follow ft86club on our blog, twitter or facebook.
FT86CLUB
Ft86Club
Speed By Design
Register Garage Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB > FT86CLUB Shared Forum > FR-S / BRZ vs....

FR-S / BRZ vs.... Area to discuss the FR-S/BRZ against its competitors [NO STREET RACING]


User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 11-16-2011, 03:01 AM   #1
Kostamojen
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Drives: 1993 Impreza w/ WRX Swap + FWD!
Location: Roseville, CA
Posts: 2,071
Thanks: 217
Thanked 949 Times in 499 Posts
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
FRS/BRZ vs. Fiat 500 Abarth

Seriously.

The Abarth was just announced today for North America, and it will have 160hp and 170ft-lbs! Also weighs just 2500lbs with all that torque.



It also looks quite awesome:





So anyway, I drove a Fiat 500 Sport last weekend at a "ride and drive" at the local Autoshow. I'm an autocrosser and generally know what I'm doing around a tight cone corse, so I flogged it pretty good (scared the ride along guy a bit) and I REALLY enjoyed it!

Due to the size and the visibility, you can REALLY hit an apex in this car and get the car right on top of the cones. The steering was VERY sharp, and the ride was VERY solid, I was impressed. Power was crap of course due to the crappy automatic, but after that test drive I instantly moved the Fiat up to near the top of my list.

With the Abarth coming out, I suspect I'll have to pick between the two at some point. I suspect the pricing will be similar to the FT86 models but lets make a quick run down of which might be better than which in each important category:

Horsepower - FT86
Torque - Abarth
Curb Weight - Abarth
Weight distribution - FT86
Handling - ???
Styling - Subjective, leaning towards FT86
Mileage - Possibly quite similar numbers
Reliability - Unknown, but assuredly much better with the FT86

And of course the Abarth is FWD and the FT86 chassis RWD, but as to which will be quicker or more fun to drive? Time will tell...
Kostamojen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2011, 06:45 AM   #2
chantaiman51
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Drives: GT3RS, A3 tdi ,Ducati 998, HD FLSTN
Location: Corona, CA
Posts: 33
Thanks: 1
Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
They both look like fun car to drive, and I don't mind owning either one. To me at least, FRS seems like alittle more serious sports car, whereas the abarth has a bit more personality and charm.
chantaiman51 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2011, 07:22 AM   #3
Matador
hashiryu
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Drives: Mk4 Supra
Location: Probably mucking around in an engine bay
Posts: 2,567
Thanks: 18
Thanked 37 Times in 20 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Nice little car. Hope they build enough so they'll be around in 20 yrs or so when I wanna pick up one for my daughter's 17th b'day
__________________
Welcome to FT86club.com
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimman View Post
The 'FT' stands for 'forgot topic'.
Matador is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2011, 08:02 AM   #4
SUB-FT86
86 Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Drives: 2013 Toyota 86 2.0T (Asphalt)
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 3,129
Thanks: 126
Thanked 527 Times in 296 Posts
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
I think they look hella ugly!!!
SUB-FT86 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2011, 08:13 AM   #5
Dave-ROR
Site Moderator
 
Dave-ROR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Drives: Stuff
Location: Florida
Posts: 10,317
Thanks: 955
Thanked 5,965 Times in 2,689 Posts
Mentioned: 262 Post(s)
Tagged: 8 Thread(s)
I've heard great things about the abarth. I'm happy it'll hit the us and I plan on testdriving one for sure.
__________________
-Dave
Track cars: 2013 Scion FRS, 1998 Acura Integra Type-R, 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback
DD: 2005 Acura TSX
Tow: 2022 F-450
Toys: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
Parts: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited, 2005 Acura TSX
Projects: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited track car build
FS: 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 LT CCSB 8.1/Allison with 99k miles
Dave-ROR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2011, 08:41 AM   #6
ForReal-Someday
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Drives: Company Vehicle
Location: Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Posts: 79
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
FR-S for me, Abarth for the wife, and Trailer for the kids?
ForReal-Someday is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2011, 10:04 AM   #7
Gardus@Supersprint
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Drives: Clio TCE
Location: Mantova - Italy
Posts: 494
Thanks: 17
Thanked 154 Times in 70 Posts
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
I drove LOTS of 500 Abarth, the most powerful had the Grande Punto essesse turbo, bigger IC, full exhaust and map, for 200 bhp and 235 lbft, plus Brembo brakes and tuned suspensions.
It was this one:

It was fast and a lot of fun but it's no sports car, the centre of gravity and the seat position are too high, it jumps around on every little tarmac imperfection becasue of the short wheelbase and unsofisticated suspension geometry and it struggles to get the power down. Also the 5 gear 'box is rubbish.

The chassis and a lot of parts are took straight from the Panda, which is one of the cheapest car you can buy, and it shows.
Gardus@Supersprint is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2011, 10:20 AM   #8
Neutral_Eyes
Softparker
 
Neutral_Eyes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Drives: 2002 Mazda Miata
Location: Arizona
Posts: 618
Thanks: 0
Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
I also heard the gearbox was the weak link with the Abarth. I think it's a pretty cool car, just not something I'm in the market for right now. The J-Lo commercial kills it for me, too. I like the logo though!
Neutral_Eyes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2011, 10:31 AM   #9
Gardus@Supersprint
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Drives: Clio TCE
Location: Mantova - Italy
Posts: 494
Thanks: 17
Thanked 154 Times in 70 Posts
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Is it quite a special thing anyway, both inside and outside, but in Italy it has been on sale for a while now and it's lost its appeal as a novelty.

I hope they'll sell tons in the US as we have a very strong exhaust line-up!
Gardus@Supersprint is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2011, 10:44 AM   #10
Dave-ROR
Site Moderator
 
Dave-ROR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Drives: Stuff
Location: Florida
Posts: 10,317
Thanks: 955
Thanked 5,965 Times in 2,689 Posts
Mentioned: 262 Post(s)
Tagged: 8 Thread(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gardus View Post
Is it quite a special thing anyway, both inside and outside, but in Italy it has been on sale for a while now and it's lost its appeal as a novelty.

I hope they'll sell tons in the US as we have a very strong exhaust line-up!
Yeah most of Europe has had them for quite some time.. damn US rarely gets interesting import cars early in their life..

At least we'll be able to try the car finally
__________________
-Dave
Track cars: 2013 Scion FRS, 1998 Acura Integra Type-R, 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback
DD: 2005 Acura TSX
Tow: 2022 F-450
Toys: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
Parts: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited, 2005 Acura TSX
Projects: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited track car build
FS: 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 LT CCSB 8.1/Allison with 99k miles
Dave-ROR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2011, 11:47 AM   #11
Dragonitti
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Drives: Boosted Scion tC, 350z
Location: TN
Posts: 1,779
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Love that it's turboed...very nice. But Ummmm.....NO.
Dragonitti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2011, 11:50 AM   #12
Longhorn248
Hook 'em
 
Longhorn248's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Drives: 2013 BRZ
Location: ATX
Posts: 1,950
Thanks: 68
Thanked 152 Times in 79 Posts
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Garage
I think the 500's are cool looking little cars, and the Abarth certainly sounds like fun to drive. However since I'm not rolling in cash and able to afford a stable of cars this one is pretty far down on my list of potential purchases.
Longhorn248 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2011, 01:50 AM   #13
torquemada
natural born kraut
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Drives: EDM WRX STI MY06 WRB
Location: germany
Posts: 142
Thanks: 5
Thanked 16 Times in 8 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
both versions with 135 and 160 hp were tested in germany, not much difference.
Fiat uses something called TTC, some sort of simulated slip differential through brake control, it makes the car significant slower.

torquemada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2011, 02:32 AM   #14
switchlanez
Glorious BRZ Master Race
 
switchlanez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Drives: Subaru Libird
Location: Race Wars
Posts: 3,645
Thanks: 1,050
Thanked 2,718 Times in 1,079 Posts
Mentioned: 110 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gardus View Post
It was fast and a lot of fun but it's no sports car, the centre of gravity and the seat position are too high, it jumps around on every little tarmac imperfection becasue of the short wheelbase and unsofisticated suspension geometry and it struggles to get the power down.
That's the one thing that kills this car for me.
__________________
switchlanez is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
One of the few cars that'll keep me from getting the FT-86 (Abarth 500) dante Other Vehicles & General Automotive Discussions 13 11-01-2009 01:34 PM
One of the few cars that'll keep me from getting the FT-86 (Abarth 500) dante Other Vehicles & General Automotive Discussions 0 10-29-2009 10:56 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:05 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Garage vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.