Car abd Driver review - 2017 BRZ
 

What is interesting in this article:

Subaru still stands by its assertion that it will bring an STI-tuned BRZ tS to the United States. It also says that plans for a second-generation car (with or without Toyota as a partner) remain in the works.

As with most reviews, I find the comments at the end more entertaining of a read. The new look is growing on me too.

I like my frs but I find I still don't understand the unwillingness to correct the torque band. Imo the drive train is the result of design by committee and is the only thing standing in the way of the car attaining real notoriety among enthusiasts. Considering though, that an appliance maker like Toyota is half of the equation, I guess it all stands to reason.

This car so needs more power. Ive always loved the looks but it desperately needs another 50HP and at LEAST 50TQ. Whatever that would do to the balance, the scalpel like feeling of corner cutting would be quickly forgotten when you can actually power out of a turn. Its still fun as is but damn if Subaru could drop the 2.5 in that...PLEASE.

They will never do it. Subaru just wants this car for getting new customers and to attract a younger audience. They hope these customers to remain loyal to the brand and buy afterwards something from the rest of the line (WRX, STI, Forester, Ouback). Toyota is also not interested, since the new Supra will start from 300hp. They want to keep some significant difference in price and technical specs. Aftermarket community is also happy and there is a win-win situation. Sorry, but it's all about marketing these days. Just live with this or try something else.

I wouldn't say never. I would say it's not likely to happen until Gen2. At that point there is no real reason not to. Lot's of companies successfully sell models with overlapping power that doesn't impact sales (think Camaro/Corvette).

I don't buy the argument about the 86 and the "new Supra". It is two very different machines and will be at two very different price points from what I've seen. I personally would much rather have a 300HP 86 than a 300HP FT-1.

In the end it will come down to whether or not they think they can sell both in sufficient numbers.

Power isn't really the issue for me with the GT86/BRZ - I don't mind pushing a car hard to get the acceleration I want, in fact that can be part of the fun if the car sounds great under WOT. (Slow car fast etc.) But that's where I think the twins fall down - compared to some of their near-competitors like the GTI, the 124 Abarth, and the Civic SI, the engine sounds harsh and unrewarding at power, and for me this really takes away from the fun of pushing on, it's essential to any good sportscar.

I'll test drive to find out for myself, but according to this review it doesn't seem the MCR has addressed that weakness, even though Tada himself admitted around the time of the initial rollout that the sound of the car could be improved.

I love this guys comment.

A wannabe Nissan GT-R for deeply indebted boys living in mum's basement - desperately paying student loan premiums - in hope that Bernie Sanders will save them with a $50 per hour minimum wage

Where do these people come from? LOL
How was the 86/BRZ ever a GTR wannabe? :lol:

I never thought that the FRS sounded bad for a NA 4 cylinder engine, especially with unequal length headers. Turbocharged 4 cylinders will always sound better than NA. I find it hard to believe that the Civic SI sounds better. I've heard that the ND Miata sounds pretty weak, especially up in the higher revs.

From the review:Huh? One of the main reasons for offering the Sachs dampers was "for improved ride" (per press release). And the "2017 BRZ at a Glance" PDF notes 2 new features that should quiet the ride down:

Those are just the JDM underbody panels. They were standard in the 2013 high trim BRZ/86 in Japan.

You can do with few bolts on, header + e85 comes to mind

Agree on the Miata, its sound proved to be pretty weak sauce on a test drive. But it can be improved with a Goodwin exhaust. Even then though, the 124 Abarth, with its turbo'd engine, is in a different league.

I've listened to the YouTube clips, and I have yet to hear an aftermarket cat-back that appreciably mellows out the GT86's sound in-cabin. Plugging the sound tube helps a bit but not that much, going by the well-done Winding Road video comparison. UEL headers may improve the sound somewhat but not everyone wants to get into warranty-shredding mods or the tuning UELs require.