Analysis Paralysis

[DarkSunrise]

As others have said, if the BRZ didn't speak to you during the test drive it might not be the right car for you.

Have you thought about a mk7 Volkswagen GTI? That would be my top choice if I needed something more practical than a BRZ and was planning to drive it mainly on the street. The refinement helps if you'll be putting a lot of miles on it, and you'll really love it when you mod it (291 whp/367 wtq with just a tune).

Also might consider a Fiesta ST as well. Everyone says it's amazingly fun for the dollar.

[Capt Spaulding]

My take is a conflation and rehash of all of the above. For me, the BRZ was a love at first sight experience. Then, when I discovered I actually fit in the car and took it for a drive any thought (and I mean this literally) any THOUGHT was over. I quit thinking and started scheming a way to get my wife to let me get one.

The look, the handling, the rear drive dynamics - in absolutely NONE of these areas is a Civic in the same zip code. The civic is a great car, but the only thing it shares with the twins, at least as far as I'm concerned, is it's small.

Others have said it, but it truly is a case of "if you have trouble deciding, you probably really want a civic." Hate to say it, but I think it''s true.

[HKz]

simple choice.

if you care about driving more than practicality/function, then the twins hands down. if not then the civic is by far the clear choice.. if you still can't decide then you need more time to date yourself.

[gravitylover]

If the BRZ didn't make you want to drive it home from the test drive it probably isn't the right one for you. You have to love RWD to really 'get it' and there's nothing practical about it. The Focus RS is loads of fun and probably will end up being a better DD, I'd lean to the RS or even a WRX if I could stomach a sedan. I could never drive a FWD Civic or Golf everyday.

[athos56]

First, the responses have been great! Second, thanks for productive, welcoming, honest responses. You all should see me with a restaurant menu... I'm not indecisive, I'm just very picky, I want maximum return for my $$. I'm seeing a lot of the head vs heart arguments that I've been going through. I really do desire the BRZ, but at the same time I know the "right" choice is the Civic. I can't stomach the sheer blandness of the GTi... The WRX STI, yeah drool, but more than I want to pay monthly. I think the suggestion of test drives round two is the way forward.

[Ernest72]

Neither! Don't know how one would want to drive a Civic over a BRZ. They may choose it for practicality. Want practical? Maybe a GTI or WRX?

Blandness? Thats what modding is for.

[athos56]

Oh %#$*$ wait, is the answer the GTI?? Time to research, still got got about 30 hours to make up my mind.

[Elliotw]

Who'd get a BRZ as a DD? 2 doors 1 back seat (0.5 + 0.5) no torque.(aka bad for city/traffic driving) I'd go Fiesta ST, Civic SI for daily. Both superior cars for that use case.

A fun car to take on the track and back road. RWD Lightweight NA all the way.(BRZ)

If you really want a BRZ i would suggest buying two cars. A users 2013/2014 BRZ/FRS for 15-20k and a used civic 2010-2014 civic for 10-15k for DD. Those in total roughly equal top of the line brand new BRZ.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by athos56

Oh %#$*$ wait, is the answer the GTI?? Time to research, still got got about 30 hours to make up my mind.

GTI is never the answer. Miata, on the other hand... .

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Elliotw

Who'd get a BRZ as a DD? 2 doors 1 back seat (0.5 + 0.5) no torque.(aka bad for city/traffic driving) I'd go Fiesta ST, Civic SI for daily. Both superior cars for that use case.

A fun car to take on the track and back road. RWD Lightweight NA all the way.(BRZ)

If you really want a BRZ i would suggest buying two cars. A users 2013/2014 BRZ/FRS for 15-20k and a used civic 2010-2014 civic for 10-15k for DD. Those in total roughly equal top of the line brand new BRZ.

I mean, if you don't have kids or have to drive in a city very often it's a fine DD. Decent on gas, easy maintenance, plenty of trunk space and fun to drive. Unless it has 4 doors, the rear seats are going to be terrible anyway.

I'd argue that an older built Miata or Corvette make a better purely track car for less money, but we digress.

[Jo0]

Originally Posted by Elliotw

Who'd get a BRZ as a DD? 2 doors 1 back seat (0.5 + 0.5) no torque.(aka bad for city/traffic driving) I'd go Fiesta ST, Civic SI for daily. Both superior cars for that use case.

A fun car to take on the track and back road. RWD Lightweight NA all the way.(BRZ)

If you really want a BRZ i would suggest buying two cars. A users 2013/2014 BRZ/FRS for 15-20k and a used civic 2010-2014 civic for 10-15k for DD. Those in total roughly equal top of the line brand new BRZ.

Bought my BRZ for DD. I drive to the train station to ride to work in downtown. I have a third person in my car once in a blue moon. I'm usually solo or with the wife. Once I have kids or sometime in the next couple of years I'll buy a used chevy 4x4 dual cab.

Hopefully both will be supercharged in my lifetime. I know for sure the BRZ will be.

[feardemon]

I daily mine compared to what I was driving, BRZ makes me smile everywhere. I knew when I first sat in one didn't even test drive just ordered it with performance pack and that was that. Couldn't be happier with my choice. What first put this car on my radar was this wonderful

The moment he kicks it out on those curves drove me to research this car like crazy.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Elliotw

no torque.(aka bad for city/traffic driving)

lolno

[olsonpg]

who in their right mind would ever recommend a civic instead of this platform ?