What do you wish you'd known before owning?

[Yousend]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I need a car for myself, my laptop and my coffee cup. This works very, very well and there is nothing that would be more "practical" for me. On those very rare occasions when I do have to move one or two passengers I still have the ability which was a deciding factor in my getting this car over something like a Z.

I need a car for myself and my gym bag. Occasionally have a passenger, but those features all come stock in the price bracket I was shopping in.

Until I have kids, I see no use for more space. However I am not quite there yet and once the car is paid off I may as well keep it if I can. The space is not an issue, if I need extra room my dad would gladly lend me his car or I can dish out the money and rent something of the appropriate size. You don't see people buying huge trucks in case they need to move out one day, do you?

[fierostetz]

Originally Posted by Silver Supra

How would you describe the GN? One of my favorites!

BTW - I think you are hearing that owners like driving their 86's which is a huge plus. I mean, why not drive something fun!!

I've had GN's and T's on and off since I was in highschool. Dumb fast in a straight line, scary when stopping or turning :P
I owned an F150 lightning for a year once, it handled better than the GN's by a large margin.

It's basically what darth vader would drive.
Current one is a project, my prior one had a larger turbo, methanol, supporting mods.

[Purist]

Originally Posted by cjd

By people that own the car, no less...

Any examples?

[fierostetz]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I need a car for myself, my laptop and my coffee cup. This works very, very well and there is nothing that would be more "practical" for me. On those very rare occasions when I do have to move one or two passengers I still have the ability which was a deciding factor in my getting this car over something like a Z.


My one very brief temp ban (the longer term guys may recall that) was due to a very heated argument with some asshat that told me that if I didn't work on my own car I must "pay people to sleep with my wife". I spent decades working on my own cars including a couple of full off frame restorations on some classic but I no longer have the desire to do that. Because I don't work on my car does not mean for one second I lost my love of them or am any less of an "enthusiast" but simply I have better things to do with my time. Being a "car guy" does not require you to work on them and the term "enthusiast" does not mean you have to like one certain type of car. There are raised truck mudders, Prius mileage misers and minivan ride enhancing guys that think our cars are a joke and they are every bit an "enthusiast" as anybody here.

I still insist on working on my own stuff, even though it means buying tons of extra 10mm sockets and sometimes rubberbanding my hand closed around a ratchet (not joking :P ). I'll eventually have to cave and pay someone else, one hand just doesn't work anymore. I'll fight it tooth and nail though, it's part of the bonding process with a car.

[HSUBLU]

Having had less than a week with the car, I'm definitely glad I got the Clear Bra - absolutely never regret it for any of the cars I buy. One similarity to a lot of other people is my shock at how terrible the BRZ head unit is, and the lack of solutions that address the issue (from what I've been able to read so far anyway, but I'm still looking). The lack of options for the stuff I was planning on doing (drop-in filter, head unit, side markers) leads me to think that I'd just as soon as leave it completely stock, which isn't a bad thing at all, except for the filter...

[fierostetz]

I really appreciate the feedback all, usually these types of threads turn into griping, I'm glad to see a fairly well mannered and positive community so far.

[LudwigMiles]

Can you guys explain what exactly is so bad about the HU ?
Everyone says it's bad, but no one says anything beyond that.

Mine connects to my phone, so I can use is as speaker phone.
It can also play Spotify audio. It also has GPS Maps.
I'm not sure why I am supposed to hate this thing.

I've never even had a HU, so this is a huge bonus to me.
Are there other features I'm supposed to want?
Do you not like the font?
Is it not loud enough for you?

[Yousend]

Originally Posted by fierostetz

I really appreciate the feedback all, usually these types of threads turn into griping, I'm glad to see a fairly well mannered and positive community so far.

The thing is, if there's things you dislike about this car when you shop for it, you can probably find a cheap solution. Everything else is things you figure out during a test drive or a quick google search. The main complaints I've heard from people (outside of forums) is that there is no space in the back () and cheap interior.

Power obviously is not cheap, but if you're looking for a car with power from the dealer you are wasting your time, you have other alternatives.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by fierostetz

I still insist on working on my own stuff, even though it means buying tons of extra 10mm sockets and sometimes rubberbanding my hand closed around a ratchet (not joking :P ). I'll eventually have to cave and pay someone else, one hand just doesn't work anymore. I'll fight it tooth and nail though, it's part of the bonding process with a car.

I am still fully capable of doing the work. I just don't want to anymore. Love cars still but the whole working on it to bond is just no longer a consideration for me. I bond with it a bit more every time I avoid an encounter with a truck at 75mph or when we thumbs up from random strangers while driving through the city. I don't need to change the oil or wrench on some bolts to feel that bond.

[HSUBLU]

Originally Posted by LudwigMiles

Can you guys explain what exactly is so bad about the HU ?
Everyone says it's bad, but no one says anything beyond that.

Mine connects to my phone, so I can use is as speaker phone.
It can also play Spotify audio. It also has GPS Maps.
I'm not sure why I am supposed to hate this thing.

I've never even had a HU, so this is a huge bonus to me.
Are there other features I'm supposed to want?
Do you not like the font?
Is it not loud enough for you?

I'm coming from a 2016 Forester Premium, where the phone connectivity was much more reliable and speedy - it responded instantly when plugging my iPhone in, or even when I was connecting through Pandora or BT, I never felt like I was waiting or had to reconnect my phone to get it to register with the unit. This is definitely a sensation that I have with the BRZ. Sure, it's something I can get used to, but knowing what's available and better, I don't get why a newer model vehicle would not have a head unit of at least equal quality.

[HimBRZ]

My problems with the HU are about using the touchscreen (picky about "how" you touch it and unsafe while driving) and trouble syncing my phone sometimes. I don't demand a lot from it, so it doesn't bother me too much. The GPS is only good for basic maps as it's expensive to update for the latest info.
Don't know if it's been fixed, but many have problems with the camshaft end plate leaking, so you might think about removing and sealing it well.

[fierostetz]

So far it looks like toyota dealers are waaaaaay more willing to deal on prices than subie dealers. I'll keep working at it though.

[fierostetz]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I am still fully capable of doing the work. I just don't want to anymore. Love cars still but the whole working on it to bond is just no longer a consideration for me. I bond with it a bit more every time I avoid an encounter with a truck at 75mph or when we thumbs up from random strangers while driving through the city. I don't need to change the oil or wrench on some bolts to feel that bond.

Oh I wasn't knocking it or anything if thats how it came across. I've just always been that way... like my new car wasn't mine until I changed the oil. Like kevin costner and the wolf in dances with wolves... gotta bond hehe

That's just me though, I've always loved wrenching as much as, if not more than, the actual driving and hooning :P

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by fierostetz

So far it looks like toyota dealers are waaaaaay more willing to deal on prices than subie dealers. I'll keep working at it though.

The Subies seem to be selling just a bit better than the 86s so that makes sense. The new year Toyotas usually show up about a month before the BRZs so they may be a bit more eager to clear stock since the 18s can't be far away.