Light weight and high winds in a Subaru
 

I bought a 2012 Impreza a couple months ago to replace a 1997 v6 Camaro. Driving 70-75 MPH with crosswinds over 25 MPH and gusts around 40 MPH my Impreza gets pushed around in high Kansas winds. A good gust can move the car across the road about a foot, and with stronger straight-line winds it was necessary to noticeably steer in and out of the wind at underpasses by turning the wheel up to maybe three inches. The dealer seems to think it's to be expected given the weather conditions, but except for farm or moving trucks I haven't driven anything that requires as much correction in high interstate winds as the Subaru.

Any opinions on how the BRZ may handle in high winds? The BRZ surely has a smaller profile than the 4th generation Camaro, but it's also at least 500 pounds lighter. I would guess the Camaro probably has the most weight per side area of the cars mentioned. On the other hand the BRZ has a lower center of gravity, and it's not all wheel drive like the Impreza. Based on weight probably the answer to this question is to buy a Dodge, or according to http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...t-wheel-drive/ I should buy front wheel drive, but most likely I would be cross-shopping either the base 2013 Genesis Coupe or maybe the v6 Mustang. Compared to those two cars, do you think the BRZ's light weight will prove worse for interstate travel?

I also live in KS and we have a '12 Impreza Sport. I have been driving in windy weather like you on the interstate at +70mph and have not had any issues whatsoever. Been steady just like our previous car. I'm surprised you are having issues. Driving I-70 or I-35?

Regarding the BRZ, it will sit lower, has a smaller profile and lower cd than most cars. I don't think you will have a problem.

I'm guessing it'll be flying all over the roads if going at high speeds with gusts of wind. My current winter DD comes in just over 2400 pounds, and it flys all over the place. 300 more pounds should help stabilize it a bit more, but i'm guessing that its gonna have similar problems with the wind at high speeds.

I think with the BRZ sitting lower it will help. But obviously we won't know until we try it. Not like you will be driving in conditions like this on a daily basis. I'm sure you will survive the few to several times it happens every year. With a strong side gust of wind, you probably shouldn't be driving 75-80mph anyways.



What is your DD?

During summer/spring/fall usual DD is a 2012 3.5 Altima Coupe. During winter time i switch on over to my first car, 2000 Toyota Corolla.

the low center of gravity helps reduce weight transfer from one side to the other and reduces the effect of roll-over and handling feedback. also the brz has a small side projected surface area reducing the effect of being pushed around by high winds. but i wouldn't worry too much about high winds but i guess we won't know 'til the car is released.

cross winds are typically nasty to vehicles with a larger flatter surface area. Obviously larger cars, trucks, SUVs, and Trailers will feel the effect of cross winds the most regardless of weight.

The shape of the Zx6 is very slippery for a road car against forward facing winds with a .27 coefficient of drag. But when we talk about side facing winds at 25mph, against the Zx6 traveling at a 60mph hwy. We start to worry about stability.

But in my opinion, with the Zx6, i don't believe a small, low to the ground, low center of gravity sports car will experience the pushing effects of crosswinds and road instability like other similar vehicles at similar speeds.

I don't know for sure, but I would guess a 2000 Corolla sits ~ 6-8in higher than a BRZ? Part of the issue is that a Corolla is about as aerodynamic as a brick compared to the BRZ and doesn't sit as low. The BRZ should be quite a bit more stable than your Corolla I am guessing without having driven the BRZ yet.

I don't think getting blown around by the wind will be an issue, but if you're looking for a highway cruiser the BRZ is probably not the best choice. The light weight means it will get tossed around by bumps in the road and the gears, at least in the mt, aren't geared for low highway RPMs. I think the GC or mustang would be a better choice if you are looking for a highway cruiser.

Sure. I would argue that neither a GC/Mustang are great highway cruisers either. If you want a highway car get a Kia Optima turbo or a Sonata turbo or something similar. Will be more comfortable and be more efficient at highway speeds.

No it doesnt

My gripes have been driving I-70. The worst straight-line winds I've driven in was:
http://www.wunderground.com/history/...atename=Kansas

The gusts last Saturday afternoon were not unusually high for Kansas, and still it was enough to push the Impreza 6" or more at interstate speeds:
http://www.wunderground.com/history/...atename=Kansas

Would you say the G37 Coupe is a good highway car or am I just stuck with Optima or Sonata. Have you seen the new 2013 Fushion? Do you think it would be a good highway car?

Also do you think the nose on a BRZ will be pushed around more than the FR-S in an +80MPH crosswind? I mean that front bumper looks like a big wind sail. :iono:

Move?

When purchasing a car, I have to consider whether the AC is strong enough to overcome the Texas heat, but if I have to figure out how a car does in a hurricane during my daily commute, I'm LEAVING that state.