Brakes Broke

[Jenny Curtis]

Dear Qlist:

In doing the check up for the Brainerd driving school, my mechanic
discovered that my rear brakes are toast.  (The rotors were crumbling,
pads were getting thin and one caliper was just not working.  The
other caliper was working, but the parking brake was out on that side,
so I decided to fix that too).  Luckily my front brakes are just fine
for the moment, but it puts me in mind of upgrades.  As usual when
anything breaks on my car, I like to think of it as an opportunity to
upgrade, rather than a disaster.  It makes it easier to write the
check somehow.

I went for stock equipment on the back, but when the time comes I'd
like to upgrade the front.

I've been looking at Blau's kits and they seem reasonable, but the
caliper upgrades seem really pricey.  ($400 for a pair). I know I can
get front calipers to fit my car for about $99.  Does it make sense to
beef up the rotors and pads, but leave the calipers at the same level
as stock?  In keeping with my general philosophy of upgrades, my
primary goal is not fat red calipers that look like upgrades.  My goal
is to stop the car better and get better wear out of the parts over
stock.

Jenny