BRZ to WRX/STI?

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by GoSharks

These are all great posts and considerations, thank you! The van is a 2004 with 68k miles in great condition (and paid for). And there seems to be several times per month that I am really glad we have it. The Camry Hybrid, my wife drives it carting kids around, and she averages 35 mpg. I ride my bike to work 4 days a week (i am one mile from my office). Then the weekend comes and I go fishing with my son, up to Tahoe last weekend (dirt roads), etc. The BRZ tends to sit there too often! Unfortunately, all too often life is full of compromises, so we must choose what is most important to us. The BRZ is the first car I have gotten excited about since my 2002 MINI S. A lot to think about.

Dirt roads, plus one passenger? Give a call to Nameless once they get their workload under control.

[OrbitalEllipses]

TL;DR

Don't buy a WRX/STI until the new model drops. Unless you specifically want the current chassis and powertrain. I came from a first gen WRX and this car is much more intoxicating and almost as fast as a stock 2L WRX.

[Symmetrical]

I didn't go directly from the WRX to the BRZ, but I had an '06 WRX for about 5 years that made 290awhp with a VF34.

After owning the BRZ, I don't miss it. I've had more fun in this car than I ever had in any of my high hp cars before.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by GoSharks

From those who came from a WRX/STI to the BRZ (or vice/versa), what would be the biggest thing I would like/disappointed with? This is somewhat of a gut wrenching but realistic decision for me.

I used to own an STI hatch, so I can give you some quick answers.

Things you will like about the STI:
- horsepower & torque (i.e., turbo shoves you hard in the midrange)
- AWD traction
- cargo space
- ease of making power

Things you will miss about the BRZ:
- steering feel
- steering quickness
- handling & light overall weight
- RWD oversteer
- seats
- low seating position
- radio
- gas mileage
- low-cost maintenance & upkeep
- looks (subjective)

Personally, I'd stick with the BRZ and trade-in the Sienna for something with AWD and real off-road capability, like a Wrangler Unlimited. Then you have two fun cars (sports car + Jeep that can seat 5 and go off-road), plus a practical hybrid for fuel economy.

If you're set on getting an AWD turbo car, forget the STI and go with an Evo X. Better steering, seats, and handling than the STI. Also consider a Golf R for its practicality and interior.

[bumperhumper]

Originally Posted by Captain Insano

I have owned a 2004 and 2007 STi. I say if you already have kid transportation options keep the BRZ. I really liked my STi cars, but they don't feel like true sports cars like a FRS/BRZ. They feel like fast family cars which quite honestly are a dime a dozen nowadays. I personally would keep the FRS/BRZ you have if you already have a mini-van and camry.

BTW. I have wife and three kids. Two car family - Honda Pilot and BRZ. :-)

This. I just drove a 2011 STi today and I was disappointed. The power was great, but precision and feel was a complete let down (steering, gearbox). It felt very heavy and big. Like the captain said, it feels like a fast family car, not a true sports car.

Depending on what you like about the brz, it may be missed. It may be worth thinking of replacing one of the other cars in the fleet like others are suggesting. Just my 2 cents

[Turbowned]

I'm buying a 2004 STi as a winter car. It's a piece of $#!t compared to the BRZ, but I wanted AWD, and I am getting it for a steal so anytime I need to sell it I can turn a profit. It was more of a financial decision than anything. It drives like you would think it would; fast, noisy, tarted-up econobox. The BRZ drives like a dream compared to it and compared to the new WRX.