BRZ Limited vs. Sport-tech - the differences

[CoryUyede]

Originally Posted by Dimman

And soon to be lower insurance?

And better resale

[Future]

Originally Posted by Scion FR-S

I got a sales rep to check with technical dept. at Subaru Canada and she was told the vehicle specifications and ordering guide PDF is incorrect - both versions of the BRZ get the same brakes, and they are identical to those on the FR-S. So: $2200 for HIDs and nav. Hmmm.

??? I paid 1500$+ (27300 vs 26000$ + 1600 vs 1500$)... Plus you forgot the trunk liner lol

[whitejdm]

Yup I can't stand the FR-S seat fabric or halogen headlights (once you have HID you can't go back), the factory radio is god awful looking (yes yes you can get a aftermarket replacement but...), and it may seem minor but the 'FR-S' badge placement is also silly.

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by Future

??? I paid 1500$+ (27300 vs 26000$ + 1600 vs 1500$)... Plus you forgot the trunk liner lol

Group buy knocked off $1k from the FR-S price, then add $230 for Whiteout paint and $270 for upgraded HU (more equivalent to BRZ unit). So with the 2 upgrades I still will be paying about $500 less than MSRP. Hence the $2200 difference from the BRZ.

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by whitejdm

Yup I can't stand the FR-S seat fabric or halogen headlights (once you have HID you can't go back), the factory radio is god awful looking (yes yes you can get a aftermarket replacement but...), and it may seem minor but the 'FR-S' badge placement is also silly.

But then you have to spend serious money to upgrade the handling, which Evo and others have said is better on the GT 86/FR-S.

Haven't "gone" HID so far so not much concerned about that - I am not driving in the sticks at night. Seat fabric I will agree is not the best, although a little better in person than in photos.

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by Dimman

And soon to be lower insurance?

Right now my quote is lower on the FR-S, although not by a lot. Both of these cars are going to be too much money for broke high school and debt-laden college kids, there won't be a big difference in who buys them.

Originally Posted by CoryUyede

And better resale

Moot point if you plan to keep the car a decade or more as I will - I won't be using it to commute.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Scion FR-S

But then you have to spend serious money to upgrade the handling, which Evo and others have said is better on the GT 86/FR-S.

Haven't "gone" HID so far so not much concerned about that - I am not driving in the sticks at night. Seat fabric I will agree is not the best, although a little better in person than in photos.

Handling is a non issue for normal drivers. In fact the BRZ setup will protect RWD noobs from themselves when they disable the nannies in over confidence.

Toyota over-estimated their customers' abilities with the SW20 MR2 to the point that it got a suspension redesign very soon after launch (MR is even less noob friendly than FR), we'll see what happens with the FR-S and future insurance costs compared to the BRZ. I was actually concerned that they would nerf it a few years back. Now given some of the headache-inducing noob posts it may not be a cause to rejoice. Only good thing is that the fashion-conscious staggered look will kill the tail happy nature for THOSE people...

[Sport-Tech]

Not buying this car to drive it like a Camry owner, so handling is an issue for me. On my FR-S test drive I took it into a large parking lot and threw it around a bit, lovely neutrality, no push in low speed, tight corners (something I really dislike in my current car). A stab of the gas mid-corner could give you a nice little rear step-out slide for a second or two even with VSC fully on - only a few feet, nothing to endanger you.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Scion FR-S

Not buying this car to drive it like a Camry owner, so handling is an issue for me. On my FR-S test drive I took it into a large parking lot and threw it around a bit, lovely neutrality, no push in low speed, tight corners (something I really dislike in my current car). A stab of the gas mid-corner could give you a nice little rear step-out slide for a second or two even with VSC fully on - only a few feet, nothing to endanger you.

I'm sure a stab at the gas mid corner will get the BRZ's tail out as well. VSC is a good thing so long as it doesn't become offensive to people's egos. And it's not so much getting the tail out that is the big deal, it's how easy it is to gather it up when it does.

Plus there is a cheap fix of throwing on a stock WRX rear anti roll bar if my some bizarre twist of fate it won't step out at all when provoked.

[Klinn]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Toyota over-estimated their customers' abilities with the SW20 MR2 to the point that it got a suspension redesign very soon after launch (MR is even less noob friendly than FR), we'll see what happens with the FR-S.

I didn't know that Toyota made that sort of running change with the MR2. Wouldn't be surprised to see it happen with the FR-S too.

Especially if after an accident, somebody tries to sue them for "unintended drifting".

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by Dimman

I'm sure a stab at the gas mid corner will get the BRZ's tail out as well. VSC is a good thing so long as it doesn't become offensive to people's egos. And it's not so much getting the tail out that is the big deal, it's how easy it is to gather it up when it does.

Plus there is a cheap fix of throwing on a stock WRX rear anti roll bar if my some bizarre twist of fate it won't step out at all when provoked.

Well the guys at Evo, who aren't exactly amateurs, had trouble getting that BRZ rear to move as desired - they found the GT 86 much more responsive. But that's another thread .

[djdnz]

Trolling much?

FRS/BRZ are the same car, minor suspension differences. There is no 'much more responsive' car between the two of them, slight differences yes.

[Future]

Originally Posted by djdnz

Trolling much?

FRS/BRZ are the same car, minor suspension differences. There is no 'much more responsive' car between the two of them, slight differences yes.

x2.... "much more responsive"... wth? Anyways, my car will have coilovers before my first oil change

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by djdnz

Trolling much?

FRS/BRZ are the same car, minor suspension differences. There is no 'much more responsive' car between the two of them, slight differences yes.

Just read the reviews, I am not putting words in the mouths of the Evo reviewers. They disliked (putting it mildly) the BRZ and gave the GT 86 four of five stars. YMMV. If you don't like what they have to say - well don't shoot the messenger.