help me decide!!
 

Hey everybody, names Anthony first time poster. I need huge help on deciding my next car. I've been looking into the BRZ limited lately and I am very intrigued. I have the money to buy this car today but now I am stuck on either getting a 2017 limited BRZ or another base STI (2017) I will list my past cars in chronological order if that helps at all. Then I will list my likes and dis likes of each.

2013 Civic SI
2015 STI Base
2015 Q50
2016 GTI Auto Bahn

2017 BRZ Limited
Things I love
-The looks. I think this car is beyond hot honestly
-I've aways wanted a RWD car
-last time I've owned a 2 door was when I was 16. I am 24 now so excited about that
-The true roots to a JDM car and all the possibilities of customization to it!
-Push to start

Things I am meh about
-This thing is slow. I've driven an FRS and I remember taking off but unlike my STI at the time it just never gave that pull it was just slow the whole time.
-I live in NY so snow is a huge concern to me as this will be my DD
-The lack in tech (I know it isn't a car for that but still stuff I like)


2017 STI Base
Things I love
-Fast
-Looks
-Handling
-The pride of owning this car
-AWD
-4 Door

Things I am meh about
-Lack of tech
-Since base no push to start will suck
-price is 8K more is it really worth it?
-Dinosaur EJ engine
-Fuel Economy Blows but not a deal breaker
-Should I wait for 2020+

The reason I am having such a hard time choosing is because I will no longer be upgrading yearly as I used too I will be sticking to which ever car I get for at least 4-5 years since my work commute is very far everyday now. please help me out, anybody who owns a BRZ tell me you're story would you do it again? Anything you really hate that I should be aware of? Maybe a whole other car in general you guys might suggest?

All opinions welcomed just keep it civilized thank you very much guys!

I think you summed things up already. Each has their plus and minus and it is up to which things you really want and what you can live without.
I do disagree with the statement that the BRZ is "slow" though. Is it slower than a STi? Most certainly, but that does not make it "slow". Driven properly it is actually pretty peppy even if it is not going to win many drag races.

any issues with you're FRS? Any regrets since purchase? With the openflash tune do you think the acceleration will be similar to my GTI? especially since the BRZ is much lighter?

I would go with the wrx if snow is an issue. And yes, the car is incredibly slow stock. It takes some work to make them quick in a straight line. If you can live with that and snow is less of a concern than you made it out to be it is a more driver centric car.

Honestly, I probably wouldn't go with either based off your cons list. Find a car that is better suited to what you're truly after.

Without a pile more work you will never get GTI acceleration out of a BRZ. That was not what they were built for and if you want to be pushed back in your seat then there are far better options. The new upper level Camaros and Mustangs, the STi you mentioned, most of the 3 series BMWs, even some of the hot hatches all may be a better option for you. You can mod for speed but that entails a level of risk and expense that you have to be able to justify for a DD car.
I have had zero issues after 100K and 3 years with the FRS. Not a thing. Nothing. Just regular maintenance. I went into the car knowing it was not a rocket but unlike so many I have never had any issue keeping up with traffic, passing or being beat off the line by soccer moms in minivans.

Snow? Meh.

What would you suggest?

What is your budget?
How far is the "very far" commute?
Stop and go or open highway?


There are 100s of cars to chose from if it doesn't need to be brand new.

Snow is not an issue with the BRZ/FRS provided you invest in a set of winter tires.

I test drove the WRX and it left me cold: powerful, practical, but not as sharp as the BRZ (and a far inferior shifter).

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I wanted a STI/WRX. Test drove both.

Ended up with a 86. I'm very happy with my decision

guy at the dealer called me to let me know the BRZ was delayed another 3 weeks but mentioned he had a black STI for 389 a month which is dirt cheap. Since my cousin needs my GTI by this weekend, since he is taking over the payments. I think the universe decided for me :bow:

The tofu deliveries had nothing to do with it? :lol:

Well...you got me there.

I drove a 2017 Series yellow just this past weekend to feel the difference. The new Final Drive ratio does A LOT to enhance the feel of driving. The car FEELS a lot faster than previous years due to more wheel torque and you actually get that throw you back in your seat feel.

Another thing to consider. You could always take that 8k and go forced induction. Theres A LOT of options for that for these cars and at that point you would be as fast if not faster than an STi depending on what you do.

To be very honest I think from your pro and cons list that is the better choice for you anyway. The BRZ is certainly not in the same realm and you have to really understand what it is all about or will be disappointed.

Yes definitely. Thank you very much for the help. Looking at things at a different view the car I always regretted getting rid of was my STI. The BRZ is awesome and as somebody else stated I should use those 8K to go forced induction. But sadly that runs into the issue of "what if" since I will be driving his car a lot anything crazier than simple bold ons just don't seem like a good idea. I will loose out on the push to start and a few of the things I have come to enjoy but the practicality of a 4 door AWD with some spare snow tires will be the better choice.

Thanks again everybody! It just happen to be the faith has made the decision for me! I am excited about another STI. Currently getting ready to pick it up if anybody cares for me to uodate I will thanks again everybody!

Here is my input
Starters, sounds like you already made up your mind for the STI and your on the BRZ forums. For your Pros you have 'looks' in both so thats a wash. For the Cons you have 'lack of tech' on both so thats a wash too.

BRZ:
Pros - Rear wheel drive is great. You'll save 8k so you can 'customize' it since has true roots to JDM. Push to start contradicts what you were saying about lack of tech.
Cons - Its not slow by any means. Has sufficient power in both city and highway, and sure as hell puts a smile on my face every time in behind the wheel. *If you customize with your savings then that goes out the window. Snow can be solved with tires.

STI:
Pros - Fast/Handling, yes it has power but when do you really go 'fast'? handling, test drive the brz lol. Pride of ownership? you'll be proud either way. 4 door AWD, now we are talking. Yes it is easier to have four doors and put ppl in the back, but do you ever drive ppl around? AWD, doesn't solve your snow problem but rather helps with the right practices and tires.
Cons - Lack of tech since you have to get a base. Price + insurance. Dinosaur engine, it works and its proven. oh and it give you your 'POWER'. Fuel economy is relative to how you drive and you said no deal breaker so why is it a con? Should you wait for 2020, lol you need a car now and who knows if you don't want a minivan by then...

Bottom line is pick what you think is practical for both your passengers or cargo and what you really need the car for. I also am a firm believer in getting a car with all the bells and whistles for resale value. Whats a harder sell, fully loaded car or the basic? Good luck!

Thank you for the input and I've been ravin about the BRZ for weeks now actually but the fact that I have to wait another 3 weeks just put a damper on things. Going to the dealer now I know they have the yellow one but that color is deff not for me.

LOL now we get to see who reads how far before replying!

First off I don't see how you could even have a debate here if you are really concerned with snow / bad weather. The brz simply doesn't compare in anyway what so ever.

For me the bottom line is the brz is such a low center of gravity and so light it's a lot of fun right out of the box. For a more inexperienced driver it is plenty "Fast". This idea the brz can't handle anymore power or it will explode is silly. People act like the sti is some demon with a million horsepower. That being said a lot of people say oh I drove an sti and it felt big or heavy, no it's because it has hydraulic steering (man steering) and trying to say it's imprecise or a not sporting is full of it.

I think saying the ej25 is a dinosaur is stupid. It still makes double the torque stock that the brz makes and can make triple the torque with stock internals and no detriment to reliability. Most of it maybe an old design but so what, look at the low end torque and power it provides when turbo'ed. To clear up another thing if you think the brz engine na is more responsive than a hopped up ej25 (assuming no monster turbo) you are on the far side of wrong. The BRZ engine is a great amount of power to drive the car fast as can go, it however will never ever ever thrill you or feel fast in a straight line 150 lbs tq simple as that. The magic of the brz is in it's chassis and to have a good time one really doesn't need anymore than that.

Your best bet is to talk with some enthusiasts in person because posting here will just get you a bunch of biased people posting because you insult them by suggesting their car is slow or a different car can be just as great or more suited to your needs.

One last thought the brz engine is wonderful and serves a great purpose and nothing more is needed to make the car marvelous. There is however imo room for higher horsepower car with more heavy duty equipment. The brakes and PP are a step in the right direction. For me it really is about the performance parts that go hand in hand with longevity, thats what excites me.

I would say a forester XT, but that's me.




I'm not saying these cars CAN'T do snow...I know they can. There are better vehicles suited for snow though, and AWD subarus are basically known for being reliable in adverse conditions.

I almost posted 'just get the STI' after reading his comment about tuning an 86 to match a GTI.

OP seems like they will be much happier in the STI. Part of me wants to see what happens in the thread, part of me just wants it locked...

Unless that GTI has a DSG with launch control enabled from a dig it's not really that much faster but yes that max torque comes real quick below 2k rpm. I reckon with better tires at stock dimensions and a sportier clamping clutch the BRZ can get within half a car length in a drag.

Then again stage 1 chip for the GTI is quite cheap and then it will pull even in 5th gear.

Yep. I helped push a STi out of the way on a snow covered road just the other week. Dude was a bit embarrassed that a guy in a FRS had to help get him unstuck. I highly recommended actual snow tires to him.
There is nothing wrong at all with RWD cars in the snow. There is always something that is "better" at anything so where is the cut off line?

Not true. See above post.

Where it confirms all of my life choice.

Well put!

Having an STI and not putting snow tires for the snow is just plain silly

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/co...MVBU0sYdh/file

Here's the car I bought if anybody cares to see

Yep. Dude was stuck solid.

The feeling of speed is relative. A go kart 1" off the ground feels fast at 20mph, especially around the corners. A big heavy truck with 400 hp feels slow, especially around the corners. I've had 3 WRX's (one an STI Limited). They were all faster, but were pretty boring at anything under 7/10 driving, but since that's 99% of my driving conditions I never got to rev it out. The BRZ can be driven near 10/10 at leagl speeds, and while it might not feel fast in a straight line it "feels" quick everywhere else.

The answer is always Miata.

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Miata
Is
Always
The
Answer

It's late and I just wanted to shitpost after reading the thread. Thank you for confirming my shitpost was indeed shit. Can't believe I just found out that was an acronym.

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I laughed my ass off the first time I saw that written out like that.

dude ej25 is a dino. I wish Subaru would give up and just give us teh ej20. They know anyone who is interested in power will run e85 anyways. Would be so much nicer than an engine tuned to eat itself.

The whole "just use E85" thing is great for places that can actually get it. Check out just how hard it is to find in many places and it really fades as being the answer for everybody. It really isn't as common as people would think.

Agreed. Luckily where I moved has it at the nearest gas station and there's one not too far from my buddy's place and there's one not too out of the way in-between. While they're not abundant, I can find it in my area (Houston). Having said that, I run flex fuel so I can grab the local 93 in a pinch.

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that is true, but the other reason subaru says they use the ej25 is they claim Americans won't buy a high revving car with no tourque. I have no idea where they got that idea from. I bet if Subaru put the current ej20 in the STI they'd get a massives sales blip for a year or two.

Of course I live in the middle of absolutely nowhere and there are two stations that sell e85 near me. I was shocked when I found out.