FR-S/BRZ vs. Genesis Coupe

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by CoryUyede

I stand by my words, the GC isn't a true sports car

No kidding. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I enjoy driving my 1st gen Tiburon more than I did that GC - it's much closer to the FR-S in terms of plugging you into the driving experience.

[#87]

I was gonna test drive one the other day, 2013 R spec. But I asked for a time as close to when they open as possible since I work nights and would have to wait for them to open after work. They told me to come at 11 (they open at 9).

Glad to hear I'm not missing out on much

[CoryUyede]

^^ you should still try it. Opinions should always be formed by your own experience

[zygrene]

Originally Posted by Scion FR-S

Test drove an AT today and it is one amazing piece of tech. It shifts almost instantly, and even double-downshifts are ripped off with perfect blipping. Paddles are beautifully placed and ergonomics outstanding. Hard trail-braking while downshifting is a blast and does not unsettle the car thanks to that auto-blipping.

That said, even in full manual mode the experience is a bit too much like playing a video game for my taste, I want more involvement in the driving experience (which I got in spades driving the manual), and the opportunity to expand my skill set by learning heel-toe.

Re the GC: I test-drove a 2013 2.0 base an hour before my FR-S auto drive. The two could not be further apart in term of driver involvement and fun. The GC provided very little road feel, and felt sloppy and big even though its suspension was just about as firm as the FR-S's. Engine sounds sweet accelerating but drones at constant speeds. GC clutch is HORRIBLE, operates like an on-off switch (I stalled twice), and its gearbox is no fun either. I know it's faster, but it does not feel so subjectively, partly due to its higher seating. IP and centre stack do look and feel pretty good though. From a pure sport-driving perspective, why anyone would choose the GC over the FR-S is totally beyond me.

These are almost exactly my sentiments about the GC 2.0T auto. It's a nice cruiser with plenty of power and acceleration for the price, but it's not a true sports car at all. And for the 6MT, the issues with the clutch and gearbox can't be ignored.

[#87]

Originally Posted by CoryUyede

^^ you should still try it. Opinions should always be formed by your own experience

I know I am just getting fed up with not having any news on when I'm going to have my BRZ ordered, let alone delivered or a price. I scheduled out of frustration :'(

Please come out soon BRZ

[CoryUyede]

Originally Posted by #87

I know I am just getting fed up with not having any news on when I'm going to have my BRZ ordered, let alone delivered or a price. I scheduled out of frustration :'(

Please come out soon BRZ

Do yourself a favor and go Drive the GC before the BRZ comes in...it'll make the BRZ THAT much more amazing. Heck, drive anything Within $10,000 of it's price range...The BRZ wont disappoint

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Scion FR-S

Test drove an AT today and it is one amazing piece of tech. It shifts almost instantly, and even double-downshifts are ripped off with perfect blipping. Paddles are beautifully placed and ergonomics outstanding. Hard trail-braking while downshifting is a blast and does not unsettle the car thanks to that auto-blipping.

That said, even in full manual mode the experience is a bit too much like playing a video game for my taste, I want more involvement in the driving experience (which I got in spades driving the manual), and the opportunity to expand my skill set by learning heel-toe.

Re the GC: I test-drove a 2013 2.0 base an hour before my FR-S auto drive. The two could not be further apart in term of driver involvement and fun. The GC provided very little road feel, and felt sloppy and big even though its suspension was just about as firm as the FR-S's. Engine sounds sweet accelerating but drones at constant speeds. GC clutch is HORRIBLE, operates like an on-off switch (I stalled twice), and its gearbox is no fun either. I know it's faster, but it does not feel so subjectively, partly due to its higher seating. IP and centre stack do look and feel pretty good though. From a pure sport-driving perspective, why anyone would choose the GC over the FR-S is totally beyond me.

From what I gathered from your review is that you favor smaller coupes and that's not a bad thing. Some people like that only. That said, I had a bigger grin while driving a 11 3.8 Track ZF 6spd Auto over my RSX which competed the most favorable in its class amongst other small sporty vehicles. I can't wait to test drive the BRZ auto to see if its all that you guys say it is. Also no one ever said the GC was a true sports car.

[SUB-FT86]

To me it sounds like Hyundai has made the 2013 models softer since a lot of people bitch and complained about the ride. Last time I drove the car it had plenty of road and steering feel. This guys review gives and in depth 100% write-up of how I felt about the 2011 3.8 Track.







RIDE AND HANDLING: For all vehicles, be they car, motorcycle, bicycle, or even aircraft, the primary compromise in handling is stability versus agility. True sports vehicles (or fighter planes) tend toward the agility end of that spectrum, and that's where the Genesis Coupe Track fits. Its fully-independent MacPherson strut/multilink suspension is very firm but has enough compliance not to give a jarring ride on all but the worst, most poorly-maintained surfaces. That, and a low center of gravity, means very little body roll, and flat cornering. A front strut tower brace increases lateral rigidity. Appropriately for the car's nature, controls demand more effort than in a family sedan. Steering, although engine speed-sensitive power-assisted, is heavy and very direct -- minimal wheel movement is required for any response, especially at speed, and any surface irregularities are sent straight up the steering column. No soft steering bushings here! This means that the driver must pay attention to driving, but that is what a sports car is all about. Ultra-low profile tires, larger in the rear than front, grip very well and help quicken turn-in response. The Brembos stop, now! and repeatedly.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...26/516029.html

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

From what I gathered from your review is that you favor smaller coupes and that's not a bad thing. Some people like that only. That said, I had a bigger grin while driving a 11 3.8 Track ZF 6spd Auto over my RSX which competed the most favorable in its class amongst other small sporty vehicles. I can't wait to test drive the BRZ auto to see if its all that you guys say it is. Also no one ever said the GC was a true sports car.

I drove the base 2.0, the 3.8 here (there is only one loaded variant) is $12k more than an FR-S and a different vehicle - I make no claim my review pertains to it. I can say that the 2.0t base felt about as firm as the FR-S in its springs/shocks, and its steering ratio was about the same. If the R-spec or track versions are significantly (25%+) stiffer I would probably find them too hard a ride to be enjoyable as a dd. Whatever alterations they have done with the suspension or steering setup in these harder-core variants, it's still going to be a relatively huge car with 600 lbs more mass to shift around, I can't imagine it ever feeling as nimble or involving as the FR-S except in a crude, Nascar COT-type way.

For me personally, big, high-hp cars can be quite involving for a while thanks to the rush of all that power, but the thrill then wears off and what are you left with - a truck with a big engine in it . As to the GC 3.8 giving you a bigger grin - that grin might fade as the novelty goes away. Also the RSX being a FWD is never going to provide the sensations of a RWD car, even one like the GC, no matter how well-balanced.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

To me it sounds like Hyundai has made the 2013 models softer since a lot of people bitch and complained about the ride. Last time I drove the car it had plenty of road and steering feel. This guys review gives and in depth 100% write-up of how I felt about the 2011 3.8 Track.







RIDE AND HANDLING: For all vehicles, be they car, motorcycle, bicycle, or even aircraft, the primary compromise in handling is stability versus agility. True sports vehicles (or fighter planes) tend toward the agility end of that spectrum, and that's where the Genesis Coupe Track fits. Its fully-independent MacPherson strut/multilink suspension is very firm but has enough compliance not to give a jarring ride on all but the worst, most poorly-maintained surfaces. That, and a low center of gravity, means very little body roll, and flat cornering. A front strut tower brace increases lateral rigidity. Appropriately for the car's nature, controls demand more effort than in a family sedan. Steering, although engine speed-sensitive power-assisted, is heavy and very direct -- minimal wheel movement is required for any response, especially at speed, and any surface irregularities are sent straight up the steering column. No soft steering bushings here! This means that the driver must pay attention to driving, but that is what a sports car is all about. Ultra-low profile tires, larger in the rear than front, grip very well and help quicken turn-in response. The Brembos stop, now! and repeatedly.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...26/516029.html

This is what it's sounding like, but not too many reviews are the R-Spec (which we are finally getting in Canada). The '09 review I read gave (3.8 Track or R-Spec?) pretty good marks for steering feedback, but was critical of harshness (it lacks compression travel and hits its bumpstops a lot under hard driving on rougher surfaces). Also loved the brakes.

The R-Spec is the only one that should really be considered, imo. It is Hyundai's drivers car. The LSD, brakes and suspension are essential to compare it to the twins.

That being said, the fact that it generates its numbers with some pretty serious tires (RE050) compared to the BRZ/FR-S makes me favour the twins more. Also the R-Specis more $ here.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Scion FR-S

I drove the base 2.0, the 3.8 here (there is only one loaded variant) is $12k more than an FR-S and a different vehicle - I make no claim my review pertains to it. I can say that the 2.0t base felt about as firm as the FR-S in its springs/shocks, and its steering ratio was about the same. If the R-spec or track versions are significantly (25%+) stiffer I would probably find them too hard a ride to be enjoyable as a dd. Whatever alterations they have done with the suspension or steering setup in these harder-core variants, it's still going to be a relatively huge car with 600 lbs more mass to shift around, I can't imagine it ever feeling as nimble or involving as the FR-S except in a crude, Nascar COT-type way.

For me personally, big, high-hp cars can be quite involving for a while thanks to the rush of all that power, but the thrill then wears off and what are you left with - a truck with a big engine in it . As to the RSX giving you a bigger grin - that grin might fade as the novelty goes away. Also the RSX being a FWD is never going to provide the sensations of a RWD car, even one like the GC, no matter how well-balanced.

I think this relates to every car especially if its only a DD. And I never said the RSX give me a bigger grin than the 3.8 Track. When I bought my RSX I knew what I was getting and I don't remember grinning at all but I tend to grin when I find corners that's nice enough with no traffic. I really wanted a 05 350Z at the time but things happened and I chose the RSX instead. Some cars feels great on corners and some cars feel great everywhere and since I DD only my choice for a sporty coupe is more open than others.

[EvoTME]

I have never driven neither the new toyobaru (they will arrive in June in Europe) nor the new ’13 GC (I have only test driven the old model) BUT I think that the GC has a great potential: if stock for stock the toyobaru is for sure more fun even is the Gc is faster on straight line with some upgrades it could achieve an high level of performance: its revised turbo engine is capable of about 320whp and 45kgm of torque (with the stock turbo and internals using only bolt ons) together with a proper suspension setup its “grand touring soul” can be washed away. Another problem of the Korean car is the weight: with 1530kg is quite fat (but we do not have to forget that it is a 4.63 m car and 4 adults can seat quite comfortably – I am 1.95 m tall and i could seat in the back seats quite well, the only problem was the roof height, with the toyobaru I have serous doubts to even seat in a decent manner-) but is possible to shave some weight quite easily: changing wheel with lighter ones (also using 18’ Instead of 19’), cf hood, bucket seats, lighter exhaust and battery is possible to shave around 90kg (all the weights are based on actual experience). With these mods the gc would be a totally different animal even though toyobaru would still also be more tactile and light on its feet but without a decent engine I think that it would be impossible to exploit its wonderful chassis. We do not have to forget that changing tires (with stickier ones, I think that everyone will do this especially who want to track its car) and suspension will make this car less funny to drive due to its higher grip that its engine and torque (or the lack of it…) can not overtake. With a turbo would be a totally different stoy though…

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

I I never said the RSX give me a bigger grin than the 3.8 Track.

Sorry, my misread of this:

That said, I had a bigger grin while driving a 11 3.8 Track ZF 6spd Auto over my RSX

That is what I meant to refer to above, fixed.

[Sport-Tech]

This is an eyestrain that most are likely to skip - larger font please.

Originally Posted by EvoTME

I have never driven neither the new toyobaru (they will arrive in June in Europe) nor the new ’13 GC (I have only test driven the old model) BUT I think that the GC has a great potential: if stock for stock the toyobaru is for sure more fun even is the Gc is faster on straight line with some upgrades it could achieve an high level of performance: its revised turbo engine is capable of about 320whp and 45kgm of torque (with the stock turbo and internals using only bolt ons) together with a proper suspension setup its “grand touring soul” can be washed away. Another problem of the Korean car is the weight: with 1530kg is quite fat (but we do not have to forget that it is a 4.63 m car and 4 adults can seat quite comfortably – I am 1.95 m tall and i could seat in the back seats quite well, the only problem was the roof height, with the toyobaru I have serous doubts to even seat in a decent manner-) but is possible to shave some weight quite easily: changing wheel with lighter ones (also using 18’ Instead of 19’), cf hood, bucket seats, lighter exhaust and battery is possible to shave around 90kg (all the weights are based on actual experience). With these mods the gc would be a totally different animal even though toyobaru would still also be more tactile and light on its feet but without a decent engine I think that it would be impossible to exploit its wonderful chassis. We do not have to forget that changing tires (with stickier ones, I think that everyone will do this especially who want to track its car) and suspension will make this car less funny to drive due to its higher grip that its engine and torque (or the lack of it…) can not overtake. With a turbo would be a totally different stoy though…