BRZ after Cayman S and M3... is it a downgrade? NOW WITH VIDEO!

[Rosso_Corsa]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the comments and views on the BRZ video. I've just published my 2nd video detailing my experiences at the recent Porsche Roadshow. The new discussion thread is here!

Hope you enjoy it!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZTBXNCvUQo"]2013 Porsche Roadshow Review: New 911 Carrera 4S Cayman S Boxster Cayenne ALL DRIVEN! 981 991 - YouTube[/ame]

[nicertoy]

With minimum adjustments my FR-S reach an awesome performance in the track !!!
[ame]http://youtu.be/bUcs2HWu80Q[/ame]

[Suberman]

I was all lined up for a PDK Cayman when this car was announced for production (at last). Frankly, I was intrigued by the Subaru aspect having driven and admired the WRX STI on occasion.

The BRZ is a genuine substitute for the Cayman driving experience precisely because the handling limits are so accessible. To enjoy a Cayman as much puts your drivers license at risk. Not so the BRZ.

I used the $50K I saved to upgrade my Jaguar XF daily driver to the new AWD XF. I dumped my chipped and coilovered B5 Audi S4 to buy the BRZ. Even when driven hard the Audi was just dull. I never drive the BRZ without a smile on my face. Winter driving in the BRZ should be a blast.

[chadstyle]

Great review!! Well done!!

I also had an 02 M3 (back in 02) and I'd honestly take the BRZ over the M3 any day. I do prefer Porsche to the Subi but on a dollar/smile basis there is no comparison.

Any plans on modding your BRZ?

[WolfpackS2k]

^^

The BRZ is a genuine substitute for the Cayman driving experience precisely because the handling limits are so accessible. To enjoy a Cayman as much puts your drivers license at risk. Not so the BRZ.

I don't understand this viewpoint. My car doesn't come close to reaching its tires' limits of adhesion in turns until I am well over the speed limit. Sure I can redline the first 3 gears without really breaking most laws (whereas once you're midway thru 3rd in the Cayman S you are WELL past the limits) but that's not much of a difference. I mean pulling 0.80g (or whatever) in turns in day to day driving is still 0.80g, whether you're in a Cayman or a BRZ.

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

I'm still going to contend that you're exaggerating.

Guess I'll have to take another look at my car? I always figured the axle centerline was directly underneath the shock towers. Are they angled forward? Otherwise I still don't see how that works. My S2000's entire engine was behind the shock towers.

[thill]

I had the opportunity to give a Cayman S a spin recently... I won't lie. I LOVED the car. To me, everything about the car was a step up from the BRZ. Handling. Power. I much prefer it to my BRZ (as well I should). I don't see myself using it as a DD here in Minnesota, and I still need backseats for awhile. But I see one in my garage at some point as a third car. Porsche has really done a good job and I find myself wondering why I would even want a 911. The Cayman S, to me, is that good.

[Admiral Ballsy]

The Cayman/Boxster are the best cars Porsche has ever made, IMO. And they'd be even better were it not for the 911 and the need to keep it atop the lineup.

I almost bought a Boxster S last fall; I wound up buying a Corvette, not because it was a better car (albeit far faster, both are too fast to be useful), but because it was such a better value. Porsche pricing is insane.

[Captain Insano]

Great review!! The conclusion is exactly what I tell people about the car when they ask me about it... That is, this car is very much like a miata, but more practical with a back seat and usable trunk space (especially with spare removed).

[thill]

Originally Posted by thill

I had the opportunity to give a Cayman S a spin recently... I won't lie. I LOVED the car. To me, everything about the car was a step up from the BRZ. Handling. Power. I much prefer it to my BRZ (as well I should). I don't see myself using it as a DD here in Minnesota, and I still need backseats for awhile. But I see one in my garage at some point as a third car. Porsche has really done a good job and I find myself wondering why I would even want a 911. The Cayman S, to me, is that good.

After driving the car, I keep finding myself searching for a good deal on a used Cayman S near me.. MUST STOP NOW!!!! WIFE WOULD KILL ME!!! KIDS NEED TO GO TO COLLEGE!!!

I love my BRZ, but the Cayman S, IMHO, was in a different league. It would be so fun to have a BRZ as a daily driver and a Cayman S as the fun car to take out when I want more....

[Suberman]

Originally Posted by thill

After driving the car, I keep finding myself searching for a good deal on a used Cayman S near me.. MUST STOP NOW!!!! WIFE WOULD KILL ME!!! KIDS NEED TO GO TO COLLEGE!!!

I love my BRZ, but the Cayman S, IMHO, was in a different league. It would be so fun to have a BRZ as a daily driver and a Cayman S as the fun car to take out when I want more....

Yup, different league alright. $50,000.00 more money. Think about that: $50K MORE for a car that could also have a 911 engine for no extra cost to Porsche.

I think cynical is the word and I'll take my BRZ anyday.

[Admiral Ballsy]

Originally Posted by Suberman

Think about that: $50K MORE for a car that could also have a 911 engine for no extra cost to Porsche.

$50K? Maybe if you tick every option. Realistically equipped, the difference is more like $40K-$45K. Still a lot, for sure.

[thill]

Originally Posted by Suberman

Yup, different league alright. $50,000.00 more money. Think about that: $50K MORE for a car that could also have a 911 engine for no extra cost to Porsche.

I think cynical is the word and I'll take my BRZ anyday.

No way I would buy a new one though. They depreciate way too fast. I would go CPO on a gently used one and save a bundle. I love my BRZ. It is a way more practical car and if I went forced induction I could get very close to the performance of the Cayman S. But to me, it is more about just the performance aspect (hp/tq). It was the overall driving experience of the Cayman S.

And, I found the car to be plenty fast. I am not sure it needs more power. Of course I have been driving the BRZ and a Honda Odyssey recently, so if I had the Cayman S long enough, I might change my mind about wanting more power

[WolfpackS2k]

IMO the Cayman S is like an addictive drug. After you test drive one your mind starts cranking away, and you try to figure out what needs to be done in order for you to buy it.

This is one reason that I probably won't modify the BRZ that much, and that everything I change will be able to be put back to stock. I just feel like I'm going to have to satisfy the urge and get a (used) Cayman in the next few years. I'll be looking for ones right around the $30k mark. For anyone looking for a new one, sure the options are crazy. But those of us that just want a basic sports car would be perfectly happy with a Cayman S without any options. That means an MSRP of $62k, not the retardedly expensive $95k ones that all the magazines seem to be testing. (or perhaps nobody shares my sentiment?).

[DarkSunrise]

I might be in the minority here, but I wasn't blown away by the two Cayman S's I test-drove. They were great cars and I actually came close to buying one, but then I drove an FR-S and was surprised how close it got to the driving feel of the Cayman S for half the cost, specifically driving position, steering, suspension, gearshift, and brake feel. The FR-S is very close, if not on par in those areas.

Don't get me wrong, the Cayman S is the better car anyway you look at it, especially when you factor in objective performance and interior quality. And that engine sound. But is it more than twice is good? The value proposition just isn't there (for me anyway).

The way I thought about it is, would I have more fun spending $60k on a Cayman S, or $25k on an FR-S + $35k in track days/autocrosses, consummables, mods, and whatever the hell else I wanted to buy? The choice was easy.