7 days with a Boxster, comparing to my FRS.

[DarkSunrise]

I've done close to 20 track days on my FR-S now. It's a decently stout track car IMO, certainly no worse than most. Obviously it's not as track-reliable as Porsche's dry-sumped GT3 cars for example, but how many cars are? So far my FR-S has needed pads/fluid/rotors, camber bolts, tires, oil cooler, and a coil pack.

The latter two items (coil pack & oil cooler) won't be needed by all. If you track in cooler weather or don't really push too hard, you probably won't need them. Re. oil temps, I actually don't think anyone's lost a stock engine yet due to oil temps/pressures, but a lot of guys will add an oil cooler pre-emptively based on oil temps they've logged, including myself.

The rest of the big money components on the Twins are quite good. The stock suspension will handle 200 TW street tires fine, and tires can be rotated thanks to the square setup. Brakes are stout. One of the ways the Twins lucked out was that it was co-developed by Subaru and shares its brake hardware with the WRX. Its brakes are fairly over-sized for its power/weight ratio (compare vs. S2000 which is notorious for cracking rotors). The Torsen LSD is decent for track use. Not the best, but better than a viscous unit for example.

The Twins don't really need much for track use (e.g., no rollover bar needed vs. Miata/S2000). And the best part is everything is pretty cheap on these cars.

- Rotor blanks - $200
- Tires - $400
- Pads - $300
- Camber bolts - $30
- Oil cooler - $500
- Coil pack - $100

BTW I used to have a 2009 Boxster S. Definitely a phenomenal car, but for track use specifically, I think I might prefer the FR-S because of its reduced running costs, more playful handling balance, and lighter feel.

[brzaapi]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

BTW I used to have a 2009 Boxster S. Definitely a phenomenal car, but for track use specifically, I think I might prefer the FR-S because of its reduced running costs, more playful handling balance, and lighter feel.

I completely agree. Like I said, the P-cars I have had are great....but if I could only have one car between the two (and many others) I would choose the BRZ. If you want a great entry level "newer" track toy car (that has much more potential waiting to be unlocked) you really can't do better for your money than the BRZ/FRS.


I like everything I have read so far in the last few posts. I realize there are more people tracking their BRZ. Which, I honestly believe you can not appreciate the car fully, till you have gone to a closed course.


Also, I can add to the engine pulling timing and power to save itself from 300+ degree oil. The engine definitely saves itself, which is great. Just means you have to do a few cooldown laps before you get back on the power....or more likely just head back to the pits and let the oil cool.


Bang for buck....BRZ wins it. My last BRZ and I had a special bond. Its the only car I have gotten rid of, that I am still sad over 5 months later.


I am sure I will have another.

[WolfpackS2k]

Sorry, I missed the part about it being a 100 degree day. That does change things a bit.

Though I fail to see why I "don't get it". I previously owned a BRZ, as well as S2000. And now I own a 987, so it's pretty obvious I value handling and feel traits over brute force and high hp. My GS-R only visited the track once, but it was a 90 degree summer day in GA and it had no issues. Ditto the S2000 (with track pads) though that car does come with an oil cooler and was designed for a higher price point.

But please, flesh out your argument for why I don't get "it".


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[echo419]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Sorry, I missed the part about it being a 100 degree day. That does change things a bit.

Though I fail to see why I "don't get it". I previously owned a BRZ, as well as S2000. And now I own a 987, so it's pretty obvious I value handling and feel traits over brute force and high hp. My GS-R only visited the track once, but it was a 90 degree summer day in GA and it had no issues. Ditto the S2000 (with track pads) though that car does come with an oil cooler and was designed for a higher price point.

But please, flesh out your argument for why I don't get "it".


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oh I had a GS-R once. early 2000's when the whole "Imoprt tuner" aka Fast and Furious thing was kicking off. 190hp Hondas with obnoxious exhausts and azn car models. those were the days....

[EAGLE5]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Sorry, I missed the part about it being a 100 degree day. That does change things a bit.

Though I fail to see why I "don't get it". I previously owned a BRZ, as well as S2000. And now I own a 987, so it's pretty obvious I value handling and feel traits over brute force and high hp. My GS-R only visited the track once, but it was a 90 degree summer day in GA and it had no issues. Ditto the S2000 (with track pads) though that car does come with an oil cooler and was designed for a higher price point.

But please, flesh out your argument for why I don't get "it".


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did you even read my full post?

You don't seem to get that cars are not made for the track, at least not 99.9% of the time. Even Cayman owners talk about oil coolers, bbks, lower control arms, pads, and brake fluid. Sounds like you think every car should be a GT3 RS. Gen 1 Caymans gave oil issues and reliability problems galore.

I said not a word about power and handling.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by brzaapi

I am sure I will have another.

Hah that's actually what I say to my wife about my old Boxster S. I still periodically look at 987.2 Boxster/Cayman S used prices. Just a great all-around car.

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Did you even read my full post?

You don't seem to get that cars are not made for the track, at least not 99.9% of the time. Even Cayman owners talk about oil coolers, bbks, lower control arms, pads, and brake fluid. Sounds like you think every car should be a GT3 RS. Gen 1 Caymans gave oil issues and reliability problems galore.

I said not a word about power and handling.

And did you read mine? Lightweight low hp cars (especially sports cars) shouldn't have any issue at the track due to the low thermal loads placed on the vehicle. $10 says you can take a new Miata (or old Miata even) to the track and outside of fresh brake fluid and track pads have no thermal problems. Hell, $50 says you can take a Honda Fit to the track and also have no problems. Integra Type R, RSX-S, Civic Si? No problems...

Blah blah blah Cayman owners blah blah blah. Yes, if someone's a hardcore track rat they'll want those upgrades. But actually no, the Cayman doesn't need any of that crap to be track worthy. Will those things improve it's performance? Sure! Just as they would on any other car. And hate to rain on your parade but no, 987.1 Caymans don't have oil and reliability issues "galore". The only oil issue is if you run your Cayman at the track on racing rubber @ tracks with long high speed turns. The g forces put on the car in such a scenario will cause oil starvation. But again, that's on race rubber. Street legal DOT tires = no problems.

[echo419]

I took my car with only wheels, pulleys and a cat back exhaust to Deals Gap for a weekend and beat the hell out of it for 13miles at a time without any problems. not a track of course but you get the idea.

[WolfpackS2k]

It's worth noting that if the Twins only overheat on track when the ambient temp is over 100°F then I have no qualms with that. As previously noted I missed that tidbit of info before my earlier response.

[EAGLE5]

I ran at Laguna Seca in 70 degree weather without a cooler and had no issue. Then I ran at Thunderhill in 115 degree weather and had an issue. Now I have an oil cooler. I ran in 100 degree weather at Thunderhill and had no issue. It was a cool day for the month.

[WolfpackS2k]

That's freaking awesome. I'd love to run on those tracks.

[EAGLE5]

Just a drive away!

[WolfpackS2k]

VIR is only 90 miles away for me, so I suppose I'm grateful for that :-)

[xiayu0320]

I think Boxster is not a good choice If you like modified car. I mean everything is expensive for Porsche.