Are these cars worth the money?

[berkbrzfan]

Originally Posted by BRZPDX

humans justify their decisions no matter what so you'll make a reason to love it.

Absolutely! Cars, especially those like the BRZ are purely an emotional decision. I had contemplated a lot of cars but deep inside wanted the BRZ as I clearly knew the purpose for which it was built and I had never owned a true blue sports car. And there was no other new sports car in the territory in which I could occasionally take my baby along.

Before buying, I had friends who said it is too small for a family, not possible with a baby, comments like 'what on earth has got into your head!' etc... I did not give much of a reply to all these. I justified to myself based on the research that I had done here on the forum and elsewhere on the internet that it was possible.

4 months and 4500 miles later with the car and the justifications I had given myself are as strong as ever. I have been able to live with it with remarkable ease. I would buy the same car if I had to do it all over again !!!

[themajesticone]

Originally Posted by gt8613

The twins certainly claim to have the true marks of a sports car... Lightweight, low cog, impressive handling, a good engine...



However do these cars actually perform or are we simply buying into the marketing?







Is this car truly worth $30k or are there better options out there?





I am not talking pure hp numbers....

but overall performance. People say the twins are the best below the Cayman... Can you completely agree to that statement and bet your money on it?

Look at the various amounts of track times for the frs/brz and you will find it is a very quick car despite its power specs.

[D88]

Originally Posted by calidus

The BRZ is a blast to drive around town. That said I don't think the car is worth $30k. I went with a 2013 Premium and got it for $25k. When you start getting over 30k your options for fun cars greatly expands. My issue was once I was looking at the 30k cars, it became really easy to look at $35k cars like an sti, Evo, or 370z. Then it goes well if I spending 35k on a 370z I might well go up to 40k and get the nismo package.

tldr: the fun to cost ratio of a BRZ at 25k blows everything out of the water. It become a much tighter race at 30k.

I don't understand your logic. You're saying that if you're willing to pay $30K for a car, you may as well spend $5K-10K more on a different one? That's still a lot more money.

[calidus]

Originally Posted by D88

I don't understand your logic. You're saying that if you're willing to pay $30K for a car, you may as well spend $5K-10K more on a different one? That's still a lot more money.

I was just trying to say that I think the slippery slope gets much worse over 30k then around 25k because of all the other options you have.

[Fastbrew]

Get a horse.

[calidus]

Originally Posted by Fastbrew

Get a horse.

I had a girl name her pet horse after me, that kinda turned me off horses.

[Mr. Banana]

Originally Posted by calidus

The BRZ is a blast to drive around town. That said I don't think the car is worth $30k. I went with a 2013 Premium and got it for $25k. When you start getting over 30k your options for fun cars greatly expands. My issue was once I was looking at the 30k cars, it became really easy to look at $35k cars like an sti, Evo, or 370z. Then it goes well if I spending 35k on a 370z I might well go up to 40k and get the nismo package.

tldr: the fun to cost ratio of a BRZ at 25k blows everything out of the water. It become a much tighter race at 30k.

I can see what you're saying but I don't think it's true that the more money you spend, the more fun of a car you get... You may get more car as your spending amount increases, but is more really worth it? For me, it isn't. When you get up to an Evo or STI, you get a bigger and bulkier / more complex performance vehicle. And with the 370Z, you get more power / less practicality and perhaps more flash with the Nismo. Yes, the manufacturer has spent more to give more to the buyer... But in turn, I don't think the cars contain the same beauty and clarity as the Toyobaru's connection to the road without diluting with additional weight, power, and focus on speed.

I admit, I do sound like a fanboi for our car... And the truth is, I am... And it's for a good reason because the Toyobaru provides that rich driving experience for the ones who appreciate its talents.

I agree that the twins may not be worth more than the $25k mark, yet I also feel that no other car proves its worth with as much emotional authority as this car.

- Says me, the fanboi.

[stonenewt]

I always remember one trackday when this guy turned up in a tiny little city car. A lot of people were going WTF is that doing HERE? Sure enough it was the slowest car on the track in terms of speed & lap time but at the end of the session he was wearing the biggest smile of anyone.

[gt8613]

Originally Posted by themajesticone

Look at the various amounts of track times for the frs/brz and you will find it is a very quick car despite its power specs.

Could you post some? I actually really appreciate that kind of data.

[juliog]

OP -> internet tire kicker

[gt8613]

Originally Posted by calidus

The BRZ is a blast to drive around town. That said I don't think the car is worth $30k. I went with a 2013 Premium and got it for $25k. When you start getting over 30k your options for fun cars greatly expands. My issue was once I was looking at the 30k cars, it became really easy to look at $35k cars like an sti, Evo, or 370z. Then it goes well if I spending 35k on a 370z I might well go up to 40k and get the nismo package.





tldr: the fun to cost ratio of a BRZ at 25k blows everything out of the water. It become a much tighter race at 30k.

Actually I forgot my old rational lol.... unless you can buy an m3 or a Cayman NEW, anything below save for the twins or Miata is a waste of money. To me, to an extent (and this probably piss a lot of ppl off) but essentially the sti, stang, evox and nismo are all money thrown away that could have better been used towards a m3.

[calidus]

Originally Posted by gt8613

Actually I forgot my old rational lol.... unless you can buy an m3 or a Cayman NEW, anything below save for the twins or Miata is a waste of money. To me, to an extent (and this probably piss a lot of ppl off) but essentially the sti, stang, evox and nismo are all money thrown away that could have better been used towards a m3.

I would agree with that from a min/max fun perspective. I ended up with my BRZ because those other cars weren't $10k more fun to drive. A number of them are very tempting because their power or added practicality(awd, 4 doors). Buying your first sports car is hard, because it is a whole lot of 'oh look how pretty.'

[jmsaxon69]

I think once you factor in the cost of ownership for a BMW or Porsche it isn't even close as far as being worth it over the twins.

[Yoniyama]

For a new car, nothing beats the FT-86 in performance (when it is working well) for US$30k.

The Mazda MX-5 comes close, particularly if you like a 2-seater convertible.

Reliability (or the lack thereof) is another story. 2015 model is supposed to have fewer problems. Are you feeling lucky today, punk?

For US$30k, you may also consider a second-hand Cayman. A 5-year old Cayman is likely going to offer better reliability and lower depreciation than a new FT-86.