2013s less responsive than 2017s?
 

My buddy test drove my '13 BRZ and said his new '17 86 was more responsive in every way.

Is this normal or is it an issue that early year models have? I just got the used BRZ and I've never driven the newer ones.

The new ones have 5 more horsepower and come with a Gallo 24 instead of the older models that have the Gallo 12.

you can get the 5hp back but the gearing is main difference in response

2017 MTs got a revised final drive ratio so all the gears are/feel shorter. Combined with the 5HP/TQ bump and some revised suspension bits here and there it probably does make the car feel "more responsive" or at least different to drive.

People generally are trying to convince themselves as much as they are everyone else that their setup, car, or whatever is the ONE. Yes this is normal.


A newer one will likely have a few upgrades. Which are nice. But, worth worrying about. IMO, NO. If they were, you would have purchased a new car.


My suggestion is to: perform regular maintenance, add the mods you want, have fun driving, and not worry about how your "buddy's" car may have slight improvements from the factory.

Your buddy is justifying his purchase, making him feel 1000% better.
With the money you saved buying used vs a 2017, slap some decent coil overs on your car, decent tires with a good alignment, header and a tune and then tell him your car is more responsive in every way.

There were a bunch of small changes made to the car in 2017 that does make the newer ones more responsive. In fact, my 2018 has more quiet and ride comfort as well. I've driven the 2018 and a 2016, and these changes are real. However, they are not huge. From my perspective, if you want a more comfortable and quiet car, then it is worth going for a 2017+. The 2018 adds Android Auto/CarPlay as well. However, if you are going to mod it anyway, there's not enough of an increase to justify the extra money spent for the new model. I'm not going to mod mine (except for tires), so for me, it was worth it. And I don't want the extra noise of headers and exhaust upgrades -- which is the cost of extra hp. But it seems that most of you want that extra noise and "firmer" ride, and if that's what you want, then you get very little benefit from a new model.

I feel my '17 BRZ is faster than my '13 OFT Stage 2 FR-S.

But it could all be in my head... then again, my FR-S put down 175WHP on the dyno... :lol:

I believe stock '13-16 is closer to 160WHP. Stock '17+ gets about 180WHP, and don't forget the more aggressive gearing -- I noticed that the most when I switched.

So you’ve had the 4.1 and the 4.3, but if you could switch to a 4.56 would you? Or would that make the gearing too short for DD?

The difference between my 2018 and 2013 is night and day but it’s a tS vs an early FRS

I'm not surprised if the facelift model is a little better in responsiveness as they have stiffened up the rear subframe, a little smaller diameter steering wheel, and chassis strengthening at various places. Also the new suspension has a different tune.

I'm happy with the 4.3, mainly because it's a fairly conservative gain in mechanical torque, and I don't have to throw more monies at the car. :)

I got a great deal on Tomei EL headers.

Would slapping those on make a difference and make it closer in terms of responsiveness? Is a tune necessary with EL headers?

A tune is always necessary to gain HP form adding parts.