BRZ or used Porsche or ??? to replace S2000 for daily/track?

[DanB]

I'd go with a clean base model 987.2. You can find them for reasonable money and they are more reliable and ready for track duty than the 987.1 cars.

Yeah, after thorough interwebz investigationz, 987.2 is the way to go even at +$10k over 987.1. No IMS worries and better oiling under track conditions. OK, decision made, '09+ Cayman only.

BUT,

I drove a BRZ and two '06 Cayman Ss today, and honestly found the BRZ to be more fun to drive. The Cayman Ss (Caymen?) obviously had way more power and quicker acceleration, but felt less engaging and were more remote feeling. BRZ felt lightweight and responsive, Caymen S felt heavier, slower-steering. BRZ is ~2800 lb., Cayman S ~3000 lb., but the BRZ felt like it was more like 500 lb. lighter.

I fully expected some sorta Porsche magic to overwhelm me when I checked out the Caymen, but it just didn't happen. Didn't expect any BRZ magic, but damn, it was there! Subaru felt more *alive* and engaging.

Hmmm...

[paultg]

By (2) BRZs and have twice the fun!
Or Buy (1) BRZ and (1) NC miata for nicer weather when utility not required.

[Dtangard]

I'd go with a clean base model 987.2. You can find them for reasonable money and they are more reliable and ready for track duty than the 987.1 cars.

Yeah, after thorough interwebz investigationz, 987.2 is the way to go even at +$10k over 987.1. No IMS worries and better oiling under track conditions. OK, decision made, '09+ Cayman only.

BUT,

I drove a BRZ and two '06 Cayman Ss today, and honestly found the BRZ to be more fun to drive. The Cayman Ss (Caymen?) obviously had way more power and quicker acceleration, but felt less engaging and were more remote feeling. BRZ felt lightweight and responsive, Caymen S felt heavier, slower-steering. BRZ is ~2800 lb., Cayman S ~3000 lb., but the BRZ felt like it was more like 500 lb. lighter.

I fully expected some sorta Porsche magic to overwhelm me when I checked out the Caymen, but it just didn't happen. Didn't expect any BRZ magic, but damn, it was there! Subaru felt more *alive* and engaging.

Hmmm...

Some say it's better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow...

[breakaway500]

"Didn't expect any BRZ magic, but damn, it was there! Subaru felt more *alive* and engaging."

Yup..I'm not even a Subaru fan but found myself smiling every time I was instructing in one, or driving one. I've been instructing in a Ruf Porsche this fall,and in all honesty..it's wow fast..but just doesn't have the.."magic"..

[joncowen]

My wife owned a BRZ for several years. We drove it down to Key West. It was shocking how much stuff we could cram in. Plenty for a week long trip. The seats are absolutely fantastic. I wasn't tired when we drove home, so i went the whole way without sleeping. Never had a sore back.

[nyc951]

How would the BRZ compare to the Porsche 944 variants, for those who have driven them?

[wizzman]

I think a nicely set up BRZ could dominate T50.

[offcamber09]

or T40

[mattd]

or T40

Ya think?!?!

[DanB]

Bought a BRZ

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[breakaway500]

Very nice!! Looks like some mighty stout brakes on it too.

[paultg]

NIce, performance package (not sure what they call it), but very nice. Good luck with it!

[Mick]

Nice!
I remember someone saying that these cars have very limited clearance for wider tires - know if there is any truth to that?

[DanB]

Yeah, "Performance Package" comes with bigger Brembo brakes (and Sachs shocks/struts), which appear to be adequate for 2800 lb. and 200hp

I don't think wider tires are a problem. With stock hp I don't think there's much to be gained beyond ~245, which should easily fit.

[cfossum]

Cool! I'm looking forward to seeing one being driven by someone who already knows how to drive fast!