Top Gear Coupe of the Year Comparo: GT86 vs BRZ

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by robo_robb

They say the two are the same because the FR-S is the name of the 86 in North America. ... Most importantly, they share the same playful suspension, which, ultimately, saw the Toyota win this comparo.

Wrong. See WingsofWar's FAQ post on varying spring rates - the GT86 has different rates from the FR-S so this TG comparo IS NOT VALID for NA.

[Enemies]

Originally Posted by robo_robb

They say the two are the same because the FR-S is the name of the 86 in North America. ALL of the parts from the FR-S are shared with varying trim levels of the 86. Most importantly, they share the same playful suspension, which, ultimately, saw the Toyota win this comparo.

I see what you're saying and I understand the comparison but there is too much different about the two to say they are the same car.

And I'm not talking about the badge. But to me the interior of a car helps make it what it is.

Has anybody figured out what it would cost to make the changes to a BRZ to give it more of a GT86 feel? I'd be willing to bet it would be cheaper to buy a BRZ and make changes to make the car more like a GT86 than it would be to buy an FR-S and try to accomplish the same thing. I could be wrong though!

[Enemies]

Originally Posted by Sport-Tech

Wrong. See WingsofWar's FAQ post on varying spring rates - the GT86 has different rates from the FR-S so this TG comparo IS NOT VALID for NA.

SPRINGS Front/Rate Rear/Rate Part # MSRP
OEM Toyota 86 0.0"/3.0k 0.0"/3.3k TBD $---
OEM Scion FR-S M/T 0.0"/2.3k 0.0"/3.8k F:SU003-04144 $83.90
R:SU003-04147 $83.90
OEM Scion FR-S A/T 0.0"/2.3k 0.0"/3.8k F:SU003-04145 $83.90
R:SU003-04147 $83.90
OEM Subaru BRZ M/T 0.0"/2.7k 0.0"/3.5k F:20330CA010 $79.70
R:20380CA010 $79.70
OEM Subaru BRZ A/T 0.0"/2.7k 0.0"/3.5k F:20330CA020 $79.70
R:20380CA010 $79.70

Interesting. Does that mean because of the springs, that the BRZ handles more like the GT86 than the FR-S does?

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by Chauntalei

the base BRZ in the UK has this, instead of satnav:



Satnav is an option over there for the Subie.

Oh that looks awesome. I would love that over any touch-screen any day. Easy to reach controls and no annoying bright screen flashing at me. Yes!

[Subie]

Originally Posted by pastuch

The stock stereo on the Subaru is different in Canada, USA and the UK. We each get a different Pioneer deck. The Canadian one is excellent, the only minor complaint I have is the lack of up and down arrows in the MP3 browser (MicroSD card). The capacitive touch screen is difficult to scroll and arrows would make it much easier. The NAV is awesome, I use it every day but I want to disable the nanny so I can punch in a destination (or my passenger) while driving.

Sound quality is solid for a stock deck and speakers.

The US-market BRZ deck is made by Fujitsu Ten, not Pioneer.

[pkny]

Originally Posted by Sport-Tech

Wrong. See WingsofWar's FAQ post on varying spring rates - the GT86 has different rates from the FR-S so this TG comparo IS NOT VALID for NA.

According to the offical Toyota press releases, the GT86 in Europe has the same front spring rate as the FR-S.

From the offical Toyota EU press kit:
"The GT86’s 23 N/mm front spring rates allow for slight body roll on initial turn-in, creating the perfect relationship between steering feel and vehicle behaviour exhibited by a classic front-engined, rear-drive platform"

From the offical Toytoa UK's press pack:

"The 23N/mm front spring rates allow for slight body roll on initial turn-in, creating the kind of perfect relationship between steering feel and vehicle behaviour shown by classic front-engine/rear-drive platforms."

Does anyone has a source showing the OEM Toyota spring rate is F3.0k and R3.3K? I could not find anything except the Wingsofwar's thread or the thread that refer to his thread.

[sho220]

Originally Posted by huma

I prefer how the FRS drives over the BRZ as well, but the amenities won me over.

I can't help but chuckle about this comment. "Amenities" lol...I guess we all have our preferences...

[sho220]

Originally Posted by Jedi1

Having gone from a nicely appointed Mini to the FRS, I keep tryiing to figure out why people don't like the FRS interior? The seats are comfortable even on 8+ hour drives. The controls are where they should be and everything you have to touch is quite nice for the price point. The stock radio could use a bump, but it isn't horrible. You aren't looking at a Porsche. It's a 26ish K car. Seems to me there is an aweful lot there for the money.

It's not the interior, it's the badge. The interior of the FR-S is just "guilty by association"...

[Nezz]

Originally Posted by sho220

It's not the interior, it's the badge. The interior of the FR-S is just "guilty by association"...

I wouldn't say that. I was going to buy an 86 GT (AUDM) but I couldn't justify the money ($33k here w/onroads) for a car that felt cheap when the full fruit version wasn't much more ($39.5k), and it (the GT) is pretty close to the FR-S in specification. Although we get more carpet and features even in the base model, which is weird.

I swear you guys are getting the first dodgy job I've seen you get. US always gets the fun gear and we get nothin', but our 86 GTS has all the fruit. All of it!

[sdiver68]

BRZ Limited for the win in the US unless you are an auto-xer.

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by sdiver68

BRZ Limited for the win in the US unless you are an auto-xer.

The ricey wing on the Limited doesn't do it for me, so I'll vote for the Premium... wish they had a wing delete option.

[Enemies]

When the pictures first came out I preferred the look of having no spoiler but it grew on me fast. I think it was nicely done and doesn't seem ricey at all to me. To me, ricey is the STI wing but to each their own!

[bdbx18]

Originally Posted by Enemies

When the pictures first came out I preferred the look of having no spoiler but it grew on me fast. I think it was nicely done and doesn't seem ricey at all to me. To me, ricey is the STI wing but to each their own!

I agree. The standard spoiler on the BRZ is far from being ricey and is just a tad above subtle. Subtle would be a lip spoiler. That said, I now find the spoiler-less butt of the FRS quite bare and lacking.

[SanDiegoFRS]

I first saw the BRZ when my Subaru Dealership was getting it, just to have in the showroom, not for sale. I really wanted it, and then the dealer told me they were selling it $3k over list due to demand...And then I said CYA and went to Toyota/Scion.
I love Subies and always wanted a WRX, but I'm super happy with my FRS. Even though when I tell people I have a Scion they go, "Oh, the weird box-looking one?" Additionally, I think the FRS looks more mean. The foglight area is more angular and aggressive and the little '"86" and pistons' badge over the side vent is awesome. Other then that, both sexy cars, and I would be happy with either one.