I haven't gotten the official word yet, however the insurance examiner just told me he's recommending the car to be a total loss. It'll be technically official tomorrow.

I don't plan on buying another BRZ, the power level is just too inadequate stock. I've already been thinking about replacements and this is what I've come up with so far:

Under strong consideration
-2006-2007 Porsche Cayman S
-2008-2009 BMW 135i
-2007-2009 BMW 335i Coupe
-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR

long shot consideration
-2011-2013 Nisson 350Z (prob not enough cargo space)
-2015 Subaru WRX (prob too ugly, not sporty enough, too long a wait)
-2015 Mustang (prob too heavy, too long a wait)

Hit me with your pro's and con's for these, as well as other options you think I might be interested in with the following criteria:

-RWD or performance oriented AWD
-manual transmission
-under 3400 lbs
-power to weight ratio of 10 or less
-$30k or less

[Edited on November 19, 2013 at 4:48 PM. Reason : k]

11/19/2013 4:47:43 PM

Quote :

"I don't plan on buying another BRZ, the power level is just too inadequate stock."

You knew that getting into the car though, and rectified it. Why not do the same again? What about the car disappointed you to not want to replace it?

I haven't driven a Cayman S, but I can speak in strong support of the 335 Have you driven the 135 yet?

What's wrong with pre-2015 WRXs?

11/19/2013 4:58:04 PM

Can't go wrong with an 09 335i coupe, do get it fully loaded though if possible. It's not fun wihtout the sports package. If I were you I would throw some extra cash in and get a 335is. Cayman S would be my second choice.. Also, though manuals are fun to drive the clutch on the 3 series has a long travel and can eventually get annoying.

11/19/2013 4:58:18 PM

Quote :

" car to be a total loss"

what happened?

11/19/2013 5:00:00 PM

09+ if you plan on taking the vehicle to the track for the bmw's. that's when they fixed the oil cooler. still underbraked and undercooled for seriously hammering it but won't go into limp mode. I'd look for a 996 turbo or cayman S if the BRZ wasn't too loud and pedestrian interior for you. that guy with the LS1 FD is still looking for a buyer up by me. I'm sure you can get his and upgrade the AC condenser and still be well under your budget if you want to go that route.

11/19/2013 5:33:17 PM

^ 996 is out of his price range.

11/19/2013 6:06:13 PM

11/19/2013 6:23:59 PM

Quote :

"09+ if you plan on taking the vehicle to the track for the bmw's. that's when they fixed the oil cooler"

they fixed it with MY08 and all 07 were addressed with a recall shortly after. my 07 had it and most i see on the street have it too. just look at the inside wheel well of the passenger side for fins.

lightest 335 is coupe with a manual = 3570lb so id scratch that off the list unless you are ok with 200lb more from criteria.

id vote for 997 base with high/er miles ...aka something along this

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4196333108.html

[Edited on November 19, 2013 at 6:46 PM. Reason : f]

11/19/2013 6:40:40 PM

^ I'm pretty sure my 07 335i has the oil cooler.

and I was thinking the 335i would be [easily] over his weight requirement, but hadn't checked yet.

11/19/2013 6:47:15 PM

2015 mustang is supposed to be lighter than most of the other cars on your list... Just a heads up. (Sans caymen)



I wouldn't get one because
1. I don't like the stigma
2. Wife would never sign off
3. Depreciation will suck. 5 years to 15k or less.
[Edited on November 19, 2013 at 8:25 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on November 19, 2013 at 8:32 PM. Reason : That's why I wouldn't get one.]

11/19/2013 8:23:49 PM

why not buy a dedicated DD and dedicated track car?

11/19/2013 8:54:42 PM

C6 Vette

11/19/2013 9:15:48 PM

I was going to recommend an early Cayman S, but since you like to track your car I wasn't sure if the oil starvation issue would be a deterent. There are solutions out there that relieve the car of the problem, as seen here (pricing at the bottom of the page):

http://www.lnengineering.com/accusump.html

Planet 9 also has several threads on the issue as I'm sure you are aware.

And don't you mean 2011-2013 370z? Those look like fun...

Why not a 2003/2004 996?

[Edited on November 19, 2013 at 9:18 PM. Reason : .]

11/19/2013 9:16:30 PM

c6 vette. best bang for your buck in that price range.

11/19/2013 9:29:38 PM

I would not buy a 335i/135i out of warranty. It will get expensive quick when something goes wrong. I sold mine after dropping over 3k in repairs in less than 2 months.

[Edited on November 19, 2013 at 10:14 PM. Reason : ]

11/19/2013 10:13:53 PM

Given the OP likes to track, and given the OP's history with tracking his daily driver, I think theDuke866 has a point with buying two different vehicles.

11/19/2013 11:17:40 PM

Given the OP likes sports cars, given the op had a BRZ, I can't see him buying a truck to tow his race car to the track.

11/20/2013 4:06:10 AM

Yeah he likes to track his dd but I doubt he wants to dd the teg because the truck drinks too much gas and the car sucks on the road.

There is a warranty/comfort issue that's being ignored.

Going to the track a hand full of times a year doesn't warrant the investment of 30k in a truck and track car along with the additional 30-100% fuel cost of having to dd a truck.

As I said if you can stomach it get the mustang.
Else... I like the Evo idea but the 8 and 9 rode like shit but I've never been in a 10.

To be honest you and I have the same taste in cars and I'd just have to drive them all, and have some assurance that the bimmers won't cost 2 grand more a year in maintenance and won't leave me stranded.

P.s. Having a sis in law with a caymen it feels underpowered at times too.

[Edited on November 20, 2013 at 8:16 AM. Reason : .]

11/20/2013 8:13:05 AM

Thanks for all the replies.

-Yes I meant 370Z, not 350Z. Whoops
-I don't want another BRZ with aftermarket FI b/c after doing that last month I realized I had spent more money altogether doing that than if I had just bought a Cayman S, which was still a superior car
-I'm not considering the current generation WRX b/c of it's crap gas mileage and shit box interior (though I seriously considered one before getting the BRZ)
-I haven't driven a 135i, but I have driven 2 335i's (my brother is on his second, an '09 6sp coupe
-Not looking for a 335is; probably out of my price range and I want a manual transmission
-Only 335i/135i's i would consider would have to be equipped with the sport package
-my weight criteria was for any other vehicles; in general I'm aware of the weight of the cars I listed
-high mileage 997 would make me nervous
-sumfoo1 I agree with your points on the Mustang. I don't like having a car that I see 25 other ppl driving in the same day
-Duke I only track 1-2 times a year, that doesn't warrant a dedicated track car
-I haven't driven a C6 Corvette, but I'm not sure I could deal with that interior (only ones in my price range don't have the upgraded interior)
-Hiro, either 2003-2004 996s are rare or their value has shot up. In my casual searches over the last few days nothing has popped up other than convertibles or automatics (no thank you)

smoothcrim, THAT is very interesting to hear, that he still has the FD LS1. Could you get me his contact info? (i'll look him up on s2ki but getting it from you might be easier)

Additionally, if anyone around here is interested (smoothcrim?) I should find out later today about the price to buy my supercharged BRZ, if someone wants to turn it into a track vehicle.

11/20/2013 8:22:25 AM

Quote :

"P.s. Having a sis in law with a caymen it feels underpowered at times too."

Cayman or Cayman S?

11/20/2013 9:11:31 AM

I've driven several Cayman S's in an aggressive manner and was always happy with their power level.

Quote :

"that guy with the LS1 FD is still looking for a buyer up by me. I'm sure you can get his and upgrade the AC condenser and still be well under your budget if you want to go that route."

smoothcrim, was this the red one? According to his thread on S2ki the car was sold last month.

11/20/2013 9:59:15 AM

Tokyo Motor Show is on... chose a new debut from there.

Get the BRZ wagon/shooting brake that debuted today

11/20/2013 12:35:53 PM

Anyone have an experience/know much about the Audi TT-S?

Nevermind, outside of my price range and/or unavailable with a manual transmission.

[Edited on November 20, 2013 at 12:57 PM. Reason : k]

11/20/2013 12:53:16 PM

Look I realize all the hemming, hawwing, considering, shopping, test driving etc is the fun part, but why don't you just save everyone some time here and get that 335i...you've wanted one since it came out!

11/20/2013 1:14:44 PM

hahaha, you know of any good ones for sale locally? Nothing's come up in my searches.

And honestly I really want a Cayman S

11/20/2013 1:30:32 PM

Naw there's not much available around here at the moment.

You're gonna flex that budget hard with the Cayman huh?

11/20/2013 1:53:57 PM

going for broke here

Why the fuck are 90% of the 335i's I find for sale online grey/silver? Do BMW owners have zero imagination/creativity?

[Edited on November 20, 2013 at 1:56 PM. Reason : k]

11/20/2013 1:55:35 PM

Quote :

"-Not looking for a 335is; probably out of my price range and I want a manual transmission"

they come both with DCT and 6-speed manual, but tend to be pricey since they came out in 2011. they have better cooling than regular 335. if weight not an issue look into 2008-2009 M3 with higher miles. quite a few around $30k mark and way more reliable.

35 E9X M3 country wide under $35k

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action?feedSegId=28705&rpp=50&yrId=20201&yrId=20145&stkTypId=28881&PMmt=1-1-0&prcId=28575&prcId=28574&zc=94901&rd=100000&mdId=21392&mkId=20005&searchSource=SORT&crSrtFlds=stkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-yrId-prcId&pgId=2102&sf1Nm=price&sf1Dir=ASC&sf2Nm=miles&sf2Dir=ASC

[Edited on November 20, 2013 at 1:58 PM. Reason : f]

11/20/2013 1:56:14 PM

Oh good. That's weird. I had thought they were available with a 6sp, but just last night my brother said they were not. Go figure, lol

11/20/2013 1:58:21 PM

it sounds like you will continue to track, id say get the m3. indulge

11/20/2013 1:59:33 PM

Well shit, I didn't think they were in my price range. Seriously though, why are all those nice ones under $30k over 1500 miles away!

11/20/2013 2:01:16 PM

335i coupe - White? http://tinyurl.com/nqclp6j

How important is a warranty to you?

11/20/2013 2:03:22 PM

Not particularly important. Also that car is out of my price range. Also also, now I want an M3

11/20/2013 2:12:03 PM

^ Well damn show me some Cayman S's that are in it then

I figure that's just the asking price anyway right?

11/20/2013 2:31:30 PM

True, asking price.

http://www.foreigncarsitalia.com/Used-2007-Porsche-Cayman-S-S/vd/16863924

11/20/2013 3:01:53 PM

Quote :

"Why the fuck are 90% of the 335i's I find for sale online grey/silver? Do BMW owners have zero imagination/creativity?"

Silver is the most popular car color in the world. White is the most popular in the US, but that's mostly because of fleet vehicles. Silver is actually third here; but it's closely behind black as the favorite color for most consumers. Buyers associate silver products with being futuristic and classy. I've also read that people who are focused on money/wealth tend to buy silver cars at a much higher rate than those with other priorities. If even 2 out of 3 of those are true it would help explain why so many Bimmers are sold in silver.

[Edited on November 20, 2013 at 3:05 PM. Reason : l]

11/20/2013 3:04:07 PM

11/20/2013 3:05:38 PM

Newer gen base cayman

11/20/2013 3:23:41 PM

I'd go buy a Thunder Roadster or something for $5000-7000, and tow it with a Golf TDI or Audi Avant or something.

11/20/2013 3:33:04 PM

I'm really looking at formula cross.

Wanted to get a sidebyside anyway might as well get one I can race.

Ps get the is300 boost the balls out of it.

[Edited on November 20, 2013 at 9:33 PM. Reason : .]

11/20/2013 9:32:25 PM

Quote :

"Silver is the most popular car color in the world. White is the most popular in the US, but that's mostly because of fleet vehicles. Silver is actually third here; but it's closely behind black as the favorite color for most consumers. Buyers associate silver products with being futuristic and classy. I've also read that people who are focused on money/wealth tend to buy silver cars at a much higher rate than those with other priorities. If even 2 out of 3 of those are true it would help explain why so many Bimmers are sold in silver."

It's so damn boring though. Yes, positive associations and all that, but I prefer non-grayscale colors.

(Says the guy who has owned one dark blue, one black, one gray, two silver, and two white cars. But I only was responsible for the color on 2 of those 7, the others came that way when purchased used. When I finally purchased a new car, it's a very bright blue.)

11/21/2013 2:57:50 AM

I purchase boring color cars. But that's because they don't stand out in traffic.

Every car I've been the lead in purchasing has been br-green white or black.

If I ever get a c7 it will be in green.

11/21/2013 5:57:46 AM

A newer generation Cayman is well out of my price range. I don't even have to look that up to know it.

Quote :

"I'd go buy a Thunder Roadster or something for $5000-7000, and tow it with a Golf TDI or Audi Avant or something."

If you were in my position you wouldn't, b/c I only attend 1-2 HPDE's a year. So with the above situation I'd have a track car to exploit 2-4 days a year, but would spend 100% of my time on public roads driving something I consider boring and slow. Makes no sense.

11/21/2013 8:09:54 AM

Yeah sorry the new gen cayman was in replay to the cayman or cayman s question above.

I was stating it wasn't an s but it's also not the 240hp base cayman either.

11/21/2013 9:48:13 AM

I really want a black E90 M3...you should get that

11/21/2013 10:41:40 AM

i'll sell you an e90 m3 with low miles, light weight options, and ultra rare color combo

11/21/2013 10:42:38 AM

Quote :

"2006-2007 Porsche Cayman S"

I've got an 06 Cayman S and I friggin love it. Picked one up here in Knoxville with 50k miles for $26,500. My favorite of all the cars ever I've owned (owned a e46 m3, 04 Audi S4, Lexus IS350, Infiniti G35, 01 Porsche 911 Carrera 4). Not only is it a blast to drive but it's a very reliable vehicle. Very little reports from Cayman S owners of any types of mechanical issues. I drove the base Cayman too and there's a big power difference between the two. Definitely go for the S model.

11/21/2013 10:46:55 AM

^Holy crap man, how did you find one for such a great price?!

Quote :

"Yeah sorry the new gen cayman was in replay to the cayman or cayman s question above. I was stating it wasn't an s but it's also not the 240hp base cayman either."

Base Cayman's power hasn't been that low since 2008. Was 265 from '09-'12, and new one is 275.

The Cayman S I wanna look at in Charlotte (link above) is $29,889, 2007 MY, 71k miles and has Xenon headlights and Sport Chrono Package (prob a few other options as well but those are the only ones I really care about).

There's another one in Marietta, GA that is the same price, but is an '06 with only 55k miles. Also has the same options I care about, PLUS it's Basalt Black Metallic, which is my favorite color they have offered.

Not sure I wanna drive/fly down to ATL on a hunch though...

[Edited on November 21, 2013 at 10:58 AM. Reason : k]

11/21/2013 10:56:11 AM

Damn, C63 AMGs are almost in reach. I know it blows all my criteria out of the water, but I've had a hard on for this car as long as I can remember.

http://tinyurl.com/pk96e8z

Not sure I could live with that gas mileage either; EPA 12/19

[Edited on November 21, 2013 at 11:13 AM. Reason : link shortened]

11/21/2013 11:12:09 AM

Quote :

"3650 lb"

11/21/2013 12:13:29 PM