FR-S vs 07 Cayman S

[dhalem]

I've been looking for a lighter toy/track car to complement my e93. I've somewhat narrowed it to new/CPO FR-S or a used Cayman S.

Pros of the cayman:
More power, more refinement, better balance

Pros of the FR-S:
Warranty, Toyota reliability and service costs, cheaper mods

Looks are pretty equivalent in my mind, both look great.

Thoughts?

[Its_lobelt]

Originally Posted by dhalem

I've been looking for a lighter toy/track car to complement my e93. I've somewhat narrowed it to new/CPO FR-S or a used Cayman S.

Pros of the cayman:
More power, more refinement, better balance

Pros of the FR-S:
Warranty, Toyota reliability and service costs, cheaper mods

Looks are pretty equivalent in my mind, both look great.

Thoughts?

I think the Toyota reliability aspect is way overrated. Porsches are extremely reliable.

[W///]

I'd go Porsche. Gotta love that mid-engine setup.

[jwaggen]

I agree with previous poster that Porsches can be reliable. But reliability and maintenance are different. And maintenance costs are a lot higher on the porsche.

That said these cars are so different that it will ultimately be an individual, subjective decision... and by that I mean if you can afford the Cayman + some more cash set aside for maintenance and mods, then I'd go for it

[dhalem]

The money issues are psychological more than anything. I can afford either easily(I can afford a 458, but I don't want one).

I have two Toyotas right now and have owned many in the past. Their reliability has been excellent.

Mods for the Cayman probably cost 2x what they cost for the FR-S.

[Da Hapa]

Originally Posted by dhalem

I've been looking for a lighter toy/track car to complement my e93. I've somewhat narrowed it to new/CPO FR-S or a used Cayman S.

Pros of the cayman:
More power, more refinement, better balance

Pros of the FR-S:
Warranty, Toyota reliability and service costs, cheaper mods

Looks are pretty equivalent in my mind, both look great.

Thoughts?

You're fortunate enough to be in an area where there are a lot of very good independent Porsche shops (Sharkwerks, for example). If it were me, I'd join the PCA and buy the 987S Cayman and never look back. The FRS is a wonderful car, really it is. But the Cayman is in a whole different league, IMO. From the flat six to the mid engined dynamics, it's something else.

Good luck. Truth is, you can't make a bad choice between the two.

[PandaM3]

Theres a Chris Harris review over this exact comparison... Winner is the Cayman S

[canukgtp]

Gotta love Chris! I've driven the FRS and it's a fun little car but if money isn't an issue Cayman would be my choice.

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by canukgtp

Gotta love Chris! I've driven the FRS and it's a fun little car but if money isn't an issue Cayman would be my choice.

I agree if money is no issue, go for a new Cayman they are gorgeous! But I think the decision is not so easy if you compare apples2apples(same price), a new FRS/BRZ to a used Cayman, I might go with a BRZ. JMO

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by PandaM3

Theres a Chris Harris review over this exact comparison... Winner is the Cayman S

I was just going to post that. I think this is one of his better reviews.

[Tim B.]

Originally Posted by jwaggen

I agree with previous poster that Porsches can be reliable. But reliability and maintenance are different. And maintenance costs are a lot higher on the porsche.

That said these cars are so different that it will ultimately be an individual, subjective decision... and by that I mean if you can afford the Cayman + some more cash set aside for maintenance and mods, then I'd go for it

+1

[Z K]

With the FR-S, you will be getting a brand new car and with that comes with less maintenance costs, a new car warranty and generally it'll be less expensive to maintain. A used Porsche may be a reliable car but your maintenance costs will be much more and since it is an older car, more chances of things breaking and out of pocket costs.

[mdosu]

the FR-S is also easier to work on, if you're a DIY type.

[dhalem]

Thanks for the pointer to the Chris Harris vid. I can't say he was 100% in favor of the Cayman though.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by dhalem

Thanks for the pointer to the Chris Harris vid. I can't say he was 100% in favor of the Cayman though.

if you can live with the downsides of the Cayman, the Cayman is a better overall performer

[dhalem]

Around here, I can find a 06-07 Cayman S for about 35k. The FR-S is 25k, leaving me another 10k to play with mods if i want. There's something attractive about that.

[krnnerdboy]

Rms issues in the 07. I'd go 09+ cayman or stick with an frs or even an s2k to save even more money

[Z K]

Originally Posted by krnnerdboy

Rms issues in the 07. I'd go 09+ cayman or stick with an frs or even an s2k to save even more money

What is "Rms"? What other differences are worth noting for the model years?

I shopped for a pre-owned Cayman S for a while before picking up the M3. Loved the Cayman but just couldn't find "the one". Too bad the Cayman R are going for insane prices. That would be the ultimate Cayman.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Z K

What is "Rms"? What other differences are worth noting for the model years?

I shopped for a pre-owned Cayman S for a while before picking up the M3. Loved the Cayman but just couldn't find "the one". Too bad the Cayman R are going for insane prices. That would be the ultimate Cayman.

RMS = rear main seal. Costly job to replace, even more so to repair if it all goes bad.

If buying Porsche from between the years the 996 to early 997 (Boxsters and Caymans included), I'm going to stick to Mezger engines aka the ones in 911 Turbos, GT2/3 ect...

[Alex07M3]

Only you know your budget but for sure the Cayman is a lot more of a car, that's why brand new it was 3 times the price of the other!!

[krnnerdboy]

Originally Posted by W///

RMS = rear main seal. Costly job to replace, even more so to repair if it all goes bad.

If buying Porsche from between the years the 996 to early 997 (Boxsters and Caymans included), I'm going to stick to Mezger engines aka the ones in 911 Turbos, GT2/3 ect...

Thanks! What he said.

I had a 997.1 base with an rms issue. Less than 5k mi on the car so it was covered.

[dmw16]

They are very different cars. The cayman has the edge in an absolute sense, but the price of the FRS is attractive and if you enjoying modding having $10k to play with would be fun.