Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86 twins: not the drifter everyone says they are

[deadeyes989]

I've been following this car for a little over a year now, and I have to say there is a reason I put a deposit down already and am eagerly awaiting my first new vehicle (ever).

However, I wont lie; I am disappointed by the amount of torque available. That's a small price to pay though for all the things I love about the vehicle.

I did want to try drifting this vehicle in a properly sanctioned beginners event. You know; big open area, the barriers are cones, they don't let another vehicle within half a mile of the current one on track haha.

Either way I still will more than likely try, depending on when I finally get my vehicle. If anything this vehicle will teach me to actually drift, like the ae86 has for many others. Not just accelerator mash.

[86'd]

I've never drifted in my life, and never will. It doesn't mean that this isn't the car for me, nor does it mean it's a bad car.

If you're "drifting" on the streets you're a moron, if you're learning how to slide on a track, or learning how to control the rear end (which WILL let out on this car if you push it hard enough) on a track then that's fine.

I think we've all seen enough of this car to know what it's capable of and what it isn't. I have no doubt that, if pushed, this car will get you in trouble.

[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

My kingdom for a sarcasm font. Trust me, I'm neither fanboi nor troll.

That, my dear sir, is why we have this smiley->

And I wouldn't have quoted you if I thought you were really trolling. I would have reported you.

[Kimsey47]

Ah, I say we keep calling it a drifter's car... After all the idiots wrap their car around trees/lightpost it will help maintain value as it will be a rare car. Plus parts will be easy to find... Let's go a driftin shall we!?

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by brufleth

Perfect? I don't know about that. Seems like placement would have been tough. Given the whole low and pushed back position they were shooting for the FA25 wouldn't have fit would it? Of course they could have organized it all totally differently but... well buy a WRX/STI then I guess.

I'm not sold on this car either. I want it to be fun but I certainly haven't driven it or even seen it in person. I won't have one for probably well over a year if ever. This article is a little silly to me though. I'd get arrested (not just ticketed) promptly if I were drifting all over the place.

It was designed for any Subaru Boxer 4 cylinder I think. I remember reading about a 2.5 liter boxer turbo being inside one of the BRZ/FRS.

[MmmHamSandwich]

Originally Posted by novee

I'm just going off of Autocar's comments. *shrug*

Don't know where they got their information from, but based on official USDM manufacturer specs the lightest BRZ (Premium MT @ 2762) weighs 143 pounds more than the heaviest Miata (power hard top AT @ 2619). The 2013 Miata is said to be lighter still.

Not surprisingly the Miata takes the cake for lightness. Smaller car, smaller engine, fewer features, no roof.

[Kimsey47]

Wonder how much of a lighter beast Miata would be with a top? Wouldn't have to be strengthened and all that jazz... Next gen Miata would have a solid top/no covertable to try and undermine the 86/BRZ? Hmm... Got today's car rumor to start passing around the "Internets"

[novee]

Originally Posted by MmmHamSandwich

Don't know where they got their information from, but based on official USDM manufacturer specs the lightest BRZ (Premium MT @ 2762) weighs 143 pounds more than the heaviest Miata (power hard top AT @ 2619). The 2013 Miata is said to be lighter still.

Guess that was an extra-big check Subaru wrote out to Autocar.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

Has Toyota or Subaru actually say that this car is the best drift car for decades and is perfect for novice drifters? Or was it just hype because of Toyota's use of the term 86 for marketing purposes?

Good point. Let's remember back (those who are old enough) to the AE86 launch... it was hardly touted as a drift sensation or anything of the sort.

If I remember correctly, Toyota and Subaru say that the main point of this car is to allow the driver to truly enjoy the excitement of driving without intervention from excessive weight or computers.

Yep. It's not about numbers it's about driving fun.

[cyde01]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Communi...e-cars-of-now/

"Here’s the rub: the BRZ/GT86 isn’t very sideways. Yes, if you pull the handbrake or give it a big Scandinavian Flick on the track the thing will adopt the kind of angles usually fleetingly glimpsed by WRC spectators just before Jari-Matti Latvala plummets off a cliff face, but then so would a Kia Picanto.

The BRZ/GT86 is a brilliant thing to drive, but it has very little power, which means you need to drive it absolutely flat out and throw it around in a way that’s often impossible out on the road, simply because you can’t see what’s coming round the next bend and therefore can’t commit to the accelerator – just like that old AE86. Ironically, it actually takes a whole heap of skill and years of experience to unlock the potential of a car that we’ve been told is perfect for rear-drive novices.

So here’s what’s going to happen: said hot hatchers will pick the car up from the dealership, turn all the traction control off and go for a blast. They’ll drive it as hard as they dare, swinging it through corners and stamping on the gas, chucking it into hairpins and willfully trying to unsettle the rear, and all the while traction will be total. And you know what, not one of those drivers will say anything about it, because they’ll be too scared to be the limp-wristed bloke that can’t even drift what they’ve been told is the most driftable car in decades.

Great car, that BRZ/GT86, and it’s a safe way to learn the basics of rear-wheel drive, but be warned: it won’t turn you into an overnight drift sensation."

Now, I know some of you will say, "Nobody said this will be a good drift car as stock." But it has certainly been implied and desired to be by many. I don't really care but I do think that a little more torque would have made this car that much more popular and fun.

*sigh* so many people including the writer and the poster miss the point.

the ae86 is a great drift car and great for beginners. no one will argue that. but the ae86 has even less torque and power. so what gives?

the ae86 is a great drift car for beginners because since you can't rely on torque to power slide, it FORCES you to learn good technique and learn how to be a better driver. they made the gt86 the same way, which i think is awesome. the gt86 isn't a good drift car for novices because everyone and there mom who has no skill can drift in it, it's a good drift car for novices because it FORCES you to LEARN good technique!

[BigFatFlip]

I'm actually GLAD to hear this. I picture all the kids that (convince their parents to) buy this car thinking its a drift machine will be either pleasantly surprised and grow up or incredibly disappointed, trade it in or sell and buy the next big craze. Also, lower insurance premiums?

[carbonBLUE]

lets give everyone a real perspective of a 2+2

a 2+2 is designed for you and your mate going for a beer run right before the game starts or you and your gal going out to the movies

it fits the age demographic where most of your friends and family should have cars and cars that fit their needs, this car is for a young family with a dad that has the desire to cruise twisty back road occasionally, but still needs to take the kids to daycare/school

most likely this same age point will have another car, a bigger car(the wife's car that you still drive when everyones in it so she can do her make up and juggle bottles/snacks)

for guys this is a go to work/get some beer/ drop off the kids when the wife is getting her hair/nails done

for girls, most girls that get this car are single or dont have kids yet, busy woman that needs a nimble, gas efficient car, to get to the office on time becuase shes late every day, and that dashing drive to work is the best part of her day because the smile the 86 put on her face


why do you think so many single business women bought celicas, miatas, boxer porches, they know how to have fun too, dont be surprised if you see a lot of women with a brz, but its also a good thing, it means shes single, likes fun cars, makes a decent amount of money, and you can relate to her because you have the same car!

[quik1987]

It was said from the beginning that the car was engineered to DEVELOP driving skills though, not have computer adjust your shit driving and make you look like a star.

Further more they didn't provide any current market alternatives that were better for drifting.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by carbonBLUE

...most likely this same age point will have another car, a bigger car(the wife's car that you still drive when everyones in it so she can do her make up and juggle bottles/snacks)

That defines my case. Of course with the recent death of our "family Astro" the larger car is my wife's Mustang!

Originally Posted by carbonBLUE

...why do you think so many single business women bought celicas, miatas, boxer porsches, they know how to have fun too, dont be surprised if you see a lot of women with a brz, but its also a good thing, it means shes single, likes fun cars, makes a decent amount of money, and you can relate to her because you have the same car!

I know several women (besides my wife) that fits this category. In fact I was just talking to a Sr. HR Director at my company (female) who now drives a Boxster. This is her third Porsche. She blew the engines in two other Porsches in the last 10 year "enthusiastically" thrashing them around.

My kind of woman!