My epiphany: Drive it less to appreciate it more.

[Guru Woodman]

So here is my revelation.

I recently bought a Tacoma. I needed a winter proof truck and this was the ticket for me.
I ordered it in April, waited until they released the 2020 and it was delivered at the end of October as one of the first ones in Canada.
I immediately took it on a road trip (to Texas). We racked up 10,000km within a month and totally fell in love with it. What an awesome machine.

The BRZ of course got less attention and was not used for a while. I put on my winter tires before I left but hadn't actually driven since purchasing the Tacoma.

Today I decided to clean it up a bit and take it out for a little drive. Man oh man, what a car !!!! Small, lean, focussed, happy.

After almost 5 years of using the BRZ as a daily if had become used to the way it drives. Now by not using it for only a month I realize how good this platform actually it.
Mind you, comparing a 86 with a Tacoma is like comparing sneakers with Wellington boots. So I am not going to. They both cater to different needs. But you sometime do not realize what you have until you step back for a bit.

The 86/BRZ is simply amazing.

[Spuds]

+1. People get confused why I drive a more boring car instead of the fun one most days. I can't really appreciate the FRS on the highway commute when I'm still trying to wake up or tired from work.

[p1l0t]

Originally Posted by Guru Woodman

So here is my revelation.



I recently bought a Tacoma. I needed a winter proof truck and this was the ticket for me.

I ordered it in April, waited until they released the 2020 and it was delivered at the end of October as one of the first ones in Canada.

I immediately took it on a road trip (to Texas). We racked up 10,000km within a month and totally fell in love with it. What an awesome machine.



The BRZ of course got less attention and was not used for a while. I put on my winter tires before I left but hadn't actually driven since purchasing the Tacoma.



Today I decided to clean it up a bit and take it out for a little drive. Man oh man, what a car !!!! Small, lean, focussed, happy.



After almost 5 years of using the BRZ as a daily if had become used to the way it drives. Now by not using it for only a month I realize how good this platform actually it.

Mind you, comparing a 86 with a Tacoma is like comparing sneakers with Wellington boots. So I am not going to. They both cater to different needs. But you sometime do not realize what you have until you step back for a bit.



The 86/BRZ is simply amazing.

I have to rent cars all the time because I don't have car wherever I land (unless it's my home airport). It's always good to get back into a proper car when I get back. (Doesn't have to be months at a time just drive something else once in awhile and it will remind you quick!)

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[8RZ]

I travel for work so I'm getting all kinds of cheap rentals so I can truly appreciate the BRZ after driving a slow slush-box for 2 weeks lol.

[humfrz]

I drive mrs humfrz sedan from time to time. Yes, I could get used to the 6 way power adjustably, heated seats, the 6 speed automatic transmission, the extremely quiet, roomy interior, the soft ride, the ease of entrance and exit ... - oh, shit, I must be getting old ….


humfrz

[scotto79]

I daily my FRS, and it is still as much fun as the first time I drove it. I can look at all kinds of new cars, and then realize they aren't as much fun or cost effective as what I already have. And I used to replace cheap cars every 2 years out of boredom.

[Will BRZ]

Makes sense. Guess it just depends on the person. I can see how having a daily and driving a twin on the weekend can help you "appreciate" it more. But I love this car more and more with every drive. I love walking up to it, getting out and looking back at it lol I'm 20 and live with my parents so I can't really buy another car (though when I can, a Tacoma is definitely first choice) Don't think I'll keep this specific car forever, but I for sure want one in my life forever haha

[jflogerzi]

I am in the same boat. These cars can beat you up a bit once you start moding them. I am counting down the days when mine will become a dedicated race car(strip interior) and get a used truck as a daily so I can tow with it.

Sent from my GM1915 using Tapatalk

[Lynxis]

I used to daily drive mine year round but I recently bought an old 5MT Forester for a winter beater which I drove all winter last year and am currently driving until spring hits again. There are things I appreciate about the Forester, especially in the winter, such as heated seats and AWD and more generally, how easy it is to shift smoothly, the greatly enhanced storage space and ease of entry/exit, compared to the BRZ.

But I'm looking forward to when I can drive the BRZ regularly again. The EJ25 in the Forester doesn't like being wound out like the FA20 in the BRZ does so I never take it above 4000RPM. Also, the body roll and general responsiveness of the chassis is lacklustre by comparison. Finally, the BRZ is still cheaper on fuel, despite both my lead foot in it and the fact that it takes 91 octane vs 87 in the Forester.

So I can really see where you're coming from.

[NWFRS]

Yup. same.

My wife and I put most of the miles on her RAV4. Going back to school later in life. Carpooling a lot. When I get back in the FRS it feels like a go-cart. Only driving it a short distance about four-days-a-week. Haven't touched it in about three weeks now. Winter break. Just hit 30k miles and it's an April/2013 car.

[Yoshoobaroo]

I’ve spent 2 weeks driving my in-laws’ 10 year old Kia. Today I’m taking my BRZ to work, and I’m way more excited than I should be to drive to work.

[7 skulls]

Nice Taco. I've been eyeballing them for whenever my tundra finally expires. How do you like the engine/tranny? Seems like alot of the online complaints stem from that combo.

[korhun]

I hope this wouldn't sound too stupid, but it's how I feel.

BRZ made me enjoy driving back again.

I used to drive everyday this Renault Clio, and I hated driving it:


And every weekend I drove ~this Renault Megane, and hated it even more:


Then I sold the Clio and started to drive a BRZ, and loved driving it a lot. However, I started to appreciate and like driving the poor old Megane as well. Every weekend when I get into it, it feels, comfy, silent, easy driving. Steering still feels like shit, but I don't care. I just like it's smoothness. Then on Monday, back to driving the BRZ, and I like it more

[86MLR]

I got my 86 as a fun daily, I just cannot bring myself to drive boring cars.

Needless to say there has been alot of modifications done to it from pretty much the day I picked it up from the dealer.

But then I use to daily a stripped out NB MX5 for a year or two. PS delete, AC delete, all the added lightness with all the added heat and noise......I loved that thing, whether it was driving 10km to work, or 1000km to Brisbane.

I feel the same way now about the 86.