Doug Demuro’s review of my personal 2018 BRZtS

[Rai-zero]

Did the old E30 M3 have a small 200 hp four cylinder engine? I thinks so.

I can name scores cars that are well regarded that are not insanely fast starting with the S2000.

I’ll admit that the BRZ could use more beans but it’s still great.

I think if someone wanted 3,4,500hp they can buy Mustangs, Charrgers even Z cars.

The BRZ probably is similar to GTi or Civic Si and slower than high power versions like type R

As said, there is not shortage of 300+++ power cars

I guess the gripe can be the tS is so nice otherwise it’s s shame it’s still lower powered, that’s fine but imo doesn’t make the tS a bad car.

When Doug can say “Integra feels quick... the Integra is nice in that it allows you to have fun without getting crazy speeds...” but he doesn’t say the same/similar thing about the BRZ which is every bit as quick as the Integra (quicker in fact).

[Rai-zero]

The BRZ to put in persecutive is not far off the road test 1989 5.7L Corvette

https://www.caranddriver.com/archive...ad-test-review

0-100 mph 16.2s

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...al-test-review

0-100 mph 16.3s


Maybe that’s still slow but at one time would have been a relatively fast car.

[yurikaze]

If we're going to leave out handling, which the tS (heck even the standard BRZ) absolutely destroys a type R on...

1998-2000 Integra Type-R
0-60: 6.6 seconds
Standing ¼-mile: 15.2 sec @ 93 mph
Price adjusted for inflation: $36926.38
Number built: 3,823



2018 BRZ tS
0-60: 6.2 seconds
1/4 mile: 14.8@95
Price: $33,495
Number built: 500

Test results both by Car&Driver.

I'm trying to see why people compare it to a type-R and find the tS lacking, even though you're buying a faster, better handling, better braking, rarer car for less money...

[funwheeldrive]

Originally Posted by yurikaze

If we're going to leave out handling, which the tS (heck even the standard BRZ) absolutely destroys a type R on...

1998-2000 Integra Type-R
0-60: 6.6 seconds
Standing ¼-mile: 15.2 sec @ 93 mph
Price adjusted for inflation: $36926.38
Number built: 3,823



2018 BRZ tS
0-60: 6.2 seconds
1/4 mile: 14.8@95
Price: $33,495
Number built: 500

Test results both by Car&Driver.

I'm trying to see why people compare it to a type-R and find the tS lacking, even though you're buying a faster, better handling, better braking, rarer car for less money...

People have run 14.9 on a stock ITR, so it's basically a driver's race when it comes to straight line acceleration. The first year the ITR was released was 1995, so I would hope that the tS outperforms on the ITR considering there is a 22 year gap between the two models.

What I appreciate about the Integra Type R are all the changes that make it unique compared to the GSR model. Honda focused on reducing weight, added power over the GSR, and increased the rev limit of the car. It's pretty difficult to make a Type R clone as it would involve an engine swap, weight reduction, switching to 5 lug hubs, etc. Basically it was a special car that stood by itself compared to other Integras.

The tS on the otherhand is not terribly different from a BRZ with performance package. The majority of the changes are exterior/interior dress up accessories packaged with bigger wheels and some suspension pieces that could easily be added to a performance package. To be honest I bet the upgraded tires account for a lot of the performance differences between the performance package BRZ and tS.

I wish Subaru would have done something unique to set the car apart, like a carbon fiber roof or higher redline. Instead we got a massive wing that looks like it came off ebay.

Originally Posted by Rai-zero

When Doug can say “Integra feels quick... the Integra is nice in that it allows you to have fun without getting crazy speeds...” but he doesn’t say the same/similar thing about the BRZ which is every bit as quick as the Integra (quicker in fact).

I owned a stock Integra GSR during the same time I owned my FRS. Even though the GSR was slower, it felt just as fast as my FRS did. I think a big part of that was due to the linear torque delivery and the fact that the engine in the GSR was a lot more rev happy compared to my FRS. I could only imagine what a more powerful and lighter weight ITR is like to drive.

[Rai-zero]

The BRZ is a lot cheaper than the S2000 after inflation, the S2K engine is a masterpiece but the car would have been $48k in todays dollars.

[Lantanafrs2]

I don't see how they would justify the cost of an additional 40 horsepower. That would require a lot of changes on the vehicle. An oem isn't just gonna throw more motor in it.

[Rai-zero]

I like Doug's videos for the most part because he covers a lot of different vehicles from all time periods.

His problem (IMO) is his road test. Here is an example: He's driving a Lambo for example on a suburban street and he'll step on the gas pedal and start to laugh "OMG this is fast..."

most of the time I will just skip his driving test or just watch for a minute because I know it's super lame.

I think he knows it's super lame too because out of a 20-25 minute video maybe 4-5 minutes will be driving the car.

Problem is

1) driving on suburban street is not a road test. You should really test the car on a track (like motor trend does) or on a back road near the limits if possible. I mean if you have a BRZ and you are tooling on in 2nd gear at 2500 rpm and you step on the gas that's not really going to show much and you will come away with a meh rating.


You all have probably seen this but this is a proper review the guy had driven the car 3000+ KM in a 2 weeks.


Doug probably drives less than 10 miles (my estimate)



[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPtX42Ttkqo[/ame]

[Lantanafrs2]

It's called a road test not a track test

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

I wish Subaru would have done something unique to set the car apart, like a carbon fiber roof or higher redline. Instead we got a massive wing that looks like it came off ebay.

I guess the Toyota 86GRMN is more in line with what Honda did with the DC2 Integra Type R.

I don't think SOA has ever imported an authentic limited special edition STI model from Japan. SOA is a mass volume seller you can't count on them to even think about offering fancy options like its JDM parent.

I remember back in the day the Integra GS-R felt just as fast as the slightly more powerful Prelude SR-V but I've only rode shotgun in both. Didn't the vtec kick in much earlier at 4400rpm compare to later products?

[justinco]

Originally Posted by yurikaze

..
In addition, it can embarrass many cars costing much more.

Complaining that the tS isn't any good because it's not any quicker in daily driving is like complaining a scalpel makes a horrible butterknife. You're simply using a great tool for the wrong purpose.

Great stuff, and I would agree! I am always surprised at the capability of these cars on the track against much more powerful cars. Corner speed and handling is so much better and faster. I get much satisfaction out of lapping much larger and much more powerful cars, whether it is in my BRZ or the e36 haha.

[Lantanafrs2]

Cuz just like it is with bikes, more power will have less experienced racers overbraking for corners and late on the gas coming out.

[Lantanafrs2]

If my commute involved a chicane and a bunch of corners I'd have stayed stock. Unfortunately south Florida driving is more of a light to light affair.

[wild03]

Originally Posted by Lantanafrs2

If my commute involved a chicane and a bunch of corners I'd have stayed stock. Unfortunately south Florida driving is more of a light to light affair.

Howdy, what mods did you do to your car and what's your opinion of them? Bang for buck...

BTW here's a review of 4 rwd cars including 17 brz.

[Lantanafrs2]

Header and e85 tune. Careful shopping can get you 30 horse and a useable torque curve for less than a grand