buddy at work is guna let me drive his Corvette this week. Funny thing is i didn't even ask to drive it. Was asking him questions and he offered and was excited about letting me try it. Can't wait. Don't know anyone W a Cayman.

See if you can find a dealer that doesn't mind you driving the car the way it was meant to be driven. Don't abuse it obviously, but get it on the highway, hit some imperfect city streets, see if you can find opportunities to feel some lateral Gs.:burnrubber: It's a wonderful car, trust me.

And sorry for writing such a novel before, lol, I didn't realize I'd gone on such a writing epic until I saw it quoted.

cayman test drive #2. 987.2 2.9L manual. 19k miles on it. sport wheel and seats. cherry car minus the glazed rotors.

clutch is 370z-esque with a long,heavy throw and a late engagement.
shifter is extremely stiff, and each gear engagement feels different; mostly on the glacial side with fourth gear being particularly bad. i can say it feels alot like the 2003 M Roadster i have some miles behind. theres no such thing as a 4-3-2 snick-snick-snick real quick like in a FiSt or S2000. not happening. i suppose this is why porsche specs such long gears; like a corvette, they want you to stay in one for awhile. now i know why 70% of orders are PDK; despite the regrettable paddles-are-extra stock steering wheel.

HEY i suppose i could spend $700 in parts and labor on aftermarket shift cables and it might help a tad, but why would i do that when i can buy a Japanese car where things like shift cables and water pumps are lifetime items?

O, another thing, for being the World's Greatest Drivers Car(tm), they sure do place the brake pedal in a mighty awkward position. never had to contort myself so bad to perform a heel-and-toe downshift. ever. wayy too high. O BUT you can spend $400 and get a GT3 master cylinder installed. only the GT3 needs a low, firm brake pedal. because racecar.

sport seats have wonderful leather, but the shoulders are wayy too narrow (and i wear a 42 at most...); which makes them moot.

engine is nice. very nice.

dampers are firm yet supple; really nice curve on them (non-PASM).

steering is communicative but has more off-center play than the hydro steering in a $24k RSX Type-S (which has zero play; even with stock bushings)


sorry but, this car is really supposed to be God's gift to Driverdom???

I glad to hear that the diagnosis was incorrect.

I just traded my 2014 BRZ for a 2017 Cayman S.

IMO, the BRZ is a great car to own and a pleasure to drive. I will remember it as my favorite car prior to buying the Cayman. It's not really fast, but because of the driving position (very low to the ground), and handling it feels like a fast car. I found it to be enjoyable when driving aggressively or just cruising down the highway. I did not have any problems with my BRZ, although, I found the cricket sound (fuel pump) to be somewhat embarrassing as it could be quiet loud at times. Fuel consumption is decent and i found it easy to customize.

As other's have said, test drive then decide.

^^We get it, you're biased against this car for some reason. It's not the car's fault that there's something amiss with the manual transmission. You're not driving new cars, which unfortunately means that some things change via abuse and wear.