Adequate/Inadequate power for DD on stock BRZ?

[Summerwolf]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

You're right on the money. The journalists started this underpowered circlejerk. I'm ticked off that the Miata always gets a pass on that, and our cars get ridiculed for it.

The 240sx is revered as a chassis now. It's impossible to find one anymore, and they were far less powerful than our cars.


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The 240sx is also easily sr20 swapped though and that motor had a very easy to upgrade turbo setup. I don't even remember the last time I saw a 240 that did have a ka in it.

Miata gets a pass because roadster.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

Miata gets a pass because roadster.

Miata gets a pass because it first hit the market almost 30 years ago when people still remembered MGs, Triumphs and Austin Healeys. It was meant to fill the market niche vacated by those brands, so it wasn't expected to have huge power. It still isn't today because Mazda has been smart enough to stick to that market and not allow it to creep into competition with other niches.

The auto press doesn't give our car a pass because none of them are old enough to know what a GT6 or MGB GT is. With limited life experience, all they have to compare it to is other grand touring sports cars of today at twice the cost or the plethora of fake "sports" cars built by slapping go-fast parts on economy shitboxes.

[CB750F]

So tired of this hp stuff, I bought a 2001 Suzuki Esteem with 118hp & no issues as dd
or passing on highway. My wife bought a Mazda2(MT) with a whooping 100 hp & no
issue passing others on the highway, on ramps or anything else either.

I wanted to FI my BRZ before I had 1000km but now with 50,000km, no way, I
like the way it is. Just too much fun.

Mind you, it was wild getting passed by Roush Mustangs on the back straight
at Mosport, like I was standing still.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

Miata gets a pass because it first hit the market almost 30 years ago when people still remembered MGs, Triumphs and Austin Healeys. It was meant to fill the market niche vacated by those brands, so it wasn't expected to have huge power. It still isn't today because Mazda has been smart enough to stick to that market and not allow it to creep into competition with other niches.



The auto press doesn't give our car a pass because none of them are old enough to know what a GT6 or MGB GT is. With limited life experience, all they have to compare it to is other grand touring sports cars of today at twice the cost or the plethora of fake "sports" cars built by slapping go-fast parts on economy shitboxes.

Yep. It doesn't make sense because the Twins are cheaper than even the Miata. It's only direct competition is the Miata. The first head to head I remember reading of the FRS was against a base 987 Cayman 🤨. What the hell right?


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[funwheeldrive]

The Miata gets a pass because it has a linear torque curve and is extremely lightweight for a modern car. The 86 is relatively light, but still 500lbs heavier. Besides, people find things to complain about with the ND too, like excessive body roll, doesn't rev high enough, or not enough cargo space.

[mrg666]

Mine was a very nice car to drive daily in stock. If you like driving, you will love this car in stock. You definitely don't need more power to enjoy the driving qualities of this car. What you enjoy with more power is some other things that were not intended for this car originally. More power doesn't improve the car, it transforms the car. Not in a bad way; it handles the extra power just fine and, sure, it is more fun but makes it a troublemaker too. More power pushes the driver closer to making mistakes that can easily destroy all the pleasure of having the car. I haven't done any mistakes yet but came close. Sometimes, I think it was just fine as stock, it was less stressful at times.

[kb3dow]

Originally Posted by reeves

If you're willing to spend $1-1.5K more, investing in a header + tune really "wakes up" the car IMO = Makes it easier to pass/weave through highway traffic, as you put it. That makes it much more enjoyable as a daily driver.

I am willing to do that (maybe not right away). What I have to read up is if the header (e.g. OFT header + tune) needs the original header to be installed each time the emission test needs to be done.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

The Miata gets a pass because it has a linear torque curve and is extremely lightweight for a modern car. The 86 is relatively light, but still 500lbs heavier. Besides, people find things to complain about with the ND too, like excessive body roll, doesn't rev high enough, or not enough cargo space.

Yes. Soooooo linear. I'll take the torque dip over that dropoff to redline any day.




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[Rubberman]

I have one and the power to weight ratio and the unbelievable handling is second to nothing I have driven. Fuel can be anywhere from 26mpg to 30mpg depending on conditions. All the HP is asy 7000 RPM, so you have to get it up there, but I am very happy with it. Easy to work on too.

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[kb3dow]

Originally Posted by GrantedTaken

...People who can't pass in this car don't know how to drive a stick.

I drove a stick for 10 years till I met with and accident and had to be medivac'd - and was forced to buy an AT (with the usual reasons saying a stick makes you a rash driver etc etc) - but now I want to be more engaged with my driving experience.

Originally Posted by COBlue

...As far as your concern passing traffic, no problem at all, just drop it down a gear or two - but you will actually have to drive it (which I enjoy), just stomping on the gas at 60mph in 6th won't do much.

What I haven't seen in the thread was the other piece for me - practicality. First thing I did at the dealer was climb in back - I'm 6' and I fit, wouldn't ride back there for long, but it works. My kids love riding in back...

I am 6'3" with a daughter who is almost 6' - during my test drive I found the interior fit me like a cockpit (unlike the miata-rf that I test drove and was kinda tight wrt interior space).

[new2subaru]

Originally Posted by mrg666

Mine was a very nice car to drive daily in stock. If you like driving, you will love this car in stock. You definitely don't need more power to enjoy the driving qualities of this car. What you enjoy with more power is some other things that were not intended for this car originally. More power doesn't improve the car, it transforms the car. Not in a bad way; it handles the extra power just fine and, sure, it is more fun but makes it a troublemaker too. More power pushes the driver closer to making mistakes that can easily destroy all the pleasure of having the car. I haven't done any mistakes yet but came close. Sometimes, I think it was just fine as stock, it was less stressful at times.

Excellent post. A very good analogy on going FI. Thanks!

[kb3dow]

Originally Posted by Twinz

If you don't mind downshifting, the power is fine.

Have no problem with at all with downshifting - I'd do that without thinking!

[Lantanafrs2]

1500$ with some smart shopping changes the car substantially.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by Rubberman

All the HP is at 7000 RPM

That must be annoying when it only revs to 6500.

Either way, happy you like it. I like the ND too, if I only needed 2 seats I'd have considered it once it turned 3 years old.



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