Test drove BRZ, a few observations/questions

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

It's very good, in the 99th percentile of all car steering I'm sure - but it can't compare to the Cayman or Elise. Sorry chaps.

Being beat by those two and hardly anyone else is high praise, bro. We're hardly offended.

We all know that this isn't a Cayman or Elise. For < $30k, how could it be? But good lawd what we GET for our < $30k is just mind blowing (except for the power, but honestly that's so easily fixable for only about $2k max if one is staying NA that it's laughable). Headers are easy, and the CEL isn't a problem as you're going to get tuned anyway, so just have the tuner turn that crap off there. Headers with a proper tune also totally eliminate that torque dip that leads you to think the power is anemic. It really isn't once you really get your foot in it, for the weight, but early mid-band the car is really struggling to move thanks to that torque plummetting stock. Headers fix that right up. And get an axleback just for yuks (the stock exhaust looks so pathetic and hardly sounds proper).

Not having ever had the priviledge to drive and flog an Elise or Cayman S, I don't really know what I'm missing, but I do know that the BRZ just isn't either. But it seems to be Elise or Cayman enough to enjoy without the guilt or wallet sacrifice needed to DD those cars. Save the Elise or Cayman for track days or weekend excursions, and use the BRZ for enjoying the hell out of your DDing without risking your much pricier investments.

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

OP, have you considered a used Caterham?

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

That's a bummer. Are there quieter catbacks to mate with the headers than the Perrin?

I can't see making this car terribly loud. There's not a great tone to amplify.

Nameless axleback with 3" or 2.5" inlet and 5" mufflers. Makes her growl nicely but without being obnoxiously loud. If you're staying NA, stick with a 2.5" exhaust system. Headers are going to be your biggest single improvement as they'll open up the power available with a tune and eliminate that torque dip. Then overpipe/front pipe. The catback itself isn't going to net you anything really. That's why nameless' catback system for 2.5" is just an axleback. The stock 2.5" midpipe does just fine. Going full 3" without a turbo is just adding rasp and annoyance for minimal gains.

[buoywx]

I am sure most of us had the same debate when buying. New BRZ or used Porsche. Caymans I could find where past my 30k budget. Generally it is a 10 year old 911 to match a new BRZ.

My decision process. Certainly the porsche is going to be nicer than the BRZ. So I take the 911 and day one I am stoked! I have 270hp, handles like a dream and the prestige of owning a porsche. Then 6 months later the clutch goes out, then the AC compressor, fuel pump, brakes, tires etc... etc.. etc..

Now I own money pit and wish I owned the brand new BRZ and just added a supercharger. That would have way cheaper in the long run and would be driving a reliable new car.

I don't like to fuss with car problems so it was a no brainer for me. New BRZ in my budget and it drives porsche "like".

I wonder how much this guy paid for his 911:

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/cto/4264230414.html

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by BRZZZZZZZZZZ

OP, have you considered a used Caterham?

Oh, I'd just get another Elise if I went down the insanely fun death-trap route.

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by buoywx

Now I own money pit and wish I owned the brand new BRZ and just added a supercharger. That would have way cheaper in the long run and would be driving a reliable new car.

996's do have a few issues, namely that darn RMS. But I had my Cayman for over 30k miles and it was faultless. I never even changed my brakes, and went through 4 track days and about 6 autocross days. Went through one set of tires. It was really reliable.

That said, the warranty does afford peace of mind though. Even though Cayman's are reliable, there's always that nagging "what if".

[Ganthrithor]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

Oh, I'd just get another Elise if I went down the insanely fun death-trap route.

Used 3-series DD + Elise for Sunday mornings and HPDE. You know you want to! Talk about reasonable track costs: Toyota fuel bill and tiny consumables that get used up way slower than they do on heavy cars... little tyres, little brakes...

You'll need all the money you save on the Elise for the 3-series anyway :P

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by buoywx

I am sure most of us had the same debate when buying. New BRZ or used Porsche. Caymans I could find where past my 30k budget. Generally it is a 10 year old 911 to match a new BRZ.

My decision process. Certainly the porsche is going to be nicer than the BRZ. So I take the 911 and day one I am stoked! I have 270hp, handles like a dream and the prestige of owning a porsche. Then 6 months later the clutch goes out, then the AC compressor, fuel pump, brakes, tires etc... etc.. etc..

Now I own money pit and wish I owned the brand new BRZ and just added a supercharger. That would have way cheaper in the long run and would be driving a reliable new car.

I don't like to fuss with car problems so it was a no brainer for me. New BRZ in my budget and it drives porsche "like".

I wonder how much this guy paid for his 911:

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/cto/4264230414.html

Cayman maintenance and likely insurance were well outside my budget, honestly, and the lack of a +2 and thus seriously hampering cargo space is what turned me from a used cayman S.

When I'm old, rich, and retired, I think I'll go for a NEW cayman S then.

Till then, my practical 30yr old ass should probably stay planted in something economical like the BRZ.

[buoywx]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

996's do have a few issues, namely that darn RMS. But I had my Cayman for over 30k miles and it was faultless. I never even changed my brakes, and went through 4 track days and about 6 autocross days. Went through one set of tires. It was really reliable.

That said, the warranty does afford peace of mind though. Even though Cayman's are reliable, there's always that nagging "what if".

I may be overly sensitive to the possibility of a "money pit" because I also own an offshore fishing boat. I can't afford another pit. 2012 my engine failed and it was 23k to replace. Ouch!

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

996's do have a few issues, namely that darn RMS. But I had my Cayman for over 30k miles and it was faultless. I never even changed my brakes, and went through 4 track days and about 6 autocross days. Went through one set of tires. It was really reliable.

That said, the warranty does afford peace of mind though. Even though Cayman's are reliable, there's always that nagging "what if".

The biggest issue with the 996 is that it's fucking ugly. There's a reason a 996 Turbo S costs as much as a 993 non-turbo while standard 996 non-turbos are ~$30K.

[993Fan]

If I could afford a 2014 Cayman S or BRZ, but not both, I'd pick a bare-bones Cayman S. Apart from a couple of annoying Porsche marketing gimmicks, it's the perfect sports car.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by 993Fan

If I could afford a 2014 Cayman S or BRZ, but not both, I'd pick a bare-bones Cayman S. Apart from a couple of annoying Porsche marketing gimmicks, it's the perfect sports car.

I'm curious now - what exactly about it do you think is a marketing gimmick?

[Braces]

OP: lease the BRZ for 3 yrs and then consider the Alfa 4C. P-cars are everywhere. The Alfa is the modern Ferrari Dino.

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by Braces

OP: lease the BRZ for 3 yrs and then consider the Alfa 4C. P-cars are everywhere. The Alfa is the modern Ferrari Dino.

Leasing is dangerous for me. I keep most cars 1 year, 2 years top. The Cayman was an exception and I kept it a little over 4 years. The Elise 5 months.

The 4C is pretty. I wish it came in manual, but can't wait to drive one.