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dowroa · 07-25-2019, 08:26 AM

Good Day! @GrantedTaken , thanks for your patience.

I am going to have to give you more information on my specific case. As you have seen above, there are many reasons to go either way. A lot of it really does rely on your point in life and what you are looking.

Both cars still meet my needs. I still see a certain 2017 BRZ PP in the parking garage where I work every day that haunts me.

It will happen at some point. I am sure.

Background:

I am not sure I can give you adequate background about this decision, as it has been one I have been considering for 10+ years at this point.

The short of it is, since 2009 I was researching for the right car to be a third car for track/autoX. At the time, it came down to Corvette and MX5 due to suspension configurations and weight.

At that time, the BRZ wasn't a factor.

Two Years Ago:

I purchased the C5Z06 after literally searching forever and resigning myself to my budget that was safe and affordable. Note that even after purchase, the price of this car *costs less* than any new BRZ, period. Therefore, I have a 3000lb, 405 hp 6MT with *no* unneeded nannies or electronics I have to worry about for less than the cost of the cheapest cars nowadays with originally 8k miles and 100% stock..

I see this as a positive.

At the time, life wasn't going well, and the Corvette really helped to have a focus.

I wasn't in the position to race or anything other than enjoy it daily, which I did and still do.

Today:

I am now in a much better place with a good job I enjoy and time to have dealt with life.

I found a local reputable LS-mechanic who this week changed out the valve springs (known to fail on the 02s) and understands my goals for the car (no overheating, need oiling) and does quality work (hard to find). I can do the alignment/suspension, so I have all the basis covered for concerns for what I can and *can't* do myself on the car (engine/transmission).

Also, taking the car around the southeast Unitest States (no matter the car) has always been the goal. I enjoyed all the Subaru Challenges I did from 02 - 05 with my wife. That is the type of family travel I can get behind.

I already have the 02z06 that just has been in hibernation. With TNiA now being a thing, there are more positives that exists to get this done and a way to get it done.

Most importantly, I have a wife and kids that love the Corvette. All three of them have heard about this endlessly, and at this time they and trusted friends unanimously agree I need to walk the C5 path after the 10+ years of discussions we have had.

I can 100% ensure you that a C7GS will be in my future as well (that is as far as I think I am going with the brand).

The ability to get on the track with a reliable and affordable solution is the goal.

What about the BRZ?

That isn't going away. A 17+ PP is going to happen. The limiting factor is I have a 16 STi that has a specific purpose (back-up 4dr family car) which the family loves and I *can* put everyone into.

The purpose of the BRZ overlaps with both cars (STi and Z06), so at this time, it is a compromised solution.

Also, I have 3-4 years until I have a 3rd driver in the family. Purchasing a 17+ PP now would take away from the ability to do trackdays which was the whole purpose of ANY car. Also, when the new driver starts driving, it will be most likely in a used Impreza wagon or Crosstrek -- not a BRZ. The wife and I discussed that. She won with the Impreza/Forester/Crosstrek (see: original reason I was looking for an old FXT wagon for rallyX).

Could I sell the Corvette? Yes. That would not bother me. The BRZ does add some more functionality to the 3rd car and I LOVE the aftermarket and community for the car. However, after having talked to the whole circle again, we all rationally agree that while it *could* make sense, I should give what I have a shot.. and I don't disagree.

From the previous posts, a rallyX car was in the cards. Now, it is not just due to events competing for time. That is also another path I will go down. However, I may do that with a 2016 STi in a few years (if I could find a rally suspension for the car... sigh).

Conclusion:

So, does the BRZ make sense and still have a case in this discussion? Yes. It most definitely does.

Could it still work for me? You bet. It is a very strong option that still could happen.

However, for now, the fact I have solutions for a lot of the problems I was running into the Corvette means I can move forward. And, to me, being able to enjoy a car and have experiences is what I was looking for.

I just hope I continue to have the time to enjoy it with my family.

Thanks for the questions and interest. If there is anything I have left out, just let me know and I will do my best to address it!

Pictures:

I will provide these later. I just have work to do now!

07-25-2019, 08:26 AM	#60
dowroa Old Guy Join Date: Jan 2011 Drives: 16 STi, 22 MX-5 RF BBS, 04 OBS RPA Location: Durham, NC Posts: 293 Thanks: 531 Thanked 187 Times in 136 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Good Day! @GrantedTaken , thanks for your patience. I am going to have to give you more information on my specific case. As you have seen above, there are many reasons to go either way. A lot of it really does rely on your point in life and what you are looking. Both cars still meet my needs. I still see a certain 2017 BRZ PP in the parking garage where I work every day that haunts me. It will happen at some point. I am sure. Background: I am not sure I can give you adequate background about this decision, as it has been one I have been considering for 10+ years at this point. The short of it is, since 2009 I was researching for the right car to be a third car for track/autoX. At the time, it came down to Corvette and MX5 due to suspension configurations and weight. At that time, the BRZ wasn't a factor. Two Years Ago: I purchased the C5Z06 after literally searching forever and resigning myself to my budget that was safe and affordable. Note that even after purchase, the price of this car costs less than any new BRZ, period. Therefore, I have a 3000lb, 405 hp 6MT with no unneeded nannies or electronics I have to worry about for less than the cost of the cheapest cars nowadays with originally 8k miles and 100% stock.. I see this as a positive. At the time, life wasn't going well, and the Corvette really helped to have a focus. I wasn't in the position to race or anything other than enjoy it daily, which I did and still do. Today: I am now in a much better place with a good job I enjoy and time to have dealt with life. I found a local reputable LS-mechanic who this week changed out the valve springs (known to fail on the 02s) and understands my goals for the car (no overheating, need oiling) and does quality work (hard to find). I can do the alignment/suspension, so I have all the basis covered for concerns for what I can and can't do myself on the car (engine/transmission). Also, taking the car around the southeast Unitest States (no matter the car) has always been the goal. I enjoyed all the Subaru Challenges I did from 02 - 05 with my wife. That is the type of family travel I can get behind. I already have the 02z06 that just has been in hibernation. With TNiA now being a thing, there are more positives that exists to get this done and a way to get it done. Most importantly, I have a wife and kids that love the Corvette. All three of them have heard about this endlessly, and at this time they and trusted friends unanimously agree I need to walk the C5 path after the 10+ years of discussions we have had. I can 100% ensure you that a C7GS will be in my future as well (that is as far as I think I am going with the brand). The ability to get on the track with a reliable and affordable solution is the goal. What about the BRZ? That isn't going away. A 17+ PP is going to happen. The limiting factor is I have a 16 STi that has a specific purpose (back-up 4dr family car) which the family loves and I can put everyone into. The purpose of the BRZ overlaps with both cars (STi and Z06), so at this time, it is a compromised solution. Also, I have 3-4 years until I have a 3rd driver in the family. Purchasing a 17+ PP now would take away from the ability to do trackdays which was the whole purpose of ANY car. Also, when the new driver starts driving, it will be most likely in a used Impreza wagon or Crosstrek -- not a BRZ. The wife and I discussed that. She won with the Impreza/Forester/Crosstrek (see: original reason I was looking for an old FXT wagon for rallyX). Could I sell the Corvette? Yes. That would not bother me. The BRZ does add some more functionality to the 3rd car and I LOVE the aftermarket and community for the car. However, after having talked to the whole circle again, we all rationally agree that while it could make sense, I should give what I have a shot.. and I don't disagree. From the previous posts, a rallyX car was in the cards. Now, it is not just due to events competing for time. That is also another path I will go down. However, I may do that with a 2016 STi in a few years (if I could find a rally suspension for the car... sigh). Conclusion: So, does the BRZ make sense and still have a case in this discussion? Yes. It most definitely does. Could it still work for me? You bet. It is a very strong option that still could happen. However, for now, the fact I have solutions for a lot of the problems I was running into the Corvette means I can move forward. And, to me, being able to enjoy a car and have experiences is what I was looking for. I just hope I continue to have the time to enjoy it with my family. Thanks for the questions and interest. If there is anything I have left out, just let me know and I will do my best to address it! Pictures: I will provide these later. I just have work to do now! Last edited by dowroa; 07-25-2019 at 09:35 AM.