Driving impression of a '17

[trippinbillies40]

Originally Posted by spike021

I've only been getting 22mpg or so but mostly city driving so far with a little highway driving (like 3 trips of 50 miles on the freeway each).

But that's probably also due to me still learning manual and how to shift efficiently.

The motor will break in and get better gas mileage eventually as well. Technically we tend to say give it 5k - 8k miles before expecting to see mileage stop increasing, depending on how you break the car in.

My last Crosstrek continued to get better until about 7500 miles. You should notice the most difference within the first 1000 miles or so.

All of that having been said, driving habits can definitely skew those results.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by trippinbillies40

The motor will break in and get better gas mileage eventually as well. Technically we tend to say give it 5k - 8k miles before expecting to see mileage stop increasing, depending on how you break the car in.

My last Crosstrek continued to get better until about 7500 miles. You should notice the most difference within the first 1000 miles or so.

All of that having been said, driving habits can definitely skew those results.

Good to know! My wife was freaking yesterday that her new Impreza with 600 miles on it wasn't getting the mileage she hoped for. It has been getting slowly better but now I can show her this.

[trippinbillies40]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Good to know! My wife was freaking yesterday that her new Impreza with 600 miles on it wasn't getting the mileage she hoped for. It has been getting slowly better but now I can show her this.

Absolutely. It'll get better.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by trippinbillies40

Absolutely. It'll get better.

Oh I figured that but she won't listen to me! You make a nice third party support that I can point out and say "see".

[trippinbillies40]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Oh I figured that but she won't listen to me! You make a nice third party support that I can point out and say "see".

You can also tell her I work for SOA, so it's pretty official

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by trippinbillies40

You can also tell her I work for SOA, so it's pretty official

But we are in Canada!

[imnotsureaboutbrz]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

But we are in Canada!

Canada is still in N. America! Until we have something to complain about then you are back out...

[SkAsphalt]

Originally Posted by imnotsureaboutbrz

Canada is still in N. America! Until we have something to complain about then you are back out...

I would say, "sounds like we should send you a polar vortex!" but you are located in Alaska....

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by spike021

I've only been getting 22mpg or so but mostly city driving so far with a little highway driving (like 3 trips of 50 miles on the freeway each).

But that's probably also due to me still learning manual and how to shift efficiently.

That's better than the EPA rates the car for city driving, your fuel economy is exactly what it should be on this car.

I get 22-24mpg commuting on city streets, I can get >30 mpg if I hop on the freeway and keep it under 75 mph for a whole tank. Any city driving or lead-footedness makes it drop like a stone.

[spike021]

Originally Posted by trippinbillies40

The motor will break in and get better gas mileage eventually as well. Technically we tend to say give it 5k - 8k miles before expecting to see mileage stop increasing, depending on how you break the car in.

My last Crosstrek continued to get better until about 7500 miles. You should notice the most difference within the first 1000 miles or so.

All of that having been said, driving habits can definitely skew those results.

Awesome, interesting to know!

[mrg666]

You have a lovely family and a great car. Enjoy!

[JDM4E]

I just wanted to let you know about the crosswind unstability thread
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117372

so to not being offtopic here, please share with us.

[joro2]

(Thanks for starting this thread, hope it's okay to add some of my first impressions on the vehicle here too.)

My first few days w/ the car and first few hundred miles; 2017 BRZ Premium:

1) A distinctly Japanese feel. This was (obviously) no surprise, it really does feel (to me) exactly as intended -- i.e. a modern updated and electronically assisted/enhanced version of my old '80s rear wheel drive analog Toyotas.

2) The one exception (to the familiar '80s Japanese feel) is the engine. I haven't yet had it over 4K RPMs (break-in) so will have to reserve final comment & analysis, however I can already tell it's a bit different. It revs as expected very freely & willingly (so much so that I've had to immediately set the rev indicator warning light/buzzer to just under 4K) but it doesn't feel like the older similarly rev happy 4-cylinder engines I remember. The boxer feels a bit unrefined & snarly (not necessarily in a bad way, but not as smooth feeling / sounding and tonally even as some more traditional 1980s Japanese inline-4s).

3) The clutch is very light, even compared with my older 1991 Miata NA. It took a few first miles to get comfortable with the "grab" point (which still feels relatively high to me). The gearbox although quite notchy feeling (in a good way) isn't as old school mechanical/precise as I'd prefer, but in this $ range (perhaps with the exception of an ND Miata?) nothing is (like the old days).

4) The car does lack power -- I'm sorry, I had to mention this -- even though it's been discussed ad infinitum it still caught me a bit off guard, especially from stand still on take off in 1st gear. I guess I simply expect more (power) from any 21st century sports car, even though I fully understand this particular vehicle isn't about power, and it's design/feel is I'm sure consistent with it's retro (AE86) heritage.
(Again, I haven't had it over 4K RPMs so I should absolutely shut up for now and avoid the annoyingly redundant "lack of power" dis'/comments until after break-in.)

5) On the inside the cabin feels a lot like what I remember of e.g. an early 80s Celica, and I mean that in a good way too -- part of the appeal for me was the retro back to basics amenities (lack of amenities).

More to come (these are literally just a few very first stream of consciousness impressions)

Oh, one more thing and this isn't about the design or driving experience, it's just a heads up to those buying brand new. I drove this car off the lot w/ it just recently having been manufactured (literally last month, 03/17), delivered to the dealer the same day I purchased (04/20/17), and w/ only 4 miles on the odometer. The first 50-75 miles the car ran "hot" (the gauge read normal but the engine bay really heated up). Also, it emitted a distinctly foul "burning" smell. This however seems totally attributable to the vehicle's newness -- after a few more miles it's already running a bit cooler, and the smell very quickly has dissipated to almost being non existent. I was briefly concerned, as it was unlike any other new car smell I've experienced -- alas, I don't remember ever having an auto literally THIS NEW (i.e. 3/17 manufacture, delivered/purchased ~30 days later, and with so few dealer miles).

[willimusk]

Originally Posted by joro2

(Thanks for starting this thread, hope it's okay to add some of my first impressions on the vehicle here too.)

My first few days w/ the car and first few hundred miles; 2017 BRZ Premium:

1) A distinctly Japanese feel. This was (obviously) no surprise, it really does feel (to me) exactly as intended -- i.e. a modern updated and electronically assisted/enhanced version of my old '80s rear wheel drive analog Toyotas.

I agree. I bought a 1984 Celica GT liftback new and drove it for 22 years. The reason I bought a BRZ (had mine for 3 weeks) is because it felt so similar--yet so much better. No comparison in handling, balance, flatness through curves. And I find it much quicker than my Celica. Much quicker feeling, anyway. I have not had it over 4K RPM yet either. I will have no issues with this car's power, I can already tell. Cabin fit and finish is better than the '84. It's the Celica reincarnated as a superior being. The Celica was a sporty car. The BRZ is a sports car.

Mine was ordered, and had 4.8 miles upon delivery. I smelled a little engine burn for 25 miles or so, that's normal. The dealer warned me about it.

Enjoy!