I have a conundrum

[Mr.ac]

With that much money I would go with some V8 coupe.
If your crazy enough you can make yourself a kit car.
It really depends what you want your new car to do. The BRZ is a fun sporty commuter car pretty much a Miata with back seats.

[softgrip]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

Can you not get a monaro? Jfc, with holden there I dont think i would look at another make.

Yeah, but it's a different type of car. Big and muscly. I'd rather a Wrx.

Not sure they are made any more.


I'm really after nimble and fast, not boat and fast

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

The BRZ is a fun sporty commuter car pretty much a Miata with back seats.

Ha ha... "back seats." That's cute.

[lukey86]

All american imports here in AUS are overpriced. A new corvette is well over 100k. Even camaros are only just starting to come down and they're literally just a monaro lol. If I was going to spend that kind of money I'd buy a nissan gtr which is the best bang for your buck car on the planet.

I had the option to buy a new BRZ but I decided not to. BRZ was 45k and my one owner 2012 86 was only 26k. I'm glad I did because I now have heaps of extra coin to spend on the car. The way I see it, why spend 40 something grand on a car just because it has a sharkfin antenna when you could buy a near new one and buy your own sharkfin antenna with a small fraction of the 20k that you've saved? That's provided, of course, that you're happy to buy a car with a few ks on it..

[Mr.ac]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Ha ha... "back seats." That's cute.

Yep, you can cram 4 people if you try. Just make sure everyone is under 5'7" and less than 200lb.

Two midgets fit fine in the back.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Yep, you can cram 4 people if you try. Just make sure everyone is under 5'7" and less than 200lb.

Two midgets fit fine in the back.

so many thoughts - all inappropriate

[Summerwolf]

Pretty sure the camaro isn't built on the monaro platform.......

[lukey86]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

Pretty sure the camaro isn't built on the monaro platform.......

Yeah my bad, got mixed up with GTO...but still, camaro is Zeta chassis, which is still based on the holden VE-VF so I was kinda right lol

[2013GTRNate]

Originally Posted by softgrip

Hi guys,

I'm in the market and the BRZ tugs my heart strings.

I'm a 36y/o male Australian. My current car is a lightly modified 2006wrx hatch. Previously I've had a 98 Mitsubishi Mirage and an 80 Corolla. I have some track experience (in my Wrx and an 07 Wrx sti), a fair bit of go kart experience, and have driven some v8 rally buggies.

I've also driven countless iracing laps in the Miata, and quite a few in the gt86 in Assetto Corsa. Great fun!!

Here is the conundrum. I have around $60k aud ($43k usd) to drop on a car.

Do I buy a new BRZ (40kish aud), and throw 20k on FI, suspension and tyres?

Do I buy a used 2012/2013 BRZ and drop 30k on every upgrade under the sun?

Do I play the waiting game and hope the Subaru turbo rumors are true? (if they are, the value of a FI current Gen will drop significantly, possibly turning either of the above options into a massive waste of cash). I would drop $60k on one of these puppies without hesitation if the specs are right and it's a true STi.

Do I look elsewhere for my RWD fix (eg bmw)?

Do I stay boring and get the 2016 Wrx and save some money?

Some unknowns - do Subaru/Toyota have some kind of agreement not to provide modified engines so as to keep the twins competitive and equal(ish), thereby making new models mere facelifts? I wouldn't be surprised. If one brings out an amazing build on the twins base, the other would be left with lower sales.

The streets I'll be on are a mix of suburbia, freeway and twisty hills. I know I need more power. My mirage was a fun decently handling car, and my parents Impreza drives great - but they are missing the juice. Same with the cars in the racing sims (yes I know not real life).

Help me . I've consumed so much gt86/BRZ media and info in the past few months, it's hard to think!

Thanks.

Good luck regardless of your choice. The Subaru BRZ is a joy to drive and an extremely capable platform. You will not regret it! As far as FI I highly recommend the SBD turbo kit as it is a great bang for the buck and well sorted out at this point. Make sure to get an oil cooler and if at all possible a custom dyno tune. If interested message me your Facebook and I will add you to the SBD Turbo Facebook page we have awesome support.

Cheers,

-Nate

[nova.86]

2016 models have a reverse camera, very useful lol. I like my HyperBlue comes with all the limited BRZ options w/ blue stitching. Which makes it great for DD, HID headlights as well. If you do end up getting it, I'd drive it stock for a little and track it and see what it needs yourself. Most people get better tires first and then comes suspension and brakes. Later on if you still want FI for that extra push, there's plenty of info on the forums about different kits for the car, Supercharger or Turbo. I personally won't FI mine until the future as I've had the car for a month but I will be upgrading exhaust and headers next. From there I'll see. I wish you the best in your decision!

[softgrip]

Originally Posted by nova.86

2016 models have a reverse camera, very useful lol. I like my HyperBlue comes with all the limited BRZ options w/ blue stitching. Which makes it great for DD, HID headlights as well. If you do end up getting it, I'd drive it stock for a little and track it and see what it needs yourself. Most people get better tires first and then comes suspension and brakes. Later on if you still want FI for that extra push, there's plenty of info on the forums about different kits for the car, Supercharger or Turbo. I personally won't FI mine until the future as I've had the car for a month but I will be upgrading exhaust and headers next. From there I'll see. I wish you the best in your decision!

I sat in a Hyperblue and the trim inside is fantastic! It's very tempting . I wish I could get the blue interior on other colored cars. I like the hyperblue, but feel it's going to age poorly. A great showroom color.

I have a very narrow driveway with a big ass tree on one side and a rock wall on the other. It's scary getting out and I've done it hundreds of times so reversing camera, if it works, would be a godsend.

As for FI, I have a place down the road that can chuck in a sprintex SC and a heap of hks goodies. It's around $12k AUD with labor and will give around 265kw (355bhp). The place is Horsepower Factory. 2 of my mates have had exhaust and ECU upgrades on their 2007 stis with fantastic results.

[pfaffendorn]

Originally Posted by softgrip

Do you know if there are any significant changes between 2012-2016 as far as build quality or anything else?

All I can offer on that is the opinion of the body shop manager who worked on my 2014 Limited to the tune of $7500 for a smashed up front end: The chassis/frame is very strong and remained perfectly aligned with no mechanical damage at all.

I think Subaru/Toyota are quite proud of the build quality on this one year after year -- I have not heard anything inconsistent with that.

[Gaiakai]

What about a used Cayman S?

If not (need backseats or something), I'd go for a used BRZ and use the extra $$$ to build it the way you want it.

[bcj]

Originally Posted by softgrip

I know I need more power. ... - but they are missing the juice.

Uh, I think you'll be disappointed.
"These are not the droids you're looking for."