Goodbye Cayman S & E90 M3... Hello BRZ! *Pics*

[WolfpackS2k]

^I agree with you on that. Not like we're talking about a 500hp Corvette Z06 here. I've driven a Cayman S at 8/10ths on public roads (yay fun test drive) and I can assure you that its quite fun and not difficult to do. Nothing like a video game here. Loads of sensory inputs, and it'll put a smile on your face for the rest of the day.

Originally Posted by Onealpha

You guys have said it all. I am a former Porsche Boxster S owner. I now drive a BRZ Limited. I am very happy with my choice.
As for buying a used Porsche, all I can say is, Make sure you have cash ready for parts. Porsche parts are very expensive. When you need a battery, or a set of tires, or anything for that matter, get ready to bust out the wallet. I didnt buy used, but I worked for a major Porsche dealer for a few years and was friends with the parts and service guys. I used to pay cost for parts like batteries and tires and that made me cringe a few times. I used to hear about customer bills and see what the cost was on these things. I would not own one used unless I could afford to pay the cost of maintenance. Just my 2cents. Anyhow, good luck to you.

I'm curious to know why tires cost extra for a Porsche? Once you own a vehicle you are free to put on whatever tires you want. Just because you drive a Porsche doesn't mean you pay extra. When I was comparing maintenance costs between my S2000 and a Cayman S a set of 4 tires for the Cayman cost around $200 more altogether. Not really a big deal if you ask me.

[autobrz]

Originally Posted by orthojoe

I understand the concept of the BRZ/FRS in terms of handling/feel over power, but I think you may be drinking a bit too much of the kool-aide if you think that the capabilities of a 250-320hp car is too much to have fun in. A cayman should be less fun than a BRZ? For real? A mid-engined car is ideal in terms of balance, so I don't see how a mid-engine platform could be considered a negative.

They're both great cars at different price points with different pros/cons. To say that a cayman should be less fun makes.... no sense.

It maybe true I like to drink the brz coolaid because it satisfied everything I've ever wanted out of a car. I don't really enjoy being able to put more power down on corner exit because of the mid-engine advantage or the relative lack of slip or the requirement of keeping a tight and clean line in order to not upset a rear heavy chassis. Coming from an MR2, I can appreciate how mid-engined cars need to be driven but I'm finding front engined cars are more forgiving, more fun.

[WolfpackS2k]

While that's true, to compare an MR2's handling to the genius that is the Cayman S chassis is just wrong. It's a night and day difference.

[Ganthrithor]

I need to drive a Cayman. I ended up excluding it from my "car list" because it only has two seats, but with the way everyone raves about them I feel like I'm missing out

[autobrz]

I agree the MKII MR2 rear suspension is pretty bad compared to Cayman... lol... looks can be deceiving...

[shirker]

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

Yup. Gorgous. Absolutely. Frikkin. Gorgeous.

And hey, if we're posting pics of our 911s...

I've never been a fan of the iconic Porsche frontend, especially on older models. Am I the only one that sees a frog face?

[edward]

Originally Posted by autobrz

It maybe true I like to drink the brz coolaid because it satisfied everything I've ever wanted out of a car. I don't really enjoy being able to put more power down on corner exit because of the mid-engine advantage or the relative lack of slip or the requirement of keeping a tight and clean line in order to not upset a rear heavy chassis. Coming from an MR2, I can appreciate how mid-engined cars need to be driven but I'm finding front engined cars are more forgiving, more fun.

How the suspension is set up is WAY more important than where the engine is located. Ideally, having most of the mass between the wheels (mid-engine) is what you want, but you can definitely screw it up. As someone previously stated, Toyota definitely "unimproved" the MR2 after people complained that it was too sharp (and prone to snap oversteer.)

[edward]

Forgot to mention this: Also, Porsche has won a lot of races with an engine sitting behind the rear axle...

[Onealpha]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

y
I'm curious to know why tires cost extra for a Porsche? Once you own a vehicle you are free to put on whatever tires you want. Just because you drive a Porsche doesn't mean you pay extra. When I was comparing maintenance costs between my S2000 and a Cayman S a set of 4 tires for the Cayman cost around $200 more altogether. Not really a big deal if you ask me.

I think you missed my point.

[YW-Slayer]

I'll just lose another 12lb, thanks!

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by Onealpha

You guys have said it all. I am a former Porsche Boxster S owner. I now drive a BRZ Limited. I am very happy with my choice.
As for buying a used Porsche, all I can say is, Make sure you have cash ready for parts. Porsche parts are very expensive. When you need a battery, or a set of tires, or anything for that matter, get ready to bust out the wallet. I didnt buy used, but I worked for a major Porsche dealer for a few years and was friends with the parts and service guys. I used to pay cost for parts like batteries and tires and that made me cringe a few times. I used to hear about customer bills and see what the cost was on these things. I would not own one used unless I could afford to pay the cost of maintenance. Just my 2cents. Anyhow, good luck to you.

I was just disputing part of your claim. Tires are tires. Doesn't matter if it's a Porsche or a Camaro.

[s0sl0w]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

I was just disputing part of your claim. Tires are tires. Doesn't matter if it's a Porsche or a Camaro.

So you're disputing his arguement by picking the one piece on a car that is the same price?

Porsche maintenance is stupid expensive. The parts cost more, you need more special tools and they require more frequent maintenance than most other cars.

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by s0sl0w

So you're disputing his arguement by picking the one piece on a car that is the same price?

Porsche maintenance is stupid expensive. The parts cost more, you need more special tools and they require more frequent maintenance than most [Japanese] cars.

I fixed that for you. :happy0180:

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

I'm curious to know why tires cost extra for a Porsche? Once you own a vehicle you are free to put on whatever tires you want. Just because you drive a Porsche doesn't mean you pay extra. When I was comparing maintenance costs between my S2000 and a Cayman S a set of 4 tires for the Cayman cost around $200 more altogether. Not really a big deal if you ask me.

I knew a guy who ran an independent Porsche shop, you know what the standard rate was for 2 new OEM tires on the rear of a 911?
$900

2 tires, unmount old ones, dispose, mount new ones.


Of course if you buy the tires you want (they usually aren't nice easily available sizes like a Toyota uses which is where the additional cost comes in) the price difference is negligible, find a reasonable tire guy and it won't cost you any more than any other car with the same size wheels. But still they make you pay for their "quality of service"

Originally Posted by edward

How the suspension is set up is WAY more important than where the engine is located. Ideally, having most of the mass between the wheels (mid-engine) is what you want, but you can definitely screw it up. As someone previously stated, Toyota definitely "unimproved" the MR2 after people complained that it was too sharp (and prone to snap oversteer.)

Not at all. Most of the physics of the vehicle is determined by the weight distribution. How the car FEELS in the end can come down to the suspension. Suspension compensates for the way the mass moves, moving the mass will have a greater effect on the car than changing the suspension. You can make a Mid-engined car feel like a front engine, front wheel drive boat, but you can't make a front engined boat feel like a mid engine sports car. You can probably do a passable impersonation but odds are you end up sacrificing stuff that made you go with the initial layout (comfort, utility, cost, etc.), see your MR2 example.