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FR-S or BRZ? Need some advice
Hey everyone! Hows it going?! I've been reading the forums for a while and finally decided I need to buy one of these cars... and picking THE one is getting tough. Both have features I really like!
I love the exterior styling (specifically the front bumper) of the FR-S but really like the interior of the BRZ (hate the front bumper) I know I want white pearl regardless, but which car??? How did you guys choose? I'm going to be into modifying this car... the Scion seems to already have body kits, etc available. I haven't seen much customizing of the BRZ? Is there a reason for that? Will Subaru get a ton of accessories and parts for the BRZ the way the FR-S seems to be getting? I just want to make the right choice! Thanks in advance for any advice! |
i chose the FRS because of pure pricing. i paid MSRP thats it.
most subaru dealerships have mark ups basically i just bought the more cheaper and practical FRS |
I loved the BRZ seats and standard features like nav and HID's. I think the drl's on the brz look very nice as well. I had a STi for 6 years also so I'm kinda a Subaru junkie.
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I've got a BRZ and love it. That said, it's easier to find an FR-S, they're slightly cheaper, and Scion is all about mod parts if that's what you're into.
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For me, the extra creature comforts that the BRZ offered wasn't enough to out-weigh the fact that I don't like the front bumper nearly as much as the FR-S. Not that I don't wish I had HIDs from the factory, but sacrificing looks (IMO) just wasn't worth it.
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I originally wanted an FR-S but will be getting a BRZ instead. HID's are important to me and the overall quality of the interior on the Limited version is worth it to me - especially since I'm in it for the long haul. I too dislike the front bumper of the BRZ but it's much easier to change the front bumper to the FRS version than it is to rewire the car for HID's, fogs, etc.
As for body kits, the two cars are identical with the exception of the front bumper so body kits for either vehicles will work on both for the most part. While there probably isn't enough demand for it, I do wish Five Axis would make a front bumper body kit for the BRZ that works with their current FRS kit. |
Listen to this guy...
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_8TAf6yEMg"]Why I Don't Love My Subaru BRZ...Yet. - YouTube[/ame] |
If you want to modify the car mechanically (performance improvement) then it really doesn't matter which one to go with. If you like the look of the FR-S but want the interior of the BRZ, it's easier to swap out a front bumper cover than HID, climate control, push button start, etc.
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So markups vary by location a lot. I definitely would say more scion dealers did markups than Subaru though :) |
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I'm a devoted Subaru owner, so for me the choice was pretty obvious. Even so, I can't say I really like the front bumper on the BRZ even though it is a very functional design. I find the front end treatment of the FR-S too busy, and really don't like the red seat details at all. Best of both worlds for me would be the BRZ cabin and features, cleaner lines of the BRZ front but bumperless like the FR-S. The nice thing is that you have a choice. |
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I initially hunted for a BRZ. The additional features that mattered to me were HIDs and the nav/sat radio.
However, since those were the only items that really mattered to me I decided that paying less and minimizing my payments were preferable because I could then modify those items with a more preferable Pioneer unit and purchase and HID retrofit kit for a few hundred bucks. Ultimately I'll probably pay the same as the difference between the two cars to accomplish this but I get exactly the head unit I want and maintain lower monthly payments for the length of the term. Also I've got a great history with my local Toyota dealership and they really took care of me well. The numbers in the end were better than expected. In addition Scions are easier to locate than the Subie and the dealers can't play price games. At least they shouldn't be. Identify what features in the BRZ really matter to you and then decide whether those alone are worth the extra cost to you. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 |
Go to one of the dealerships scion or subie, look at the car, test drive it and if you like it get it, have doubts? Go to the other brand test drive and compare, then get the one you felt was better
Because regardless of which one you get your going to have a smile on your face and will find a way to modify to your liking regardless of brand |
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This from someone who's flipped a WRX and owned 2 STi's :P The people that seem to have these complaints are comparing them to a completely different car (Mustang GT in this case) instead of comparing them to what the designers had in mind. |
I totally hear what you guys are saying. It's a tough call.
I'll tell you this. I'm coming from a way different place. My last truck was a 2008 H2. I absolutely loved it. It got stolen and here I am looking for a new car. I think a small nimble sports car is a huge change... but a welcomed change. The BRZ has the headlights, push start, dual climate, nicer knobs for the a/c etc, nicer interior (IMO)... The FR-S has the front end... It seems like the BRZ out weighs the FR-S but I still can't get around the front end... How difficult is it going to be to change that front end? Also, are you anticipating the same after market parts for these 2 cars... mechanical and aesthetic? I mean, I've seen the FR-S outfitted with several different bodykits, wheels, etc but I haven't seen one BRZ with anything really? Is there a reason? Thanks! |
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The last thing I want in a car is "drama", but maybe that's just me. As far as the OP's question, I selected the FR-S for the following reasons:
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The Premium BRZ doesn't come in leather. |
This is a tough question.
I like the BRZ Limited more, but the pricing conflicts with what I will be doing to the vehicle. Doesn't make sense to buy the BRZ when you convert it to a DD track car. First thing on the list is KW Coilovers Light wheels and tires Enkei? Bushings tie rods, endlinks exhaust intake Bodykit etc... So is 3 grand worth the better interior? I think so. |
The Fr-s is lighter and slightly faster, front looks ok, the interior is simple just like the old ae86
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Have you seen a BRZ in person? Yeah the FR-S front end is more aggressive but when you get to see the BRZ bumper it might change your mind because in my opinion it's not bad at all.
I was in the same boat as you. I couldn't decide between the two (I liked the FRS bumper better also) so I had both cars ordered. If you decide on getting the BRZ and the front end couldn't "grow" on you then you can just replace it. I don't like the Limited's spoiler so I found a person to swap trunk lids with. You could do the same with the front-end. Good luck and I'm sure whatever you end up buying will put a big smile on your face! :) |
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The reason that the BRZ doesn't has as many kits is because there's a bigger fanbase in Japan for the 86, and in the USA FR-S outnumbers BRZs 2/3:1. Also there are more AE86 tuners who are jumping on the 86 bandwagon but less so Subaru tuners doing BRZ stuff. That being said, everything is (mostly) mechanically the same, so everything will fit. I went for the BRZ mainly because the creature comforts were worth the extra cost for the Limited that I have a deposit on. But when you compare costs between the FR-S and the BRZ premium, I don't really see the price difference. 24930 for FRS 25495 for BRZ Premium That's a $565 difference, not the 1k everyone says. If you want White, which I did, that pushes the FRS price to 25150 (+220 for white), which is a difference of only $345. For an extra $565/345 for a BRZ you get Foglights, HID, NAV, and Trunk Lid liner, and Red stitched Ebrake lever. The only thing you "lose" is the Silver handles, IMHO. That's a deal to me. Is it worth the extra 2k on top of that for the LED Running lights, heated leather/alcantara seats, silver handles, illuminated mirrors, Keyless Entry, Dual zone automatic climate control, push button start, alarm, and spoiler? I answered Yes. Also, if you think you can retrofit the climate control and push button start easily. I highly doubt it. Subaru makes their wiring harness one piece, and doesn't usually run wires for missing accessories. For those who say Subaru dealers are marking their cars up, I was able to find a BRZ Limited 500 less than MSRP, equipped as I wanted in White, with Package 1B, and it was offered to me. Obviously, YMMV. |
I will say my choice was really torn.
The front fascia of both cars looks great, I would have been very happy with either of them as they both have style and personality. I wouldn't really even say that the FR-S is all that much more aggressive than the BRZ as the BRZ looks pretty mean and sporty. The deciding factor in my case was Availability and Dealer willingness. I was set on an ultramarine or galaxy blue silica FR-S or BRZ, the Subaru dealership seemed to be pretty behind on things unfortunately and didn't seem to be too interested in the car. The toyota dealership I ended up with was very up front about the car and kept me up to date on whatever they knew. As far as features: -It's a car -It has seats! Seats wear out over time but the FR-S seats seem really adequate. -It has a simple enough HVAC for a car of this size, dual zone is more of a "look what I've got" -The stock radio in the FR-S does anything I would want (bluetooth, satellite?, ipod, etc) -The car feels planted and handles nearly identically to the BRZ up to 9/10's -Headlights are plenty bright and a retrofit kit is $300, meaning I'll still have $900 to change what I want if I feel the need (maybe get that subaru ebrake boot) -Didn't need push button start (would have been cool..but eh. personal choice of want vs need honestly) -Supposedly the BRZ handles holes and bumps a bit better, but the FR-S doesn't seem too harsh at all. There's more, but the cars are cars; they're super similar and will deliver a smile to your face when you get one and drive it. That's what matters. |
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http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/7...5e51fb23_z.jpg |
To me the BRZ is more "finished", and what you get for the additional $3300 (FR-S vs. Limited BRZ 6MT), it's totally worth the extra ~$2/day to finance. I wanted a Toyota 86 GT Limited which would be the Toyota equivalent to the BRZ Limited, but since we're stuck with the Mono-spec Scion, I've got no choice but to choose the Subaru. It's up to you whether the HID's, leather/Alcantara heated seats, heated mirrors, keyless access, navigation, fog lights and rear spoiler are worth the extra coin.
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Sorry chap, but you need to cut down on TG UK, you are taking it the wrong way. You don't get small capable cars, period. Drama at 35 mph, jezz.... GTR will eat our cars for breakfast. I park near one at work every day. P.S. I forced myself to watch it till the end... 'original Cooper' not exciting??? Does he even know what an ORIGINAL Cooper was like? That it won number of championships, and ate for breakfast Mustangs and such in the corners? Idiot! He probably thinks Cooper was first released in 2000. |
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http://image.motortrend.com/f/385026...eway-graph.jpg |
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I thought of it this way:
I liked the FR-S bumper more, but I don't like the red seat inserts. The suspension differences were a moot point since I'll be getting a new suspension on it anyway. I don't care for heated leather seats or fog lights. Another thing is the brand image that Scion projects for itself. I don't like it. Also, World Rally Blue rocks! So there was only one option for me. A Premium BRZ 6MT, for which I paid $25,897 after destination (MSRP of $26,200). |
HID and possibly push button start will probably be offered as an option soon if you have the patience. All the TRD parts are coming to market in August.
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If i hear the word DRAMA one more time im going to flip.
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DRAMA
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He lost me around "blah blah blah no soul blah blah" (exact quote). anyone who listens to him should hang themselves. |
I originally wanted the BRZ, but mark-ups and long wait times had me get the FR-S instead. Waiting for the BRZ seemed like a risk also because I had a feeling that dealers would add all sorts of costly options (even though I asked for no options when putting down my deposit) when the car finally arrived, which I didn't want to pay for. I just wanted the base-most car possible.
I remember it was really difficult for me to get my WRX as base as possible, but even the basest car I could find had 2 $200 add ons, which is not too bad. But that was a rare occurrence. Most WRXs I found had tons of other options that I didn't want to pay for. |
I can get past everything but the moustache on the BRZ. I just don't get it? Why is it there? What's behind it?
I'm brainstorming ideas that would make me fully want the BRZ because I love the interior. Could it be paint matched and look better? Is ordering a FR-S front end and replacing it practical? I'm not a guy that works on his car in the garage. Who could do the swap? Man oh man... I want one of these cars so badly lol |
The Metal bumper is behind it.
I think when you paint the mustache, it'll look funny, and it'll be easy for the paint to chip off. Any body shop could paint and install the FR-S bumper on your car. I would guess it would cost no more than 500 dollars to have a new bumper painted and installed. |
I gotcha. But will the fit and finish look factory?
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