Thinking of buying a BRZ, need help!

[funwheeldrive]

Originally Posted by FX86

I strongly recommend you stay with Ford and get a Mustang. Preferably a GT 5.0 because it comes with a line lock feature so you can do burnouts...hoes love burnouts

Why would anyone buy a Mustang GT when you could have an Alpha Camaro SS???

[FX86]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

Why would anyone buy a Mustang GT when you could have an Alpha Camaro SS???

Because Horsey

[himbo]

The Ford should be a lot of fun. Faster, more comfortable, and more practical too. But I've said this a number of times and I still believe it - the BRZ really makes you feel special every time you drive it. A lot like the Miata. There's no hiding the fact that it's a sports car.

Also, you can really give it the beans in public without going horrifically over the limits of reason.

[geezerbrzeezer]

If you drive the Ford and the BRZ, and you don't get the BRZ, you don't get the BRZ.

[jeffchap]

Originally Posted by himbo

the BRZ really makes you feel special every time you drive it. A lot like the Miata. There's no hiding the fact that it's a sports car.

This.

[daiheadjai]

Originally Posted by KR-S 86

You can't really blame the tool here. You can only blame the driver for trying to be a wannabe Steve McQueen every time he leaves Cars N Coffee.

There have been cases of FR-S and BRZ wrecks for the same reason you described. This is with a car that's about 230 hp less than the Mustang GT.

Except, in this case, the tool IS the driver.

[prj3ctm4yh3m]

OP: youre an engineer and you're asking this question?

jk jk

[perryair]

Originally Posted by AutoNewb

Hi all! I am new to this fourm, and this seems like a great community.

I am 22, just got my first career bound job in Electrical Engineering so, in a couple months I will have a lot of money saved up.

Right now, I have a 2008 Ford Focus SE, base model with a 5 speed. Very basic and a great car. I was actually thinking about getting a Focus ST until I found out about the BRZ. Something about it is giving me alot of hype in my head haha. I do eventually want to test drive one even though its slower than the Focus ST, the handling i read is incredible.

Though the reason for this post is I am having some trouble with decisions. Can anyone help me with the pros and cons of a BRZ compared to an ST. I'm not looking for racing or anything. Just a good comfortable car with safe handling that I can have fun with. MAYBE get into some modifications too. I really want to educate myself on auto motives since i know virtually nothing about them except changing/rotating tires and changing the oil.

Thanks

id ask yourself honestly, how mich do you enjoy the actual act of driving?

by that i mean, do you imagine the apex of most turns you make? do you love the feel of the ass end of your car sliding around to finish your turn? do you enjoy feeling like you are truly connected to the car and the car is truly connected to the road? that steering inputs happen instantaneously?

if so, gett the brz. but if you dont LOVE those things and just like the act of going fast, or being out on the open road id get the focus or some other hot hatch, or a boostang or camaro. because the brz involves compromise. its got a relatively rough ride. its hard to get in and out of. its not traditionally quick. you cant carry much of anything in the back seat. the trunk is small. youll scrape the bumper on park stops, curbs, big dips in the road.. etc.

but man. if you love the skill involved in driving, its one hell of a car.

[Xxyion]

Originally Posted by perryair

but man. if you love the skill involved in driving, its one hell of a car.

This a hundred times over. However at the same time i didnt actually realize how much i actually enjoyed driving until i got the BRZ. I've owned quite a few hot hatches in the past. They are fun, zippy, and really practical. But there is (as many others have said) something special driving the BRZ. Theres a sense of community whenever you see another 86er on the road. Also this car in general looks amazing. Even completley stock it turns heads and you get people asking about it. Once you mod it, prepare for a ton of attention.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by AutoNewb

1. I definitely drive more by myself, and I more on the highways but I would love to try the track one day!

2. Hmmm okay, I've never driven a RWD car so that would be interesting to have with the BRZ.

If you drive more on the highway, think it twice. Check also how far from your place is the closest race track. Many people saying would love to try the track sometime and never do it. BRZ is a great fun car, but there are better ones on the highway. You will need some twisty roads to really appreciate it. Another option could be the WRX. Not that much expensive, much better on the highway and with more practicality

[pfaffendorn]

Originally Posted by perryair

id ask yourself honestly, how mich do you enjoy the actual act of driving?

by that i mean, do you imagine the apex of most turns you make? do you love the feel of the ass end of your car sliding around to finish your turn? do you enjoy feeling like you are truly connected to the car and the car is truly connected to the road? that steering inputs happen instantaneously?

if so, gett the brz. but if you dont LOVE those things and just like the act of going fast, or being out on the open road id get the focus or some other hot hatch, or a boostang or camaro. because the brz involves compromise. its got a relatively rough ride. its hard to get in and out of. its not traditionally quick. you cant carry much of anything in the back seat. the trunk is small. youll scrape the bumper on park stops, curbs, big dips in the road.. etc.

but man. if you love the skill involved in driving, its one hell of a car.

Ace reality check! Your list of pros and cons is so direct and accurate, I almost LOL. But, if I get what you mean by "not traditonally quick," I'd remind you that the twins are designed in the venerable traditon of small, light sports cars going back to the 1960s. As I have posted here somewhere, the 86s closely match the performance data of desirable "hot" cars of the day, including the Jaguar XK-E.

But we forgive all its shortcomings (compromises) for the way we feel when we hit that start button, right?

Happy deciding, and happy driving to you!

[Jen]

You need to go drive both. I drove a Focus ST and hated it, drove a BRZ and loved it. You may feel the opposite.

As for the Camaro recommendation above, I had one and traded it towards a new vette. I bought a 2014 Camaro. Benefits- storage, back seat, 325 hp base, 460 hp ss. I couldn't deal with riding inside a tank. In order to get the lines, the windows are tiny and visibility is nonexistent.

Test drive a bunch of cars and see what you like driving. The 370Z is similar to the BRZ, more power but doesn't handle as well. Test drive a WRX (that's my daily driver). I'm a huge WRX fan so I might be biased thinking its the best car built for all purposes.

[jmark]

Originally Posted by himbo

The Ford should be a lot of fun. Faster, more comfortable, and more practical too. But I've said this a number of times and I still believe it - the BRZ really makes you feel special every time you drive it. A lot like the Miata. There's no hiding the fact that it's a sports car.

Also, you can really give it the beans in public without going horrifically over the limits of reason.

He gets it. I agree.

[AutoNewb]

Sorry guys. Mustangs are just out for me. I'm just a little wary on the stigma they have of the back end just tailing out even though you mentioned any stupid kid between the seat and steering wheel can do that. If i'm not confident with it. It wont work for me. Not to mention the insurance for my age probably is HORRIBLE for a muscle car. But maybe in the future a Mustang will be in my interest.

Originally Posted by perryair

id ask yourself honestly, how mich do you enjoy the actual act of driving?

by that i mean, do you imagine the apex of most turns you make? do you love the feel of the ass end of your car sliding around to finish your turn? do you enjoy feeling like you are truly connected to the car and the car is truly connected to the road? that steering inputs happen instantaneously?

if so, gett the brz. but if you dont LOVE those things and just like the act of going fast, or being out on the open road id get the focus or some other hot hatch, or a boostang or camaro. because the brz involves compromise. its got a relatively rough ride. its hard to get in and out of. its not traditionally quick. you cant carry much of anything in the back seat. the trunk is small. youll scrape the bumper on park stops, curbs, big dips in the road.. etc.

but man. if you love the skill involved in driving, its one hell of a car.

I love the art of driving, so what you just said does appeal to me.

Originally Posted by Xxyion

This a hundred times over. However at the same time i didnt actually realize how much i actually enjoyed driving until i got the BRZ. I've owned quite a few hot hatches in the past. They are fun, zippy, and really practical. But there is (as many others have said) something special driving the BRZ. Theres a sense of community whenever you see another 86er on the road. Also this car in general looks amazing. Even completley stock it turns heads and you get people asking about it. Once you mod it, prepare for a ton of attention.

Oooooohhh, I really do want to see what this something special is all about hahah