Coming from Protege.... BRZ/FRS?

[Protege13]

Hey all,

I'll keep this as short and sweet as possible. I drive a 2003 Mazda Protege currently. It was my first car, bought it used many many years ago outright for 8k cash and never looked back. It has served me well.

With that said, I can tell it's nearing it's end of life. I am approaching 200k miles and the car is starting to have some issues. What I have enjoyed about it is how small it is, it seems to be relatively responsive, and I just enjoy being low, small, and nimble. (as opposed to being in a truck or SUV).

I've been debating between an FRS/BRZ and a Genesis Coupe. I'll list the qualities that I'd enjoy in a vehicle and perhaps you guys can help me figure out which route might be better for me:

- Look cool (suggestive, but I like both the gen and 86)
- small and nimble
- decent gas mileage
- would love amenities such as backup camera/nav/heated seats etc but not required
- A good platform to mod. Mostly interested in aesthetics and learning mechanically as I go, never worked on cars much before but I want to start
- Most importantly, fun to drive on a daily basis

I probably will never track my car realistically, I'm mostly just interested in a good looking, fun ride that I can have fun with on a daily basis and won't break the bank. I'm almost 27, male, and have a clean driving record.

I have zero experience with sports cars. The closest I get is driving the supped up challenger at work, and that thing is a BOAT.

[FX86]

Originally Posted by Protege13

I've been debating between an FRS/BRZ and a Genesis Coupe. I'll list the qualities that I'd enjoy in a vehicle and perhaps you guys can help me figure out which route might be better for me:

- Look cool (suggestive, but I like both the gen and 86)
- small and nimble
- decent gas mileage
- would love amenities such as backup camera/nav/heated seats etc but not required
- A good platform to mod. Mostly interested in aesthetics and learning mechanically as I go, never worked on cars much before but I want to start
- Most importantly, fun to drive on a daily basis

Genuine, unbiased answer: FR-S/BRZ over the Genesis to answer ALL of your questions...especially your second and last question

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by Protege13

- Look cool (suggestive, but I like both the gen and 86)
- small and nimble
- decent gas mileage
- would love amenities such as backup camera/nav/heated seats etc but not required
- A good platform to mod. Mostly interested in aesthetics and learning mechanically as I go, never worked on cars much before but I want to start
- Most importantly, fun to drive on a daily basis

Right there you've ruled out a Genesis Coupe. They really are two separate types of car. The Genesis is competitive with the 370Z, Mustang, and Camaro. It's a big, heavy, powerful, grand tourer. The 86 is competitive with the Miata and S2000. It's a small, light, not especially powerful, sports car. It's a momentum car, not a muscle car. Either one can be made to beat the other at what it does best, but pick the direction that's closest to what you want before you start.

That said, an 86 meets all of your criteria, and it's a blast to drive. Nav and heated seats have been on there since day one, and the newer ones (2015, I think?) come with backup camera.

[headlikeahole]

Small, nimble and responsive are not words used to describe the genesis coupe. Its built like a Grand Tourer and would feel heavy and lumbering compared to the twins.

The genesis is however a better, comfier place to be.

[FX86]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Right there you've ruled out a Genesis Coupe. They really are two separate types of car. The Genesis is competitive with the 370Z, Mustang, and Camaro. It's a big, heavy, powerful, grand tourer. The 86 is competitive with the Miata and S2000. It's a small, light, not especially powerful, sports car. It's a momentum car, not a muscle car. Either one can be made to beat the other at what it does best, but pick the direction that's closest to what you want before you start.

That said, an 86 meets all of your criteria, and it's a blast to drive. Nav and heated seats have been on there since day one, and the newer ones (2015, I think?) come with backup camera.

2016s come with backup camera standard...15 did not unfortunately

[new2subaru]

Just so you know, your Protege was around 2,600 lbs and the Genesis runs 3,300lbs.

Huge difference if you want something light and nimble. The Genesis is not, like others have said.

[funwheeldrive]

Fiata.

[MrDinkleman]

One aspect you did not list: How much practicality do you need? I came from a Toyota Yaris, 3-door hatch. It was slow and wallowy but it was fun because it was small, good mileage, and MT. And it had a LOT of room (for me) that was convenient to get to. As much as I love my FRS, I occasionally find it a PITA in terms of carrying capacity. If you need to carry a lot of stuff a lot of the time, then (as much as I hate to say this), the Genesis may be better for you. But if you value fun-to-drive above all else, then the FRS/BRZ is it. Read the various comparisons and most will say that the Genesis looks better on paper but not when the rubber meets the road.

[humfrz]

Sounds like a FR-S/BRZ would fit what you're looking for in a car.

If you're interested in a roadster, the Miata would fill the bill.


humfrz

[finch1750]

I'll agree with others that the Genesis is the opposite of light and nimbe. It also has a backseat thats more useless then ours. My 5' nothing GF hit her head on the rear glass in it. Cant adjust the seats for that

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

Fiata.

Fiat 124 Arbath right?

Originally Posted by humfrz

Sounds like a FR-S/BRZ would fit what you're looking for in a car.

If you're interested in a roadster, the Miata would fill the bill.


humfrz

I knew you gonna say Miata. lol

As for the OP, both Genesis and 86 are great car and both have pros and cons. It's all comes down to is drive both cars.

We can say all the great things about 86 and horrible things about Genesis (vice versa for GC forum, I bet)... but it's all comes down to is how you like driving and looking at that car.

Go to local Hyndai & Toyota dealership and test drive both and report back.

[daiheadjai]

Originally Posted by finch1750

I'll agree with others that the Genesis is the opposite of light and nimbe. It also has a backseat thats more useless then ours. My 5' nothing GF hit her head on the rear glass in it. Cant adjust the seats for that

Yes! It's surprising how the much larger Genesis has a more useless backseat, but there it is! I'm not even tall at 5'8, and I couldn't sit in the back.

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[EAGLE5]

Didn't they discontinue the Genesis Coupe?

[wbradley]

Coming from a Protege, you should consider the Hot Lava FR-S as it is RUST colored! LOL