Power is relative, and (mostly) over emphasized

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by chrisl

That's an odd response, considering I don't even own a corvette...

Assumptions are natural, not odd, but often incorrect.

Since you were disproportionally defensive, I assumed you owned one. Once again proving that assumption is indeed the mother of all f**k ups.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

IMO that's not the best comparison, and this is why I say that. Yes a base WRX is $25,995 but the "base" STI is equipped more like a Premium WRX, which costs $28,495. Subtracting the difference from the WRX STI ($34,495) is $6,000. So to say that a BRZ Premium could be given a "proper" STI treatment (50+ hp boost, revised suspension, different wing, enlarged brakes) for $31,495 ($25,495 + $6,000) seems reasonable to me.



Where did I say I demanded creature comforts and that the FR-S is bare bones? I've said it over and over again that the primary reason I got a BRZ over an FRS is the HID headlights. I couldn't care less about all the other crap they heap on you. I would take a bare-bones FRS with 250+ hp (from the factory) over a BRZ Limited every time. I care about performance, not heated seats, bluetooth sync, built in Nav, fog lights, dual zone automatic climate control, etc. I was perfectly happy with the spartan interior of my S2000.

Not to jump on you but you could've got the premium and save some change if you felt that way. The premium also has HIDS.

[track junkie]

The 200 hp is perfect for me driving on the street. The track is a different story altogether. For the four months of my BRZ ownership, my 2009 Z06 with 505 HP just sits waiting for track only days.

For my favorite, twisty, less than perfectly paved roads, the BRZ is my first choice. Enough horsepower for reasonably safe fun, but not enough to get myself in big trouble. It gets old having to have an attorney on retainer just to handle all the tickets. With all the attorney fees and ticket money saved, by driving the BRZ, I should have enough money saved up, in a few years, to completely pay for the new Z7 Z06 Corvette.

[meadowz06]

Originally Posted by track junkie

The 200 hp is perfect for me driving on the street. The track is a different story altogether. For the four months of my BRZ ownership, my 2009 Z06 with 505 HP just sits waiting for track only days.

For my favorite, twisty, less than perfectly paved roads, the BRZ is my first choice. Enough horsepower for reasonably safe fun, but not enough to get myself in big trouble. It gets old having to have an attorney on retainer just to handle all the tickets. With all the attorney fees and ticket money saved, by driving the BRZ, I should have enough money saved up, in a few years, to completely pay for the new Z7 Z06 Corvette.

Glad you posted. I am in the same boat, but I don't have enough money to keep the Corvette AND buy a FR-S. I have a 560hp Corvette that I drive back and forth to work. And I can't drive it hard, because the speeds just get ridiculous, and the tickets become reckless driving, etc. You know the drill. That is why I was thinking about selling the Corvette.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

Assumptions are natural, not odd, but often incorrect.

Since you were disproportionally defensive, I assumed you owned one. Once again proving that assumption is indeed the mother of all f**k ups.

I was defensive because I think it's a fairly good design, and I feel like it is frequently disliked for no good reason (unlike, say, the live rear axle on the mustang, which is disliked for a very good reason).

(For what it's worth, I have had a chance to drive a C5 Z06 corvette, and I found it to be an excellent car. Its limits are astonishing, and that engine is very nice too. For pure driving joy though, I like my Cayman better)

[Rumbaar]

I love the power and handling of my 86. But I've come from a front wheel drive '98 Celica, and I'm still in the honeymoon first month of driving stage.

It's all relative, I've got a mate who's got a supercharged 1UZ and that's a monster. I've driven that once, and I don't miss that kind of power in my daily.

[cfusionpm]

I would always like more horsepower. But the last time I had a car with more power than my FR-S, I was getting 15 mpg city, and lucky to break above 20 avg combined. I kind of like getting 32 on the highway and averaging 26 with mostly city driving.

[GTB/ZR-1]

Originally Posted by meadowz06

Glad you posted. I am in the same boat, but I don't have enough money to keep the Corvette AND buy a FR-S. I have a 560hp Corvette that I drive back and forth to work. And I can't drive it hard, because the speeds just get ridiculous, and the tickets become reckless driving, etc. You know the drill. That is why I was thinking about selling the Corvette.

Meadow, I've seen you many years on the Corvette Forum, so I know you've had plenty of tuned C5s over the years.

My advice is to drive an FR-S before you get one--and drive it hard.

They're gutless (sorry guys), but they are fun--especially modded.

I've modded mine to 345hp w/ a P&L Turbo setup (so far--more to come) w/ suspension/brake/rims/tires, and now it's really a hoot! If you have plans to mod, then I think you'll be okay.

If you plan to keep it stock--forget it.

My .02...

BTW, 19 years w/ my ZR-1 & no end in sight w/ it. lol

Welcome to the site.

[dem00n]

Oh lordy, a bunch of Corvette guys think our cars are boring.

Lets go to the Ferrari forum and see what else is new.

[meadowz06]

Originally Posted by GTB/ZR-1

Meadow, I've seen you many years on the Corvette Forum, so I know you've had plenty of tuned C5s over the years.

My advice is to drive an FR-S before you get one--and drive it hard.

They're gutless (sorry guys), but they are fun--especially modded.

I've modded mine to 345hp w/ a P&L Turbo setup (so far--more to come) w/ suspension/brake/rims/tires, and now it's really a hoot! If you have plans to mod, then I think you'll be okay.

If you plan to keep it stock--forget it.

My .02...

BTW, 19 years w/ my ZR-1 & no end in sight w/ it. lol

Welcome to the site.

Thanks,
I am a manager at a Toyota dealership, so I have driven the FR-S quite a bit. I would mod the car eventually. I am torn because I have owned 17 vettes and I am sort of attached to the car. But man is the FR-S fun to drive!
:happy0180:

[Sonolin]

Originally Posted by GTB/ZR-1

Meadow, I've seen you many years on the Corvette Forum, so I know you've had plenty of tuned C5s over the years.

My advice is to drive an FR-S before you get one--and drive it hard.

They're gutless (sorry guys), but they are fun--especially modded.

I've modded mine to 345hp w/ a P&L Turbo setup (so far--more to come) w/ suspension/brake/rims/tires, and now it's really a hoot! If you have plans to mod, then I think you'll be okay.

If you plan to keep it stock--forget it.

My .02...

BTW, 19 years w/ my ZR-1 & no end in sight w/ it. lol

Welcome to the site.

Just curious, do you feel 250-300whp is a good enough goal? What were your reasons for going farther?

My original end goal (for F/I) is ~300whp, with either Innovate or a small turbo like AVO. I want this car to be faster & funner than stock, but I don't need it to be scary and/or too powerful. From what I understand 300 is a decent target. I've done a little research and that seems like it should be about as fast as an Exige S which sounds about perfect to me.

[frsvr4]

Originally Posted by GTB/ZR-1

Meadow, I've seen you many years on the Corvette Forum, so I know you've had plenty of tuned C5s over the years.

My advice is to drive an FR-S before you get one--and drive it hard.

They're gutless (sorry guys), but they are fun--especially modded.

I've modded mine to 345hp w/ a P&L Turbo setup (so far--more to come) w/ suspension/brake/rims/tires, and now it's really a hoot! If you have plans to mod, then I think you'll be okay.

If you plan to keep it stock--forget it.

My .02...

BTW, 19 years w/ my ZR-1 & no end in sight w/ it. lol

Welcome to the site.

Nice sig.

The whole premise of this thread cracks me up. "It's not the size that matters! It's how you use it!!" </desperation> While that may be true, it's nice not to have to work so damn hard

I'm confident I'll be very happy with mine with another 40-60 hp. I made sure that was achievable on the stock fuel and clutch before purchasing. Once the stock clutch fails, all bets are off.

[GTB/ZR-1]

Originally Posted by Sonolin

Just curious, do you feel 250-300whp is a good enough goal? What were your reasons for going farther?

Not for me--I'm a self-admitted power whore... lol

Seriously, I compete nationally in SCCA autoX & the class I'm now in is pretty hard-core. I'm shooting for 400whp--but I'll be on 275 or 285 Hoosiers, to better put that power down.

It's @ 308whp right now & would be plenty powerful for most people & probably for me, if I didn't compete w/ it.

Originally Posted by AdamVR4

Nice sig.

Likewise--dang, that VR4 moves! Do you know Matt Monet?

[frsvr4]

Originally Posted by GTB/ZR-1

Likewise--dang, that VR4 moves! Do you know Matt Monet?

I sure do. The best parts on my car are his tubular headers. He's not as active in the community now that the cars have gotten old and the money has dried up, but he'll always be an icon for all the records he set on reasonable budgets. He's still the only one to ever run 8's. And he did it on a piggyback with 4 knobs, haha. I'll be pushing for 9's in the next couple years. I just want the FRS to run 13's... although that sounds like how I wanted the VR4 to only run 12's... then 11's... then 10's... um, it's addictive.