After the BRZ?
 

Getting my favorite takeout last night... took the long way home, as I usually do with the BRZ. The light in Westlake Village was red, and I was going 50, so a double-clutch into 4th to slow a little, then a heel-toe to third (somehow, I cannot double-clutch a heel-toe, go figure), and magic, it turned green and I zipped through in the perfect gear. But the next light stayed red, so I came to a stop. A guy on the motorbike to my right was frantically waving and giving me the thumbs up... yeah the little BRZ is quite popular, friendly, fun, and without any a**hole arrogance. There was an M something or another, I am sure with an ugly snout, on my left. He went into "launch" mode as I arrived... engine revving, bouncing off the limit. I wasn't about to drag race him, so chuckled when the light turned green and he left with a wail.....

All this made me wonder... what comes after the BRZ? (Assuming I am still kicking!) Something analog, stick, and fun...

I thought about the Toyota Z4upra... Its not the best looking thing, and Toyota can barely fix their own cars, how will they service a Beemer?

Then there is the M2... big, heavy, ugly... and OMG that curved giant flat panel instrument/navi thing inside makes me gag. But it does have a stick!

Porsche makes the Cayman GTS 4.0.... nice engine, looooooong gears, beautiful car actually. But $$$$ and very few allocations left... dealers want $5-10k on top. Maybe not.

Nissan Z... haven't even seen one yet. And the reports are not positive.

.... and there you have it. Is anything else on the horizon? Will Japan resist the forces of robo-taxi electrification for another round?

Mustang Dark Horse ? Corvette?

For your aging years of driving, I would suggest a mid sized SUV.

* AT so you don't get confused.
* Large windshield and windows so you can see better.
* Sets up high so you can see better and get in and out easier.
* Lots of nannys that flash and tell you when you get too close to something else.
* Large back up camera.
* Auto stop for when you are about to run into or back into something.
* Gps so you can just punch in "home" if you get lost.

So many more things - :thumbsup:

OMG bury me already... rather go straight to the coffin :-)

MKV Supra with a stick without a doubt is my pick.. If I didn't need the extra seats from the GRC, would be rolling in one. B58 has been a reliable engine..aside from simple oil changes what would the dealership ever need to do? Years ago my local Toyota dealership properly resealed my fa20's timing cover and replaced the tob..

New Civic Type R, GR Yaris or GR Corolla would by on my list and in that order too.

Nothing really compares - the current state of affairs in sport cars is one car per segment (with hot hatches being the only segment with somewhat comparable options), so if you like lightweight manual RWD coupes you're stuck with the Twins.

I go through this thought process often as well, and my conclusion is to stick to the Twins as far as I can (with regard to car age and fit for purpose), and then to go into a different segment. This way you're not trying to recreate the same driving experience, but do something new instead.

Still, my BRZ taught me what I enjoy in a car, and especially what are the dealbreakers. For me this is steering feel. For you it might be different. If you focus on just one or two must-haves, and are willing to explore different options, you might find something you'll be happy with as much or more.

And as always, test drive as many cars as you can. Especially if you're in no rush to get a new car.

You left off the chauffer part. Does the Mrs make you ride in the back seat so you won't play with the ac controls?

Well, yes, I didn't mention the chauffer part. I did get to drive it once on the way back from her eye treatment. I thought I was home free until we got back the LoJack program had notified her cell phone that I was going 75 mph on a 60 mph freeway stretch.

"Her" car has dual AC controls, so she lets me mess with my side. However, all of the other controls are off limits to me.

She does let me sit in the front seat, since the passenger side front seat has power adjustments, which keeps me occupied - :party0030:

At this point in time I cannot afford what I would like as a more friendly, use more often from early spring into late fall type of vehicle. These would include a low mileage 2006 or 2007 GD STi, a last gen 2019 -21 Subaru STi, an Evora, etc. you get my drift.
The wife and I have really enjoyed the Caterham this summer. Unfortunately it’s about time to mothball it for the winter. She has mentioned that she would like a “bucket list” car of her own. She really liked our 1974 Europa Twin Cam Special so if we should happen to fall into some money that’ll be the next car.

nothing new

CT4-V Blackwing

I traded mine in for a 981 Cayman. A new GTS was absolutely not in the budget, and after driving both the 718 and 981, they're very similar, except the 981 is just better because they all come with the flat 6. The turbo 4 is certainly faster, but feels uninspiring like every other small turbo 4.

So, basically you described my FRS replacement, the LYRIQ.

This past weekend took a 1,400 mile round trip from Atlanta to the coast of Virginia for a college gathering of friends (we've done this every year for the last 20 years).

The LYRIQ is faster, quieter and more comfortable than the FRS. Yes, it does have all the nannies (most of which you can turn off unless federally mandated) and it will also drive itself hands-off (SuperCruise). Of the 1,400 miles the car "drove" over 1,200 of them, just eating up the highway.

Would I have preferred to have the FRS if the path had been in twisties through the mountians, absolutely. I don't do that much anymore though.