So before there was a BRZ, what was the equivalent?
 

What was the equivalent to a BRZ before there was a BRZ?

Factor in rear wheel drive, good looks, low cost. The only car that comes up in my mind is the Nissan 240z.

Does it have to have a back seat? Does it have to be from a certain era? Some I think that have similiarities in no particular order:
RX8
Genesis Coupe
Miata
S2000
Silvia, 240SX

One could argue the designers had the Cayman in their cross hairs when they designed the BRZ.

If it can be from any era, well I would say the AE86 is kinda similar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_AE86
The car the BRZ was modeled after. :)

Toyota Mr2 is a kindred spirit, but the mid engine is kind of a different category

Early rx7 and 280z perhaps.

You've got the price of an entry level sports car. You have the handling of sports cars costing more than twice the amount and you've got the style of a very expensive exotic. Put that all in one package and you end up with something that doesn't fit any category.

In America, the last car that fits the segment properly was the S14 240SX (95-98).

No wonder why people are loving this car, they've been waiting 14 years for a similar car to show up.

most of the other suggestions don't properly fill the niche that the BRZ fills.

rx8's a 4 door, GC is a GT, S2000 and Miata are roadsters, MR2 a 2 seater mr. the old Z's don't really fit unless they're 2+2's

There are a plethora of threads in the vs forum. Two of the more interesting ones:

• vs E30 M3 http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2757
• vs RX8 http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2239

The E30 M3 is close, but it was 2-3 times the price of the average car while even the BRZ Limited is cheaper than the price of the average car.

The 240 is another one that comes to mind, but it was much slower, and its shifter and dynamics were mediocre.

The Miata and S2k are two-seat roadsters.

The RX8 is quite similar:
RWD, awesome driving dynamics, balanced, excellent chassis, tight short throw, naturally aspirated, responsive throttle, not much low-end, high revver (also not an I or V engine), reasonably priced, 4 seats, Japanese

Some RX8 differences:
~180-290 pounds heavier (depending on trims compared), longer wheelbase, suicide doors, more space for rear passengers, less space for cargo, abysmal MPG, no pistons, revs to 9500, consumes oil, no spare, a bit quicker acceleration, a bit pricier (adjusted for for inflation)

Toyota corrola ae86.

It's the RX8 without the awkwardness of a 3 door and the unconventional aspects of the rotary engine.

There are many similarities with the twins. Less common engine design for CoG and balance, tight handling, power, Etc. And the twins arenst Mazdas, which is a bonus for me since I never would have bought if they were.

I find the interior and dash more traditional with the twins. I hated that CD looking circle in the middle of the RX8 dash.

Here are other cars I'd stack it up against:

Nissan Z cars, Silvia/180/200/240SX
Mazda RX-7, RX-8, MX-5/Miata/Eunos
Toyota Celica/Supra, MR2, AE86 Corolla/Levin/Trueno
Porsche Cayman, Boxster, 924/944
BMW E30, E36 3 Series/M3
Mercedes-Benz 190E 16v
Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest
Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky

Not all were affordable when new, but for a used car they all are now. I hesitate to put Chevrolet Corvette on this list.

This car:

http://media.motortopia.com/files/11...at_on_lift.jpg

When I showed my dad the BRZ for the first time, he said it reminded him of the Datsun 240Z. And he had no knowledge of the Twins at the time.

What I consider the primary characteristics of the BRZ are the affordability, RWD drivetrain, and everyday usability. Kinda why I'm surprised to see no one's thrown out the V-6 Mustang as an option. It's the only car for the past decade that comes close to fitting that description, since the 240SX was dropped from Nissan's American lineup.

Overall, I consider it the successor to the Silvia line of cars, even though it's made by Toyota/ Subaru, instead of Nissan. Cheap, RWD, 2+2 coupe that responds well to tuning.

I don't think the mustang, camaro, firebird, etc are being give consideration due to the handling characteristics and feel of muscle cars. The small engine versions do fit the daily driver, affordable sport-like car, but actually driving them is a completely different experience than this one.

Came here to say the same thing. The 280, rx7, and just about everything else in C stock and E stock.