Do we really want a Turbo BRZ? I'm going to say no.
 

Before you think I've lost my mind, hear me out.

Up to today, I have wanted nothing more than a Turbo BRZ. A car that handles like it is on rails, and only weighs in at around 2700 lbs would be amazing at even 250 hp. And I love the idea of a lower power, light car that can beat up on bigger high power behemoths.

But after talking things over with a co-worker that is also interested in a BRZ, I'm not so sure. Here's why:

First, I think that the BRZ/FR-S is going to be a car that will be an absolute blast to drive, even if you aren't the fastest car on the track, and that is what has drawn me to it. But if it comes out, and is really demanding $24,000 to purchase, there are a lot of other cars out there in that price range that are going to make that a tough choice. Most notably, if I can get a new WRX for about $1,000 more... And if you start throwing some lower mileage used cars in there...

Now, I suspect that the fun factor of the BRZ will likely be higher than a WRX,and hopefully anything else, but what about a BRZ STI? Looking at the WRX, the STI version draws a $10,000 premium. If you add that to the base, and especially the Limited BRZ, you get a BRZ STI that would run between $34,000 and $37,500.

That is a lot of money for what is basically a fun/track car. One reason that I have a WRX (sorry, I have a WRX all ready) is because I live where it snows, and I love being able to modify my car, and still drive it every day. I could live with a car that will keep the garage warm in the winter at $24,000, but if we are looking at a BRZ STI around $35,000 and STI moneys, I think I'd have to just get a WRX STI.

Not to mention all the other cars, New or Used that would fall into that $34,000 - $37,500 price range.

There is the other factor that I all ready have track wheels and tires for the WRX, and all signs are that I can just bolt them up to the BRZ. I have a feeling that my up-graded front calipers will also bolt up after seeing the Brembos on the Greddy FR-S. So being able to transfer some parts over is fantastic. But Subaru usually changes things up on the STI versions, and if I can't transfer some parts over to a BRZ STI, that is a total deal breaker.

There has been some rumblings that there will be a BRZ STI, but that it will just have a higher output NA engine. This to me is the most interesting. If I could get a BRZ for about $30,000 that is NA, and makes another 20 - 30 hp, that would be ideal, and it would be far enough away from a WRX STI that I'd still go with the BRZ.

The other thing that I think would be great would be a factory supercharger kit. Toyota has a good history of doing this, though Subaru does not. I would love to see a kit for the BRZ/FR-S. And if there is such a thing, and it would still retain a factory warranty, then there would be less of a need to produce a turbo BRZ/ BRZ STI.

I'm really curious to see what will happen with this, and I just hope that Subaru and Toyota are smart about how they develop this platform. But the moral of the story is I might have to be an early adopter...

I also really hope that they release some actual motorsports parts for this car to show that they are serious about it being used for weekend racing...

I didn't even read your post but I agree :P

I agree with everything you said. But you might find this thread interesting to post in: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1359

I am also waiting to hear what the potential BRZ STI will offer and if it will come. That would be an interesting option. :)

i can see that,

I am also hoping for the Supercharger option, as it would ad some divesity among the two sti's

Everyone keeps comparing the BRZ price to the currently EJ255 powered WRX...I have a feeling the FA20DIT is going to add some price to the next wave of WRXs. So the price gap will range I suspect a FA16DIT (my guess of a turbo BRZ engine) will probably once again, fall a little under the WRX's price.

Just my guess.

Also, the '$10k premium' that get's tacked onto the STi is because of the R180 rear diff, the 6-speed with a torsen front and DCCD center, the VF turbo, the additional AVCS (exluding the 06-07 overlap of both having single avcs), the Brembo brakes, the aluminum suspension bits, and the inverted struts. Oh and then add adjustable HIDs, bigger IC, alcantara 'special' interior....I don't think an STi BRZ would really have too many otherwise off the shelf parts compared to what will be other Subaru stock.

For instance, it'll probably have it's own turbo FA engine but use common components from other turbo models, driveline will probably remain the same, probably get 4 pot/2pot brakes, some suspension/interior/body tweaks, a few badges and I'm guessing that'll be about it.


OR

I could be completely wrong :lol:

Yes, you're completely wrong. It's STI & not STi anymore (not STi BRZ)

But other than that, it was enjoy to read your post

Yes everyone it is STI. We need to create a banner on this BRZ forum for that. :) or else ichi gets mad. :bellyroll:

STi STi STi

I agree also but I wish there was a FA25 as optional engine.

It doesn't bug me. Cuz there is STi. All the STi made before '06, I count then as STi. After '06 is STI. Simple as that

Good points. The FA series WRX isn't slated to hit until 2014, so maybe we will have to wait that long to see a BRZ STi, if there is one. My argument above is just a guess based on the current premium for an STi version of the WRX. I'd assume that if they weren't changing enough parts to warrant that premium, they wouldn't call it a BRZ STi. At least I'd hope that they would.

Maybe a better comparison would be the difference between a base Impreza and a WRX... There you would only be looking at a difference around $8,000. That is still a heck of a jump though...

I am also really curious to see what happens with the 2014 WRX STI. I'm hoping that it goes in a completely new direction and makes about as big a jump over the GF as the GF made over the GD chassis.

So if this is your first post does this mean you are Subaru and your're telling is their isn't going to be a turbo?? Lol i keed

But, what if their is a turbo? Will anyone be happy, or angry with Subaru, because they released it with turbo?

I think it's safe to assume that if they did make it a turbo, the base price would be higher and there would be no NA option at least at launch. In that case, yes I would be angry with them.

If there is a Turbo version, I think that a lot of people will be happy. But I don't know how well it would sell because of the big jump in price. FWIW, this has been the issue with the STI of late. It has become pretty expensive and is running into a lot of competition. There are also more and more people that don't see that value of the STI premium, and end up in a WRX.

As far as people being angry about there being a turbo version, this all depends on how Subaru handles the release.

ie. as long as they don't "2008 WRX" people.

I completely understand their not telling people what is in the pipeline yet, bit IMO, it is the wrong way to go. I assume that they think that if they tell people that they are coming out with a turbo version next year, they will hurt their initial sales because people will be waiting for the turbo.

I would say that the opposite is true. People that are set on a turbo BRZ will likely not buy the BRZ in the first place, and will look somewhere else. But if they go out and buy that other car, there is much less of a chance that they will come back and buy the BRZ STi/Turbo, etc.

And the few that do, and decide to modify it, make it it turbo, etc., will then be ticked off when the OE turbo version comes out...

If I were Subaru (and I'm not, just to be clear), I'd announce whether there was going to be a turbo, or turbo STi, or NA Sti, version right before the first cars hit. This way you don't tick anyone off, everyone gets the car that they want, and if sales are in fact slow of the base NA car, just speed up production of the hot version and release it early. They have done this before a lot.

And as I have said above, I'd say that there are a lot of pluses to the stock BRZ...