Can't Decide between the BRZ Limited/ FR-S Monogram
 

I'm sure this is something that has been covered quite a few times but I'm having a hard time deciding between the 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited in World Rally Blue and the 2014 Scion FR-S Monogram Series in Firestorm Red.


Every Firestorm BRZ/ FRS that i've seen at a show room or during overcast look great. However, it seems when the Firestorm is in direct sunlight, it almost looks faded out. maybe its just me.. but I have also noticed this from pictures. A lot of people i've talked to about it mentioned that the red looks dull and that it could be a cop magnet (due to colour)

The World Rally Blue BRZ Looks ok during overcast but i haven't been able to see one in the wild or during direct sunlight so i don't know what the colour truly looks like. i've shown a few people the car and they aren't too crazy about the stitching being red and the car being blue.. it doesn't bother me that much.

The trims are very similar between the two. I really like the history of the Scion FR-S/ Toyota 86 as it dates back to the gt2000 and the BRZ just seems like a copy cat. At the same time i like the rarity of the BRZ: you don't see too many people in my area driving them.

I'm looking at picking one up around the end of the month.

What are your opinions?

-Thanks in advance guys!




sorry if i posted this in the wrong section!

There is going to be pure pricing on a monogram at $28,155 for MT. I've heard you can get BRZs for less because you can haggle the price. The options are the same between the two.

If the cost is no issue, it comes down to which fascia do you prefer, which color (wrb or firestorm), which interior trim (silver or black), which rear view mirror (frameless or whatever home link one BRZs have), and which dealer (brand) do you want to deal with for purchasing/warranty work.

Monogram.

Re. WRB, the red stitching with blue exterior isn't bad at all. I've got a buddy with that color and I've never thought twice about it when I've gotten into his car. About the color itself, if you've ever seen a blue WRX or STI, it's the same color. Looks great IMO.

Personally I like the FR-S for its exterior looks and white tach, but in the end, they're both the same car.

BRZ Limited 100%. Monogram shmonogram :)

I would let price be a big deciding factor. I am not sure about Candian pricing and discounts, but here in the US it is not uncommon to find a new BRZ for $26-27K (and even less, through Hueberger). If you can save a big chunk of change on the BRZ, it seems crazy not to. If the cars are the same price then go with your gut.

This should help some.


http://sdrv.ms/16hKTVx


Might need to verify the Monogram section, it went up early before the announcement. After going through that list start looking at cosmetic differences. My personal preference is I like the FR-S front-end as well as the boxer logo on the sides of the car. They both handle slightly differently in terms of understeer/oversteer, but many will never know the difference (myself likely included). In terms of interior I just found out it is possible/easy to swap all the "custom" trim parts for solid black if you want. So figure out your priorities, then figure out what's easy to change/customize, and make the call.


Custom black trim:


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...84#post1126084


Maybe you plan on getting seat covers, so which seat you get doesn't matter?


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37972


You can't go wrong with either, it's all going to boil down to price and splitting hairs.

The Limited can be had under $26k. Just get that.

Now that they're basically the same, pick the one with the front bumper you like.

BRZ and I'll hook you up :D

Go cheaper and use the difference to define the car into something you will really love. You can always do badge swaps too.

I recommend just going for test drives. Sit in the cars. At the LA Auto Show, they fit completely different and I had no idea why. The BRZ was so roomy, the FR-S was tight and compact. FF a week later, and MY FR-S is very roomy. I have no idea what was up with the FR-S at the LAAS.

You'll also want to see what kind of paneling you like on the inside. Some people hate the seashell. I love it. I didn't in the pics but in person, I love it.

Sound petty? Cuz it really is. Best case scenario? Wait. Wait for a SC'ed STi or a Turbo'ed FR-S. The demand is high, its only a matter of time. Otherwise, test drive them.

Someone who previous sat in the seat probably played with the vertical height (the pump feature), and it creates a huge difference in the way the leg room/head room are. Did you change that around?

Because the cars are identical. :iono:

Thanks guys! Keep the comments coming! :)

I just traded my Firestorm FRS for a WRB BRZ Limited. The WRB is a better color in my opinion. The red stitching with the blue is awesome. I also like the spoiler better than what will be on the FRS. You can also get it for cheaper if you know what you are doing. Good luck. :thumbsup:

I agree with the better spoiler on BRZ, the Scion OEM spoiler is blah. You'll also get fog lights included (instead of added option) to help fight that Vancouver fog. You'll have a red-stitched handbrake & boot with the BRZ, but won't have the nice white-tach the FR-S has.

Yeap. Slid forward, slid back, tilt up, tilt down, pump up, pump down. I have no idea what it was.

I was basically trying fit, since I'm a very stocky guy. I found the BRZ fit me well, and the FR-S didn't and I found it saddening that the FR-S didn't fit me and that was when I knew which one I wanted :)

http://www.scion.com/blog/wp-content...71_low_res.jpg

One subtle difference I noticed on the interior - the alcantara seats on the monogram series features the patterned "T" design found throughout the vehicle on the middle back section.

I say buy the one with the bumper you like better.

Really?

Obviously, get the BRZ for cheaper price and swap the front if you'd like.

Since they are practically the same here are a few questions I would ask myself if I was in your shoes. Obviously, there are always alternatives to change stock options and go aftermarket, but for the sake of comparing, we'll keep it stock:

- Do you prefer the white tach (FR-S) or black tach (BRZ)?
- Do you prefer the fake carbon fiber finish or the silver finish?
- Do you prefer the FR-S bumper or the BRZ?
- Do you prefer the Scion warranty/customer care/service or the Subaru?

- Will you absolutely want the cheaper one of the two?
- Would you be able to get your hands on a Monogram? (limited edition)
- Is colour a factor? I hear that up here we get boned on colour choice for the Monogram.
- Do you attribute any value to the frameless rearview mirror and rearseat armrest in your decision? (only available in Monogram so far)

Don't forget they don't have the same suspension tuning or wtv (one's firmer at the front than the other) so test drive both to see if you feel a difference and if so which do you prefer.

I can't suggest other questions to ask yourself

Most everyone here with a BRZ will tell you to go with the BRZ, and likewise for those who own FR-S's, so the most objective advice I can give you is to go with whichever one you think looks better up front.

They're basically the same car, but there is a user-defined stigma to owning either, so just ask yourself which one you'd like to see in your garage every morning and which one you'd like to be seen in.

On a side note, I wouldn't mind if you went with the Scion, just to keep us BRZ's THAT much more exclusive (I kid, you can get a much better deal on a BRZ via Clint up there).

Do you like the Brz's C led's or the Frs's \ / leds lol

Seriously tho, if you can wait 6 months or so till what may be leaked/announced etc for 2015 might be worth it...it could mean no brand new monogram for ya though if the wait was worthless.

As someone looking at buying one of the twins here soon I'll weigh in.

I was only looking at the BRZ so I could get the features in the limited (it's 2014, I want stupid features like keyless start and auto climate, deal with it). The monogram announcement threw a slight wrench in my plans as I like the car as a GT-86 and I could swap badges out without too much hassle. The problem with the monogram is the fact that they're only making 2,000 of them. The BRZ limited is a permanent trim option and you can go to most Subaru dealers and find one or 2 on the lot or they can easily order whatever combo you want. With the monogram you can't do that, if they have one that's probably one of the maybe 2 they'll ever get and you'll have to take it as it is, ordering one (unless you order RIGHT NOW) isn't going to be an option. Not to mention the BRZ can be haggled to be several thousand cheaper.

I'm currently eyeing a slightly used BRZ limited, but if I end up going new I'll at least go to a Toyota/Scion dealer to see if I can get a monogram in the spec I want.

Is it true the BRZ has AUTO headlights? Will the monogram have this feature since it is essentially a lower GT86?

Johnny
__________________
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2014 Monogram Whiteout Scion FR-S (Hopefully...)

1985 Toyota Corolla GT-S Red Hatchback (AE86) 157k miles
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Since the existing 10 series has them, I'd have to say yes.

I'd go either way but the whole Scion thing has been a turnoff for me every since I had to decide. The deciding factor for you would probably come down to the front end.

$28,155? Isn't that USD? I don't believe there was a CAD announcement yet.

For the BRZ, I was able to get $1000 off here.

Go with WRB limited, I have one and the color is marvelous. Besides I believe the company that makes the engine makes the car.

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It will look stupid, imo.


At OP, I'm gonna tell you to get the monogram. Why? a true GT86! you are gonna make those FRS owners so jelly about ur ride.
As soon as you get this car, re badge the car!!! Get the GT86 badge because your car deserves to have one :P

So glad, you are coming from a civic si owner hahha...

Yes it does but it has a toggle switch, you can operate the lights manually or use the automatic setting on the headlight stalk.

RED

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I had the same dilemma but decided I'm getting wrb and I don't mind the bumper. Plus like they said. U can get it cheaper and put the rest of the money on customization.

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where?

Pretty much every subaru dealer in LA area.

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That's why I bought a BRZ 18 months ago. lol

I guess I should have expanded.
Buy the front-end you like more.
That includes the headlights, which far surpass the difference in price of the two cars if you were to swap them to the other.

I'm an ass man myself. The BRZ spoiler looks way better than the Scions in my opinion.

I don't think the BRZ is a copycat. From what I read on Motor Trend, Toyota hired engineers from Subaru to help design it (correct me if I'm wrong) so I think it was a joint effort and Subaru deserves to have their own model, they helped design it so they didn't copy it.
I was leaning to the BRZ Limited because I like the interior features that it comes with that the FRS doesn't have until I saw the Monogram has the same features and since they are only making 2000 of them I wanted to be one of the 2000 owners.
I'm still undecided about the bumpers (like both of them) but I'm not crazy about the silver on the dash of the BRZ but I like the black tach better.
This was a hard decision but I guess the limited edition is what sold me.
Oh yea, I just ordered it Wed so I still have a while to wait to second guess myself!:D

Hey..u think I can order at a dealership even if they have a similar one on their lot? Lol I know it sounds crazy but if possible, I kinda want a brz that just got delivered. Like fresh fish haha

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They have a Monogram on the lot?

A new car is a new car. The one sitting on the lot is the one they will make the "deal" on. I don't mean to be rude but your asked for advice and don't seem to want to take it. If you try to order one they won't deal with you. They will sell you a car. You lose control. Buy it now while they are cheap. Or wait for the spring and order one at MSRP. Choice is yours.