My review so far

[wbradley]

DocWalt, thank you for your detailed and very insightful review of your experience with the BRZ so far.

Despite dozens of YouTubers out there competing for subscriber clicks and views, this is by far the most useful review I have seen yet. And that includes Savagegeese who owned a first gen FR-S with a supercharger previously.

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by eyeballs

I had an s2 rx-8 a couple years ago, and agree the rotary power is way more fun (plus catless midpipe fireballs). It was super fresh with only 30k miles (though rebuilt title). More comfy/roomy as a daily compared to the brz and amazingly roomy back seats. Revving it out often for "preventative maintenance" also adds to the fun. I feel like the BRZ is the closest I could get for a new car. Haven't driven the BRZ on track yet, but the rx-8 felt so effortless to drive at 10/10ths I doubt the BRZ will match it (though coolant temps were occasionally an issue on track). Too bad mazda killed the rotary, I liked those quirky motors. Nothing beats a miata for on track fun though, I've had 3 NBs.

Love my RX-8! Has a fresh engine (I installed it last year with some friends and it has ~12k miles now) and a new trans too. It's been a SUPER fun track car, 2:10s at VIR pretty easily and reliable as hell.

Originally Posted by wbradley

DocWalt, thank you for your detailed and very insightful review of your experience with the BRZ so far.

Despite dozens of YouTubers out there competing for subscriber clicks and views, this is by far the most useful review I have seen yet. And that includes Savagegeese who owned a first gen FR-S with a supercharger previously.

Thanks! Glad it's helpful!

[Aroundomaha]

Great insights and I look forward to following your progress with the car. I'm coming from a GTI with a DSG automatic so this feels really different from what I'm used to.

I'll add some observations after my first 200 miles while my thoughts about it are fresh.

• 100% agree that the materials feel good; cheap but not too cheap if that makes sense. The GTI might have seemed nicer but not by much.
• Driver and passenger side windows don't see up as tight as I'm used to when using my pressure washer. They dribble rather than outright leak, but I noted that some care is needed when using my pressure washer (it is a cheap unit so no, I'm not pressure blasting the car).
• I'm not a fan of the artificial engine noise but I'll keep it until I do a cat back. It gives me some kind of engine feedback.
• Solid! I'm not an expert but damn the chassis rigidity seems noticeably higher than my GTI, and I think that car was pretty good.

Overall I'm tickled pink. The turn-in feels great and I'm spending time on side roads trying to learn heel and toe, though for autocross it isn't needed too much (second gear ftw).

I plan to run street class SCCA so Subaru crash bolts, and wheels/tires are my only planned items for 2022. Probably 245/40/17 (Kumho V730s or Continental ExtremeContact Sport) mounted on RPF1s but I'm open to informed opinions on doing it differently. My goal is as much seat time as possible and co-drivers, so longevity is more important than single lap grip.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Compared to my prior ND2 Miata, the new twin feels both more expensive and less expensive in a lot of different ways. The ND interior styling is on point and everything feels really nice... Except for where it's clearly *really* cheap. It's hard to compare totally stock versus totally stock as I had MCS shocks on the ND within a month or two, but the ND seemed to absorb large bumps better but it was super floaty and *very* soft so no surprise there. The ND powerband was smoother but felt slower because of it. Straight line acceleration is about identical, but the BRZ feels more dramatic because of the slight torque dip I guess.

Nice there is still a slight torque dip. It adds to the acceleration thrill and makes you rev the engine. This is not a 6-cyl NA engine and needs some character and drama to fill the performance gap.

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

Nice there is still a slight torque dip. It adds to the acceleration thrill and makes you rev the engine. This is not a 6-cyl NA engine and needs some character and drama to fill the performance gap.

Honestly, I agree. That said, it's properly quick now so it doesn't need the drama nearly as much!

[PBR]

Great write up and thank you. I've owned 2 RX8s. Had an EVO X between them that I couldn't learn to love. Preferred my RX8s to my AP2 also. Better steering feel and a stiffer chassis. Much more playful. Highly underrated sports car imo. When I got my '22 BRZ and drove it around for a bit, one of my first thoughts was, "Wow. Someone at Subaru is a fan of RX8s."

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Honestly, I agree. That said, it's properly quick now so it doesn't need the drama nearly as much!

Did they finally add autolocking doors to the car? lol or does it still function like the 1st gen?

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by N1rve

Did they finally add autolocking doors to the car? lol or does it still function like the 1st gen?

Auto-locking? Do you mean the locking while in motion feature? Cause I don't think they lock.

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by PBR

Great write up and thank you. I've owned 2 RX8s. Had an EVO X between them that I couldn't learn to love. Preferred my RX8s to my AP2 also. Better steering feel and a stiffer chassis. Much more playful. Highly underrated sports car imo. When I got my '22 BRZ and drove it around for a bit, one of my first thoughts was, "Wow. Someone at Subaru is a fan of RX8s."

I'd always wanted an RX-8, finally picked one up last year!

I've owned a pretty interesting selection of cars to compare to and have driven lots of other stuff like S2000s, Caymans, M3s, etc etc.

'88 Supra non-turbo
'94 3000GT VR-4
'10 Evo X
'92 GTI 16V
'13 BRZ
'16 Focus RS
'17 GT350
'19 ND2 Miata
'09 RX-8 R3
'22 BRZ

[PBR]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

I'd always wanted an RX-8, finally picked one up last year!

I've owned a pretty interesting selection of cars to compare to and have driven lots of other stuff like S2000s, Caymans, M3s, etc etc.

'88 Supra non-turbo
'94 3000GT VR-4
'10 Evo X
'92 GTI 16V
'13 BRZ
'16 Focus RS
'17 GT350
'19 ND2 Miata
'09 RX-8 R3
'22 BRZ

Amazing list. Here's mine.

1. '98 E36 M3
2. '98 993 911 C2S
3. '07 997.1
4. '06 & '08 RX8
5. '05 S2000 AP2
6. '13 Scion FRS
7. '08 EVO X
8. '05 & '05 Lotus Elise
9. '2011 Lotus Evora

The R3 is simply fantastic. So overlooked it's tragic. Great choice.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Auto-locking? Do you mean the locking while in motion feature? Cause I don't think they lock.

That's the one. Thanks! lol. Surprised it still not added haha.

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by PBR

Amazing list. Here's mine.

1. '98 E36 M3
2. '98 993 911 C2S
3. '07 997.1
4. '06 & '08 RX8
5. '05 S2000 AP2
6. '13 Scion FRS
7. '08 EVO X
8. '05 & '05 Lotus Elise
9. '2011 Lotus Evora

The R3 is simply fantastic. So overlooked it's tragic. Great choice.

Also a truly fantastic list of cars!