true. happiness = reality - expectation

when you raise expectations so high, you are very likely going to be disappointed if you don't follow through

I feel the same way. Gonna have to see it in person and see how it fares in the car reviews. Time will tell. Comparing it with the Civic is pretty rash but, totally understand.

http://extreme86.smugmug.com/Cars/20...w%20WRX-X3.jpg

I'm seeing no reason to trade in my 2006 STi for this yet.

[x] No hatch/wagon - now a requirement since BRZ can't carry anything
[x] 2.5T engine - most likely a EJ257. Come on seriously... FA20DIT is making 290+ HP in a JDM Legacy why not just tune that up and put it in the STi? If it turns out to be a FA25DIT I will just go sit in a corner and hate myself.

I don't think its fair to judge a new car design when its presented like a cartoon as in most of the depiction on this thread. There is no context but white pages of text, no lighting, no paint reflectivity, in fact I don't even get the sense those are real cars. Maybe they are but if so they have been so overly photo shopped as to make them bland and listless. So I agree the new WRX looks poor in these depictions, but wait until we see it on a cloudy day over wet asphalt with truss work and old buildings behind it. Also, that color is hideous.

Regarding the questions I can respond with some personal knowledge about the 2013 BRZ vs. the 2013 WRX. I've owned both for most of this year and just dumped the BRZ. I love the BRZ, I really really do. But the issue I have with it is that the thing is too damn hard to get in and out of. I've owned three Miata's since 1991 and one as recently as this year before I traded it for the BRZ. The Miata never annoyed me as much as the BRZ, maybe it was the extra bolstering, or maybe I always had the top down on the Miata and didn't notice. But I'm six foot 200 pounds and the BRZ was just enough of a bitch to mount and dismount that I always found myself driving the WRX or even my E30. I dunno, maybe i'm just no into cars, but for as little as I ended up driving the car it wasn't worth insuring and watching the value depreciate while sitting in the garage. In the end the WRX hatchback is the car for me, practical and a blast to knock around hard. Sure, it rolls more and doesn't hug the clover leaf the same, but when I'm trying to get to work in the morning and thinking about twenty things unrelated to cars the BRZ just didn't call my name loud enough. Now if my alternative was an Accord or Camry I'm sure this rant would have a different ending…

I also have a four year old daughter so consider that as well. But I only have her three days a week and even on the off days I still found that the BRZ stayed in one place most of the time.

I dunno, I can see the BRZ being a decent daily for some people. If my commute involved a thirty minute sprint through a mountain pass I would probably still be on board with the BRZ, so that's another factor. The lack of decent roads in Southern Louisiana is no small factor. So lots of things play into my experience, and everyone is different. I can't even tell you definitively why I never drove the BRZ, but I have the data and acted accordingly.

Good luck to everyone and long live BRZ!!!

Why not a new 2.5L DIT, possbly based on the FA20? I can't imagine the WRX getting the fancy new engine while the STi is stuck with the older one...

Heh... actually, my reaction (despite being a Toyota fanboy for the most part) was to buy the BRZ...

Eww. That body line from the tail-lights! Did anyone else notice that? I guess we shall see in 2 days!

Different cars for different purposes. There is not many people who will be cross shopping for the 2 imo.

In Australia at least a BRZ is 38k while a WRX is 40k so are almost in the same price bracket but i don't know of anyone who looked at one while deciding on a BRZ/86/FRS

The only problem with this design, which would've helped it relate more to the concept, is if they raked the A-pillar back more and lowered the roof line to give it more of a coupe appeal, which was one of the stand out niche' on the concept model. Overall the roofline being too high is going to be the demise of the final production model.

I have no problem with design. Don't care for sedans, but if they bring over a Levorg (same look, just a wagon) with FA20DIT, I'd buy that in an instant.

I have to say, the performance numbers and changes they made to handling (including putting in a near-BRZ ratio steering rack) and performance (higher red line, quicker spool, better exhaust, 6sp trans) are quite welcome and very nice. It still looks ugly and generic, but those specs are growing on me. It's probably going to be one of the best balanced cars in Subaru's lineup for power to economy. The STI tosses economy out the window and the BRZ sides just a tad to the economy side. This WRX would be a gem if only they'd put as much thought and care into the body design as they seemingly did into improving the guts.

As other's have said and what I've told friends: I'll wait to see it in person. Even if I don't initially like it, it'll probably grow on me like previous generations have.

Agreed, except for 6sp, which is likely to be subpar.

Not so sure about that. If it's anything similar to the STI's 6sd, it's going to be great. Not sure what the Forester's 6sd was like, though. Maybe the 6th gear will have better economy for the car (unlike the STI's full range of ratios, which kept you in the power band and didn't allow for a top gear for economy cruising like the 5sd WRX's 5th gear did)... not sure. Never drove a 6spd Forester. The only Forester I ever had was a 4EAT.