Quote:
Originally Posted by marvey
I was actually going to buy a 981 Cayman but ended up with the BRZ instead. It really wasn't a hard decision after driving both cars twice.
The 981 is heavier, most certainly felt heavier (it seems hard trying to get consistent curb weight numbers on the 981), and its suspension is much stiffer, to the point where you will lose traction and slip on less than good roads.
The 2015 BRZ steering has better feel than 981 steering, which is kind of numb like the 2014 BRZ steering. Even then, the 2014 steering is more precise once you turn the wheel past that spongy zone.
If you think BRX brakes are mushy, the 981 brakes are even more mushy; although I feel 981 brake modulation is good. Overall 981 brakes are much better. 981 being mid-engined feels better under braking. Really hard to beat mid-engined cars in that respect.
BRZ feels like it has lower center of gravity and seems more willing to rotate with a more direct feel with the road. 981 seems to remove connection to the road, while also having the disadvantage of riding rough. Bumps in road are met with bam bam bam in comparison to the BRZ. Really not happy with compliance of suspension / wheels to road of 981, especially around El Lay.
I'd say get the Essex brake kit, wheels, and tires (don't even have to overdo that), and you have a car with even slightly better "handling" than 981. You don't even need to touch the springs or dampers, especially with the 2015s. The BRZ has the inherent advantage of lower center of gravity and lighter weight. Just that the limits are low for the stock car because of its rubber and brakes.
Porsche has strayed too far from its roots. The automotive press fawns way too much over them. There's a reason the magazines like to compare the GT86 with the Cayman S; because comparing with the Cayman would be embarrassing for Porsche. You can buy two BRZs with wheels, tires, even coil-overs for the cost of one Cayman since the Porsche dealerships don't sell base Caymans, and the typical set of Porsche options is at least $10K. Make that three if you want a Cayman S with the goodies. This is important if you intend to track the car. I figured can afford to crash one or two by going with the BRZ. Not so with the 981.
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I made the same decision for the same reasons.
The Cayman is too loud, too noisy and too expensive. The ride is very poor.
The BRZ is more like the basic sportscar of the 60's and 70's but updated.
You can drive the wheels off a BRZ and nobody would notice. Try that with a Cayman and it would be obvious.
With a supercharger a BRZ would match the Cayman easily, not the S but certainly the base car.