I have a conundrum
 

Hi guys,

I'm in the market and the BRZ tugs my heart strings.

I'm a 36y/o male Australian. My current car is a lightly modified 2006wrx hatch. Previously I've had a 98 Mitsubishi Mirage and an 80 Corolla. I have some track experience (in my Wrx and an 07 Wrx sti), a fair bit of go kart experience, and have driven some v8 rally buggies.

I've also driven countless iracing laps in the Miata, and quite a few in the gt86 in Assetto Corsa. Great fun!!

Here is the conundrum. I have around $60k aud ($43k usd) to drop on a car.

Do I buy a new BRZ (40kish aud), and throw 20k on FI, suspension and tyres?

Do I buy a used 2012/2013 BRZ and drop 30k on every upgrade under the sun?

Do I play the waiting game and hope the Subaru turbo rumors are true? (if they are, the value of a FI current Gen will drop significantly, possibly turning either of the above options into a massive waste of cash). I would drop $60k on one of these puppies without hesitation if the specs are right and it's a true STi.

Do I look elsewhere for my RWD fix (eg bmw)?

Do I stay boring and get the 2016 Wrx and save some money?

Some unknowns - do Subaru/Toyota have some kind of agreement not to provide modified engines so as to keep the twins competitive and equal(ish), thereby making new models mere facelifts? I wouldn't be surprised. If one brings out an amazing build on the twins base, the other would be left with lower sales.

The streets I'll be on are a mix of suburbia, freeway and twisty hills. I know I need more power. My mirage was a fun decently handling car, and my parents Impreza drives great - but they are missing the juice. Same with the cars in the racing sims (yes I know not real life).

Help me :). I've consumed so much gt86/BRZ media and info in the past few months, it's hard to think!

Thanks.

Before we start anywhere I am going to tell you that there will be no Subaru BRZ STI with a turbo. SoA already came out saying that they will not make a turbocharged BRZ because they don't want it to affect their WRX/STI sales.

Now,
If I could do it all over again I wished I would have waited for a even slightly more used FRS. Why? because they are starting to become pretty inexpensive. I love mine (bought used 19k miles for 19k usd)

If I was put in your shoes I would definately go for a used (but maintained properly) BRZ and slowly build up the car with the mods YOU like. You will soon realize if you've ever drive this car that the car has enough power for what it is despite everyone saying it's slow blah blah. The BRZ is a very capable car one a great driving/ feel car. With your budget you can beable to pick up a used one and mod it to perform exactly the way you want wether it be FI or anything else.

Hope this helps and I'm looking forward to see what you decide to do :D

Thanks for your reply.

Do you know if there are any significant changes between 2012-2016 as far as build quality or anything else?

Are you kidding me?! :fighting0040:

The only change I would consider are those to the valve train allegedly incorporated around July 2014.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...74#post2415874

Thank you :). Exactly the type of thing I was unaware of.

I would look elsewhere. Idk exactly what, but you could buy a nice corvette in the states for less than a brz with mods and still be faster.

if you do go for the BRZ, get a 2015+. it comes with the sharkfin antenna standard and a way nicer key among other things lol. I believe that you would like the car the way it comes from the factory. drive it stock like that and upgrade what you feel is lacking. no need to do everything at once

Heh! Shark fin is great... And keyless start/entry with a purty key... Might just be swayed to limit my search now to my15+

Thanks :)

WR Blue, Hyperblue, Dark grey and Lapis. I feel my choices are narrowing.

Corvettes are more expensive here, and I've always hated the look. If it's not suby, I'll prob go European or another Japanese car.

They just feel big & mushy, IMHO.

What corvette have you driven? Lol. They feel like a brz with power for the most part. Steering feel isn't as nice but it is precise.

Can you not get a monaro? Jfc, with holden there I dont think i would look at another make.

I'm not an expert but I've driven a few. Steering, clutch, brakes, throttle, big fat wheels.

They're super fast but I always preferred my underpowered 240Z. With exception to the seating position relative to the wheels, the 86 beats my old Z in the "feels" department hands down.

Different strokes... :cheers: