I test drove a 2017. Not impressed. Is it just me?
 

Very short:
Went to the dealer, drove one (in normal mode), steering felt really numb.
Very direct steering with sizeable resistance but no feel/feedback. The car felt light on its feet, quite willing to change direction but too "playstationy"
Everything else I thought was between good and perfect.
I did not try the sport/track mode (I didn't think about that, the salesman didn't know about it).
Questions:

1: Would it have been different in other driving modes?
2: Is there too much toe in from the factory (hopefully fixable) that inhibits feedback?
3: Is there any option for a direct steering rack (no assist)? Will that make it better?

Looking around youtube I see everyone praising the Fiesta ST for having nice steering but that didn't feel any better at all when I tried it.

Final question:

Is this the best anyone can do with electric power steering (am I looking for "what it used to be and never will be again")?

Probably just you. 2017 seems to be a more refined 13-16

auto or manual?

Buy a 4C. They have manual steering.

Even Porsche has had problems with feel in their electric power steering.

They've been slowly working on improvements. Suggest trying the 2017 Panamera, in which improvements have been made...$147,950 is the ticket.


Suggest Alpha Romeo 4c for both you and me.

Cheaper option is Used Lotus Elise, just under 30k.


What you do get with the 86/BRZ is no play in the steering, best in that respect of any cars I've owned so far.

I never tried the first gen. I've always driven hydraulic or non assisted.

I will if you give me the price difference

At lower speeds and normal driving the steering just feels like, well, steering. I don't think I would call it "numb" but it is no big deal one way or the other. Take a few quick corners or hit an on ramp at 60+ and it comes alive.
The track/sport mode has no impact on steering but you could probably not have driven to any advantage with them if the salesperson was with you anyway.

So ... I should just settle. The kind of answer I was expecting but not hoping for.
I tried a friend's Elise and it's too extreme for a DD. Having good steering just can't compensate for all the other minuses.

My DD for the past 8 years is an old Infiniti G20. I either got used to it too much (imagine a pair of old shoes, enough said) or the steering is the best I tried. I can literally feel everything in the steering wheel. From slight loss of grip when turning too fast to road banking to grooves in the pavement.
The salesperson was really disappointed when I told him my impression after half a mile. He kept pushing me to "feel the engine", "hit it", "open it up" and he couldn't understand why I'm not interested in doing that (he was probably used to kids coming just for joyrides). The rest of the drive back (another mile or so) wasn't better.

Go find a used NC Miata. Great cars with great steering.


I think that, yes, the feel you're looking for is all but a thing of the past these days.

Keep in mind that a front weight biased FWD car will have a totally different steering feel to a more center balanced RWD car. It may just take some getting used to.

Miata, any of them really. The NA and NB may be feedback overload at first.

The NC has tons of feedback as well.

A 987 Cayman/Boxster has good feedback, though more refined than a ole MX5. But
actually I would say the BRZ/FRS is one of the better EPS cars out there right now. I can tell you that after a few weeks you wont mind it. I had a 981 and though it handles fantastic, it was so numb it made my BRZ feel like a HPS(hydraulic) unit.

I understand your frustration, but for the money you wont find a better EPS than the twins.

And if you do find one, come here and let us know.

Well ... I was afraid that's the reality. If I want a new car (which I do) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, minimally practical and with seats for my two kids, I'm stuck with one of the twins.

I created the account just for this thread but it looks like I'll be back at some point in the future when I'll buy one of these to cars.

I decided I needed a vehicle which is higher off the ground for remote roads around here.

At that point I had been driving daily my FRS for two years.

So drove a new Subaru Crosstrek, couple of months ago. It felt like I was driving a bus compared to the FRS.

A laugh on me it was. Way Way too spoiled by the FRS I am. Gonna have to continue to drive those roads, with the FRS, sometimes hitting bottom, scraping things..oh well.


And as Tcoat states...It's when the steering wheel is turned on curves, just anywhere, that the fun begins.


Other choice: http://arielatom.com/

You're probably just used to the loud and clear feedback of your old car understeering all the time. The twins have excellent steering, aural, and butt feedback.