Austin

[Scottemad123]

Almost trigger pulling time on a S/C, wish the cosworth had more users beating on em, and the edelbrock was out. JRSC is still the frontrunner, I am curious if the A/W 'intercooler' set ups on the TVS units have trouble with heatsoak like the sprintex stuff, because Texas.

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by Scottemad123

Almost trigger pulling time on a S/C, wish the cosworth had more users beating on em, and the edelbrock was out. JRSC is still the frontrunner, I am curious if the A/W 'intercooler' set ups on the TVS units have trouble with heatsoak like the sprintex stuff, because Texas.

I was so close to putting on my Kraftwerks kit too. I saw the JRSC on a black BRZ at Oasis. He had a vented hood I could see the Jackson label. Pretty solid kit. I'd get a Gates thick belt for that charger just for that extra reinforcement on the belt.

I'm waiting to see what the E-Force supercharger becomes of. Hopefully they aren't using that giant 1320 as that's too big for this car unless everyone is building their engine.

I'm broke from paying for the wedding so I get to stay N/A. Might keep an eye on the FT-86 Speedfactory turbo kit as well. There's just so many options and they keep coming out with new stuff.

[Scottemad123]

It is great we are starting to get spoiled for choice finally. The JRSC just seems like a solid choice to start with due to the carb tune for ease of getting up and running along with it seems damn reliable. I have a feeling the Harrop kit will run the 1320, Cosworth already is, and probably the E-force may run smaller on the 'street' version. I'm just weary of A/W intercoolers being a little more of a pain in the ass for maintenance, and once they are heat soaked it takes a while for them to cool off. Really looking forward to someone beating the snot out of the cosworth to see how it handles heat.

Oh yea, car going back in yet again to figure out why the A/C is still blowing hot. Not really liking Austin subaru's techs at this point.

[Odd]

Originally Posted by Scottemad123

Oh yea, car going back in yet again to figure out why the A/C is still blowing hot. Not really liking Austin subaru's techs at this point.

I think they got burned out by all the STi owners in this city and they just flat-out have it out for us BRZ kids. I've been wanting to try the stealership in Georgetown. I don't really blame them for all the modded out scoobys you would have to deal with in that role - its almost a reason to consider getting an FRS just to have a different dealership experience.

Austin Subaru replaced my crickets with new crickets and they wrote down all my mods on the two oil changes i've had there.

[Scottemad123]

so far they think my mods consist of... air filter. All the whiteliune stuff I got for x-mas haven't gone on the car yet, need to get my yellows for before its worth throwing stuff on and getting it all aligned again.

[alltrac]

Originally Posted by 2016 Camaro SS

I've never owned a Mazda in my life, and until now is the only time I've actually looked at one. Granted the Corolla and Civic are the top sellers in that class, Mazda offers look very attractive right now, and most people that have reviewed the Mazda3 since 2014 all love theirs.

I had an '08 Mazda 3 sedan and it was, all in all, a good car. Those versions used Ford engines and I really had no issues at all in ~100K miles.

These days the 3 uses an in-house developed engine that looks even better than what I had. Interior refinement is way up, as well. When my wife was in the market a year ago we tested one (ultimately didn't choose it, but it was a solid choice). Only major drawbacks I found is that Mazdas are a little light on things like soundproofing and suspension (it's firm and reasonably accurate, but it could be softer with the same accuracy). Under the right circumstances I'd buy one again.

Have you considered a GTI? Because I made this exact trade this last month.

I ended up with a stack of little to medium reasons and eventually just couldn't justify the drawbacks of living with the BRZ on a day to day basis. I think it would have been a great second car for me but I'm not at a point where I can hack that, so trade I did... and picked up a low mileage MK VI GTI. Large inside but fairly small outside, good ride quality without being harsh, quick, and easy to do some light tuning. In no world does it handle as well as the BRZ, but not watching friends and family contort themselves to get in the car has been nice. Crazy VW electrics seem to have improved since the MK IV's, and the rest seems ok as long as you don't skimp on maintenance.

Still was a bummer, though.

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by alltrac

I had an '08 Mazda 3 sedan and it was, all in all, a good car. Those versions used Ford engines and I really had no issues at all in ~100K miles.

These days the 3 uses an in-house developed engine that looks even better than what I had. Interior refinement is way up, as well. When my wife was in the market a year ago we tested one (ultimately didn't choose it, but it was a solid choice). Only major drawbacks I found is that Mazdas are a little light on things like soundproofing and suspension (it's firm and reasonably accurate, but it could be softer with the same accuracy). Under the right circumstances I'd buy one again.

Have you considered a GTI? Because I made this exact trade this last month.

I ended up with a stack of little to medium reasons and eventually just couldn't justify the drawbacks of living with the BRZ on a day to day basis. I think it would have been a great second car for me but I'm not at a point where I can hack that, so trade I did... and picked up a low mileage MK VI GTI. Large inside but fairly small outside, good ride quality without being harsh, quick, and easy to do some light tuning. In no world does it handle as well as the BRZ, but not watching friends and family contort themselves to get in the car has been nice. Crazy VW electrics seem to have improved since the MK IV's, and the rest seems ok as long as you don't skimp on maintenance.

Still was a bummer, though.

Yeah, a guy parks next to me in a brand new GTI every day at work. Looks really nice, and I know its gotten a lot of attention in the 2015 year. The electric is what always had me worried with VW, but I'm hoping they have improved it by now.

I just find myself daily driving the car more and more. I don't track, rarely do any spirited drives. Might as well go to a car that uses regular unleaded and gets even more gas mileage. I plan on having that DD car to drive till it dies, get a house, then get a track only/weekend warrior car that I can build out.

I do look at all the work I put into the car and realize I would be just flushing it down the drain. Doing all those installs yourself and learning in the process was a great experience. I guess the better question is, am I ready to sell it yet?

[alltrac]

Originally Posted by 2016 Camaro SS

Yeah, a guy parks next to me in a brand new GTI every day at work. Looks really nice, and I know its gotten a lot of attention in the 2015 year. The electric is what always had me worried with VW, but I'm hoping they have improved it by now.

I just find myself daily driving the car more and more. I don't track, rarely do any spirited drives. Might as well go to a car that uses regular unleaded and gets even more gas mileage. I plan on having that DD car to drive till it dies, get a house, then get a track only/weekend warrior car that I can build out.

I do look at all the work I put into the car and realize I would be just flushing it down the drain. Doing all those installs yourself and learning in the process was a great experience. I guess the better question is, am I ready to sell it yet?

That was part of the problem for me. I'm not mod-crazy and what the BRZ really needed for mods was either difficult to achieve (refinement / NVH) or shredded the warranty (forced induction). Outside of some new tires and such I was very happy with how it handled and really felt I gave something up by selling it. But....

I drove to Houston to pick up the GTI I wanted and the drive there vs. back in the BRZ vs GTI was night and day. It's just that much easier to live with.

All that said, I went to Lucy's on Burnet on Sunday and saw a silver 86 parked on the street with a car seat in the back. That level of dedication should always be admired.

As to your choices, I actually really liked the Focus ST but my wife didn't like Recaros, and I didn't like the cloth seats, so that was kind of the end of that.

My suggestions would be (a little biased towards a hatch): Golf, Mazda3, Kia Rio and Forte 5 door (don't laugh - if driving dynamics aren't a priority it's not a bad car), a used 60k mileage regular Focus and keep your 86, or maybe Civic or Fit if you like the sound of 7000 rpm's all day, every day. There's a couple of other more Jalop options, like a late '00s 3 series or something. If you do go for a Mazda test both the 2L and 2.5L variants - the 2.5L is drastically more satisfying to drive. I'd avoid getting something too numb to drive because you could end up craving something more fun too quickly.

[Scottemad123]

Watching the NY auto show closely now, looks like a BRZ Sti "could" be on the Subaru stand. I may make a bad decision if true

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by alltrac

That was part of the problem for me. I'm not mod-crazy and what the BRZ really needed for mods was either difficult to achieve (refinement / NVH) or shredded the warranty (forced induction). Outside of some new tires and such I was very happy with how it handled and really felt I gave something up by selling it. But....

I drove to Houston to pick up the GTI I wanted and the drive there vs. back in the BRZ vs GTI was night and day. It's just that much easier to live with.

All that said, I went to Lucy's on Burnet on Sunday and saw a silver 86 parked on the street with a car seat in the back. That level of dedication should always be admired.

As to your choices, I actually really liked the Focus ST but my wife didn't like Recaros, and I didn't like the cloth seats, so that was kind of the end of that.

My suggestions would be (a little biased towards a hatch): Golf, Mazda3, Kia Rio and Forte 5 door (don't laugh - if driving dynamics aren't a priority it's not a bad car), a used 60k mileage regular Focus and keep your 86, or maybe Civic or Fit if you like the sound of 7000 rpm's all day, every day. There's a couple of other more Jalop options, like a late '00s 3 series or something. If you do go for a Mazda test both the 2L and 2.5L variants - the 2.5L is drastically more satisfying to drive. I'd avoid getting something too numb to drive because you could end up craving something more fun too quickly.

2.5L I was told is the only one to get. Don't bother with the 2L. They get the same gas mileage essentially and the sport mode is a lot of fun, which they are exactly right.

Hey, I was at Lucy's on Sunday too at around 1:30 pm. Best fried chicken in town.

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by Scottemad123

Watching the NY auto show closely now, looks like a BRZ Sti "could" be on the Subaru stand. I may make a bad decision if true

Don't count on it. Last Subaru rumor I heard was they are making the WRX look more aggressive and not like a Camry. My biggest beef with the 2015 model.

[Scottemad123]

Did you see the thread with photos? Going to hold off and see though.

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by Scottemad123

Did you see the thread with photos? Going to hold off and see though.

I didn't see the thread, is it in the BRZ section?

Edit: nm found it there.


Looks like a Japanese upgrade on looks and body kit. Might be their version of an STi, but I know for a fact you won't see a turbo.

[Scottemad123]

Well I guess we will find out this week.