I've been lurking around the forums for a while, trying to gather knowledge on these cars while also scouring Craigslist for a good deal on a 2014+ MY.
After getting frustrated at what was available in the used market, whether it be the flood of 2013 MYs or modified examples which I didn't want either, I started entertaining the thought of purchasing a brand new one.
I just sold my 99 C5 Corvette with coilovers/sway bars/big brakes/wheels/etc out of frustration. As capable as the car is, it just doesn't like bumpy roads and I miss the bumpy roads I used to drive in my Miata. Track cars don't make good street cars.
I got a deal I was happy with at a local dealer after using TrueCar and emailing back and forth with a few dealers trying to get the best price.
Impressions:
Sachs shocks - First thing that caught my attention just on the short drive home...the shocks. Very impressed. I haven't driven a base 2017 with the newly revised shocks, but I have driven my friend's 2016 FRS more than a few times. The base 2016 suspension was unremarkable. The Performance Package shocks are VERY good for a stock, inexpensive car.
They absorb bumps efficiently, and keep the car level and stable. I've had coilovers and custom valved Bilsteins on previous cars...still impressed with these.
Brakes - The Brembos also have much better feel and power than the base brakes. I haven't really stood on them hard yet, but repeated moderate trailbraking into corners in the hills and slowing down after straights, they feel great. They also make the car look much better. And obviously a pad slap and fluid change will yield much more impressive results than they would on the base brakes. And if you don't want to deal with squealing and dusty race pads, you can probably get away with keeping the OEMs, upgrading the fluid, and going to the track.
Wheels - The wheels are also much nicer than the base ones, but I'm not a huge fan of the stock wheels or the PP wheels in the first place. They had to make the brakes fit somehow I suppose. I wish they came with a 17 inch version of the STI wheels.
Limited Trim - This is one of those touchy subjects for me. I'm not really into the niceties about cars, and it's disappointing that they don't offer the PP on the base trim...
Having said that...damn these Alcantara seats are nice. The keyless entry and start are super convenient, the interior accents are very well done IMO. The touch screen unit performance-wise isn't bad. It takes a while to boot up and become responsive, but once it does, it responds to touches properly and renders new screens plenty quick. The logic and functionality behind it leave a lot to be desired though. The way it connects/disconnects from bluetooth is far worse than the $100 aftermarket unit I put in my Yukon. The stereo system is also very meh.
The rectangle LCD display - I saw some automotive journalist talking down on this feature, and yes it can be gimmicky but it can also be useful. The only dumb part is the dyno graph, which serves as a constant reminder of the torque dip. Aside from that, it provides great info. Fuel tank range, avg mpg, real time mpg, g-force graph, OIL TEMP (the most important and solely worth it), etc. I dunno...I like it. Don't understand the hate
Climate Control - The dual zone climate control, which I imagine is the same as previous years, doesn't seem to have a memory of the settings as I keep having to press many buttons to get it where I want every time. I'd much rather have the simple 3-knob system in the base 86. Digital HVAC makes me angry...personal preference.
Exterior - Absolutely gorgeous except for the black plastic front grill. A lot of people having been talking bad about the 86 front bumper but I actually prefer it. I'll keep an eye out for aftermarket pieces. Rather just have a simple medium-pattern mesh grill over this weird bubble thing.
Steering - This car feels like a front engine Cayman GTS, and that's a huge compliment. The steering is absolutely perfect and serves as a reminder that electric power steering can be in fact better than hydraulic in some instances. The steering firmware has supposedly been updated as well. Whatever it is, it's perfect. I wouldn't change a thing
Handling - Good balance of compliance and roll resistance. The car doesn't get unsettled, even over some pretty nasty bumps, dips, swells, etc. I took it for a couple hundred miles of canyon and goat trail driving already. It's extremely confidence inspiring. The only complaint I have about this car is the mid-corner push from the front end. I'm ordering camber bolts and will probably go to a 0° toe setting in the front for some extra grip. I don't even mind the Prius tires. I dunno if it's because of the slight stretch on the 7.5" wide PP wheels, but they don't howl as much as other people led me to believe. I was also surprised to see that they are 240 UTQG tires...what? I thought they were supposed to be rock-hard everlasting plastic tires. Anyway..I don't mind them. Low grip makes cars more fun IMO, and this car isn't even that low grip. It's fine, and more importantly it's fun.
( The handling characteristics remind me more of a modern 240sx than they do of a Hachi. I've had multiple of each with different levels of mods. )
Engine - Torque dip..ya. Sure. It's there. I don't like it. But whatever. The engine makes plenty of power to have fun with. I describe it as a 'slow car with enough power.' The engine software leaves a lot to be desired. The throttle mapping is very laggy, and it could be due to driving the car in Track Mode instead of doing the pedal dance. It might be doing some stuff in the background to keep the car more stable. I'll try driving with all the aids off once I'm more used to the chassis balance. Only have about 300 miles on the clock as of now. I can't wait for a finalized OFT tune for the 2017 MY. I want that and a header in the near future. Shiv?
Overall impressions - I love it. It's a pretty, pure sports car built with focus and very apparent intent. I don't take it for granted. There is no other car like it. I'll include the Miata out of respect, but convertibles are dumb and have a whole host of issues like leaks, noise, theft, wear/damage, roll bars for the track, etc. This is seriously one of the best cars a driving enthusiast can buy. This is what Japan was doing in droves in the late 80s and early 90s. Now it's left to the twins and the Miata to carry the torch as manufacturers and people apparently stopped caring.
I could have purchased a much more expensive and faster car, but nothing out there really caught my attention. I've driven new BMWs and Porsches. I've owned well over 30 cars by now. Built and tracked Miatas, 240s, and Corvettes, Hachis (yes multiple of each one of those). Had muscles cars (Trans-Am, Chevelle, Mustang) I'm currently also building an Exocet (
https://www.flyinmiata.com/exocet/ ). And I'm still impressed by this car.
