Daily drivers to compliment or replace your brz or 86?

[GrabTheWheel]

I'm curious what other cars people who enjoy driving the twins have either added to their garage or replaced their 86 with? Particularly cars that can be driven everyday.

I bought a 2016 Mini Cooper S as a fun daily so I could turn my brz into more of a track only car. I couldn't be happier. After a few months the mod bug got me. Hopefully won't be swapping a V8 into this one haha. With coils, an LSD and a reflash the car is really a little monster. With just a reflash I was able to make 310 ft/lbs of torque to the wheels at 2700 rpm. At a similar curb weight to the brz it really scoots now. To think what it takes to get that much torque out of a FA20 oh man, makes you appreciate a car with boost from the factory.

As enjoyable as it is to drive a car where the power is all at the top end and you have to wring its neck in order to get fulfillment. As I get older I find my days of pushing a car even past 5/10th's on the street are behind me. Will save it for the track. On demand torque really puts a smile on your face for everyday driving.

The Mini replaced an S2000 which seems like a major downgrade especially considering the resale of the S2000 and the fact it's a timeless car that's no longer in production. I was able to buy a supercharged 2003 AP1 drive it hard for a year and 14,000 miles and sell for exactly what I paid. Can't do that with many affordable sports cars these days!

While I loved the 9K redline and top down experience my back was not loving the S2000. In the end I was just a little too large and a little too old to enjoy that car as more than a weekend toy. An aftermarket seat might have helped but since selling I haven't had to go see my chiropractor once haha. I will miss the S2000 but the MCS is better as a daily in just about every regard. I still can't believe the gas milage while beating on it.

If I was smarter and didn't get such a kick out of these sub 2900lbs short wheel base toys (preferably ones that fit 200lb people), I'd go grab the ultimate performance bargain these days. C7 grand sport for 45K used is pretty hard to argue with...

[soundman98]

[Kiske]

So for the time I've owned my BRZs I've had these as daily drivers in order, C7 2lt Z51, Colorado ZR1, CTS-V and an Evo X.

If I wasn't such a snob about driving cars with manual trans, I'd most likely have many more options for a new daily.

GT-R, F-Type, M2/M3, RC-F, Supra, XF Sportbrake S, Giulia... ect.

[p1l0t]

I test drove a Mini S, but couldn't justify spending that kind of money on front wheel drive...

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[GrabTheWheel]

Originally Posted by p1l0t

I test drove a Mini S, but couldn't justify spending that kind of money on front wheel drive...

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New, totally agree. Way overpriced but used they are similar to the twins. I couldn't have a FWD car as my only car but it is a nice addition if you can keep your car with power to the rear wheels the way god intended it to be. They also need some basic mods, stock the brz is way better. Mini just responds real well to some basic upgrades.

[GrabTheWheel]

Originally Posted by Kiske

So for the time I've owned my BRZs I've had these as daily drivers in order, C7 2lt Z51, Colorado ZR1, CTS-V and an Evo X.

If I wasn't such a snob about driving cars with manual trans, I'd most likely have many more options for a new daily.

GT-R, F-Type, M2/M3, RC-F, Supra, XF Sportbrake S, Giulia... ect.

Agreed. Part of what made me go crazy off the deep end with my brz. I really like basic, analog cars with a manual trans. I just don't see anything like that ever being available again in the future. Still waiting for next gen S2000, will it be a hybrid sedan?

What did you enjoy more the Cts-V or evo? Certain things on the C7 like the cabin layout and no door handles really bug me, Sure I would get over it.

[Kiske]

Originally Posted by GrabTheWheel

Agreed. Part of what made go crazy off the deep end with my brz. I really like basic, analog cars with a manual trans. I just don't see anything like that ever being available again in the future. Still waiting for next gen S2000, will it be a hybrid sedan?

What did you enjoy more the Cts-V or evo? Certain things on the C7 like the cabin layout and no door handles really bug me, Sure I would get over it.

For me it was super easy to adapt to the door buttons. Just like keyless entry or steering wheel controls. You quickly get used to it. For me I think going with the AT/Paddle Shifters might have been the biggest mistake (other than buying a first year car... again.) I also didn't feel 100% comfortable pushing the car mostly because how numb the steering felt along with it being a bit heavier and longer base than what I'm familiar with.


CTS-V for easily minus the transmission and weight. I'd like to think I'd still own it had it not totaled 1 month following my BRZ burning up. My biggest complaint was the nannies, and weight. The lane departure and blind spot mirrors would blink at me when it rained, these couldn't be disabled either. I looked hard at a ATS-V thinking it being smaller and less optioned might make it a perfect replacement even it it felt cheaper and more GM-y.


I just couldn't swing it after losing 2 cars. I ended up buying a BRZ tS and started cross shopping WRX's and Evo's.

[Leonardo]

Bought this June 2005. It's got 210,175 miles now. It's AWD, so I DD it in the winter. I drive my FR-S the rest of the year.

[Milhouse86]

I picked up a Audi A4 last year. Really nice car to put miles on.ych nicer on my back then most cars. I drove my FRS daily for a few years. I wanted my FRS to be a weekend/track car when I bought it so I was just waiting for cash flow.

As much as I like my FRS it is nice to have 4 doors and a soft ride.

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[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by GrabTheWheel

Agreed. Part of what made go crazy off the deep end with my brz. I really like basic, analog cars with a manual trans. I just don't see anything like that ever being available again in the future. Still waiting for next gen S2000, will it be a hybrid sedan?

What did you enjoy more the Cts-V or evo? Certain things on the C7 like the cabin layout and no door handles really bug me, Sure I would get over it.

I find it hilarious when people refer to the twins as "basic, analog cars"!
It has power and computer controlled everything compared to a real basic, analog car.


Here are some REAL basic analog cars I used as daily drivers

[TommyW]

Taco Ma

[GrabTheWheel]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I find it hilarious when people refer to the twins as "basic, analog cars"!
It has power and computer controlled everything compared to a real basic, analog car.


Here are some REAL basic analog cars I used as daily drivers

Ok. Maybe I should rephrase. Basic and analog for a modern car. No lane departure warning, no laser cruise control, no push button start, no bullshit. Mine also no longer has direct injection and has a pushrod V8. You’re a little older than me so the cars we’re fond of might be a bit different. My first car was a 93’ Volvo station wagon, so I’ve got a thing for wagons. Nice pics BTW.

I can appreciate older cars but their biggest downfall to me is the twins biggest pro. Ergonomics, I’ve never sat in another car where everything feels like it’s just in the right position and meant to fit a wide variety of people. Sometimes I lust after cars like old 911’s till I actually sit in them. The seating position, pedal placement etc. is all horrible. Maybe I’d have a restomod one day with a Tilton pedal box. I enjoy driving too much to sacrifice proper pedal placement to look cool.

My Manx is as basic as a car gets though. It definitely brings you back in time.

[KR-S]

I've made mention of this several times before, but I've always wanted a Corolla XRS, Matrix XRS, or Pontiac Vibe GT, all of which came with the Celica GT-S powertrain (2ZZ-GE + C60 6-speed) as a daily to complement the FR-S. I enjoy the idea of a factory sleeper. It would especially be funny to pick up a Toyota-powered Pontiac as a new stablemate to a Subaru-powered Toyota.

Besides those cars though, a Lexus CT200h, while nowhere near as entertaining as an FR-S, would certainly be a worthwhile pick-up, assuming you know how to swap headgaskets (notorious problem on all of Toyota's 2ZR-FXE powered hybrids). Seeing as I drive pretty far to work now, having a nice, comfy hybrid would certainly do wonders for my drive (damn, must be getting old).

[KR-S]

Originally Posted by soundman98

Is that the Ford Ranger TRD Pro? Damn son, where did you get that?