FRS Test Drive from Cayman S / Exige Owners Perspective *WITH PICS*

[b5audia4]

The coarse engine sound in the FR-S sounds like my 944 and old Saaburu 92X - guess that's how 4 cylinder sounds like screaming.

Definitely cannot compare to the sound of the Flat-6.

[Rosso_Corsa]

Ok, I'm back.

Updating this thread because I just put a deposit down on a Whiteout, 6-spd FRS. Should have it in a few weeks. Stay tuned.

Oh, and I'm keeping the Porsche for now. Looking forward to some comparison drives.

[frosty86]

Originally Posted by Rosso_Corsa

But maybe leave the drifting to Ken Block.

Not saying I'm better but I'm sure there are better examples

[YW-Slayer]

Congrats. My 2 friends, 1 of whom has an 07 Cayman, and 1 of whom had a similar vintage Boxster, have both driven my BRZ. Although they may have been being polite, they really did seem to like it, particularly the steering and relatively neutral character of the car.

[cwb48]

I wonder how much the "Sound generator" contributes to the harsh engine sound that many are complaining about? The generator conducts some intake sound into the passenger side of the cabin, somewhere under the dash. Maybe someone who has removed or disabled it could comment on the difference.

[whaap]

Originally Posted by cwb48

I wonder how much the "Sound generator" contributes to the harsh engine sound that many are complaining about? The generator conducts some intake sound into the passenger side of the cabin, somewhere under the dash. Maybe someone who has removed or disabled it could comment on the difference.

I removed my growl tube about a week ago. At idle and lower rpm's the difference is hardly noticeable but when you get north of 3,5K rpm's the difference becomes very noticeable. To me it's well worth removing that tube.

When Toyota asked me to complete a survey I commented that the money they spent on the growl tube could probably have paid for a nice center console cover/arm rest.

[frosty86]

Originally Posted by whaap

money they spent on the growl tube could probably have paid for a nice center console cover/arm rest.

whaap 2012

[cf6mech]

I could of afforded a Cayman S,...along with the Porsche name comes worries of where to park it at the supermarket/work or mall,...the first ding,...if I track it,...my god the expence of replacing parts if I hit a tire wall,..etc...etc... bought this cheap car and now going to spend the extra cash on performance parts to have it out performing the Cayman,....and no worries if it gets scratched,...bumped or bruised and drive the hell out of it.

[raul]

I've never had the pleasure of driving a Cayman or an Elise/Exige, but I can tell you that the steering feel of the FR-S is still very good. Especially for an electric setup. In fact, it's so good that in my very first AutoX last Sunday, as a first timer in a RWD car with all aids disabled, I was able to feel any loss of traction and was able to correct every single time. I didn't spin out even once in 10 runs, in fact I improved over 3 seconds in a 60sec course. I have no complaints about the steering feel.

[Alan]

I think a large part of the impressions you get when driving a new car and comparing it to what you have previously owned comes from your expectations of what "good" is. If you were raised on German sports sedans/coupes (M3s, Caymans, 911s etc), you have a very different perspective from someone who has been acclimated to British sports cars (Lotus (both old and new), Triumphs etc) versus Japanese sports cars (S2000, NSX, Miata, Z).

FWIW, my experience has been 12 years of BMWs in various states of modification, size and power. Those cars have had anywhere from 170 to 507 HP, Dinan to KW V2 suspensions with massive sway bars, Cushy 18-way power seats to M-Sport Seats. Each had its own personality but also all had a common theme.

Our BRZ is a totally different animal. Every subjective piece feels different, but is better only when compared to other cars that have a similar theme. For example, while I find the power to be just about perfect for a car like this (maybe would like an extra 50 crank-hp and 40 lb-ft), the throttle response is, compared to my current M5, absolutely garbage. While I find the suspension to be absolutely confidence inspiring, much moreso than my M5, my friend (M3 and 135i) and I agree it has lower absolute limits (maybe we are wrong on this, maybe its the crap OE tires, maybe its the limited time we have had the car).

To that end, I think the inevitable comparison with the Cayman S is unfair. Even if you get past the fact that Porsche had double the budget to work with in deciding what to invest in, there is a lot to like about the FRS/BRZ. When you factor in price, I am sure I can make the FRS/BRZ a much better car in all performance aspects and still save money - even compared to a low mileage 2009 Cayman S (I think 2009 was when they did the updates).

I'll go ahead and say this - BRZ, out of the box, the best sub-30K purchase price car I have ever driven - by far! Better than almost any used option I can think of. An E36 or E46 M3, used with some mods totaling under 30K may be a bit more fun, but only because of the power. And you would get no warranty, new car scent, of blemish free exterior. A sub-30K Cayman S will likely run your wallet dry pretty quick.

Anyway, just some thoughts I had. Feedback welcome.

[Rosso_Corsa]

Great post.

But if you read my original post, I said exactly that, this was the absolutely best car you can buy in that price range.

Further, if you read my update from a week ago, I posted that I had put a deposit down on a FRS, due in a few weeks. Still keeping the Cayman for comparison giggles.

However, your point about perspective informing perception is duly noted. You being raised on German muscle is going to be very different from the kids coming to this from Japanese FWD econoboxes.

Not directing this at you, but I'm surprised at the people who thought my Cayman / Toybaru comparisons are unfair. They are totally fair. They set the Cayman as their benchmark, it is perfectly fair to ask how well they succeeded. Furthermore, if I've said anything at all, it's about how close they've come and how awesome it is.

And for what it's worth, all of the newest Porsches (991, 981) with electric steering have the same problems as any other new car with electric steering. There is a loss of granular, fine, mechanical feel coming from the road surface and they all tend to be a little over-assisted. This is not about precision, it is purely about feel. Whether that makes any difference to track use or lap times is open to debate.

And whether it makes any meaningful difference is up to the person buying. For me, it DOES make a difference, but my experiences inform my perception.

Originally Posted by Alan

I think a large part of the impressions you get when driving a new car and comparing it to what you have previously owned comes from your expectations of what "good" is. If you were raised on German sports sedans/coupes (M3s, Caymans, 911s etc), you have a very different perspective from someone who has been acclimated to British sports cars (Lotus (both old and new), Triumphs etc) versus Japanese sports cars (S2000, NSX, Miata, Z).

FWIW, my experience has been 12 years of BMWs in various states of modification, size and power. Those cars have had anywhere from 170 to 507 HP, Dinan to KW V2 suspensions with massive sway bars, Cushy 18-way power seats to M-Sport Seats. Each had its own personality but also all had a common theme.

Our BRZ is a totally different animal. Every subjective piece feels different, but is better only when compared to other cars that have a similar theme. For example, while I find the power to be just about perfect for a car like this (maybe would like an extra 50 crank-hp and 40 lb-ft), the throttle response is, compared to my current M5, absolutely garbage. While I find the suspension to be absolutely confidence inspiring, much moreso than my M5, my friend (M3 and 135i) and I agree it has lower absolute limits (maybe we are wrong on this, maybe its the crap OE tires, maybe its the limited time we have had the car).

To that end, I think the inevitable comparison with the Cayman S is unfair. Even if you get past the fact that Porsche had double the budget to work with in deciding what to invest in, there is a lot to like about the FRS/BRZ. When you factor in price, I am sure I can make the FRS/BRZ a much better car in all performance aspects and still save money - even compared to a low mileage 2009 Cayman S (I think 2009 was when they did the updates).

I'll go ahead and say this - BRZ, out of the box, the best sub-30K purchase price car I have ever driven - by far! Better than almost any used option I can think of. An E36 or E46 M3, used with some mods totaling under 30K may be a bit more fun, but only because of the power. And you would get no warranty, new car scent, of blemish free exterior. A sub-30K Cayman S will likely run your wallet dry pretty quick.

Anyway, just some thoughts I had. Feedback welcome.