Jalopnik Series Blue Review - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

DarkSunrise · 04-30-2015, 04:07 PM

New review of the BRZ Series Blue by Jalopnik. Seems like Jalopnik and the BRZ get along quite well:

http://jalopnik.com/what-nobody-unde...brz-1698728189

BRZZZZZZZZZZ · 04-30-2015, 04:10 PM

I posted my feelings on there. I agree with some but not all of his points.

pinski · 04-30-2015, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRZZZZZZZZZZ

I posted my feelings on there. I agree with some but not all of his points.

Same here. He was spot on with a lot of things, but missed on a few others. Of course he only had it for a week.

strat61caster · 04-30-2015, 04:40 PM

I think this is the first time I've ever heard anyone describe the clutch as heavy...

In any case sure stroked my ego:

Quote:

A week’s worth of testing the BRZ made me conclude that it’s basically a poor man’s Porsche Cayman. Perhaps that’s part of why it feels so unappreciated these days. Like the Cayman, it excels in so many areas nobody else seems to value. Handling. A good gearbox. A nice sound. Accessibility. Balance. Just not the Big Numbers.

Quote:

As good as Subaru is these days, they still kind of suck at interiors.

Nowhere is this more apparent than the StarLink infotainment system, which has a “Phone” icon that looks like a Palm Pilot and functions about as well.

Quote:

Then again, more and more the BRZ feels like the antidote to everything enthusiasts complain about when it comes to modern cars. Everything’s getting too fat? This one’s pretty light. Not enough manuals anymore? This one has a great stick. Too expensive? Starting price is just under $26,000; $30,285 as loaded like this Series.Blue. Fake engine noise? Here it’s real and it’s fantastic. Electric steering sucks? They nailed it pretty good here. Turbos are ruining everything? Hey, this one waves its NA flag proudly.

Car companies don’t listen to enthusiasts? The BRZ exists.

circlejerk away

DarkSunrise · 04-30-2015, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I think this is the first time I've ever heard anyone describe the clutch as heavy...

Yeah the description of the heavy clutch thing was really odd. Also the bolded part below threw me a bit:

Quote:

Like the Cayman, it excels in so many areas nobody else seems to value. Handling. A good gearbox. A nice sound. Accessibility. Balance. Just not the Big Numbers.

I actually think these cars sound like industrial blenders stock. One of the worst parts of the car for me. It wasn't until I got a UEL header that I thought it sounded good.

Sideways&Smiling · 04-30-2015, 04:54 PM

Turbos don't ruin anything, let alone everything, IMO, and that engine noise is not fantastic, but the rest I agree with.

Except the clutch. lightest clutch I've used. and has a weird engagement.

chas3wba0 · 04-30-2015, 04:56 PM

Basically the same things we circle-jerk about here, but on a more visible car blog, and with pious commentary from high-n-mighty-true-car-enthusiast-"Jalops".

I'm totally fine with that.

Demandred7 · 04-30-2015, 05:08 PM

Thanks for sharing. I was pleasantly surprised to see a review that echoed some of my own feelings toward our cars.

BRZZZZZZZZZZ · 04-30-2015, 05:09 PM

Clutch is far too light to me, and the CDV makes the engagement annoying at times.

strat61caster · 04-30-2015, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I actually think these cars sound like industrial blenders stock. One of the worst parts of the car for me. It wasn't until I got a UEL header that I thought it sounded good.

He actually says he doesn't like the sound once, then claims it sounds good twice.

One thing that can't be denied, it's real and unadulterated with the exception of a tube to the firewall.

Edit: And I'm not a huge fan of the sound either although UEL isn't for me as I'm less a fan of the STI burble than this thing stock.

Quote:

It helps that the BRZ is also loud as hell, so you always feel like you’re going faster than you are. A sound tube pipes in an angry, growly, thrashy boxer sound straight from the engine bay (better than coming from the speakers any day) which helps make it clear that while the car may not lay down insane numbers, it’s here to perform. Is it a pretty noise? God, no. But I’ll take it over being too quiet.

Tromatic · 04-30-2015, 05:17 PM

Smart people have been saying "it’s basically a poor man’s Porsche Cayman" since the beginning. And the LFA had three sound-enhancing doodads.

DarkSunrise · 04-30-2015, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Edit: And I'm not a huge fan of the sound either although UEL isn't for me as I'm less a fan of the STI burble than this thing stock.

Yeah sound is pretty subjective. Back when my car was stock, I once had a buddy tell me he LOVED how the engine sounded. I just blinked in disbelief.

chaoskaze · 04-30-2015, 06:00 PM

Actually l like how stock sounded with Sti sound tube..........then I can't hear anything after I put an exhaust on. lol

But I guess Stock is really quiet & still have just enough sound so it's nice in it's own way.

Pkush · 04-30-2015, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Zero to sixty mph arrives in who gives a shit

BEST PART

04-30-2015, 04:07 PM	#1
DarkSunrise Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 22 BRZ (Previously 13 FR-S) Location: USA Posts: 5,794 Thanks: 2,164 Thanked 4,242 Times in 2,220 Posts Mentioned: 48 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Jalopnik Series Blue Review New review of the BRZ Series Blue by Jalopnik. Seems like Jalopnik and the BRZ get along quite well: http://jalopnik.com/what-nobody-unde...brz-1698728189 __________________ "Never run out of real estate, traction, and ideas at the same time." 2022 BRZ Build 2013 FR-S Build

04-30-2015, 04:56 PM	#7
chas3wba0 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: Yes Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,052 Thanks: 1,629 Thanked 813 Times in 407 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Basically the same things we circle-jerk about here, but on a more visible car blog, and with pious commentary from high-n-mighty-true-car-enthusiast-"Jalops". I'm totally fine with that. __________________ "If thy pleaſure be in Underſteere, thou art Weird." - Distraxi

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04-30-2015, 04:10 PM	#2
BRZZZZZZZZZZ Car Nut Join Date: Dec 2013 Drives: BMW 335d, Toyota Echo RS, FRS Location: Calgary Posts: 1,557 Thanks: 368 Thanked 603 Times in 346 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	I posted my feelings on there. I agree with some but not all of his points.

04-30-2015, 04:54 PM	#6
Sideways&Smiling Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: AP2 S2000, S14 240sx Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 967 Thanks: 446 Thanked 484 Times in 288 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Turbos don't ruin anything, let alone everything, IMO, and that engine noise is not fantastic, but the rest I agree with. Except the clutch. lightest clutch I've used. and has a weird engagement.

04-30-2015, 05:08 PM	#8
Demandred7 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2018 Camry XSE V6 Location: Breslau, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,094 Thanks: 1,041 Thanked 367 Times in 228 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks for sharing. I was pleasantly surprised to see a review that echoed some of my own feelings toward our cars.

04-30-2015, 05:09 PM	#9
BRZZZZZZZZZZ Car Nut Join Date: Dec 2013 Drives: BMW 335d, Toyota Echo RS, FRS Location: Calgary Posts: 1,557 Thanks: 368 Thanked 603 Times in 346 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Clutch is far too light to me, and the CDV makes the engagement annoying at times.

04-30-2015, 05:17 PM	#11
Tromatic Banned Join Date: May 2013 Drives: FR-S Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,232 Thanks: 61 Thanked 1,728 Times in 786 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Smart people have been saying "it’s basically a poor man’s Porsche Cayman" since the beginning. And the LFA had three sound-enhancing doodads.

04-30-2015, 06:00 PM	#13
chaoskaze The Fail Boat Join Date: Aug 2011 Drives: CWP S.B. Location: LasVegas Posts: 3,028 Thanks: 4,718 Thanked 1,293 Times in 873 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Actually l like how stock sounded with Sti sound tube..........then I can't hear anything after I put an exhaust on. lol But I guess Stock is really quiet & still have just enough sound so it's nice in it's own way.

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