2016 BRZ vs 2017 BRZ

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by yip

Thank you for posting this! Help's me feel good about selling my Monogram to purchase a 17 BRZ.

It's making me crazy though that I have to wait until mid February to receive my order

I wish I could've bought your monogram!

[brzaapi]

Originally Posted by Sport-Tech

Got a chance to test drive a Sport-tech '17 today. I had previously driven 2 FRSs back in 2013 - definitely a while ago but I remember enough of that to draw some comparisons that struck me:

• the new BRZ suspension is more compliant, but the difference isn't great.
  Road feel while still present is less harsh, which has its pros (comfort) and its cons (a slightly more isolated driving experience).
• clutch pedal is more manageable now with a lower bite point and a much more progressive takeup
• gearshift while still firm and solid is smoother shifting
• most surprising difference: in-cabin intake/engine sound tone has improved considerably, no longer nearly as agricultural, in fact quite pleasant on hard throttle in the low and mid RPMs, still a little thrashy right at the top end
• highway cruising - the engine is amazingly quiet, you hardly know it's running; tire noise not bad either; wind noise is fairly noticeable but tolerable

Can't speak to handling differences, drove the FRS too long ago and never got to wring either car out hard on curves beyond a few on-ramps. Car felt like it had BMW levels of solidity, no squeaks or noises of any kind.

Acceleration seems fine around town, IMO somewhat lacking from 100 kph up even in the "right" gear- no squirting this car into an empty freeway lane in a hurry.

I was waiting to hear your impressions.

I know it has been a while since you drove an earlier model, but do you feel the compliance of the suspension is at level where the car has lost something, or become to BMW-ish?

I am going to combine all my questions into one:

Even if the 2017 BRZ/FRS is a better car than previous years, do you think the '17 is the better 86 than previous MY BRZ/FRS strictly from a driving experience perspective.

I know a lot to ask from just a test drive, but thats where we are at right now.


An example. I believe the 15 MY was both a better car than the 13'-14' cars, but also a better 86 all around. Or, the 981 Cayman is a better car (hands down) than the 987 Cayman. But the 987 is the better CAYMAN all around, the refinement of the 981 allowed some of the true Cayman character to get lost in the process of building a better car.

Hope that makes sense.

[new2subaru]

Originally Posted by Sport-Tech

• the new BRZ suspension is more compliant, but the difference isn't great.
  Road feel while still present is less harsh, which has its pros (comfort) and its cons (a slightly more isolated driving experience).
• clutch pedal is more manageable now with a lower bite point and a much more progressive takeup
• gearshift while still firm and solid is smoother shifting
• most surprising difference: in-cabin intake/engine sound tone has improved considerably, no longer nearly as agricultural, in fact quite pleasant on hard throttle in the low and mid RPMs, still a little thrashy right at the top end
• highway cruising - the engine is amazingly quiet, you hardly know it's running; tire noise not bad either; wind noise is fairly noticeable but tolerable

It almost sounds like they neutered it to appeal more to the masses.

I need to take one out myself.

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by brzaapi

I was waiting to hear your impressions.

I know it has been a while since you drove an earlier model, but do you feel the compliance of the suspension is at level where the car has lost something, or become to BMW-ish?

I am going to combine all my questions into one:

Even if the 2017 BRZ/FRS is a better car than previous years, do you think the '17 is the better 86 than previous MY BRZ/FRS strictly from a driving experience perspective.

I know a lot to ask from just a test drive, but thats where we are at right now.


An example. I believe the 15 MY was both a better car than the 13'-14' cars, but also a better 86 all around. Or, the 981 Cayman is a better car (hands down) than the 987 Cayman. But the 987 is the better CAYMAN all around, the refinement of the 981 allowed some of the true Cayman character to get lost in the process of building a better car.

Hope that makes sense.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...postcount=2973

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

It almost sounds like they neutered it to appeal more to the masses.

I need to take one out myself.

To paraphrase what others have said, the car just feels more refined. The 17 car is a better car.

[brzaapi]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...postcount=2973

I appreciate that, thank you for the link.

[new2subaru]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

To paraphrase what others have said, the car just feels more refined. The 17 car is a better car.

Being more refined doesn't necessarily make it better for everyone.

Some people like a more "raw" sports car.

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

Being more refined doesn't necessarily make it better for everyone.

Some people like a more "raw" sports car.

Ok, you buy the original car with less power to the wheels, creaking noises, bad tune from the factory, leaking cam plate, notchier transmission, weaker engine note, non-led headlights and tails, and any all other teething issues--because it feels more "raw."

I'll buy the car that we all wanted the first gen to be and that has proven to be quicker around a racetrack in testing--moto told me it was 1 second faster around a japanese racetrack they tested on.

[brzaapi]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

I'll buy the car that we all wanted the first gen to be and that has proen to be quicker around a racetrack in testing.

I have been waiting to see an on-track, or similar side-by-side comparison of the '17 vs older models. Where can i find this?

[new2subaru]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Ok, you buy the original car with less power to the wheels, creaking noises, bad tune from the factory, leaking cam plate, notchier transmission, weaker engine note, non-led headlights and tails, and any all other teething issues--because it feels more "raw."

I'll buy the car that we all wanted the first gen to be and that has proen to be quicker around a racetrack in testing.

lol But, I don't have any of those issues. Don't like LED headlights and 5hp. Really?

As I said, I'll take it for a test drive. If I want one I'll eat my words.

[Zaku]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...36#post2775136


Dyno Data

2017 177-178whp avg


2016 164whp

2013 160whp


As explained in the thread this is just a guide it's not technical there's a lot of factors to a Dyno but this is the results of the testing so far.

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

lol But, I don't have any of those issues. Don't like LED headlights and 5hp. Really?

As I said, I'll take it for a test drive. If I want one I'll eat my words.

You have a 2015 car, i have a 2013 car, a lot of the things I mentioned were fixed by the time yours came around. Not to mention a stiffer chassis according to toyota and subaru.

All that being said, I wouldn't trade up unless i got money for my car.

[deejaylew]

Originally Posted by Zaku

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...36#post2775136


Dyno Data

2017 178whp


2016 164whp

2013 160whp

As explained in the thread this is just a guide it's not technical there's a lot of factors to a Dyno but this is the results of the testing so far.

this lines up with what we were told to expect from earlier videos so it's definitely interesting. Thanks for the data!

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by brzaapi

I have been waiting to see an on-track, or similar side-by-side comparison of the '17 vs older models. Where can i find this?

Moto told me, also there's that video of the kouki cars vs zenki on facebook