2013 Scion FR-S vs. 2012 Porsche Cayman S

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Here we match up a pair of vehicles that are uncannily similar in many ways except one: price. We wanted to see what you get for the extra dough—just prestige? Higher insurance premiums? A better valet spot? We want to know if the pricier Cayman justifies its MSRP or if the FR-S delivers similar performance and appeal. Because in the car market, as in life, there's a lot of entitlement going on.

Second place: 2013 Scion FR-S

It’s so unfair. We love this car, but management doesn’t allow ties for first in a two-car comparison [or any comparison—Ed.]. Perhaps you can understand that.

The FR-S is just a bowl of ice cream with a stick shift. No car since the original Mazda Miata has made an empty cloverleaf as enjoyable or an end-run around loafing traffic as fun. You don’t even need to go fast. The 200-hp FR-S is low and small and makes 60 mph feel like Mach 1.7, so it may be just the cure for a spotty driving record.