New here? Come say hi =)

[Blaze]

Hey guys, I am new here from Japan I am considering buying a BRZ but torn between it and a new MX-5. Currently, I own a 2006 MX-5 and love it to death. I know numerous mock it because it lacks power calling it a sissy car, but these people are morons in my mind that have NO clue that a light small car like this with only 167hp is so fun to drive and toss around and could out beat their massive 300hp Mustangs in the twisties with ease. I have enjoyed it for years and always puts a smile on my face.

But the BRZ looks very nice also, and I drove one and liked it. I am not sure if I loved it as much as the MX-5, but it was a good drive and I'd need to drive it harder to fully test it. Here in Japan I was shocked it don't come with a stereo head unit, that's an option and so are floormats which is kinda stupid....

So a few questions to you guys that already own the BRZ.

1. How do you enjoy it? Is it really fun to drive, making you smile and truly can handle like a dream?

2. I hear the sound system sucks, is this true? Here in Japan the head unit is an option and the car comes with factory speakers. So I have a feeling it's crap?

3. How reliable is this car? Doe's it start right up in cold weather? Any kinda problems with the engine? Do you think it would last 7 years without failure? I drive far daily and need a car that can handle high milage in the years to come.

4. I have seen and heard of the window plastic trim cracking. Is this happening on many of the BRZ's or is it limited to a few? I also here of some body parts not lining up perfectly.

5. Subaru Japan offers what they call a "glass coating" this coating is supposed to make the paint shine more, last longer and easy to wash. It cost an extra whopping $914 But is it truly worth it?

6. Any other problems with this car besides a few things I mentioned? Please be honest!

[Outlawstar98]

Hey guys! My name is Kyle. I dont own one of these YET! But going down soon to make my order On a BRZ. The car I currently have is a Built Mazdaspeed Protege. I am a Mod over at Mazdas247.com :P If you know Protege's at all you may know of my car.

My daily driver.

Going to pick up a White BRZ. First mods will be Rocketbunny wheels and suspension. Then hopefully durning the summer/over the winter turbo/supercharge it. Its going to be fun! Mainly since the car will be a garage kept'd car only.

[bjun]

I ordered my BRZ from Subaru of Plano about two weeks ago. I'll probably get the car late January to mid February. So excited!!!

[eljefe]

Hey all,

Picked up my BRZ this past weekend from Sewell Subaru in Dallas, TX. I'm in love with it already.

This is the first car that isnt a honda that ive had in a long time. My previous daily was a 03 RSX-S which im now selling, and i also own a right hand drive turbo civic hatch that i just finished building in march of this year.

Im glad to be a member here and i look forward to learning alot about my car, and hopefully contributing something valuable at some point.

[Jake]

Hey everyone,

My name is Jake, I'm 23 and work as a financial advisor in the LA/Phoenix/Fresno areas.

I'm really into the desert and am currently building a Ford Ranger prerunner for desert trips and Baja runs.

I'm interested in the FR-S/BRZ for a prospective DD and figured this was the best place to get the real scoop on these cars.

A Few shots of my truck





and a few shots from Mexico

[convoy]

Hi, I'm Mike and I got my BRZ about 3 weeks ago and I love it. I can't wait to mod it and this forum is great.

Mike (Convoy) - Oklahoma City, OK
2013 BRZ Limited - Satin White Pearl

[Snagz]

I am a little late posting.

I picked my beauty up October 30 and ordered it back in late July. I feel very lucky to have been able to purchase this car cause from reading the forums it looks like there are still quite a few folks waiting for theirs.

At this point I have 18 miles till break in is over. I plan on putting an exhaust and headers in and maybe flashing the ECU. Kinda nervous about the ECU but i really have not had time to research it.

[ShoNUFF]

What's up everyone..

Just ordered a Crystal Black BRZ from Grand Prix Subaru in LI.

I'll see you all around!

:happy0180:

[PeterB]

Update: Looks like I was just allowed to create a new thread.

As a new member, I am not allowed to create a new thread. So, I’m not sure where to post the question below.

I have a non-technical question about BRZ versus FRS suspension. I am interested in some feedback on which of the two gives less bumpy ride on uneven surface. I know the difference is not large. I drove both, but on different roads, so it is really difficult to tell.

I have seen some reports that FRS is a more bumpy ride, but then there were some other conflicting messages.

I read that FRS has more oversteer versus understeer of BRZ. I also found this info about springs:

Front OE Spring Rate:
Subaru BRZ 27 N/mm (153 lbs/in)
Scion FR-S 23 N/mm (131 lbs/in)

Rear OE Spring Rate:
Subaru BRZ 34 N/mm (195 lbs/in)
Scion FR-S 37 N/mm (211 lbs/in)

So, apparently, BRZ is stiffer in front and softer in the rear, but I am not sure how this contributes to an overall feel of more or less bumpy ride.

I would appreciate any feedback.

[twostroke]

Hi guys,

I ordered my car back in June and I finally got it yesterday under the snow. I bought a set of wheels and winter tires because I couldn't wait good weather to get the car :-). I really love it, I'm looking forward to drive it on sunny week-ends across the Swiss Alps.
My dealer told me I'm in the first 15 buyers to get the car in Switzerland!

[AlexTheGreek]

Originally Posted by PeterB

Update: Looks like I was just allowed to create a new thread.

As a new member, I am not allowed to create a new thread. So, I’m not sure where to post the question below.

I have a non-technical question about BRZ versus FRS suspension. I am interested in some feedback on which of the two gives less bumpy ride on uneven surface. I know the difference is not large. I drove both, but on different roads, so it is really difficult to tell.

I have seen some reports that FRS is a more bumpy ride, but then there were some other conflicting messages.

I read that FRS has more oversteer versus understeer of BRZ. I also found this info about springs:

Front OE Spring Rate:
Subaru BRZ 27 N/mm (153 lbs/in)
Scion FR-S 23 N/mm (131 lbs/in)

Rear OE Spring Rate:
Subaru BRZ 34 N/mm (195 lbs/in)
Scion FR-S 37 N/mm (211 lbs/in)

So, apparently, BRZ is stiffer in front and softer in the rear, but I am not sure how this contributes to an overall feel of more or less bumpy ride.

I would appreciate any feedback.

Yes wrong place for this thread, but I'll answer your question.

I'm no expert, but my understanding is that every car rolls to the outside when turning by some amount. That roll is counteracted by the springs in the outside (of the turn) corners of the car. So for a left turn, let's say the right front spring and right rear spring are going to be carrying this extra load.

The more a spring is stiff, the more load it will carry for the same amout of travel caused by the body rolling. We assume here that the body is really stiff so the roll in the front is the same as the roll in the rear. The more load the wheel carries, the more work it has to do and the less grip it has available.

So a stiffer set of springs in the front means the balance will become tighter (more understeer) the car will tend to wash out in the front. You'll have to steer to the left a lot more to keep the front from washing out.

A stiffer set of springs in the rear means the balance will become looser (more oversteer) the car will tend to wash out at the rear. The steering response will be unstable, you'll actually have to steer more to the right as the rear washes out to keep the car pointing in the same direction.

So in the end of the day, the FR-S is a little looser and the BRZ is a little tighter. And keep in mind my explanation is very simplified. Don't think that FR-S drivers are always loosing the back end. Those are just the two extremes in balance and so changing springs will move you closer to one extreme or another. I don't think the difference is very dramatic and springs are not very expensive, so you could always adjust your balance if you feel the need down the road.

[carbonBLUE]

Originally Posted by eljefe

Hey all,

Picked up my BRZ this past weekend from Sewell Subaru in Dallas, TX. I'm in love with it already.

This is the first car that isnt a honda that ive had in a long time. My previous daily was a 03 RSX-S which im now selling, and i also own a right hand drive turbo civic hatch that i just finished building in march of this year.

Im glad to be a member here and i look forward to learning alot about my car, and hopefully contributing something valuable at some point.

as long as you arent pushing over 500whp on the stock block your fine (highest thats been attempted so far, but no one has broken an engine yet)

[Mr.]

heeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllloooooooo

[titan_rw]

Hi.

Had some questions regarding the frs/brz, so I though I'd register here.

But I can't start my own thread to ask my questions.

Don't want to ask in the introduce yourself thread, as that's not really what it's for. Ohh well.

Maybe later.