Test drove BRZ, a few observations/questions

[airjonny]

I love Porsches, but their options and package prices are ridiculous. I configured a loaded Boxster online for almost 100k. It's like they forgot these are their entry level cars. That's almost base Carrera 4 money.

[acg2010]

Id definitely buy a used cayman then. You'll take a bath on the BRZ after a year compared to the Cayman. That'd be two losses in a row (assuming you've modded the M3, you probably won't get half of what you put into it in mods + plus whatever depreciation - though that will probably be minimal if you haven't driven it much since its an 09 the major depreciation already is long past).

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

The biggest issue with the 996 is that it's fucking ugly. There's a reason a 996 Turbo S costs as much as a 993 non-turbo while standard 996 non-turbos are ~$30K.

Wait, what? Sorry, I do not follow. I thought standard ugly 996's are going for mid-teens for miled up drivers - because everyone is afraid of IMS (among other things) and theyre just not worth it. Do I have it all wrong?

Basically when it comes to [996 era] P-cars my thinking is Turbo/GTx or nothing. No?

[993Fan]

Originally Posted by chrisl

I'm curious now - what exactly about it do you think is a marketing gimmick?

Just some annoying configuration constraints:

1. The US importer forces me to get a screen-based radio/nav (aka PCM) -- I have no use for it, don't want it, and the car is available in Europe without it.

2. To get the full "sport" part of "sports car", I'm forced to order the sport chrono option which comes with a hideous dash wart (the "chrono" part...) which I also don't want.

They're definitely not Burger King!

Notwithstanding this nit-picking, it's one of the best driver's cars this side of a GT3, imo.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by bestwheelbase

Wait, what? Sorry, I do not follow. I thought standard ugly 996's are going for mid-teens for miled up drivers - because everyone is afraid of IMS (among other things) and theyre just not worth it. Do I have it all wrong?

Basically when it comes to P-cars my thinking is Turbo/GTx or nothing. No?

I might have confused my prices - I haven't shopped a 996 in AGES because the 993 is dead sexy.

Quick search of all 98-05 Carreras shows early/high mileage examples at mostly low twenties and low-mileage/late model cars in the high twenties to low thirties, non-turbo of course. The few turbos in the immediate 500 mile radius around my zip code were very high forties.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

I might have confused my prices - I haven't shopped a 996 in AGES because the 993 is dead sexy.

Quick search of all 98-05 Carreras shows early high mileage examples at low to mid twenties and low-mileage/late model cars in the high twenties to low thirties, non-turbo of course. The few turbos in the immediate 500 mile radius around my zip code were very high forties.

Sounds like pretty much the same as a year ago.

If you like 993, you might like some of the earlier and lighter 964 models.

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

Oh, I'd just get another Elise if I went down the insanely fun death-trap route.

Too heavy though

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by acg2010

Id definitely buy a used cayman then. You'll take a bath on the BRZ after a year compared to the Cayman. That'd be two losses in a row (assuming you've modded the M3, you probably won't get half of what you put into it in mods + plus whatever depreciation - though that will probably be minimal if you haven't driven it much since its an 09 the major depreciation already is long past).

You think even a used BRZ will depreciate a lot? I planned on spending no more than 22k-23k on a used Limited.

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by bestwheelbase

Basically when it comes to P-cars my thinking is Turbo/GTx or nothing. No?

Seriously? No way. Unless you're specifically talking about the 996. Though later 996's aren't bad, but they are ugly.

[thill]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

You think even a used BRZ will depreciate a lot? I planned on spending no more than 22k-23k on a used Limited.

I think at $22K for a Limited you have eaten into a lot of the depreciation. If you plan on keeping it 2-3 years you should be able to get $17-18K I would think for it if you keep it in good shape.

[utekineir]

limiteds can be had for in the 27 range off the lot last i knew.

depreciation isn't the only factor, operating costs are too.

In my situation with the miles i drive (700-1k a week) vs the mpg of the other 2 vehicles here (truck gets maybe 15 or an optimistic 22 in the forester) the frz pays a considerable portion of its own cost just in fuel savings.

[acg2010]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

You think even a used BRZ will depreciate a lot? I planned on spending no more than 22k-23k on a used Limited.

If you buy used at that price, you've probably already taken care of the depreciation. I have not seen too many used BRZ Limiteds, but if you can find one for that, its probably not a bad deal.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

Seriously? No way. Unless you're specifically talking about the 996. Though later 996's aren't bad, but they are ugly.

Yeah, sorry, I was specifically talking about cars from the 996 era, meaning anything from 1998 - 2009 because of those pricey IMS and other issues. I edited my post for clarity.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by bestwheelbase

Yeah, sorry, I was specifically talking about cars from the 996 era, meaning anything from 1998 - 2009 because of those pricey IMS and other issues. I edited my post for clarity.

Well, 996 is '99-'05, but while the IMS bearing DID stay though the 997 era as well.