New C&D production BRZ review... "Porsche-like Handling"

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

I'd be hard pressed to go Cayman R over Boxster Spyder though...

I agree boxster spyder! But wait for the new one in 2013...That is the best Porsche for the money...

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Nicely written article, beautiful shots of the BRZ. Some thoughts:

- The 5-60mph time of 8.0 seconds is bad. That mid-range dip in the torque curve is doing this car no favors. By comparison, a GTI is over a second faster (6.7 s).
- The 30-50 and 50-70 numbers are also slow. You'll definitely have to downshift to pass on the highway (similar to small-displacement Hondas).
- Good to see Subaru's claimed CG has been verified. Impressive.
- The handling remarks are encouraging. Fairly neutral balance and flat cornering.

Overall, I'm looking forward to test driving (and possibly buying) one of these. This quote from the review told me everything I needed to hear:

"Overall, the car feels as trim, nimble, and athletic as the great sports coupes of the pre-bloat era."

How do C&D test the 50-70? I seem to recall that it was in top gear, then flooring it because the automatics always destroyed manuals because they would kick-down on their own. Something like that. (But memory is vague...)

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by Alfie

"ToyoBARU or the '13 Boxster for my 40th this summer.

WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET???"

Im getting a car this summer so the crisis is NOW!
I don't need the back seat.
The beauty of the Boxster to me is: wheels, springs, exhaust and Im DONE!
With the ToyoBARU id be constantly tinkering!
And with the high mileage I do, the drama of maintaining an after market turbo never appealed to me, nor does voiding warranties. (nor does being without a car if issues arise)

THANKS for the feedback and dont worry 'bout the price:
i have $30Gs CDN cash for the ToyoBARU or 1/2 the Boxster paid!

If it's your midlife crisis I suggest Boxster. Top down motoring is hard to beat.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by tripjammer

I agree boxster spyder! But wait for the new one in 2013...That is the best Porsche for the money...

Friend of mine just bought a Boxster Spyder in white, I can't wait to drive it!

[carbonBLUE]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=GT


shows Michelin Primacy HP customer ratings

it isnt that bad of a tire

speed rating of the tire is 168

Low rolling resistance tires

[Capt Canuck]

Originally Posted by Alfie

Please give me your honest feedback!
I will buy the ToyoBARU or the '13 Boxster for my 40th this summer.

WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET???

I DO NOT KNOW.

BUT COMING to the INTERWEB to ask a bunch of STRANGERS
sure was THE BEST decision!!!

Especially going OFF TOPIC!!!

[pete66]

Originally Posted by Alfie

Please give me your honest feedback!
I will buy the ToyoBARU or the '13 Boxster for my 40th this summer.

WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET???

The faster one.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Dimman

How do C&D test the 50-70? I seem to recall that it was in top gear, then flooring it because the automatics always destroyed manuals because they would kick-down on their own. Something like that. (But memory is vague...)

Yep, that's right on both counts. Basically, if you've got a huge turbo on a small-displacement engine and a long 6th gear, you're screwed in that test.

Reminds me of when Top Gear tried running an Evo 8 from 30-60 mph in 5th gear. It was absolutely brutal to watch.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVt1IjIdLxY"]Top Gear - Evo vs Lamborghini part 2- BBC - YouTube[/ame]

To put things in perspective, the BRZ is even slower than the Evo 8 from 30-50 and 50-70 in its top gear. Like I said, with the BRZ, there is little flexibility with the engine. You will have to downshift to pass at those speeds.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Reminds me of when Top Gear tried running an Evo 8 from 30-60 mph in 5th gear. It was absolutely brutal to watch.

That WAS hilarious. It'll beat a F430 around the track, but is a slug off boost. Regardless, those UK edition cars are always cool.

[jdrxb9]

Wow the 5-60 time is really quite slow - looked up some more C&D 5-60 data for other cars of interest to me and figured I'd share - feel free to add others.

2013 BRZ 8.0

2007 Elise 5.8
2006 Miata 7.6
2006 Solstice 7.5

2011 Mustang V6 5.8
2008 128i 6.2
2009 RX-8 6.2
2010 GC 2.0T 7.7
2013 GC 2.0T na

2009 WRX 6.3
2010 MS3 7.0
2010 GTI 7.2
2010 TDI 8.7

ps Is there a good way to do text tables on this forum?

pps 5mph in 1st gear in the BRZ is only ~1050rpm, so it is just off idle - but worse than the Miata is a bit unexpected.

[blu_]

tbh if its about gearing, I really hate short 1st gears anyways so I dont care.

[Alfie]

"I will buy the ToyoBARU or the '13 Boxster for my 40th this summer.

WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET???"

Strangers or not, I trust you enthusiasts and thanx for the input!
Im not listening to Cayman or R suggestions since even the BASE Boxster is stretching it for my budget BUT it IS doable!
I wont be getting ANY options- not even this $3000 paint!
Porsche has been my bedroom poster car since I had a licence, so even if I have to sell it in 5 years with 60,ooo miles on it and get the ToyoBARU for FREE, at least I got 'it' out of my system...
P.S. Dave-ROR the maintenance doesn't scare me because I am very gentle with my cars since Ive always bought with cash- my brakes were like new at 60,000 miles on my Honda and at almost 120,ooo I am still on the original battery and clutch!! And Porsche HAS made strides as of late in minimizing maintenance for their cars since it was a big customer complaint!

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by jdrxb9

Wow the 5-60 time is really quite slow - looked up some more C&D 5-60 data for other cars of interest to me and figured I'd share - feel free to add others.

2013 BRZ 8.0

....
2010 TDI 8.7

Hey it's quicker than my TDI!

[SUB-FT86]

Even the RSX type S has a better 5-60 mph.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take-road-test