many questions, gt86 hatch/liftback?

[mike_k]

hi there, new to the forum.


just a little about my self. im a huge car enthusiast and been driving cars since i was 16. i do my own mechanical work on all my friends cars and my own. i build professional custom motorbikes as a 2nd job, and i also fiddle around with cars a fair bit. im experienced in turbo/super charging engines, and i have done several engine swaps in cars in the past, example: like a v6 swap into a 240sx. and ive built some pretty wild motorbikes, ( if anyone on ADVrider , i built that crf500L that everyone is raging about for the last 2 years :p)



now here is my delema, i have a honda civic SI coupe, that has almost 400,000km on it and ive just had my first mechanical problem (faulty rad cap) so im extremely happy with the reliability and performance of my civic. however im afraid my car is now getting old and i need a new one since i use my car for work.


i have 4 main requirements for my next car:

-fun to drive
- relativity economical ( not like a prius, but not expensive like an M3 if you know what mean)
-reliable.
- some kind of lift back/ hatchback 2 door.


due to my last requirement which is an absolute must due to my work im currently looking at the scion TC, Hyundai veloster, or the honda crz.


however, while i was at the subaru dealership i decided to test drive a BRZ, and O MY GOD. the car drives so good. plenty of power IMO, the steering feel, the clutch feel..... it reminds my of my SI but because its rear wheel the car is so planted and balanced.



so i began researching. the more and more i looked into it, the more and more i loved the BRZ.

the BRZ is pretty good on gas if you dont drive it hard, even on my 300km 70% highway and 30% city test drive i averaged 5.5L/100km (43mpg) which is amazing for a sports car.




but like i said earlier..... i absolutely need a hatchback/lift back.


now i saw this "shooting brake concept"



i want it so bad.

but from what ive read its not gonna be sold / produced. so im a t a cross roads now.



do i get the Hyundai veloster turbo and just call it a day. or do i take my decades of mechanical experience and convert a BRZ into a hatchback/liftback???

from what ive read it has not ever been done.


'
i understand that toyota and subaru did not make this car a lift back like the toyota supra because they wanted to keep the car light and ridged.

making a brz into a fastback would require substantial addition of metal reinforcement to the rear to make it the same rigidity and alot of extra weight, perhaps 100-150lbs


i dont particualarly want a hatchback look like above. perhaops keep the car looking exactly the same but just have the trunk open up all the way to the roof if you know what i mean.

like this:



what are your guys thoughts on the matter?

thankyou for your time.

[gramicci101]

It would cost a lot less and be more effective to buy a Focus ST than it would to convert an 86 to a fastback. It could probably be done by someone with a LOT of fabrication experience, but it would never work as well as an OEM solution.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by mike_k

hi there, new to the forum.

- some kind of lift back/ hatchback 2 door.


due to my last requirement which is an absolute must due to my work


what are your guys thoughts on the matter?

thankyou for your time.

Hello mike_k ..and welcome to the forum ......

You do realize that the back of the back seat will fold down to expand the trunk..?? (just checking).

Out of curiosity, why do you need a lift/hatch back for your work .. ??

Maybe pull a small trailer for work .. ??

As far as chopping up a BRZ to make a hatch back ...... I would suggest you rethink that. Yes, it could be done but ...... YIKES! the work!

On the other hand, folks have been doing stuff like that for years now.


humfrz

[Vracer111]

Juke NISMO RS is as close as you are going to get to an FR-S/BRZ hatchback...its pretty crazy how much it reminds me if driving an FR-S.

As for modding the 86 chassis to make it a hatchback...I wouldn't do that, it will change how the chassis feels. The reason there is no hatchback version it because of the sportcar orientation of the 86 and it's immediate reflexes. Getting rid of the bracing across the back tying base of C-pillar/wheel well to base of C-pillar/wheel well would really noticably reduce the chassis rigidity and put more flex in the rear.

[NARFALICIOUS]

The Shooting brake may be made, but why wait for something not knowing when, especially if you need a car now?

Get the current FRS/BRZ/86, but personally I would not convert it

Need a hatch? Get a Focus ST or Veloster. Not a fan of the veloster though.

If you're okay with pre-owned, get an RSX Type S.

[Jegan_V]

I know what you mean, you want what the old 7th gen Toyota Celica and the Acura RSX had. Retain the sport coupe look and offset some of the impracticality with a gigantic opening in the rear for things. As it currently stands, the FRS/BRZ's trunk opening is bordering useless. Anything to big too fit there, I have to get it through the doors instead. As such.



I suspect the stuff you carry is too large or cumbersome to fit through the door.

Its probably a lot easier to go Veloster Turbo since I have yet to see anybody modify their twin to be a liftback. Not the worst downgrade and it drives pretty nicely, just note though its not really a proper sports car. Push it hard and you'll be reminded of its economy car roots(Accent). Its a car that's a bit more focused on style rather than sporty substance. Still, way better than your typical commuter car.

[ToySub1946]

Though it has four, not two doors, The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback is the way to go. To be made in Swindon Factory, UK. And from what I've read...The replacement Civic (2016 and up) offers more equipment than other brands for it's price....to make up for the previous Civic which no one liked. This hatchback body should be available for sale in North America by the end of 2016.

[Mr.ac]

The BRZ/86 is not for you.
I recommend an Impressa wrx wagon instead. More room,more power, good mpg, fun to drive. Reasonably priced.

[Tcoat]

[DGM-BRZ]

?

If you have the funds, get a BRZ for weekends, a cheap hatch-back for work.

If you can't afford that, just buy a sporty hatch-back.

With your requirements, the twins aren't for you. You aren't gonna have a great time packing things into the trunk of your precious BRZ/FRS.

[Cole]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I'd fuck with that. So hard. I wish Utes were a thing in Canada. I'd be such a redneck if that was the case. You guys would be on here talking about your driving "feels" and I'd be like "FUCK YEAH AMERICA, I GOT 500HP IN THIS WEIRD CAR TRUCK HYBRID THINGY". So much freedom. I'd constantly have broads and beer in the bed.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Cole

I'd fuck with that. So hard. I wish Utes were a thing in Canada. I'd be such a redneck if that was the case. You guys would be on here talking about your driving "feels" and I'd be like "FUCK YEAH AMERICA, I GOT 500HP IN THIS WEIRD CAR TRUCK HYBRID THINGY". So much freedom. I'd constantly have broads and beer in the bed.

Strangely enough the morning show on the WRIF (Detroit) did a whole segment on "what is the most American thing you have ever done?" yesterday. One of the replies was, "Drinking Jack, cooking dogs and doing broads in the back of my El Camino". The show determined that the El Camino was indeed the most 'Murician vehicle you could get. Part car. Part Truck. All USA!

[Hot-Lava_Dave]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Strangely enough the morning show on the WRIF (Detroit) did a whole segment on "what is the most American thing you have ever done?" yesterday. One of the replies was, "Drinking Jack, cooking dogs and doing broads in the back of my El Camino. The show determined that the El Camino was indeed the most 'Murician vehicle you could get. Part car. Part Truck. All USA!

I concur!
Dave and Chuck the Freak are the best part of my mornings!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Hot-Lava_Dave

I concur!
Dave and Chuck the Freak are the best part of my mornings!

They make my twice a week trips to Windsor bearable! I also listen to the recorded show on the computer at the trailer.