BRZ Experience

[Ken_]

Originally Posted by Mayhem

-It's small inside and out. Back seats are pretty bad. As the salesman so eloquently put it... "Uhm... Sir those are not for adults. Children only!"

That reminds me of the time in my old RX-7

Three guys shoved in the back rolling down I-5. They looked like Pringles chips leaning on each other.

[Blue Menace]

Thanks all for the feedback. I might test drive one today and report back.

[Angrybird 12]

Maybe if I was young and single I could see it, but the BRZ and FRS just don't do anything for me . But that's just my opinion. Maybe if the gen 6 Camaro were to lose 1200 pounds from the current model it would be considered a competitor, but as of now, no.
I like the idea the Camaro being compared to American pony cars anyway not Japanese sporty cars, if Chevy wants to compete with them I feel they should have a complete new car with a new image and not try to change the image of our beloved Camaro. Again JMHO...

[dorfmac]

Test drove one just last month - was trying to talk my girlfriend into trading in her Infiniti. I LOVED this car. While it doesn't have a ton of power, it's so fun to drive that I wasn't even thinking about it. Only reason NOT to get one right now is the possibility of the STI version. And really, that's not a possibility - it's GOING to happen, just don't know when.

[Ken_]

Originally Posted by dorfmac

Test drove one just last month - was trying to talk my girlfriend into trading in her Infiniti. I LOVED this car. While it doesn't have a ton of power, it's so fun to drive that I wasn't even thinking about it. Only reason NOT to get one right now is the possibility of the STI version. And really, that's not a possibility - it's GOING to happen, just don't know when.

It's being released in Japan later this spring, and it should debut later in the year for USA and EU.

230-250 BHP is no joke in a car this light. Don't expect AWD or FI. Subaru doesn't want this entry level sports car to shine the next-gen WRX.

It's a shame that their no offering factory FI, but companies like gReddy have been marketing a turbo system for this, and I have seen supercharger set-ups, as well.

[King Sun]

me personally I would look into the XB more than that brz. So much room and options for the price.

[Ken_]

Originally Posted by King Sun

me personally I would look into the XB more than that brz. So much room and options for the price.

The XB is not even in the same category as the FR-S/BRZ. We're talking sub-compact commuter grocery-getter and a sub-compact entry-level sports car. But I do know of one guy who swapped in a 2JZGTE from a Supra into the XB, and it's a crazy machine.

[One Sick Camaro]

been trying to get me girlfriend to get one too lol. it's fun to drive

[Blue Menace]

Alright, so no dice on test driving the BRZ. Salesman said he can't hold onto them. For the hell of it, I did test drive a base WRX. WOW! I couldn't believe the power and how it pulled. And there was an awesome whine from the front scoop sucking in air. Still want to try out the BRZ, but the WRX is definitely a contender.

[Ken_]

Originally Posted by Blue Menace

Alright, so no dice on test driving the BRZ. Salesman said he can't hold onto them. For the hell of it, I did test drive a base WRX. WOW! I couldn't believe the power and how it pulled. And there was an awesome whine from the front scoop sucking in air. Still want to try out the BRZ, but the WRX is definitely a contender.

That's the turbo spooling Before I got my EVO VIII, I was looking at STi. The reason I went with EVO is because it is easier to crack the HP and get gains compared to the WRX/WRX Sti. Plus, to me the newer WRX sedans look like Corollas with a body kit. If you do go with an STi, the 2005-2007 look good.

[Blue Menace]

Originally Posted by Ken_

That's the turbo spooling Before I got my EVO VIII, I was looking at STi. The reason I went with EVO is because it is easier to crack the HP and get gains compared to the WRX/WRX Sti. Plus, to me the newer WRX sedans look like Corollas with a body kit. If you do go with an STi, the 2005-2007 look good.

Ah, thanks! Yeah, not the best looking car, but it sure can move.

[05stram]

WRX Orange Edition next month sort of signals the last great Limited Edition in the line. From what I understand the Orange Edition will get a 39 HP increase in power and a will feature another AWD mode to be revealed possibly.

[SnowVert]

Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

Price has nothing to do with it, it's image style and target buyer, different categories. Anyone looking for a American sports/muscle car surely wouldn't consider a BRZ.

I wouldn't write it off that easily. True, most BRZ buyers and Camaro buyers are looking for different things and wouldn't necessarily cross shop the other. But all cars are competing for the same thing, sales, and therefore all are in competition to some extent. Also, a Camaro has American muscle car heritage, but by the strictest definition, it isn't American. Australian design produced in Canadian plant. Finally, a Camaro is a muscle car, but nowhere near a sports car. Too heavy to qualify in that category...

Originally Posted by Mayhem

Don't own one, but I've driven em. And considering the possibility of picking up a BRZ soon.

Coming from a Camaro SS/RS... The things that stood out to me..

-Handling was amazing.. And it was extremely fun to whip around the city & curvy roads.
I had more "fun" driving the BRZ than the SS even without the power/torque/looks.

-The power is lacking. But that is not what this car is about. If you don't get that, your loss.

Given the dynamics of the car... It really doesn't need much more power and even in it's current state, is still worth the current price tag. I would pay a little more for a little more though. As well engineered this car is, and as much as it has achieved a fantastic driving experience... Torque in particular is another enjoyable driving experience factor that was sadly missed. In particular for those of us who have driven vehicles with a handful of torque. I get why it was sacrificed... buuuuut it would still be nice to have more in the future.

I'd still say you're definitely getting your money's worth without a question.

Fingers crossed on some kind of power upgrade for the '14. I don't imagine STI coming until MY '15 though. They have other kits they are offering first and it wouldn't make sense to put them all out together. I wouldn't be disappointed to see it for '14 if I am wrong though.

Anyway, they are not muscle cars... so if you can get by the narrowmindedness expressed by the blind fanboy's... and see it for what it is... and maybe even read up on the intent behind the engineering and design for this car... They definitely succeeded.

-It's small inside and out. Back seats are pretty bad. As the salesman so eloquently put it... "Uhm... Sir those are not for adults. Children only!"

Anyone 6' + claiming to fit back there is blowing smoke. At 5'9 with the driver seat in my driving position, it was "interesting" to say the least. No adult is going to sit straight or lean back in the rear seats. You could fit two people back there if you needed to for a short time.

But it's a 2 door coupe, so if you are considering buying it.. You're not buying it for back seat practicality. And to be honest, it's ridiculous to even consider the back seat of a 2 door sports coupe as a factor in purchasing one.

-Visibility is a lot better in the twins, than the Camaro. But then most cars on the market have better visibility than the Camaro.

-BRZ Looks better in person than in photo's but still not as good as a Camaro. At least BRZ production #'s are rather limited compared to FR-S and... definitely when compared to Mustangs/Camaros. So you'll run into less of them on the street.

But if looks is a key concern for you, the Camaro is your pea****.

-Interior... It's kind of a no brainer given the cost difference, but the interior of the twins is no where near that of he Camaro's.
The FR-S interior is pretty awful. The BRZ is better, and it's cheaper to do a bumper swap than an interior swap. So even tho I prefer the FR-S front end... I'm lookin at a BRZ and then a bumper swap. Sorry but I hate the Mazda smiley face look on the BRZ and can't fathom why they went that route just to be "different". "Different" isn't always a good thing.

Anyway... in the context of a daily driver. The BRZ a solid choice hands down, as long as you don't need cargo space or back seat passenger space or torque.

I am holding off until I hear about the official 2014 changes/updates/offerings.

The downsides for me... Sound. I am fond of v8's.
Torque.... I am fond of torque.
Power.. Just a little more please?
"Practicality" - - Not a generous amount of space for cargo or 2+ people.

The upsides?
Fun
Purchase price
Fun
MPG
Fun
Cheaper insurance.
FUUUUN...

This sums it up very well...

Originally Posted by Fiveg56

Member Snowvert owns one. Ask him.

Yes I do. It has become my daily driver (other than heavy snow days, that low ground clearance is a killer). it is a blast to drive. After about 2500 miles, I'm averaging only about 25MPG, but I find myself standing on the gas almost every start. I imagine on a long stretch of open highway it could easily manage a 35MPG average. It is a bit (but only a very little bit) underpowered, but as previously stated, that isn't why this car was build and designed.

This car nailed the "fun to drive" factor. The handling, the balance, the thrill of throwing it into a corner while having extremely predictable control over where the back end is going and what you are planning on doing with it create a driving experience that very few other cars can match. You can't point at one thing on this car and say "... and that is what makes this car great!" It is the entirety of the package. Nothing on it is great, but everything works together perfectly to make the driving experience great.

the build quality on it seems almost perfect. I have the touchscreen with Nav which is standard in the BRZ and I do have to say it is absolutely horrid. The buttons are too small and I usually don't hit the one I'm aiming for. The Nav doesn't allow you to input locations while driving unless you do them through the voice recognition system (which never seems to recognize what I'm trying to say). That I would say is my only complaint though. The back seat is a joke and is only suitable for small children. You can fit an adult or two back there, but everyone is going to be uncomfortable until the drive is over. The trunk space is as small as my Convertible with the top down, but it is more user friendly especially with the pass through back seats, which the Camaro Convertible does not have. The interior is cramped compared to the Camaro, but the front seats have some pretty tight side bolsters. I gladly give up a little comfort for the sense of being held tightly in place.

All in all, it is just a fun car. There really isn't a better way to describe it. Ive found during the month and a half that I've owned it, I choose to drive it much more frequently that I do the Camaro. However, once the temps warm up and I have the option of putting my top down, I'm sure that pendulum will swing back the other way. But considering that a $26,000 car can be just as much fun to drive as a $45,000 car is saying quite a bit...

I do plan on upgrading to a C7 in a year or two and I will most likely be trading both the BRZ and SS for that car. If I were able to keep one or the other, I would most likely keep the BRZ for the simple fact that it is more different from the Corvette than the Camaro is. Variety, after all, is the spice of life...

Now, which do I drive today?

[Fiveg56]

Originally Posted by SnowVert

Now, which do I drive today?

= the good life.