Considering a BRZ

[TrackRider54]

I'm 42yo and I suppose I'm experiencing my midlife crisis. My first car was a horrible, horrible 1979 Plymouth Horizion. I drove it until the block cracked and got a 1985 RX-7. Holy cow I loved that car. My brother in-law had a Datsun 260Z. He let me drive it and I was totally hooked. It had a whopping 170hp and it felt like the fastest car in the world.

It wasn't just the speed, it was the sound, how low to the ground you were, and how you could feel every bump in the road. You could hear the engine and rowing the 4 speed transmission was all part of the fun.

I've owned a bunch of cars over the years. From big trucks and SUV's to sporty sedans. No matter how fast they were, none were as exciting and fun to drive as my 100hp RX-7 or that 170hp 260Z. I've longed for the sensation those cars gave me for over two decades.

I find myself in a situation where my lease on my F-150 will end in a couple of years, so I'm shopping in hopes of picking up something used in a couple of years. I've driven a C6 Corvette...it's a big pig. I've driven a Mustang V6 and V8...again...feels like a much bigger car than it is. Tried a Focus ST, Fiesta ST, Charger R/T, WRX, GTI, and Mazdaspeed 3. All were nice cars, but all lacked the "feel" I was looking for (although the Fiesta ST was close!).

Then I saw an FR-S. I didn't figure at 6'5" 265lbs I'd be able to fit, but I did, and was comfortable. Then I drove it. Holy cow...this is it!! The feel of the engine, the sound, the driving position, the engaging way the car drove and handled....this was it! This was the car!!

So now I'm waiting two VERY long years for the lease on my truck to end so I can make my move, and I'm reading and watching. New Mustang is coming. New GTI is coming. New WRX is coming. Possibly the Focus RS is coming. But I'm waiting.

While I'm waiting, I see lots of folks saying the car doesn't have enough power, or it needs more tire, or it needs more sound, or it needs a better radio, etc. To each their own, but I have to tell you from a middle aged guys point of view, this car is fantastic just the way it is.

More power is fine if you're drag racing or you have a sponsor picking up your bills and fostering your racing career, but on the street, 200hp in a light car is plenty. On my test drive I ran the car up to about 80mph. Above the speed limit anywhere in the United States. On the roads this car is designed to be driven on you'd be lucky to to get above 45mph no matter how big a turbo you stuffed under the hood. I long to take a BRZ/FR-S to Deal's Gap or in the mountains of N. Georgia.

Sticky tires might be nice, but higher traction limits mean when the car does break free, it's going to be at a higher speed and with greater force. I'm not a professional driver and don't have the ability to control a car at high limits. Kudos to those of you who have that sort of skill.

For years I've been looking for a car that was relatively affordable, fun to drive, lightweight, rear wheel drive, that feels like the simple sports cars of the 70's and 80's but has the safety and reliability of modern cars. I had a Miata once, fun car, but way too impractical.

For those of you who are fortunate enough to own a BRZ/FR-S, consider yourself very lucky. You have a truly magical car.

[extrashaky]

Yep. That just about sums it up.

[_______]

Great post!!!!! These are the exact reasons why I bought this car. Its old school and nothing now can really compare to that "feel" as you said. This car is definitely for you by the looks of it. Hope you can own one soon you deserve it since its been a long wait for you.

[thill]

As long as you fit and don't expect to put anyone in the backseat this car sounds perfect for you. I owned 3 RX-7's and I would definitely classify the FT86 as a modern day RX-7.

[JS + BRZ]

Thanks for the write up. Summed it up very nicely.

[reeves]

I thought about waiting a year or two as well to save up more before purchasing my BRZ... so glad I didn't wait. Don't know what I would've done these past 2 years without my BRZ as my DD.

[rikerr]

What length pants do you wear? I'm 6 foot 4 and have yet to sit in one and still wonder how i'll fit in one. Also how much head room did you have left? Do you feel you could wear a helmet in it?

[Funktional]

I forget which review said it but this is a 10/10ths car.........you can legally drive it to its limits on the road and have a blast. I really don't understand what my co-workers think they're going to (legally) do with their 400+ horsepower Mustangs on public roads.

In two years there should be a nice price drop on these and because many think it's underpowered they will ultimately move on to something with more factory power. I'm in my late 30s but I completely agree with you that this car is magic to drive.

Once you get your BRZ, get yourself a good tune (I just installed mine today from OFT/Shiv), it really wakes the car up and is how it should have been tuned from the factory.

[Chad11491]

Idk about him, but I'm 6'4" 205lb and wear a 34 length pants and fit great and feel like I could wear a helmet. I haven't spent much time in one (unfortunately) but loved it the hour or so I had one. Then again I have always driven small cars so it felt normal to me.

[TrackRider54]

Originally Posted by rikerr

What length pants do you wear? I'm 6 foot 4 and have yet to sit in one and still wonder how i'll fit in one. Also how much head room did you have left? Do you feel you could wear a helmet in it?

I'm 6'5" with a 36" inseam. No car short of a full size SUV or pickup has enough leg room for me, but I've learned to live with it over the years. My knees don't hit the steering wheel or anything like that. It has a surprising amount of room in it. Comparable to a Mustang.

I didn't measure headroom, but I didn't bang my head getting in and my hair didn't rub the headliner like it does in a Civic SI. I prefer a fairly upright driving position.

Remember...it's always more fun to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow. I think that's why I loved my RX-7 so much. It had no rev limiter, just a buzzer. I can remember wrapping the tach around until it pointed straight down with the buzzer screaming. LOL!

I also had a VW Corrado. 158hp from a supercharged 1.8L. I used to wring that cars neck at every opportunity.

[s0sl0w]

Thanks for saying so...

I know

[Pete156]

I'm 6'3". 220 lb

Love the fit, feel, and the way my BRZ does everything.
I knew the 86 was coming, waited nearly 8 months for it to arrive after ordering, and have spent the last 18 months modifying it to my liking even more. I have built a very good handling and economical beast.
I would do it all over again in a second.

[mush]

I love mine, i drive it every chance i get

[swaq]

Originally Posted by Funktional

I forget which review said it but this is a 10/10ths car.........

Chris Harris, perhaps?
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUhLXvxlQR4&hd=1"]Toyota GT86 / Scion FR-S v Nissan 370Z v Used Porsche Cayman S - /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS - YouTube[/ame]