Stu's BRZ

[Stu baru]

So I finally took delivery on my BRZ Tuesday after work (MT Limited in Satin White Pearl). I must say this car is as fun as advertised; easily the best handling car I've every owned. I know everyone rags on the tires, but even so, the thing just grabs and goes when you romp into a corner. I can only imagine what it will be like with some real performance tires. I'm really looking forward to after break-in when I can really wind her up, which for me won't be long as we're taking two road trips over the next two weekends that will leave us well over the minimum mileage.

Some observations:

The clutch is the polar opposite of that on the '08 Outback XT I traded in, so much so I feel like I'm learning to drive a stick all over again. The first time I engaged it I practically put my foot through the firewall it has so much softer a spring rate, and the engagement point is at the near end instead of the far end, so it feels totally foreign. After not quite 2 days of driving, I'm still dialing in the feel.

The controls are all different compared with all my prior Subarus. I used to be able to swap cars and do everything from memory. Now I keep spritzing the windshield with cleaner when I'm expecting just a single wiper swipe.

I still keep reaching to put an empty hand up and turn the key start it. Old habits are hard break.

Would have preferred to avoid the Nav system (and have to pay for it), but it is what it is. I'll have to consider replacing the whole thing, I'm old school and like real buttons/dials to control audio so you can do things by feel without looking away from the road.

Visbility is quite good considering I'm 6'4" and therefore sit all the way back. There's a bit of a blind spot to the left, but a well adjusted side mirror and purposeful glance take care of that nicely.

While I'd change some things about the driver's seat, I'm am able to sit as upright as I like with no headroom issues which is new. I had to lean back a tad in my Outback because of the sun roof, so this is wonderful. Steering wheel and shifter reach is excellent too, another fitment issue I had with the Outback (related more to leaned back seating position than anything else). My wife, on the other hand (5'2"), is miserable in the passenger seat and we're looking at some lumbar and seat cushions. If we can't get any joy there, we'll be visiting an upholstery shop for some seat customization, at which time I may have them tweak the drivers seat a bit. We'll see, the long drives coming up the next two weekends will tell me much more about comfort.

As for power, while I'm not thrilled, I'm also not disappointed. Since I can't redline it yet, I'm stuck down in average-land, but the car is still quick. I guess it comes down to expectations, and I wasn't expecting more than I got. Besides, I didn't get this car for the power, I got it for the handling and on that point I'm thrilled. I don't know that I'll do anything to up it's output at this point, and will probably await a turbo version from Subaru in the coming years. If you recall, it took a while before they even did a sporty US version of the Impreza let alone a turbocharged one. I don't think the wait will be that long in the case of the BRZ now that they've established themselves as a turbo performance car brand.

Plans for the future? I'll be doing the clear JDM side markers for sure, they just look so sweet on the white cars. She's going to the detailer to get prepped and Otpi-Guarded in the next day or so, and they'll be doing window tint as well. She'll be getting a set of winter performance tires on the stock rims around Thanksgiving, and then I'll have to decide on wheels and better summer tires for the spring. I'm still searching for the perfect wheel...I really like a clean, flat look, so if anyone can recommend something in an 17x8 or 18x8 that has 6-8 wide spokes that mount flush with the outer rim edge please throw me suggestion. At the moment the most likely candidate is the TSW Vortex. Oh well, still looking and I still have time to decide. I don't think I'll do suspension, but will know more once she's got some good rubber under her next year. As I said before, probably no engine modes, other than to maybe to delete the sound tube leading to the cabin.

That's about it for now, love the car...and now hate traffic and straight roads even more than ever.

You all know what a white BRZ looks like, especially a stock one, but I'll try and post some pics after she comes back from the detailer. She's filthy at the moment since the dealer was under strict orders not to touch the car.

[BioRage]