Considering a BRZ

[swpbrz]

It's simple. This car sooths your soul. It doesn't aim to stroke your ego in red light races. But it will put a big grin on your face when your alone on a twisting road. Just about internal expirience. Not beating dumb kids at Red lights.

Although that would be nice. I realized my only problem with the speed is when it's compared to other cars with my ego.

The feel itself is always wonderful

[TrackRider54]

Originally Posted by swpbrz

It's simple. This car sooths your soul. It doesn't aim to stroke your ego in red light races. But it will put a big grin on your face when your alone on a twisting road. Just about internal expirience. Not beating dumb kids at Red lights.

Although that would be nice. I realized my only problem with the speed is when it's compared to other cars with my ego.

The feel itself is always wonderful

This is true.

I've been a long time motorcycle fanatic, and some of the most fun motorcycles I've owned are the ones that were slightly underpowered and had marginal suspensions. They were the ones that required more of my skill and attention and engaged me more.

I always loved running my little 60hp bike up the tailpipes of punks on their 160hp sportbikes. Sure, when the road went straight they'd drop me like a bad habit. They'd go from 40mph to 150mph in a heartbeat. I'd maintain a steady 60-70mph and three corners into the twisties I'd be showing them a wheel.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by swpbrz

It's simple. This car sooths your soul. It doesn't aim to stroke your ego in red light races. But it will put a big grin on your face when your alone on a twisting road. Just about internal expirience. Not beating dumb kids at Red lights.

Although that would be nice. I realized my only problem with the speed is when it's compared to other cars with my ego.

The feel itself is always wonderful

The fung shwei (sp?) of the car is good

[White&Nerdy]

Well said! Having recently crossed that 40 barrier myself (I hate to admit it) I just got my BRZ, and I love it, for all the reasons you said. It's not my midlife crisis car - I've had 3 Miatas, an AW11 MR2, Sentra SE-R, and a bunch of other cool cars. I need more cargo space and a solid roof so a Miata is out, and the 86 fits the bill perfectly. I went with the BRZ since it's slightly more upscale and I got a deal for one cheaper than an FR-S. Also a long time Subaru and rally fan, so WRB FTW.

[PBM317]

I love that you can wring out the car in 1st and 2nd gear and still be under the speed limit! That said, the suspension does leave some to be desired. After flogging a new BMW M235i for a weekend, I took the BRZ on the same road, and the BRZ was more upset by some mid corner rough surfaces that I didn't even register in the BMW. Of course the BMW is like twice the price of the BRZ. But it was nice to be in the BMW where the speed is somehow effortless and vicious at the same time... very addicting.

However, as others have noted, there is a pureness to the BRZ/FR-S that can't be matched in new cars today.

[Whitigir]

30 years ago, 170hp was fast, an achievement of auto maker. According to inflation, at the least, that would translate into 280hp...to be fast nowadays.

Why ? Simply, car did not have all the protective gadgets they have nowadays. No ABS, TC, Bad tires, Bad rims, Worse suspensions, No Air bags, No steering assistance. You can basically kill yourself in it with a minor mistake. Nowadays, it would take at least 280hp

[Whitigir]

Originally Posted by PBM317

I love that you can wring out the car in 1st and 2nd gear and still be under the speed limit! That said, the suspension does leave some to be desired. After flogging a new BMW M235i for a weekend, I took the BRZ on the same road, and the BRZ was more upset by some mid corner rough surfaces that I didn't even register in the BMW. Of course the BMW is like twice the price of the BRZ. But it was nice to be in the BMW where the speed is somehow effortless and vicious at the same time... very addicting.

However, as others have noted, there is a pureness to the BRZ/FR-S that can't be matched in new cars today.

Did you see the 2015 sti beat the M235i ? And AMG CLK ?

I would take STI or WRX all day long.

It is kinda funny to see how people involve into risky business = fun.

[Turbowned]

As a former owner of a Datsun 240Z, Mazda RX-7 Turbo II, two E30 BMW's and a half dozen Toyota MR2's, the BRZ/FR-S was just what the doctor ordered! Just as enjoyable to drive as the others, but brand new and without finicky carburetors, ticking time bomb apex seals, or piles of rust, squeaks, creaks and rattles.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by rikerr

What length pants do you wear? I'm 6 foot 4 and have yet to sit in one and still wonder how i'll fit in one. Also how much head room did you have left? Do you feel you could wear a helmet in it?

You need to go test drive one. One of the things that can be surprising compared to other cars is how low you sit in it. This is a very low slung car all around, and that goes for the seats as well. Your ass is mere inches from the pavement. The seat height is also adjustable.

I'm not nearly as tall as you are (6'), but I have several inches of clearance above my head. I don't feel confined in it. They have also done a good job of keeping the dash area fairly high over the driver's legs so that it doesn't crunch the knees.

My only issue with the size of the car was that I had to learn how to get into and out of it. The steering wheel doesn't raise up enough for me to be able to step into the car one leg at a time, so I have to sit first and swing both legs in at the same time. But the wheel is also too low to be able to swing my legs straight in, so I have to go in kind of sideways and twist into a seated position. You'll see what I mean when you drive one. Once there, though, I don't find it uncomfortable.

[PBM317]

Originally Posted by Whitigir

Did you see the 2015 sti beat the M235i ? And AMG CLK ?

I would take STI or WRX all day long.

It is kinda funny to see how people involve into risky business = fun.

You keep saying CLK, but it's the CLA. I did see that comparo.

Would need to see the interior of the new WRX/STI in person, the last gen left much to be desired. If i'm spending over $30K, I kind of want the luxury touches that should come at that price, in addition to the performance.

[InterceptorII]

Great write-up! I waited for almost a year to get mine after doing a lot of reading and test driving. Fell in love with the car at first sight but waited to make sure it was practical for my situation and that I was willing to invest fully into the car. I have no regrets and it's the best car I've EVER owned.

by INTERCEPTOR II

[Simon99]

I got my BRZ this weekend. This car is truly special. I had a Mazdaspeed3 that was modded beyond sanity and it doesn't even come close to the twin. It's hard to describe, but the power is there, balance is there, interior is there, no matter what the numbers are for this car, you feel like you're driving not just a machine, but something way more than that.. And I hope this feeling stays because you know you truly have something wonderful when you hurry to finish up work at 4am just for that little drive on the way home and you enjoy it over everything else, radio off just listening to that soothing induction noise, the satisfying clunk of the transmission and that little chirp you get just before TC kicks in. It's a thing of beauty and i hope that you experience it as soon as possible; you will be left breathless.

[GotMunchies?]

Originally Posted by Simon99

I got my BRZ this weekend. This car is truly special. I had a Mazdaspeed3 that was modded beyond sanity and it doesn't even come close to the twin. It's hard to describe, but the power is there, balance is there, interior is there, no matter what the numbers are for this car, you feel like you're driving not just a machine, but something way more than that.. And I hope this feeling stays because you know you truly have something wonderful when you hurry to finish up work at 4am just for that little drive on the way home and you enjoy it over everything else, radio off just listening to that soothing induction noise, the satisfying clunk of the transmission and that little chirp you get just before TC kicks in. It's a thing of beauty and i hope that you experience it as soon as possible; you will be left breathless.

This captures the effervescence of this car so well. There's a joy to driving this car that just isn't found in many other cars - it really is greater than the sum of its parts. I came from a modded S197 Mustang GT and there are absolutely no regrets. In the 'Stang I felt like I was just driving a motor (granted, a REALLY nice motor with lots of personality), but in the BRZ I feel like I'm part of an experience... even on the drive to work.

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

Totally agree, its all about the experience with these cars, on the road fun and feel is among the best of any street car i've driven over the years (i've driven Corvettes from base-ZR-1, various Nissan GTRs, Mclaren MP4-12C, Camaro SS/ZL-1, various new BMWs, Porsche Boxster/Cayman and lots of other random cars). The one car I have driven that's even better is a Caterham, but its totally unlivable as a daily driver.