Considering a BRZ
 

I'm 42yo and I suppose I'm experiencing my midlife crisis. My first car was a horrible, horrible 1979 Plymouth Horizion. I drove it until the block cracked and got a 1985 RX-7. Holy cow I loved that car. My brother in-law had a Datsun 260Z. He let me drive it and I was totally hooked. It had a whopping 170hp and it felt like the fastest car in the world.

It wasn't just the speed, it was the sound, how low to the ground you were, and how you could feel every bump in the road. You could hear the engine and rowing the 4 speed transmission was all part of the fun.

I've owned a bunch of cars over the years. From big trucks and SUV's to sporty sedans. No matter how fast they were, none were as exciting and fun to drive as my 100hp RX-7 or that 170hp 260Z. I've longed for the sensation those cars gave me for over two decades.

I find myself in a situation where my lease on my F-150 will end in a couple of years, so I'm shopping in hopes of picking up something used in a couple of years. I've driven a C6 Corvette...it's a big pig. I've driven a Mustang V6 and V8...again...feels like a much bigger car than it is. Tried a Focus ST, Fiesta ST, Charger R/T, WRX, GTI, and Mazdaspeed 3. All were nice cars, but all lacked the "feel" I was looking for (although the Fiesta ST was close!).

Then I saw an FR-S. I didn't figure at 6'5" 265lbs I'd be able to fit, but I did, and was comfortable. Then I drove it. Holy cow...this is it!! The feel of the engine, the sound, the driving position, the engaging way the car drove and handled....this was it! This was the car!! :happyanim:

So now I'm waiting two VERY long years for the lease on my truck to end so I can make my move, and I'm reading and watching. New Mustang is coming. New GTI is coming. New WRX is coming. Possibly the Focus RS is coming. But I'm waiting.

While I'm waiting, I see lots of folks saying the car doesn't have enough power, or it needs more tire, or it needs more sound, or it needs a better radio, etc. To each their own, but I have to tell you from a middle aged guys point of view, this car is fantastic just the way it is.

More power is fine if you're drag racing or you have a sponsor picking up your bills and fostering your racing career, but on the street, 200hp in a light car is plenty. On my test drive I ran the car up to about 80mph. Above the speed limit anywhere in the United States. On the roads this car is designed to be driven on you'd be lucky to to get above 45mph no matter how big a turbo you stuffed under the hood. I long to take a BRZ/FR-S to Deal's Gap or in the mountains of N. Georgia.

Sticky tires might be nice, but higher traction limits mean when the car does break free, it's going to be at a higher speed and with greater force. I'm not a professional driver and don't have the ability to control a car at high limits. Kudos to those of you who have that sort of skill.

For years I've been looking for a car that was relatively affordable, fun to drive, lightweight, rear wheel drive, that feels like the simple sports cars of the 70's and 80's but has the safety and reliability of modern cars. I had a Miata once, fun car, but way too impractical.

For those of you who are fortunate enough to own a BRZ/FR-S, consider yourself very lucky. You have a truly magical car.

Yep. That just about sums it up.

Great post!!!!! These are the exact reasons why I bought this car. Its old school and nothing now can really compare to that "feel" as you said. This car is definitely for you by the looks of it. Hope you can own one soon you deserve it since its been a long wait for you.

As long as you fit and don't expect to put anyone in the backseat this car sounds perfect for you. I owned 3 RX-7's and I would definitely classify the FT86 as a modern day RX-7.

Thanks for the write up. Summed it up very nicely.

I thought about waiting a year or two as well to save up more before purchasing my BRZ... so glad I didn't wait. :D Don't know what I would've done these past 2 years without my BRZ as my DD.

What length pants do you wear? I'm 6 foot 4 and have yet to sit in one and still wonder how i'll fit in one. Also how much head room did you have left? Do you feel you could wear a helmet in it?

I forget which review said it but this is a 10/10ths car.........you can legally drive it to its limits on the road and have a blast. I really don't understand what my co-workers think they're going to (legally) do with their 400+ horsepower Mustangs on public roads.

In two years there should be a nice price drop on these and because many think it's underpowered they will ultimately move on to something with more factory power. I'm in my late 30s but I completely agree with you that this car is magic to drive.

Once you get your BRZ, get yourself a good tune (I just installed mine today from OFT/Shiv), it really wakes the car up and is how it should have been tuned from the factory.

Idk about him, but I'm 6'4" 205lb and wear a 34 length pants and fit great and feel like I could wear a helmet. I haven't spent much time in one (unfortunately) but loved it the hour or so I had one. Then again I have always driven small cars so it felt normal to me.

I'm 6'5" with a 36" inseam. No car short of a full size SUV or pickup has enough leg room for me, but I've learned to live with it over the years. My knees don't hit the steering wheel or anything like that. It has a surprising amount of room in it. Comparable to a Mustang.

I didn't measure headroom, but I didn't bang my head getting in and my hair didn't rub the headliner like it does in a Civic SI. I prefer a fairly upright driving position.

Remember...it's always more fun to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow. I think that's why I loved my RX-7 so much. It had no rev limiter, just a buzzer. I can remember wrapping the tach around until it pointed straight down with the buzzer screaming. LOL! :w00t:

I also had a VW Corrado. 158hp from a supercharged 1.8L. I used to wring that cars neck at every opportunity.

Thanks for saying so...

I know ;)

I'm 6'3". 220 lb

Love the fit, feel, and the way my BRZ does everything.
I knew the 86 was coming, waited nearly 8 months for it to arrive after ordering, and have spent the last 18 months modifying it to my liking even more. I have built a very good handling and economical beast.
I would do it all over again in a second.

I love mine, i drive it every chance i get

Chris Harris, perhaps?
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUhLXvxlQR4&hd=1"]Toyota GT86 / Scion FR-S v Nissan 370Z v Used Porsche Cayman S - /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS - YouTube[/ame]

It's simple. This car sooths your soul. It doesn't aim to stroke your ego in red light races. But it will put a big grin on your face when your alone on a twisting road. Just about internal expirience. Not beating dumb kids at Red lights.

Although that would be nice. I realized my only problem with the speed is when it's compared to other cars with my ego.

The feel itself is always wonderful

This is true.

I've been a long time motorcycle fanatic, and some of the most fun motorcycles I've owned are the ones that were slightly underpowered and had marginal suspensions. They were the ones that required more of my skill and attention and engaged me more.

I always loved running my little 60hp bike up the tailpipes of punks on their 160hp sportbikes. Sure, when the road went straight they'd drop me like a bad habit. They'd go from 40mph to 150mph in a heartbeat. I'd maintain a steady 60-70mph and three corners into the twisties I'd be showing them a wheel.

The fung shwei (sp?) of the car is good :bonk:

Well said! Having recently crossed that 40 barrier myself (I hate to admit it) I just got my BRZ, and I love it, for all the reasons you said. It's not my midlife crisis car - I've had 3 Miatas, an AW11 MR2, Sentra SE-R, and a bunch of other cool cars. I need more cargo space and a solid roof so a Miata is out, and the 86 fits the bill perfectly. I went with the BRZ since it's slightly more upscale and I got a deal for one cheaper than an FR-S. Also a long time Subaru and rally fan, so WRB FTW. :)

I love that you can wring out the car in 1st and 2nd gear and still be under the speed limit! That said, the suspension does leave some to be desired. After flogging a new BMW M235i for a weekend, I took the BRZ on the same road, and the BRZ was more upset by some mid corner rough surfaces that I didn't even register in the BMW. Of course the BMW is like twice the price of the BRZ. But it was nice to be in the BMW where the speed is somehow effortless and vicious at the same time... very addicting.

However, as others have noted, there is a pureness to the BRZ/FR-S that can't be matched in new cars today.

30 years ago, 170hp was fast, an achievement of auto maker. According to inflation, at the least, that would translate into 280hp...to be fast nowadays.

Why ? Simply, car did not have all the protective gadgets they have nowadays. No ABS, TC, Bad tires, Bad rims, Worse suspensions, No Air bags, No steering assistance. You can basically kill yourself in it with a minor mistake. Nowadays, it would take at least 280hp

Did you see the 2015 sti beat the M235i ? And AMG CLK ?

I would take STI or WRX all day long.

It is kinda funny to see how people involve into risky business = fun.

As a former owner of a Datsun 240Z, Mazda RX-7 Turbo II, two E30 BMW's and a half dozen Toyota MR2's, the BRZ/FR-S was just what the doctor ordered! Just as enjoyable to drive as the others, but brand new and without finicky carburetors, ticking time bomb apex seals, or piles of rust, squeaks, creaks and rattles.

You need to go test drive one. One of the things that can be surprising compared to other cars is how low you sit in it. This is a very low slung car all around, and that goes for the seats as well. Your ass is mere inches from the pavement. The seat height is also adjustable.

I'm not nearly as tall as you are (6'), but I have several inches of clearance above my head. I don't feel confined in it. They have also done a good job of keeping the dash area fairly high over the driver's legs so that it doesn't crunch the knees.

My only issue with the size of the car was that I had to learn how to get into and out of it. The steering wheel doesn't raise up enough for me to be able to step into the car one leg at a time, so I have to sit first and swing both legs in at the same time. But the wheel is also too low to be able to swing my legs straight in, so I have to go in kind of sideways and twist into a seated position. You'll see what I mean when you drive one. Once there, though, I don't find it uncomfortable.

You keep saying CLK, but it's the CLA. I did see that comparo.

Would need to see the interior of the new WRX/STI in person, the last gen left much to be desired. If i'm spending over $30K, I kind of want the luxury touches that should come at that price, in addition to the performance.

Great write-up! I waited for almost a year to get mine after doing a lot of reading and test driving. Fell in love with the car at first sight but waited to make sure it was practical for my situation and that I was willing to invest fully into the car. I have no regrets and it's the best car I've EVER owned.

:threadjacked: by INTERCEPTOR II

I got my BRZ this weekend. This car is truly special. I had a Mazdaspeed3 that was modded beyond sanity and it doesn't even come close to the twin. It's hard to describe, but the power is there, balance is there, interior is there, no matter what the numbers are for this car, you feel like you're driving not just a machine, but something way more than that.. And I hope this feeling stays because you know you truly have something wonderful when you hurry to finish up work at 4am just for that little drive on the way home and you enjoy it over everything else, radio off just listening to that soothing induction noise, the satisfying clunk of the transmission and that little chirp you get just before TC kicks in. It's a thing of beauty and i hope that you experience it as soon as possible; you will be left breathless.

This captures the effervescence of this car so well. There's a joy to driving this car that just isn't found in many other cars - it really is greater than the sum of its parts. I came from a modded S197 Mustang GT and there are absolutely no regrets. In the 'Stang I felt like I was just driving a motor (granted, a REALLY nice motor with lots of personality), but in the BRZ I feel like I'm part of an experience... even on the drive to work.

Totally agree, its all about the experience with these cars, on the road fun and feel is among the best of any street car i've driven over the years (i've driven Corvettes from base-ZR-1, various Nissan GTRs, Mclaren MP4-12C, Camaro SS/ZL-1, various new BMWs, Porsche Boxster/Cayman and lots of other random cars). The one car I have driven that's even better is a Caterham, but its totally unlivable as a daily driver.

Nicely put.

I had a modded MS3 too. Don't miss the power at all.

My wife and I hated her focus and both wanted it gone, and I we entertained the idea of her taking my car and I getting a new one over a beer one saturday afternoon. I called the local toyota dealer, and the lady on phone said their sister subi dealer had just gotten 3 manual BRZs in stock. Coming off my 128i, I never thought I could be so happy in a non-Euro car again. Never the less, the top gear episode with Jeremy effortlessly sliding around had piqued my interest. I had the following monday off work so I went to go test drive. I figured worst case I got to burn up someone else's tires a little bit and maybe freak out a salesman. I went for a drive and enjoyed myself; but as with any manual, adapting to new throttle response and different grab points made for a hesitant drive and a lot of over revved starts. I drove home and pondered for the next few days. That wednesday I thought about how I wanted to go back to the dealer just to drive it more, and realized this feeling meant I must have one. two weeks later we got carmax to buy her focus and took delivery. I sprung for Limited to keep the push to start and climate control, as I was certainly not down grading to putting a metal key into a steering column like some sort of cave man. Comfort access (or whatever the hell, seems like BMW is the only one with a name for wireless keys) and heated mirrors, as well as auto darkening and bluetooth, were welcome upgrades I had pined after for some time. Now, I couldn't be happier. Sure the backseat is a joke to appease insurance companies and the HP and torque are about 15% less than the 1, but the undeniably enjoyable drive is more than worth it. The engine isn't really even broken in yet, so I (mostly) try to keep my hoonery to a minimum, but it is without a doubt the perfect balance in almost every way. Price/features; weight/power; sophistication/ease of modding; sports car/daily driveability. The BRZ is easily the most enjoyable car I have driven. Ever. :wub:

+1000

I think all the old guys - who did the 1st Japanese import thing in the 90s have some good perspectives on horsepower and handling. We remember the Honda/Integra wars versus the Mustang/Camaros.

I'm 44. I've had the muscle cars in high school, the japanese cars in college, and in my early career, BMW M3s.

But settling in... I don't have the time or TV quality drivers skill to spend my day driving sideways OR any weekends to burn working on my car. I wanted reliable, balanced fast, and something to stuff the kids into in a pinch.

I was down to the EVO X, BMW 135i, and the BRZ/FRS... the latter as a last minute entry because I spontaneously took a test drive and loved it.

And the BRZ won out - coming off a 95 M3 (great handling and good power), it actually IS an upgrade... because it handles better and has good power.

Plus it gets almost 30mpg on my drives and I don't have to get sticker shock when I do the maintenance.

Yahoo! Just got a CPO 2013 last weekend. Yep, 3 days after a test drive, I had to have it.
CPO is a great way to get a decent price... and on top of that, no 1000 miles break in!

And the 60s cars from England and Italy. MGA / B, migets, Austin Healy, Triumph 2, 3a, 250, 4, 6, Jag E type, Alfa coupes and spyders, Fiat 124.
Those were the sort of things we could find used back in the 70s that went like stink around the corners.
The 86 picks up where they left off in the 80s.

I agree, I did the same thing. New cars scare me. The previous owner (or dealer) overtightened the rubber nuts for the front plate bracket, so 2 days into ownership, I popped the bumper off to get that bracket off the front end. I figured I'd pop its cherry early on so I'm not sad when I do mods later.

Noticed a bunch of scrapes on the bottom of the front lip.. and it actually made me feel a little better. Nothing like having a BRAND new car, and hearing it scrape for the "first" time.

I always drove slammed cars though so this is easy peasy.
--

Back on topic, I have been loving this car to death. Today a Dodge Charger was tailgating me, and as soon as he came around.. his wife was staring at my car and pointing at the front end as they went by. I assume he must've said something about it :) I've had some slick cars, but I've never had people passing and staring and pointing at it. I get looks all the time. I also love that I've never seen another blue BRZ around me yet. Everywhere I go, people look at it like I have some crazy sportscar. It's fun for a $25k car :D

Yep lots of ppl like the shape, i have seen an elderly women do a walk around while her husband stood at the back staring at the ass, and kids always say something or give thumbs up. I give props to toyota for such a beautiful shapely car, cause as much as i like subaru engineering, they usually have no clue to the body and you just have to get use to it and accept it like the bug eye wrx, or the 2015 sti/wrx.

I'm now 59 and am seriously considering purchasing a BRZ within the next six months. I've considered a Camaro SS and C7 Corvette but I don't want to spend that much coin. The new 2015 Mustang equipped with the 4-cylinder turbo/Track Pack is right up there with the BRZ but until I see some road tests and pricing is released the BRZ is number one on my list.

Back when I was 20 or 21 I purchased a used 1973 Porsche 914 1.7 liter and it was a fun car! A roommate owned a 1967 or '68 Datsun 1600 convertible and it was a fun car. Both had low horsepower and were simple.

Today my requirements for a fun car are small. I want cruise control for long stretches of freeway driving and A/C for when the days are hot and humid. If it's a rear driver a limited slip is also a must. If I can get factory XM I will for the variety.

The BRZ satisfies my requirements for a fun car today while also being reasonably cheap to buy and own and, hopefully, reasonably cheap to insure.

I'm planning on some face time with my local Subaru dealer this coming week to take another look at the car. We'll see where this ends up.

+1... it's funny huh, all us middle-age guys on this forum with the teen/20-ish guys.

But I think we bring a unique perspective that the other car forums run into issues with.

All the "kids" are looking to bolt-on high-dollar kits for more power, handling, etc. But we've OWNED those types of cars - either as BMWs or Porsches, or built them in high-school or college. And we've come full circle to a simple, pure sports car.

So the advice and opinions I've read so far are incredibly well rounded.

And don't tell anyone but... I'm not missing the BMW Forums that much.