Stingray vs. Modified Twin
 

The other day, saw a used C7 Stingray drop below $40k...

So here is the debate... Which would be more fun as a mixed daily driver, track toy, and autocross car? A Stingray or a BRZ/FRS with a $20k build budget?

If you choose the twin, what would be your build plan, and where would you project ending up in terms of HP/TQ/weight?

DD: C7>FRS/BRZ
Track toy: C7>FRS/BRZ
AutoX: 86>C7

If you drop $20k into the FRS/BRZ, no doubt it'll be just as fun, if not more than the C7.

I'd rather take the Stingray.

I've seen a few FRS get into single digits lately. For $50k you could have both!

Stingray.... all day

C7 in every regard.

Which do you prefer driving?

Vette for autocross? Haha... no thanks.

The issue is that the doggone Stingray doesn't have a hand brake(although a big screen TV at the Chevy dealership showed a Corvette honing{sp}; indicating an e-brake isn't entirely necessary. On the other hand, a fabricated one wouldn't cost more than a months salary is an educated guess.

We don't want ghetto birds too too often but don't be surprised they will set up autocross attaching mini mall to mini mall.

Why not? Modern (ish) c4 and above corvettes do incredibly well at autocross.

I guess it just blows my mind how many people build the BRZ up to high horsepower levels when they could have just sold it to buy a Stingray with the same amount of money. I'm trying to decide between a Street modified build for autocross with a BRZ or just getting a stingray.

I think it be fun to build the car rather than just buy it as is. I like to mod my cars but at the same time I'm worried that the modified BRZ won't be very reliable and will just frustrate me in the end.

But I also think the BRZ is the better platform since its 700 lbs lighter... At least compared to the 3LT Z51. I originally got the BRZ because used lotuses just started going up in price.

Too fat.

After driving my brother-in-law's C7 convertible I would vote for C7. Although the BRZ steering feels more precise and it is quite fun to thrash within an inch of its life. The Vette is a great well-rounded sports car and I think would work better with daily driving duties. It would, like the BRZ, be great fun at the track though cost of consumables (tires) would be significantly greater.


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Which one feels better getting thrashed? I think it can be described as the difference between "woo hoo!" and "aarrrrgh!"

I'd go for a C7. Looking back at buying the FRS, I'm kinda kicking myself, because of all the other cars I could've bought in the same, or 10-15k more. On the other hand, I could have bought a Yaris and not went down the modding rabbit hole and stuff.

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.

What options are there that fit those criteria, at any price?
RX-8's usually clock in over 3,000 lbs, 240sx is ~25 years old at this point... 911 is even heavier than the RX-8 unless you buy one that's >10 years old.

What am I forgetting that wasn't made in the '80s? I mean there's a plethora there, AE86/Celica/Supra, E30, GTV6, RX7 and Z/ZX's if you can live without the seats and pick up a hatch for the trade.

I think the cheap C7 I referred to in the op was a base model without the z51. I think z51 would more like 45 or 50.

I did drive a c6 grand sport. Felt a bit heavy, but my biggest complaint was that couldn't really wring it out without speeding excessively. Its not as much fun at 10%.

The other problem is that the C6 looks terrible compared to the C7. I think that's reason corvettes lose their value so quickly.... When is the best time to buy one?

Can't think of anything modern unfortunately, with all the tech & safety features they're stuffing into cars nowa days I'm not sure if we'll ever see a true raw successor to the twins, unless toyota/subaru do a next gen 86...I assume the MY17 is the mid-cycle refresh. Honestly don't think they're gonna deliver on a next gen though, time will tell.

I was pretty stoked for the new M2 then I saw it weighed 3450 lbs, was literally shocked! I've always wanted a porsche since I was a kid but the maintenance costs scare me lol, honestly was always a JDM guy. Cheap parts, cheap to fix when they do break.

M2 vs FRS is pretty unfair, a closer competitor is the 228i. That one is 3330lbs, but it has more room than the FRS or 911 and I am sure you can get rid of a lot of weight if you really want to, starting with the power seats and exhaust which will be extremely heavy on a BMW. I bet you can knock >150lbs off that car without touching any creature comforts besides the seats.

It is also probably much, much, much faster than the FRS once you tune it a little.

FRS is one of those cars you have to either really really love so much you want to pour money into heavy modifications, or just be happy with in close-to-stock form (aka accepting that you are slower than a minivan).

BULLSHIT


Please point out which minivan beats 6.1:




http://www.zeroto60times.com/body-style/van/


Learn to drive beyond pushing a gas pedal is all that is needed.

Warranty void.

This reminds me of the new Dodge Durango SRT8 commercial. It says "track inspired" but all I'm seeing is a burnout..:offtopic:

That and the numbingly light steering feel with no feedback! It's a big track platform, I didn't enjoy hustling the GS around cones either and it is hard to use anything outside and even including second gear on twisty stuff... well, the torque is addicting :) Shame because I personally find the C6GS the most attractive Corvette next to the C2. I can't stand the juvenile transformer sharp lines of the C7 at all, just like my Volt :barf: But it is a better car in every other way...

Supposedly the C5Z is "good" on feedback and the C7 improved on steering feel and feedback tenfold over the C6.2 cars. Definitely get a Z51 model if you're intending for motor sports; dry-sump, added coolers, shorter gearing, e-lsd, bigger brakes, etc. are extensive and expensive to add yourself later.

Nobody does 4k+ clutch drops at the intersection of a public road (well not if they want to keep their license). In a race of 5-60 mph today's minivans are neck and neck with the BRZ:clap:

And apparently some minivan drivers are itching for a showdown. When I was trying to figure out the launch control on my loaner Cayman S (involved revving engine while stopped at a light) the minivan next to me peeled a wheel when the light turned green :lol:

Try $65-70k for a Cayman R. :lol::lol::lol:

A quick search of mine revealed 2 currently for sale in the US, one $62,000 and one $69,000. That won't change any time soon either.

Seriously, point me in the direction of one on sale for $45k and I'll buy it immediately.:party0030:

The stated 0 to 60 is not based upon a 4K clutch drop I am sure. If we are going to say that it is fudged in some manner then we need to say the same thing for the minivans numbers.
If minivans are beating you the problem is with your driving style not the capabilities of the car.

Mazda might pump out an attainable lightweight RWD coupe in a few years I think that's the safest bet at getting one, Honda has the S660 and Toyota's SFR looks like it will be real, but those are much smaller than the car we bought and it's a "yeah right" until they announce that they're coming here. Kia and Nissan played with concepts but those are definitely vaporware at this point. Fundamentally I agree, odds are slim there will ever be anything like this again. I think the bean counters at Toyota will win in shutting down a gen 2, or at least the direction of their "sports car" would change heavily not being a real 86 successor. After all, the AE86 is still being made, it's called a Corolla and it's very 'grounded to the ground'.

RX-8 is as close as it gets, 996 911's are the next best thing and aside from the IMS look like downright fantastic cars now that they're starting to drift well below $30k (hell there are a few <$15k examples out there if you're not picky), hopefully the 'eww watercooled' sentiment is in the majority for the next decade and they drop low enough to make maintenance costs easy to swallow and they can challenge Miata's for the go-to track car for those of us that like fixed roofs and a bit of space behind the drivers seat.