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Aki · 10-08-2012, 08:27 PM

Sorry I don't think you can be a serious auto enthusiast if you blow off a car simply because it's FWD. BRZ lost in a comparo with the Renault Megane Trophy, a FWD car. Plenty of FWD are very rewarding to drive.

I have an 06 Civic Si--granted it's modded a bit, but stock for stock, the K20 engine is a much more entertaining powerplant than the BRZ/FR-S. The problem with the FR-S engine isn't that it doesn't have enough power--it's just not a very fun engine to wring out. There's a deadzone of torque in the mid-range that makes revving a chore. Steering is a toss up in the 8thgen Si to the FR-S. Both are EPS, both aren't as communicative as I'd want. Chassis rigidity the FR-S is superior to the Si.

That said, there's simply no replacing the feeling of RWD in corners. My Si has been tweaked to be more oversteer-prone (more negative camber up front, stiffer rear rebound damping), and it's neutral in the corners, with even a bit of lift-off oversteer if you try. But the FR-S feels like a proper sports car, and you can feel the rear traction breaking, even if it's not dorifuto-tail sliding.

9G feels a lot worse than the 8G. Numb and slower steering, more mushy in suspension feel. Engine isn't as fun to rev. Between the 9G and FR-S, FR-S is better in almost every way.

10-08-2012, 08:27 PM	#33
Aki Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Drives: '96 beater Corolla Location: Cali Posts: 409 Thanks: 7 Thanked 32 Times in 14 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Sorry I don't think you can be a serious auto enthusiast if you blow off a car simply because it's FWD. BRZ lost in a comparo with the Renault Megane Trophy, a FWD car. Plenty of FWD are very rewarding to drive. I have an 06 Civic Si--granted it's modded a bit, but stock for stock, the K20 engine is a much more entertaining powerplant than the BRZ/FR-S. The problem with the FR-S engine isn't that it doesn't have enough power--it's just not a very fun engine to wring out. There's a deadzone of torque in the mid-range that makes revving a chore. Steering is a toss up in the 8thgen Si to the FR-S. Both are EPS, both aren't as communicative as I'd want. Chassis rigidity the FR-S is superior to the Si. That said, there's simply no replacing the feeling of RWD in corners. My Si has been tweaked to be more oversteer-prone (more negative camber up front, stiffer rear rebound damping), and it's neutral in the corners, with even a bit of lift-off oversteer if you try. But the FR-S feels like a proper sports car, and you can feel the rear traction breaking, even if it's not dorifuto-tail sliding. 9G feels a lot worse than the 8G. Numb and slower steering, more mushy in suspension feel. Engine isn't as fun to rev. Between the 9G and FR-S, FR-S is better in almost every way.