Carsguide: the refresh is a step backwards
 

A new Aussie review at Carsguide offers a harsh critique of the new suspension setup:
It concludes:

Funny part is, kouki rear suspension is stiffer than zenki. Kouki suspension setup can get faster around the corner than zenki. Rear chassis have been stiffen as well, so maybe writer is feeling more rear tire flex more than thinking suspension got softer due to those 2 factors.

Here's the vid showing zenki86 vs kouki86
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo7OksvNvQQ"]走れ�86。特別試乗会　スペシャルデ モレース　7/31富士スピードウェイ(ショートサー゠*ット) - YouTube[/ame]

Maybe I'm dumb but I don't mind the engine noise and I haven't even plugged the sound hole yet on the passenger side.

But a professional writer in an auto magazine wrote it so it must be true!!! Why bother even driving the car; your opinion does not matter - just the reviews. Oh yeah, and the car needs 50 HP more too!

[/Sarcasm]

I heard that having ten stickers placed in the most un-aerodynamic ways will give you at least 50 HP.

I'll sub to that magazine for free stickers.

Free HP upgrade.

:cry: :bellyroll:

\s

Are the front springs stiffer on the 17s?

At least the article did not include the news that the next-gen will be a 350 HP turbo. Author is also a dunce.

Yeah. I'd say dialing out some of the stiffness in the rear was a concession to drivability in that it's a little less likely to oversteer. As much fun as drifting is, it doesn't do much for lap times.

Can you imagine if the author got his hands on the original FR-S suspension setup.

Or going to pick up groceries, driving to work, dealing with snow or rain, or just about anything else that the cars actually get used for about 99.8672% of the time.

I'm not a racecar driver despite driving a racecar, but I find the 86 remains settled in conditions where the FR-S was getting upset. It's a nicer car, the end. Want it like the original? Easy fix.

That article is even dumber on the second read.

I used to watch the savagegese build on youtube.
he recently reviewed the 17 86 and said it felt softer too.


doesn't matter to me since i have aftermarket coilovers. (and always do on most cars I buy)


I do think the front bumper on the 17 looks like a sad frown compared to the 13-16. bleh.
just my opinion though. but the new lights? WANT.

Glad to read that. It completely justifies me purchasing my BRZ back in 2013; rather than waiting four years for the 2017 model to come out.

I went from a 13 FR-S to a 17 86. It's a nicer car. It handles better, rides a bit better, its quieter. It doesn't give up anything to the "old" version.

Completely agree. The '17 is notably smoother in most respects (but I wouldn't call it "soft"). It reminds me of going from AP1 to AP2 in S2000 terms.

Having come from the original 13 FR-S and remembering just how that car loved to oversteer (which I liked btw). I'm pleasantly surprised that the FR-S was not involved in some mass recall due to the kids sliding and drifting all over the place. Like I did .... and I'm not a kid. Hehehe.

I was being sarcastic (referring to the article). I wouldn't expect the 2017 to be anything less than an improvement.

I'd call that operator error. I've never had difficulty keeping it pointed the right direction in all of those examples. ;) :D

Missed the sarcasm, sorry.

Need a sarcasm emoticon, lol.

7 years already OP have you even made a decision yet? You can probably write the twins encyclopedia by now.

Problem is, they've moved the steering wheel to the opposite side of car...upsets the balance.

Move dead hooker to opposite side of trunk. Harmony restored.

DGAF. Nothing but spring rate and valving changes. Want your 13 to feel like a 17? Buy a set of 17 springs/dampers from some kids who can't wait to ruin their new cars.

:lol::lol::lol:


humfrz

Or the other way 'round. Voila! Instant 13er handling in your fancy new 17. My ass-celerometer tells me the stock 86 can corner harder than a stock 13 FR-S.

"Drifting is for imbeciles."
Jame May

I love the way my stock 15 frs handles and it can get a bit tail happy in the rain with the crappy winter tires I have. But just cant push it as much as I would like or... should in crappy weather. I am curious to test drive a 17 86. Just to see the difference, I wouldn't trade my 15 frs though. I wish it had the simple volume controls on the steering wheel though.

give him a manual and he'd probably sit and stare and not be able to drive it. The tester here was an auto for some reason.

I think the writer is a moron. The top of the line brz still weight only 2835.

I'm curious as to how the engine noise has changed in an AT. Same engine as the "old" version, correct? Same sound tube setup, I think. I'm assuming the same sound insulation work done on the MT has been done on the AT 86.

Who cares

this just goes to show why a good chunk (if not most) of autojounralists are a joke..no one does serious tests/comparisons back to back...they all attempt to use the butt dyno's long term memory to compare their current experience with a car and we all know how crappy and innaccurate human memories are