Quote:
Originally Posted by YW-Slayer
Rosso, moto, thanks for your comments. They are really appreciated.
I looked at secondhand and new Elises (which I love) as an alternative, but ended up settling on a WRB Mica BRZ, even though the car would only be used as a weekend "driving" car and for very short (15 minute) commutes. The other reason for this is that the local secondhand Elise market is quite restricted in terms of selection, though frankly I think any Elise is a good one. There are just better ones. 
My mate has a 2008ish Cayman S which he got for a good deal (still more expensive than the BRZ), so we will probably a bit of swapping once my car arrives and I have run it in. Obviously I wouldn't expect it to beat or equal an Elise/Exige/Cayman in terms of ultimate driving feel, but I approach the prospect of ownership in the belief that it will be the closest thing I can get to them, for the money, and with more seats and practicality! |
You've got exactly the right attitude.
In the world of cars, you will always get what you pay for. You will get more by spending more on a Cayman. You will get more by spending more on an Elise.
If this were not true -- as some people here seem to believe -- then nobody would spend more than 30k on a car.
However, the law of diminishing returns makes such an incredible case for the FRS. You really are maximizing every penny of your purchase price to prioritize chassis, handling and driving fun. I think you're gonna love your car and won't feel at all like you missed out by not spending the extra for the Lotus or the Porsche.
In my opinion, the interior materials are rubbish and the engine sounds so-so and the steering feel could be better, but when I think about how little this car costs brand spanking new, all of those are small sacrifices to pay for what you get. The chassis, the suspension, the practicality, the fuel economy. You get a LOT for that money. This is the absolute best car in that price range. It is so good that I think it's beaten the Miata as my previous budget driver's car of choice.
Enjoy it!!!