Doug Demuro’s review of my personal 2018 BRZtS

[funwheeldrive]

Originally Posted by daiheadjai

No kidding.
For the price, I think even I would have rated the tS worse than the regular BRZ.

But then that's based on my set of priorities - someone who tracks it, or really really loves what the tS offers, would see differently.

I guess, the V6 Camaro ILE is arguably a better track car than the tS and it is also less expensive. And now that the MY19 Miata is out that will also give the tS a run for its money.

Originally Posted by krayzie

I bet those Pilot Sport 4 tires are just too good.

Agreed, how much grip/tire do you really need with a car that barely puts down 175hp to the wheels? Again, I know that it's setup more for the track, but it is still a street car front and foremost.

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by Sasquachulator

Then you add the tS tweaks and you make the ride worse for the road cuz now its stiffer and more harsh, but it gives it more athleticism on the track.

I haven't had a chance to drive this new North American BRZ tS but I have a lot of the pre-facelift era parts from the JDM STI catalog and they have made my car anything but stiffer or more harsh. The more athleticism is there but the ride has actually become more comfortable than stock.

The only thing I've never bought for the car is really grippy track tires or 18" wheels. I have 17" and Advan Fleva (Pilot Sport A/S 3 before).

[MJones_RB]

Doug's a personable guy, a regular Joe who reviews cars on the general basis of their initial impressions and most notable quirks, like most non-technical people would. Youtube is packed full of more technical car reviews, full of stats and lap tests.

I've had my car for 5 years and still haven't tried this:

[Tokay444]

When some who knows nothing about cars has the money and access to cars...

[funwheeldrive]

Originally Posted by Tokay444

When some who knows nothing about cars has the money and access to cars...

I'm willing to bet he knows more about cars than the majority of people on here.

[GrantedTaken]

Let me guess what this cliche parroting clown monkey tool says about the BRZ

1. Rear seats are only good if you're a 6 year old trapeze artist.
2. Look at the giant round tach.
3. Cheap clock!
4. Precise steering.
5. Bolt action shifter
6. Nice handling (as he drives on suburban streets littered with SUV's)
7. Prius tires!
8. NEEDS TURBO!!! TOO SLOW!! (Shifts at 3k)

[Chuckls]

*Triggered while driving my tS*

[wild03]

When criticizing the car wouldn't you have to ask: "compared to what?" and for it to be a fair comparison would you have to restrict yourself to a certain prize point?

Looking at a Limited for example, what other car provides better X in the mid to high 20K range? Hyundai Veloster Turbo?

Reason I ask is because about the only other car I had in mind was the Miata, but I needed the extra seating. Wondering what else i could have considered.

Also to consider that a turbo would make the car faster but with added complexity and reliability issues I assume.

Thanks.

[Veloist]

I can see how it can be annoying to some people, but I don't have a problem with someone criticizing a car that they haven't spent their money on.

Besides, Subaru has already sold 373 BRZ tS's out of the 500 they claimed they would make. (The STI Type RA is only ahead of the BRZ tS by 9 units with 382).

[dhuang]

Originally Posted by NCtoBRZ

I didn't "miss the point". It was stated that this guy was a big gearhead, but his videos clearly reflect that he isn't really very knowledgeable about the mechanicals and details of the cars that he reviews.

Unfortunately because of his massive Youtube following, he has to appeal to the general audience now -- He's told me this after his view numbers starting going up.

When I used to get lunch with him post-Caffeine & Octane (Atlanta's Cars & Coffee), we'd sit outside and he'd rattle off very specific facts about the cars passing by:

"They only made that car in that color with those wheels in 2007."

"That car has xyz package and they only brought xx number into the US."

He's a gearhead. But give him a wrench and he will promptly return it back to you.

[yurikaze]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

Agreed, how much grip/tire do you really need with a car that barely puts down 175hp to the wheels? Again, I know that it's setup more for the track, but it is still a street car front and foremost.

I've actually just upgraded to ADVAN A048 semi-slicks because I was running out of lateral traction at the track while chasing down 911's and GTR's.
I really have to say, that everything done to the tS compared to the PP becomes amplified when you put a set of legitimate R-compounds on it. It honestly feels like every part of the car was actually tuned for race tires rather than the PS4's. The draw stiffeners, suspension, everything, just gets brought out even more when you have tires that are exceptionally sticky with super stiff sidewalls.

[NCtoBRZ]

Originally Posted by wild03

When criticizing the car wouldn't you have to ask: "compared to what?" and for it to be a fair comparison would you have to restrict yourself to a certain prize point?

Looking at a Limited for example, what other car provides better X in the mid to high 20K range? Hyundai Veloster Turbo?

Reason I ask is because about the only other car I had in mind was the Miata, but I needed the extra seating. Wondering what else i could have considered.

Also to consider that a turbo would make the car faster but with added complexity and reliability issues I assume.

Thanks.

The Miata is really the closest driving experience to the BRZ (similar price, RWD, lightweight). The Veloster is nothing like the BRZ... it’s a FWD econobox with terrible steering. The Veloster N is a step up from a standard Veloster turbo, but the price starts getting pretty steep for a FWD Hyundai.

[GrantedTaken]

Originally Posted by dhuang

He's a gearhead. But give him a wrench and he will promptly return it back to you.

Gearhead is someone who works on cars. DeMuro is nothing but a magazine racer with a 12 year old's understanding of cars. Please do not insult real gearheads with a useless auto journalist.

[GrantedTaken]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

Agreed, how much grip/tire do you really need with a car that barely puts down 175hp to the wheels? .

You ever try turning?