I'll throw my two cents in this. I'm 57 years old and have owned and have driven many truely desirable cars over the years. I currently have an '06 VW GTI/DSG which has been one of the nicest all around cars I've ever owned. I've always wanted a Porsche 911 (air-cooled). Found a very low mileage example six years ago, its a 1989 Carrera 3.2 coupe. The last of the torsion bar cars. It is a blast to drive and full of charactor. No it is not fast based on todays standards. But in 1985-89 it was one of the quickest cars you could buy. I'll always have this car. It has drama, sounds, smells, handling quirks and just look at it!
I've driven many late model Porsche 911's and while they are great and and if I could afford one I'd might have one, but no lost love not having one. Fast, yes...great handling, yes but somewhat sterile.
I take up all opportunities to drive neat cars, new and used. Last year had a chance to drive a C6-Z06. It was a trade at the local Chevy dealer. They know me so I was given the keys and out I went. Massive power and plently of drama as you seem to mention in your last video. This car would break the rears loose in second gear from 2500 rpm. It was simply one of the most powerful cars I've driven. But in the end after driving it for an hour and about 40 miles I knew I'd get tired of it after a few months (also see below comment). I've driven many C6 Vettes before and after this but for me the biggest let down is the crappy seats. There is no way (for me) that I could sit in the seats more than an hour.
Just before doing my March 1st pre-order on the BRZ I was this close
to ordering a '13 GT500 Shelby Mustang. I'd driven a demo '12 model and was and thought this is a really fantastic car and the '13 with 650HP would be just amazing. About a week before March 1st I started to doubt my thought to order a GT500. Drove a demo '12 GT Mustang that was on a lot nearby (I know its not close to a GT500!) and started to realize that the GT500 at almost $70,000 the way I'd order one was not worth it to me. Even a GT at mid to high $30's seemed doubtful. Don't get me wrong...both Mustangs represent great value on a bang for the buck but in the end the cheap cabin and the size/feel just was not what I was looking for.
Then comes along the BRZ. I placed order on March 1st did a lot of folks here. Then as people got their cars some spoke of the torque dip and weak power. I thought that I probably would not like the car. Then after what seemed forever my car arrives June 13th. Headed to dealer to look it over and take out for a drive before deciding to purchase.
Now this what what I'm looking for. Light, small... scalpel like. I bought it. Since then as the miles pile on (at 1500 now) I've pushed the rev limit higher and just love the sound and feel of the car and engine as it approaches 6,000+ rpm. The whole car is the package! So much like the Lotus Elise I drove a couple of years ago. You can grab it by the scruff of its neck and just throw it about. Love it! A blast! Will I get tired of it? Perhaps, then I'll look at the field and drive some cars again. I used to suffer from the grass is greener on the other side of the fence like you mention. I usuall fix that with a drive in a demo car.
No its not fast but it is not slow. I too have a torque memory in my GTI! The GTI is so torquey and squirty it is really neat to drive. Since getting my BRZ and after not driving my GTI for a few days, the GTI almost at first feels like a 5 series BMW!
In the end all I can say is you have to satisfy your own desires in what a car needs to be.