Considering BRZ and ‘15 Mustang

[trogdor007]

First, let me preface this by saying I know that I’m on the FT86/BRZ/FR-S forums and I understand that opinions are bound to be biased. I figured I would ask you guys since you can provide better input on the twins as you have bought/will buy and have driven one of the Toyobarus. As the title states, I’m considering both the BRZ and 2015 Mustang (GT). The hardest part of this is the wait for the new Mustang. When the new Mustang was revealed, the styling really caught my eye. I had previously been looking at the ‘14’s, but I figured if I was going to get a Mustang, I might as well get one. Aside from the styling, the power and added IRS are a big plus in my book for the 2015’s. That being said, I have test driven the 2013 BRZ and 2014 Mustang GT and liked them both. When driving the BRZ, I liked that it handled well and felt light, but the interior didn’t impress me much and it felt a little underwhelming for average driving (i.e. not on twisting roads or curves). Now, onto the Mustang, I hear people rip on the Mustang’s interior all the time, but I honestly felt that it was a step up from the BRZ’s. The materials felt better and it seemed a bit more polished. The power of the GT was phenomenal and that V8 rumble is music to my ears, but the car is a bit big. So I ask you all this - given that the 2015 Mustang is supposed to lose weight and gain IRS (as well as HP), should I wait and order a new Mustang or buy a new BRZ and enjoy it before winter comes again? Are there things about your car that you wished you’d known before buying it?

[Mad1723]

You sound like you will prefer the power and interior of the Mustang. Go with what your heart tells you to.

I personally love my FR-S, but it's a car that begs to be driven on curved roads. If you are not into that, by all means get the Mustang.

As for things I wish I had known? How much money I would spend modding that thing... This summer is going to be expensive...

[trogdor007]

Originally Posted by Mad1723

You sound like you will prefer the power and interior of the Mustang. Go with what your heart tells you to.

I personally love my FR-S, but it's a car that begs to be driven on curved roads. If you are not into that, by all means get the Mustang.

As for things I wish I had known? How much money I would spend modding that thing... This summer is going to be expensive...

Thanks for the response, Mad. I guess another reservation I was having about going with the Mustang was the costs and "practicality" of the cars. The BRZ seems more "tame" and less likely to get me in trouble . Plus I think the insurance was a bit cheaper on the BRZ.

Another follow up question I have is - how is the technology in the cars? I didn't get to fiddle around to much with the radio/auto climate control when I was in the car. I'm a tech geek so I like the latest and greatest.

[Prog]

I don't see how anyone can answer this question since firm details are not released on the Mustang. You will need to wait until that happens, otherwise every opinion you hear will be based on speculation, and that's essentially useless.

[Griever423]

Originally Posted by Mad1723

You sound like you will prefer the power and interior of the Mustang. Go with what your heart tells you to.

I personally love my FR-S, but it's a car that begs to be driven on curved roads. If you are not into that, by all means get the Mustang.

As for things I wish I had known? How much money I would spend modding that thing... This summer is going to be expensive...

Don't count the Mustang out for those curved roads just yet. We may be surprised at how the new IRS handles.

OP, I too was eyeballing the BRZ and the Mustang but in the end I always kept drifting (no pun intended) back to the Subaru. I finally got one and I absolutely love it. Like Mad said go with your gut on this one. New GT is about 6 months out so you have plenty of time to research and save money.

[GreenMonster]

Those 2 cars are on the top of my list...

I'm in no rush to buy a car, but I'll be buying something in the next year. I'm waiting for the 2015 Brz details to come out since '15 production starts in May.

I'm really leaning towards a BRZ since it offers a great bang for the buck. Thousands less than the Mustang is expected to be priced at. The Mustang with the ecoboost looks interesting too... but at what price.

I'm just waiting on the details for both 2015 models...

I'll probably end up in a 2014 BRZ limited unless the 2015's offer some significant upgrades from the 2014 (and not small stuff like kneepads and rear center armrest).

[DarkSunrise]

After test-driving a 2013 Mustang GT (and renting a 2014 Mustang V6 for a weekend in CA), it was pretty clear to me that I didn't want a car that big or heavy. A lot of pitch and roll when you push those cars. Also the seating position was strange. Not only do you sit up high, but my knee kept hitting the bottom of the dash and the steering wheel didn't extend out. I could not get comfortable even after 2 days with the car.

Whereas with the FR-S, everything fell into place (steering, shifter, pedals) when I sat in it, and when I ran it hard at Scion's First Drive/autocross event, it felt like an extension of me. The Fr-S is a very intuitive car to drive.

For me, the driving experience is what I was looking for so I went with the FR-S, but I agree that the Mustang's interior feels more modern and has cool features to play with (track apps, etc.) If you value speed and interior, you should go with the Mustang GT. Whereas if you value agility in corners, feedback from the car, and ergonomics, you should go with FR-S.

[Griever423]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

After test-driving a 2013 Mustang GT (and renting a 2014 Mustang V6 for a weekend in CA), it was pretty clear to me that I didn't want a car that big or heavy. A lot of pitch and roll when you push those cars. Also the seating position was strange. Not only do you sit up high, but my knee kept hitting the bottom of the dash and the steering wheel didn't extend out. I could not get comfortable even after 2 days with the car.

Whereas with the FR-S, everything fell into place (steering, shifter, pedals) when I sat in it, and when I ran it hard at Scion's First Drive/autocross event, it felt like an extension of me. The Fr-S is a very intuitive car to drive.

For me, the driving experience is what I was looking for so I went with the FR-S, but I agree that the Mustang's interior feels more modern and has cool features to play with (track apps, etc.) If you value speed and interior, you should go with the Mustang GT. Whereas if you value agility in corners, feedback from the car, and ergonomics, you should go with FR-S.

That's all good and well, but the 15' is going to be completely different in terms of suspension, weight, driving position, etc. It's too soon to say.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Griever423

That's all good and well, but the 15' is going to be completely different in terms of suspension, weight, driving position, etc. It's too soon to say.

Can only post based on actual experience, unless this thread is simply meant to be guessing about what the 2015 Mustang will be like to drive, in which case I will step out.

[stock]

How to decide:

Mustang... tires and gas will probably cost more. I'm guessing it will have a minimum 18-19" tire. Even on a turbo, MPG will average high teens (maybe).
Mustang will probably have more power/speed, Which WILL possibly equate to more speeding tickets, possible higher insurance.
Mustang will be fun and stylin. 1 year from now you will see 15 others just like yours every time you go out.
(Google 1974 Mustang, this might be history repeating itself... just a thought)

FR-S 17" tires. $106ea., 25 city, 37 highway (my numbers)
You can't get a speeding ticket, its too slow. (JK)
It corners like nothing Ive ever been in. SUPER FUN in corners.
See yourself (another FRS/BRZ) once a week at best.
You will look sophisticated and discerning in your new sports car.
(Google 1972 Datsun 240Z, this might be history repeating itself... just a thought)

[gily25]

Have you looked in the VS. threads for some of the Mustang comparisons at all? Obviously the '15 will be different but it'll at least highlight some of the areas you might consider with the '15 vs. 86.

I agree wiht above it sounds like you're a Mustang guy through and through, have you owned/driven other smaller coupes? What is your primary interest in the 86 if it isn't for curves? and you're not certain about the spartan interior (check out JP coachworks aftermarket stuff too)?

[OICU812]

While there are more twins on the road daily they're harder to spot then a mustang. Mustangs are known as a belly button car for a reason, hard to individualize. I've had 3 in my life no more for me.

Good luck indeed!

[trogdor007]

Originally Posted by gily25

Have you looked in the VS. threads for some of the Mustang comparisons at all? Obviously the '15 will be different but it'll at least highlight some of the areas you might consider with the '15 vs. 86.

I agree wiht above it sounds like you're a Mustang guy through and through, have you owned/driven other smaller coupes? What is your primary interest in the 86 if it isn't for curves? and you're not certain about the spartan interior (check out JP coachworks aftermarket stuff too)?

I have looked at the comparison threads and most of it devolved into a discussion about weight and how video X or car magazine Y has a bias, but I digress.

I've had a few cars in my life, but I would say the closest I had to a coupe was a '99 Prelude. It was an ok car, but I didn't feel that it was any better than a Civic. Don't get me wrong it was good as a driver and drove well, but I just saw it as a Civic+. I would say my primary interest in the 86 was a result of all of the hype it's received in the media. I mean that's not my only reason for looking, but it did guide me to take a test drive. I think it would be a fun car under the right circumstances, but I guess it didn't "grab me" like it has some of the posters on this forum (not that that's a bad thing).

[trogdor007]

Originally Posted by OICU812

While there are more twins on the road daily they're harder to spot then a mustang. Mustangs are known as a belly button car for a reason, hard to individualize. I've had 3 in my life no more for me.

Good luck indeed!

I've never heard that term before , but aren't all cars belly button cars at the end of the day? I mean almost all cars are mass produced, but some sell better than others. Plus the Mustang is reaching 50 years of production.