Motor Trend's $28K Bang for the Buck (spoiler alert!)

[ZetaVI]

Cool post. BRZ is #1.

[djdnz]

Thanks for the scans DadHawk, it was a good read.

[Exhaust]

I wonder how pissed the genesis coupe forums are right now lmao

[Guff]

Sweet! Nice to see that we are coming out on top in these tests!

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Exhaust

I wonder how pissed the genesis coupe forums are right now lmao

Still straight-line ****y, I would bet.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

This is how I look at the list from what I have read.

1.BRZ/MX5
2.FRS
3.2.0T R-Spec
4.Mustang V6
5.GTI

And this is going based off of Randy Pobst comments. He gushes badly about the BRZ and MX5 then it seems like the FRS comes next and the GTI comes last since he hates its understeering, FWD nature on track and then he goes on to say the GC 2.0T R-Spec feels much sportier than the V6 Stang.

I'm happy with the results overall.

Here comes my slightly biased comment. It sounded like Randy, who's supposed to be this driver's driver kinda guy, was complaining, "I didn't like the FR-S as much because it made me actually drive it through the corners rather than just leaning in and taking care of it for me". Then again, I am paraphrasing....

[Symbiont]

Honestly, a lot of the 'BRZ vs FR-S' complaints were things I actually liked about the FR-S. At that point, you're splitting hairs, and the smallest factors make the difference, up to and including small differences you may find between identical cars.

[Spaceywilly]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

I'm happy with the results overall.

Here comes my slightly biased comment. It sounded like Randy, who's supposed to be this driver's driver kinda guy, was complaining, "I didn't like the FR-S as much because it made me actually drive it through the corners rather than just leaning in and taking care of it for me". Then again, I am paraphrasing....

I agree with what you're saying, but in the video BRZ review one thing he specifically said was "I can really just keep my foot down and drive it." The FR-S kept him busier (the article mentions a few times where had would have to lift, or the rear would start to come around), where the BRZ just did what he wanted. This matches what we saw in the best motoring videos where the GT86 was oversteering a lot more, but in the BRZ the driver just looked bored. I personally wouldn't say that either of these behaviors is better than the other, they both will have their strengths and weaknesses and in the end will both be perfectly good cars. The FR-S will be a more technical car to drive, requiring lots of finesse and corrections, where the BRZ will be more tame and confidence inspiring.

[Ryephile]

Thanks for posting Dadhawk, it is fascinating. That said, I really really wish they drove these cars on the street, where they'll be driven by actual customers/owners 99.9% of the time.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

I'm happy with the results overall.

Here comes my slightly biased comment. It sounded like Randy, who's supposed to be this driver's driver kinda guy, was complaining, "I didn't like the FR-S as much because it made me actually drive it through the corners rather than just leaning in and taking care of it for me". Then again, I am paraphrasing....

To put things in perpective he had similar 'complaints' about the LFA, if I recall. Felt like 'work' to him. And since he is a pro race driver, well 'work' may not be such a negative.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

Thanks for posting Dadhawk, it is fascinating. That said, I really really wish they drove these cars on the street, where they'll be driven by actual customers/owners 99.9% of the time.

I agree on that one. It should at least factor in. I call it the "James May Final Exam".

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Spaceywilly

I agree with what you're saying, but in the video BRZ review one thing he specifically said was "I can really just keep my foot down and drive it." The FR-S kept him busier (the article mentions a few times where had would have to lift, or the rear would start to come around), where the BRZ just did what he wanted. This matches what we saw in the best motoring videos where the GT86 was oversteering a lot more, but in the BRZ the driver just looked bored. I personally wouldn't say that either of these behaviors is better than the other, they both will have their strengths and weaknesses and in the end will both be perfectly good cars. The FR-S will be a more technical car to drive, requiring lots of finesse and corrections, where the BRZ will be more tame and confidence inspiring.

Agreed, and it comes down to personal preference.

[Chupacabra]

Originally Posted by Exhaust

I wonder how pissed the genesis coupe forums are right now lmao

It doesn't matter anyway. If there was a forum war between the two of us, the BRZerhood has this in its possession:



Who has turbo now???!!

[Capt Canuck]

Originally Posted by Dimman

To put things in perpective he had similar 'complaints' about the LFA, if I recall. Felt like 'work' to him. And since he is a pro race driver, well 'work' may not be such a negative.

And he complained about the engine in the M3 during the comparo with the Mustang GT.

He's obviously a pro (literally) but I get the feeling he's a previous generation's driver and not someone Motortrend should be wheeling out to test cars in the 21st century.