This is what an owner of a Porsche has to say
Hi guys,
I currently own an '06 Cayman S and my buddy owns an Exige S. We have both been extremely curious about the FRS/ BRZ and took one for a drive today.
Since the Cayman S has been repeatedly touted as the benchmark for the development of this car, you may be interested in my impressions. At least, I have been extremely curious to see how this sub 30k car compares to mine.
Let's start with some pictures.
Certainly the FRS's dimensions are extremely attractive. It does not take up much more space than my Cayman, but has two extra rear seats reminiscent of my previous Porsche 996 Cabrio, and even has a cavernous trunk which was super impressive. I love this trunk! I am a hobbyist photographer and it will fit all of my gear, which the Cayman cannot do.
It also looks much better in person than in pictures. I did not like the front bumper nor the rear diffuser in pictures, but they look fine in person. It's a very attractive, tight looking package.
So, some driving impressions:
- Extremely good suspension. Firm yet supple at the same time. This is BMW territory. It's so much more comfortable than my lowered Cayman S with H&R and reminds me of the best BMWs like the 3 series.
- Very balanced feeling in the corners. The front feels very effortless to turn in, and the rear feels quite adjustable with the throttle provided you're in the powerband.
- Steering is very quick, but the feel on-center is a bit vague (does not feel locked on like the Porsche or hyper connected like the Lotus, and does not have as much feedback as either). It's a good feeling steering, but not great. However, it is at least as good as my previous AP2 S2000. In this price range, it does not compare well to the NC Miata. But the Miata also does not come in coupe and does not have as stiff of a structure as the FRS.
- I wish I could've tried the manual, but the auto was not bad. Rev matches on downshifts but it's still got a torque converter so that hurts throttle response. I think a manual would feel better so I would reserve judgement on that.
- The engine is not bad at all for power. We had four people in the car (4 dudes, actually) and I did not feel it was slow. Very decent actually. Yes, the engine won't come alive until 5k rpm+, but in a manual it should feel better and without a full load it should also feel better. No way is it Cayman S torquey, and no way is it Exige crazy, but it is plenty powerful enough for street use. In fact, if you drive within the powerband, ie 5krpm +, it will be mighty fast.
- It is way torquier than say the original WRX.
- What I did not like was the noise. It's rough, coarse and unrefined. Reminded me of my '02 Impreza's motor.
- The interior looks good in pictures, but the materials are quite nasty in person. Seat material, dash material, everything feels very cheap. However, this car IS very cheap. Maybe the Subaru is better. However, for what you get in suspension, chassis, handling, it is well worth the asking price.
- In summary, this is the best car I have EVER driven in the sub $30k price. I have never ever found a car that has handling this good, looks this good, is this practical, or has this much polish in the driving feel as this FRS.
Am I ready to sell my Cayman S and get one of these instead? Not yet.
The Cayman is faster, torquier, more polished and refined, has a better interior, and has the Porsche badge. Also it steers much better, to the contrary of a review I just read which said that the FRS has better steering than a Cayman. This is false.
But if I were in the market right now for a car, any car, it would be the FRS.
What a tremendously good value. This is the best car that has ever been made for under $30k brand new. IMHO.
The kids who are just starting out or just buying their first new car, you are living in good times. But maybe leave the drifting to Ken Block.