Quote:
Originally Posted by Rai-zero
I former owner of a AP1 S2000 (sold because I wanted a bigger, faster car) got a e90 M3 as my next car, was great (except for the cost twice as much as the S2000). I loved the 6MT from the S2000 but got a DCT with the M3 which was also great.
In the end loved both but are sold and miss both, but the S2000 was more fun (to me). However sold S2000 because it was too small for me (interior). Loved the power of the M3 (400hp V8) but found that it was almost too fast to use much of the power without getting into trouble. In the end, probably would dive both cars equally fast A-B was the same but the M3 had the edge in acceleration but fun was edge to the S2000.
I currently have a car that I can drive in all weather so I'm looking keep that and to buy a car second that doesn't need to be used for long trips or inclement weather. Will be a weekend car and more sunny day daily driver.
I test drove the BRZ found it to be nice and roomy and like the toss-able lightweight as well as the hard top and small rear seats, it's big enough but not too big.
I didn't want to go into Mustang, Corvette or other big power cars and was really looking at the BRZ, plus like that it almost seems like an older car (like a throwback) because it's so low power in this time where so many other cars are turbo or big size the BRZ while small to me seems right size.
I was digging into old issues of car magazines to see where the BRZ ranks, and while yes today it may appear slow.
I was saying BRZ is a throwback because when I look at cars under 3000 lbs it brings me back to the 80's or so when I grew up GTI's weren't as big as today and while I don't want to buy an old car, I like the idea of a throwback car that is light but has more modern safety and technology than was available back in the day.
Here is some data (all from Car and Driver magazine for consistency).
S2000 (2003)
$34K
weight 2840 lbs
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 15.0 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 6.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.1 sec @97mph
Top speed (drag limited): 149 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 166 ft
BRZ (2007)
$28K
weight 2777 lbs
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 16.3 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.2 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 10.6 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 8.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.8 sec @ 95 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 134 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 164 ft
1988 M3
$34K
weight 2857 lbs
0-60 6.9 sec
1/4 mile 15.2 sec @ 92 mph
Braking 70-0 179 ft
Realize that the BRZ is the *lightest* of the three and the *cheapest* not even accounting for inflation. BRZ is also clearly the least quick, but is still somewhat respectable as long as you rev it up, but can be driven respectably is you want.
I realize the BRZ is not the quickest or the most luxurious or the cheapest car today that people consider buying a GTI, Mustang/Camaro for similar money. But to me the BRZ looks quite tempting and stats wise is by no means would I say it's slow. Plus to me having to work harder for the speed rev it up is half the fun.
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You’re preaching to the choir on this forum, many of us have owned cars that are faster in a straight line than the BRZ... but few cars are more fun to drive for anywhere near the same price. I also previously owned an S2000 and I miss that car greatly (I wish I had it to drive on those perfect top-down days).
The stats that you posted are a bit strange... there is no such thing as a 2007 BRZ and you mentioned your 400hp V8 M3 but then post stats for a 1988 4 cylinder M3 with 192hp?