Newbie - decision time

[spicyricecake]

go test drive a 14 WRX or 15 WRX before you decide you want the 86 platform

[DGM86]

Going with the BRZ Limited was a no brainer in my book. It really doesn't cost much more and the list of extra goodies is impressive. I paid 26.2 for mine, check out Truecar before going to the dealer. The keyless push button starting and HIDs alone are worth the extra cash in my book. My keys never leave my pocket. The interior looks much more upscale IMO as well. You get a lot for the small bump in price.

That, and Subaru>Scion badging

Edit:

I average 30-31 mpg on a 80 mile round trip commute. It is split roughly 65/35 highway/backroads, and I kiss the rev limiter at least twice a day.

[Talus1]

I bought the BRZ over the FRS because my wife liked it better and there is no explaining or arguing, with that! It helped that the Subaru dealer was happy to buy me out of the lease on my '11 WRX. We have gotten 8.3 l/100km since the end of break in for mostly city driving, even through the winter.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by D.Scrye

They do- you get 2 years of free servicing.

Not in Canada they don't. It is a charged "upgrade" service package. Makes a good bargain in add on though.

[D_Thissen]

Love my FRS. I didn't want leather seats (like cloth better for this type of car), nav (I find smartphones are good enough) or push button so the FRS was a perfect fit for me at the right price.

I had it up in Thunderbay for two winters, and other than a messed up block heater I had zero issues with it. i drove it back to whitby (crammed full of boxes) at the beginning of April and averaged I think in the 7.7-8.5 L/100km ball park (That was me doing the math). The trip computer said a bit higher lol. You can't go wrong with either car.

[Mim]

The BRZ is far from a luxury car, but the modern cons go a really long way. Auto HID headlights with washers, push button start, keyless entry / boot release, leather steering wheel, leather accents, heated seats, sat nav, blue tooth, climate control aircon, reversing camera, cruise control, electric folding mirrors, multi mode transmition (AT), flappy paddle gear change (AT). Pretty sure I missed some.

You might look at some (or most) of those as a waste of time, but if you're going to keep the car for a long time then why not go for them as you buy the car? Assuming the price difference is not drastic and you can afford it.

Its small but one of the many reasons I like the BRZ more, aside from that awesome nose / lights, is they don't charge for metalic paint in AU and gave a full size alloy spare wheel instead of a can of goo. Ohh and no spoiler unless you want one. Love the clean boot.

[krayzie]

BRZ Limited is my choice. The Toray alcantara fabric feels great and don't get hot like a full leather seat does in the summer, plus they can be heated in the winter, and should be more durable than the cloth seating surface.

The push button start while I don't really like, means there is no keychain hitting my knee while driving. The dual zone climate control looks and works good. Plus you get proper legal HIDs and the trunk spoiler is factory installed in Japan vs. dealer drilled for the FRS.

The Impreza driving position is no match for the Twins IMHO not even close (the WRX STI pedal box is so tight from the wide center tunnel), hence I would never consider a WRX / WRX STI no matter how powerful they are (pure sports car feel vs. driving a very fast sporty car).

[VTEC]

Wow I guess I've been hitting the redline too much. Everyone has been getting 7 to 9L/100 kms? I had 12L when I first got it. It came down to 10.6-10.9 after I got the drop in filter and exhaust.

BRZ is definitely the nicer car with more luxury features, if you care for those things. I only bought my car for the drive and performance so for me personally it wasn't worth it. Rather spend the money on mods haha.

I like how the BRZ has a front lip built into the bumper. But the FR-S has a more aggressive looking front grill. And of the course the BRZ has nicer headlights. FR-S comes with boring halogens. You could buy winjet headlights or something like that to replace them though.

You can't go wrong with either car. It's gonna be a blast to drive either way. And unless you have a really bad daily commute, the only mistake you could make is buying an auto lol, which you already said you won't

[Wafflejuice]

Originally Posted by VTEC

Wow I guess I've been hitting the redline too much. Everyone has been getting 7 to 9L/100 kms? I had 12L when I first got it. It came down to 10.6-10.9 after I got the drop in filter and exhaust.

I'm sitting at 11-12L/100kms myself. :/ but it's also my first manual and all city driving.

[Mim]

My initial consumption was around 14L / 100km, but it seems to have improved since the early day's. Seems like the engine is loosening up as I now am averaging closer to 12L. Part of the reason for keeping a record (see my sig), is also to guage the effect of future mods on my economy. All a form of entertainment for me, but it certainly does not hurt in the long run.

[ayilar]

Originally Posted by Wafflejuice

I'm sitting at 11-12L/100kms myself. :/ but it's also my first manual and all city driving.

Same here, and I have driven manuals forever.

[kevman_101]

Love my 2013 FRS. Hate fiddly things. HID`s would of been a nice touch, but not the end of the world. Hate leather. Hate heated seats. Push button is just a gimmick in my book. I like the more aggressive look of the FRS better, but I would of been more then happy to get the WRB paint. Dual climat would of been nice. I got the upgraded Pioneer touch screen audio, and thankfully I have a TRD exhaust and LLLOOOVVEEE that sound as I don`t fiddle much with the radio. Love the look of it, but very distracting to me.

Oh and HEATED MIRRORS FOR ALL CANADIANS And also summer and front floor mats. Atleast we had them in 2013. Also, you get 2 free oil changes I think and 1 wheel rotation for free. I bought the extended warranty and got an extra 6 oil changes and 3 I think tire rotations. I find it pretty nice for the extra security of having the first year model and it cuts the price of the extra warranty off by nearly 600$ in all. Fun to go in and leave without taking out the wallet . Don`t know if Subaru does this though.

If you`re like me and prefer a more minimalistic car, then the FRS would be a better fit. If you like more doodads and leather then either the Monogram, or RS1 FRS or the BRZ would be more for you. Either way it`s a car i still look at and smile and grin in when I drive it. Love my car.

[Teseo]

Try this
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZrck3Wr8Tw&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]Jeremy Clarkson shows how to choose between a Toyota GT86 and a Subaru BRZ - YouTube[/ame]