Thinking of buying a BRZ, need help!

[Xxyion]

Originally Posted by AutoNewb

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

Go test drive one! It's not quite the same but you get a small taste. See if your sales person will let you test drive it along a twisty road if possible.

I also agree with you on Mustangs. They feel super boaty to me and i also cant get over the stigma behind driving one either.

[Veloist]

First let's organize your thoughts by determining and prioritizing your needs over your desires.

Let's get back to basics here...you own a 5-Speed Base Focus so from the looks of it, I am assuming your previous car's purpose was to be used as A-B transportation or to run errands.

Have you thought about how your life would change by going from (I'm assuming) a 4-door to a 2-door? From going to 5 seater to a technically a 2-seater?

Here are some questions to think about:

- What did you like the most about the Ford Focus that you would want in your next car?
- What was missing from the Ford Focus that you have always wanted in a car?
- What are are the three most important aspects to you between Size, Performance, Appearance, Comfort, Economy, or Reliability?

Comparing Size
- How often do you drive with more than 1 passenger?
- Where do you park your car?
- How did you like the size of your last vehicle?
- How do you feel about driving a smaller car compared to your Focus?
- What kind of activities do you do that require a car (like to haul things around).

Comparing Performance
- How often do you drive in situations which require great acceleration (uphills, freeway)
- How important is power?
- How important is vehicle weight?
- How often do you drive on contouring, twisty roads?
- What's your ratio of city vs. highway driving like?
- What do you think about off-road driving (track, autocross).

Comparing Appearance:
- How important is other people's perception of your car to you?
- How proud would you feel knowing you would have a car that looks like it costs double the amount (BRZ) to most people.
- How important is the interior layout of a car to you?
- What characteristics of the interior are important to you?

Comparing Comfort:
- How much time do you spend in your car?
- How open are you to feeling most bumps on the road?
- How important is ride noise to you?
- How important are driving ergonomics to you?
- How important is road visibility to you?
- How important is your drive height relative to other traffic?

Comparing Economy:
- How important to you is cheap insurance?
- How important is fuel economy to you?
- How is the distance of your commute like?
- How important are special financing and rebates to you?
- How important is resale value to you?

Comparing Reliability:
- Have you had any trouble with your last car that you would like to avoid in your next car?
- How long do you plan to keep the car?

[AutoNewb]

Sorry I havent been on in a few days haha.

Originally Posted by Veloist

First let's organize your thoughts by determining and prioritizing your needs over your desires.

Let's get back to basics here...you own a 5-Speed Base Focus so from the looks of it, I am assuming your previous car's purpose was to be used as A-B transportation or to run errands.

Have you thought about how your life would change by going from (I'm assuming) a 4-door to a 2-door? From going to 5 seater to a technically a 2-seater?

Here are some questions to think about:

- What did you like the most about the Ford Focus that you would want in your next car?
- What was missing from the Ford Focus that you have always wanted in a car?
- What are are the three most important aspects to you between Size, Performance, Appearance, Comfort, Economy, or Reliability?

Comparing Size
- How often do you drive with more than 1 passenger?
Not very often. I live alone.
- Where do you park your car?
Either at work (in an army base) or next to my house which is private
- How did you like the size of your last vehicle?
It was pretty okay.
- How do you feel about driving a smaller car compared to your Focus?
I dont mind it, easy to parallel park.
- What kind of activities do you do that require a car (like to haul things around).
Only thing I can think of is Skiing. No Hauling, or anything like that. Also I play guitar but an amp and guitar definitely can fit in any car.

Comparing Performance
- How often do you drive in situations which require great acceleration (uphills, freeway)
Pretty often. I live near I-95, so interstate driving is a common thing that I will be doing.
- How important is power?
Eh, I dont want to kill myself haha.
- How important is vehicle weight?
I like vehicles that are easy to control.
- How often do you drive on contouring, twisty roads?
Pretty often too.
- What's your ratio of city vs. highway driving like?
40% City, 60% Highway
- What do you think about off-road driving (track, autocross).
Thats something I never really tried, but I would like to.

Comparing Appearance:
- How important is other people's perception of your car to you?
Its Eh, but anything is better than the Focus SE
- How proud would you feel knowing you would have a car that looks like it costs double the amount (BRZ) to most people.
I Would be pretty freakin Proud, love the way it looks.
- How important is the interior layout of a car to you?
VERY, I like things exactly where I can reach easily.
- What characteristics of the interior are important to you?
Reach, Bluetooth, and road sight.

Comparing Comfort:
- How much time do you spend in your car?
2 Hours a day, 4 on the weekends.
- How open are you to feeling most bumps on the road?
If its possible to modify to make it less bumpy then I'm for that.
- How important is ride noise to you?
I hate ride noise.
- How important are driving ergonomics to you?
As I mentioned, reach
- How important is road visibility to you?
Very Important
- How important is your drive height relative to other traffic?
Not Important

Comparing Economy:
- How important to you is cheap insurance?
I'd like to have cheap insurance
- How important is fuel economy to you?
Not really, everything is economic now adays.
- How is the distance of your commute like?
15 miles to work each day.
- How important are special financing and rebates to you?
Eh. I have federal employee car loan APR rates.
- How important is resale value to you?
None

Comparing Reliability:
- Have you had any trouble with your last car that you would like to avoid in your next car?
Noisy, squeaks a lot too in the suspension. When I turn the AC on, I have to shift at a higher RPM.
- How long do you plan to keep the car?
5 Years

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by AutoNewb

Sorry I havent been on in a few days haha.

Well there Newb, I would say that your answers to Velos extensive survey would say you are a prime candidate for a BRZ/86.

[Veloist]

You will like the BRZ because:
- Not only is it easy to control, it is also rewarding as a driver to feel how precise the steering of the car is.
- The driving position is as ergonomic as can be; everything was thought out in this car from the reach and positioning of the shift lever & steering wheel to the distance & spacing of the pedals. The seats can be comfortable for most body shapes and the bolsters give great support.
- Forward visibility is panoramic and as a bonus you will always have a nice view of where the front fenders are.
- The car looks like it cost more than 30k.
- Bluetooth with voice-command is standard.

You may dislike this vehicle because:
- Cabin noise may be more amplified relative to what you drive now, especially on bad roads.
- Stiffer ride may be uncomfortable for 2 hour commute (but lots of people daily drive these cars so it's not unbearable)
- Bad side visibility in the blind spot.

How many Subaru dealerships do you have in your area? If possible, you should test drive it more than once (at different dealers)and make sure you take it on the highway.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Veloist

You may dislike this vehicle because:
- Cabin noise may be more amplified relative to what you drive now, especially on bad roads.

- Stiffer ride may be uncomfortable for 2 hour commute (but lots of people daily drive these cars so it's not unbearable)

- Bad side visibility in the blind spot.

You get used to it.


I spend 14 hours a week commuting, on lowering springs, in all seasons, I am old. It never has bothered me but I understand that riding in the back is a very unpleasant experience when the road is bad.


Adjust the mirrors right and the blind spot isn't toooo bad. Way better than a Camaro.

[AutoNewb]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Well there Newb, I would say that your answers to Velos extensive survey would say you are a prime candidate for a BRZ/86.

Originally Posted by Veloist

You will like the BRZ because:
- Not only is it easy to control, it is also rewarding as a driver to feel how precise the steering of the car is.
- The driving position is as ergonomic as can be; everything was thought out in this car from the reach and positioning of the shift lever & steering wheel to the distance & spacing of the pedals. The seats can be comfortable for most body shapes and the bolsters give great support.
- Forward visibility is panoramic and as a bonus you will always have a nice view of where the front fenders are.
- The car looks like it cost more than 30k.
- Bluetooth with voice-command is standard.

You may dislike this vehicle because:
- Cabin noise may be more amplified relative to what you drive now, especially on bad roads.
- Stiffer ride may be uncomfortable for 2 hour commute (but lots of people daily drive these cars so it's not unbearable)
- Bad side visibility in the blind spot.

How many Subaru dealerships do you have in your area? If possible, you should test drive it more than once (at different dealers)and make sure you take it on the highway.

Wow that was great, thank you so much for your help in breaking this down.
I have multiple ones in a 30 mile radius. I searched a few used and some have them. Some have new too.

Originally Posted by Tcoat

You get used to it.


I spend 14 hours a week commuting, on lowering springs, in all seasons, I am old. It never has bothered me but I understand that riding in the back is a very unpleasant experience when the road is bad.


Adjust the mirrors right and the blind spot isn't toooo bad. Way better than a Camaro.

Hmmm okay good. Do they have Blind spot sensors on the side mirrors?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by AutoNewb

Hmmm okay good. Do they have Blind spot sensors on the side mirrors?

Oh god no!
And if they ever start then it is time for me to look at other cars.


It really isn't that bad anyway. I have driven far worse.

[AutoNewb]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Oh god no!
And if they ever start then it is time for me to look at other cars.


It really isn't that bad anyway. I have driven far worse.

Lol! Alright well thats good its not bad.

[brandonblt2]

Originally Posted by AutoNewb

Lol! Alright well thats good its not bad.

Yea never really had an issue with the blind spot either, but you can buy convex side mirrors that pretty much eliminate the blind spot

[Xxyion]

Originally Posted by brandonblt2

Yea never really had an issue with the blind spot either, but you can buy convex side mirrors that pretty much eliminate the blind spot

Yeah they arent expensive either and are super easy to install yourself

[WolfpackS2k]

OP, based on what appears to be a very rudimentary knowledge of physics as applied to the handling of sports cars, I would advise you to read up on the subject.

It's troubling to read someone being wary of a Mustang because the "rear end fishtails". As if a company would build a car where this just happens...

If you're entering the world of sports cars you'll be doing yourself a favor to learn about the basics of vehicle dynamics. It will make everything a lot more fun. I'm not insulting you, just trying to be helpful!

Oh, and get a BRZ!

[fizzymike]

I just got my BRZ about 2 months ago and have been on the forum every day but havent made an account until recently. I can give you my 2 cents about the car, I hope it helps.

I really like this car. Its definitely special from the steering to the body, its all very nice. The clutch is a bit clutchy however I dont mind it. The rear seats are extremely small. I would carry 3 people max because squeezing is a pain. It does feel just slightly underpowered but is still an excellent driving experience. I have a greddy exhaust so its decently loud inside and out. Stock cat just doesnt do it for me. I dont think you would have any regrets in your decision if you like the car and test drive it!

[BRZBlack]

Just going to chime in here on the comments about mustangs. Having driven a 95 Cobra, 2001 GT automatic, 2005 heavily modified automatic, and the newer 2016 in standard transmission, I will say that your fear is not completely unfounded. It really has to do with 3 words: Independent. Rear. Suspension. Everything prior to the 2015 had a solid rear axle. Great for straight line acceleration. Not so great for corners. All wonderful cars to drive, but for their own reasons. One gripe I do have about the 2016 is that it is a chore to drive smoothly. Clutch travel is stupidly long and the car feels (and IS) heavy. Great cars but just not my thing.
As far as the BRZ goes, I have had mine for over 3 years now. Daily driver. It is very rewarding to drive once you learn its limits. Great blank canvas for adding parts to, if you are in to that. Great to leave stock. Just a but of advice though. Back seats are almost useless. Touch screen stereo is garbage. Get winter tires if you live in an area with snow.
If you needed a little more incentive to pull the trigger, here you go: I have driven many high powered cars. The previously mentioned Mustangs, as well as a built 99 C5 Vette, C6 AND even the new Stingray. But I still smile whenever I get in/out of my car. And I ALWAYS look back at her.