Drive 'tests' the 2017 BRZ

[geezerbrzeezer]

In a skidpad comparo between a Camaro and a Twin, the numbers are meaningless, as the test equipment is unable to quantify grin factor.

Winner - Twin.

The author's ineptness is clearly demonstrated with his 'Hauling People' rating of a 3 out of 5, which renders suspect or nonsense every other score he assigned. Babies, double amputees, and the chore of stuffing the muthafucka's back there?

[why?]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

I think he gets it. That is the biggest gripe across the board with this vehicle in general.

not by people that actually own them, only by clueless poseurs who don't get them. People that would whine that they were too expensive if they had the FA20dit and were $35k.

[guybo]

My wife has a gen 5 camaro RS. It handles like shit. I don't know about the gen 6 camaros. They are boats too though- just not quite as boaty as the previous gen. The view sucks and they are physically large and weigh 500 lbs more than an FRS. I don't care about the numbers, not my cup of tea.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by guybo

My wife has a gen 5 camaro RS. It handles like shit. I don't know about the gen 6 camaros. They are boats too though- just not quite as boaty as the previous gen. The view sucks and they are physically large and weigh 500 lbs more than an FRS. I don't care about the numbers, not my cup of tea.

The weight difference is actually even more than that. Edmunds weighed a 2016 Camaro V6 at 3461 lbs. That's 703 lbs heavier than a Twin.

Also completely agree about feel vs. numbers. My wife's GTI is the same way. It puts up decent skidpad and slalom numbers in testing, but I've tracked it a few times and it definitely wallows and rolls around when pushed hard (especially with stickier tires). It may put up decent numbers, but the feel from the driver's seat is completely different.

It wouldn't surprise me if the new Camaro was similar. Good numbers (and lap times) but can't hide its weight behind the wheel. Still look like fun cars though, would love to drive one to see for myself.

[Summerwolf]

Originally Posted by guybo

My wife has a gen 5 camaro RS. It handles like shit. I don't know about the gen 6 camaros. They are boats too though- just not quite as boaty as the previous gen..

You don't know. But.... you KNOW. Got it.

Lol.

[track junkie]

Driving the BRZ in winter conditions with summer tires hides all the great handling characteristics for this car.
His conclusions makes as much sense as reviewing the BRZ with winter tires in the summer and complaining about the handling.

[Da Brz]

Originally Posted by prj3ctm4yh3m

Alpha platform still feels pretty damn big. skidpads are irrelevant in that context.

I'm not so sure.


5th gen? Sure.


But my buddy just bought a 6th gen and it didn't feel that much bigger than a twin sitting in it. The center console isn't much bigger than the little canoe we have between our seats.

[Da Brz]

Originally Posted by why?

not by people that actually own them, only by clueless poseurs who don't get them. People that would whine that they were too expensive if they had the FA20dit and were $35k.

Wrong, lol.


I'd say at least a quarter of all the threads on this board eventually discuss it.

[Summerwolf]

Originally Posted by why?

not by people that actually own them, only by clueless poseurs who don't get them. People that would whine that they were too expensive if they had the FA20dit and were $35k.

I'd say a large amount of people, including owners, want more power in the platform. Some of the most popular, and long term threads on this forum are centered around building horsepower.


From what I have seen, it is kind of a toss up between how to get more horsepower and wide wheels / tires as the two most discussed topics on this forum in general.

[prj3ctm4yh3m]

Originally Posted by Da Brz

I'm not so sure.


5th gen? Sure.


But my buddy just bought a 6th gen and it didn't feel that much bigger than a twin sitting in it. The center console isn't much bigger than the little canoe we have between our seats.

9 inch longer wheelbase
600lbs
4inch higher beltline

someone please explain to me what this monstrosity is:

[why?]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

I'd say a large amount of people, including owners, want more power in the platform. Some of the most popular, and long term threads on this forum are centered around building horsepower.


From what I have seen, it is kind of a toss up between how to get more horsepower and wide wheels / tires as the two most discussed topics on this forum in general.

Originally Posted by Da Brz

Wrong, lol.


I'd say at least a quarter of all the threads on this board eventually discuss it.

there will always be some people that want more power. Hell you can find 500 hp Toyota Yaris out there.

There is a huge difference between that and a total loser writing an article whining about how the car needs a turbo while at the same time be so bad a driver he manages to spin the car in a parking lot. The writer is a total buffoon. Besides there is no way they can do as good a job covering all the bases in the aftermarket, and if you really look around they did a ton of work making sure the aftermarket would be supplying all sorts of different options for people who do want more power.

[Guru Woodman]

And I don't think a forum is the ideal place to judge if a car needs more power. It is usually populated by car enthusiasts and modding is always high on the agenda. And part of modding is trying to add more power. But I still believe that a 86 doesn't need it. It is a light weight 2 door with 200 hp. 0-60 in what, 6 or so seconds. A top speed of over 200 km/h. When I was young, these figures were almost supercar level. The Golf GTI 16v was every boy's dream and put out 139hp. A Lotus Esprit Turbo? 210hp. A Audi Quattro Coupe: 197hp. Even the legendary BMW M3: just 210hp. And those cars where serious machines.
We live in an era where people get an abundance in horse power. A Camry v6 has 268hp. But that doesn't make it a enthusiast machine or 'drivers' car. It is the whole package, not just the numbers. And the same goes with motorcycles, big (and heavy) is usually the opposite of fun. It numbs everything down. Compensating with power does not solve that problem.

[Ganthrithor]

You know someone's a qualified reviewer when they come back saying the car needs more oil cooler rather than more power.

Really though, more power wouldn't go amiss, but I also don't get why people rag on the car. I think we've got too many spoiled reviewers in our age of gigantic power figures. I bet if you handed them an old Boxster with the badges peeled off, they'd give it three stars.

IMHO the more boring your driving regime, the more apparent the "power problem" becomes. The car just isn't that much fun to commute in because you can't use the handling and you can't rip through the occasional gaps in traffic or make cool noises with it. I mean, I feel like you need something seriously exotic to make regular driving "fun" (and even then, it would wear off quickly), but I can see why someone would give the car a three if all they were able to do was tool around their local town and freeways. The car really comes into its own when you drive a twisty road while WOT in second and third the whole time. It can feel sluggish on uphill grades at higher density altitude, but the power problem largely disappears when you drive somewhere you can carry your speed.

[Gixxerkid6hunid]

There's always gonna be haters on the power. cause compared to mustang's and sti's, it is "slow". My buddy tried to convince me to get a wrx instead of my brz, purely for the power.
The thing a lot of people don't understand is, you don't need power to drive fast.
It's all up to driver preference. I personally like that it doesn't have a LOT of power.
Besides, 205hp for a NA 4 cylinder is pretty impressive