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Disclaimer up front: I love my BRZ! I am not slamming BRZs! Keep your flamethrowers on safe...
In fairness to amaciose, at 3k miles into BRZ ownership, this car is one of the toughest manuals to drive smoothly that I've owned in 30 years of driving. And that includes a series of early 911s, including my current 72 with its 915-type trans, which is no picnic (have to double-clutch sometimes, rev-matching is crucial, etc). I learned to drive stick on a three-on-the-tree Ford pickup, and have owned a series of Porsches and Miatas over the years. So I am far from a novice.
The issue with the BRZ is a combo of a big 1st to 2nd gear ratio drop, a non-linear throttle response, to a lesser degree the torque dip, and what feels like a pretty light flywheel. It's all manageable, but it takes some attention to build the approach that then becomes natural.
The synchros are also quite balky. Next step is to try new fluid of course to reduce that issue.
My sense is that the smoothness and balkiness varies from car to car quite a bit, based on the threads here.
Regardless, I love the spirit of the car, the looks, handling and the overall concept. I drive it every day.
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