Inside Line - BRZ Full Test Review

[JRitt]

Oh my...the 0-60 times are horrible! I think I'm seriously going to cancel our pre-order.

Umm...right. My '92 Miata can barely make it from 0-60 in a full day, but it's one of the most engaging and fun cars I've ever owned (for reference, I've also owned an Integra Type R, 350Z, and C5 Z06).

I'm dying to get the BRZ out on the track...going to be so much fun!

[shaX 07]

Originally Posted by JRitt

Oh my...the 0-60 times are horrible! I think I'm seriously going to cancel our pre-order.

Umm...right. My '92 Miata can barely make it from 0-60 in a full day, but it's one of the most engaging and fun cars I've ever owned (for reference, I've also owned an Integra Type R, 350Z, and C5 Z06).

I'm dying to get the BRZ out on the track...going to be so much fun!

Are you a Carolina Panthers fan? I ask because if so, than I will refrain from combating your arguments.

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by shaX 07

I previously owned a 97 Nissan 240SX with full track suspension (coilovers and plenty more, I can't remember now because this was 5 years ago and the previous owner did the suspension work). But that car handled amazingly, probably better than a BRZ. It also had a stock motor, which put down 155hp. So yes the car had an amazing suspension and was fun to drive... for about 2 months of ownership. And then I got bored with its slowness.

I've driven several Corvettes as well, including 2 Z06's, and would own one if it fit my current lifestyle. I can't even imagine wanting to own one if it had a lousy 200hp engine. You can use the suspension and weight argument all you want, but if you think a 3,400 pound corvette with 405hp is NOT fun to drive well than you're just oblivious.

Nobody is going to say the Z06 isn't a nice car. This is meant to be a different kind of car. Not one about absolute power. Rather, it is about the driver experience and being connected to the road. Not to mention the fact that tires and parts are more expensive to replace on a Z06 than this car. The limit of the BRZ is going to be much easier to approach vs. the Z06 that isn't approachable by most drivers.

[shaX 07]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Nobody is going to say the Z06 isn't a nice car. This is meant to be a different kind of car. Not one about absolute power. Rather, it is about the driver experience and being connected to the road. Not to mention the fact that tires and parts are more expensive to replace on a Z06 than this car. The limit of the BRZ is going to be much easier to approach vs. the Z06 that isn't approachable by most drivers.

I get what you're saying, and I personally don't care that people love the car and don't mind that it's slow, I just personally would get bored with this kind of performance. I mean unless you live on a canyon, how much fun can you Really have in this car?

I commute 80-90 miles per day, mostly on the highway. Driving in a straight line. When I exit the Interstate, I hit inner city traffic. The most fun I could have in a BRZ is an off ramp, because there really aren't alot of sweet roads that I travel that would make the car fun.

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by Snoopyalien24

That's just a track test, not a review

Inside Line runs 2 types of non-long-term road tests - a "first drive", and a "full test". The posted link is to a full test - "2013 Subaru BRZ Full Test". On what possible basis would you think another one was coming? Of course they could do a review of the FR-S but we're talking BRZ here.

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by shaX 07

I get what you're saying, and I personally don't care that people love the car and don't mind that it's slow, I just personally would get bored with this kind of performance. I mean unless you live on a canyon, how much fun can you Really have in this car?

I commute 80-90 miles per day, mostly on the highway. Driving in a straight line. When I exit the Interstate, I hit inner city traffic. The most fun I could have in a BRZ is an off ramp, because there really aren't alot of sweet roads that I travel that would make the car fun.

I think this is more due to what environment people are in.

Like you--if someone is commuting through highways most of the time.. a "faster car" would probably deem more appropriate. If people have access to windy roads they'll have fun.

I think the HP output of this car depends more on where the person is located and their accessibility to whatever they want plays a bigger role that most are overlooking.

That's just my take though. Of course.

[M-17]

Originally Posted by gaveup

I knew this car wasn't going to be that quick, but eh, that's too slow of a car for my tastes. BUT, I am sure it is going to be a fun car to drive. I just don't know if I would like SUV's beating me light to light while trying.

Oh my goodness, suv's? I don't even acknowledge anyone in a suv at all anymore and I don't need to get into an accident with them or get pulled over because I'm not worried I'm going to lose to some wannabe racer in a suburban trying to beat me, lol, from one light to the next. I've been there done that and seen some stupid things happen to friends or bystanders because kids think they have something to prove and that goes for some adults too.

I say take it to the track so you're in a controlled area so there shouldn't be a no holds back motto and that's when its time for both drivers to put up or shut up. And this is without having to deal with the cops, hitting another car, or a person.
So stay safe dude.

[M-17]

Originally Posted by shaX 07

I get what you're saying, and I personally don't care that people love the car and don't mind that it's slow, I just personally would get bored with this kind of performance. I mean unless you live on a canyon, how much fun can you Really have in this car?

I commute 80-90 miles per day, mostly on the highway. Driving in a straight line. When I exit the Interstate, I hit inner city traffic. The most fun I could have in a BRZ is an off ramp, because there really aren't alot of sweet roads that I travel that would make the car fun.

Wait so Maine don't got mountains for this car to make it exciting?
I know I'll be going through New Hampshire for the windy roads at least.

[aethelwulf]

Originally Posted by shaX 07

I get what you're saying, and I personally don't care that people love the car and don't mind that it's slow, I just personally would get bored with this kind of performance. I mean unless you live on a canyon, how much fun can you Really have in this car?

I commute 80-90 miles per day, mostly on the highway. Driving in a straight line. When I exit the Interstate, I hit inner city traffic. The most fun I could have in a BRZ is an off ramp, because there really aren't alot of sweet roads that I travel that would make the car fun.

Ok, so why are you on this forum then? The performance numbers should come as no surprise. If you aren't interested in a momentum car, then sure this isn't for you. It's not about straight line performance. If you only drive in a straight line and never go to autocross, track days, or just weekend drives I'm sure this car would get boring.

On the flip side, I would love to own a car like this. I'm bored of my STi and miss my old 240Z. In my opinion, straight line acceleration gets boring pretty quickly, but flying through the turns never does.

[Snoopyalien24]

Originally Posted by Scion FR-S

Inside Line runs 2 types of non-long-term road tests - a "first drive", and a "full test". The posted link is to a full test - "2013 Subaru BRZ Full Test". On what possible basis would you think another one was coming? Of course they could do a review of the FR-S but we're talking BRZ here.

The one with the guy that sits in the car and talks to the camera while driving. In other shots, his voice overlays panning shots of the car while saying a few of his personal favorite things, then saying something negative that most people would rage about in the comments...

-That's the review I'm waiting for

[gaveup]

Originally Posted by M-17

Oh my goodness, suv's? I don't even acknowledge anyone in a suv at all anymore and I don't need to get into an accident with them or get pulled over because I'm not worried I'm going to lose to some wannabe racer in a suburban trying to beat me, lol, from one light to the next. I've been there done that and seen some stupid things happen to friends or bystanders because kids think they have something to prove and that goes for some adults too.

I say take it to the track so you're in a controlled area so there shouldn't be a no holds back motto and that's when its time for both drivers to put up or shut up. And this is without having to deal with the cops, hitting another car, or a person.
So stay safe dude.

Let me ask you, in regards to the frs/brz, how many of these cars will see a track? I'm going to guess 30% MAYBE? I'm just guessing here, but I see this car being a normal street car for the huge majority of owners, so they will have at least a little fun on the street. Does this mean 0-120mph sprints at every light? Of course not (although, I can see some people doing this..which in that case it's a good thing it'll take a year to get to 120mph).

I don't care who you are really, when you're trying to merge onto the highway and get overtaken by a camry that was behind you, your "sports car" won't seem so sporty.

Not to mention, those handling numbers, aren't that great really. All i hear people talk about is how good these cars are supposed to handle this and that, well, 69.1-mph slalom speed and 0.92g on a skidpad is a NICE handling car, it's just not as AMAZING as people seem to be making it.

The car, to me, is like the gencoupe when it came out. Had all the right potential to be a great car, but the few things it is lacking holds it back. That's 100% personally my opinion for what *I* want in a car.

[Jordo!]

That car needs boost.

Someone's mother's Camry will walk it.

All other performance characteristics are in line with 10 year old Celica GT-S's and RSX-S's.

Sigh.

Looking forward to test driving one, but I'm waiting for one with more guts and room to grow.

Torque is never boring.

[Bang Uchiha]

Standard HID, Nav and nicer seats! Im sold vs the Scion.

Probably late to the party but this is the first I heard them say standard for these things!

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by gaveup

Not to mention, those handling numbers, aren't that great really. All i hear people talk about is how good these cars are supposed to handle this and that, well, 69.1-mph slalom speed and 0.92g on a skidpad is a NICE handling car, it's just not as AMAZING as people seem to be making it.

The car, to me, is like the gencoupe when it came out. Had all the right potential to be a great car, but the few things it is lacking holds it back. That's 100% personally my opinion for what *I* want in a car.

Look at what tires were used for those tests and then come back.