The GT86/BRZ/FR-S has taught me a lot

[Sall]

learn to drive mate

[raul]

Originally Posted by ChristosG

I really don't get all this talk of the car being dangerous to drive. Either a lot of people here don't know how to drive or I'm a professional. This is my first RWD car, and I've never had the car slip even in rain, and I drive what I consider fairly spirited for public roads (revving and taking turns quickly). I just don't get it.

No kidding man. This is my first RWD car, I took it on my first AutoX on Sunday, first time with all the nannies off, and I never spun out in 10 runs. I had to make corrections because the tail slid out a bit, but I never lost control. If you let the car talk to you, it'll let you know when the rear is coming out with enough time to correct it.

[Style]

I came from a 99 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS. This car is by far the best car I have driven. This also being my frist RWD car, I followed all the tips that everyone here has and the first one that always comes up is "Never turn traction control off on public roads" I follow this simple rule and everything is OK. On an empty lot I have turned traction control off and did a couple of donuts, man was that awesome. Turned TC back on and went home.

This is my first RWD car and I LOVE it. From now on all of my cars will be RWD because they are really fun to drive. All you have to do is be SMART and not do anything stupid on public roads. Best car I have ever drive. I used to think my wifes Mini was fun but man this is on a different level. Her car is still fun but I prefer the FRS.

Just be smart about it and you will be OK.

[White Shadow]

Originally Posted by SpeedR

Everyone knows that you get the most car control learning done on a rainey day DE or HST.

If you don't understand this you should not be in this conversation!

What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Your post has nothing at all to do with what I said, (which was a joke, btw).

[White Shadow]

Originally Posted by Ingen

Agreed. I tried to play with it in a couple of empty, soaking wet parking lots the other day. In the first one, which had just been seal-coated, it was slick enough that I could get it loose if I worked my tail off to do it. The 2nd lot hadn't been coated and was kind of rough asphalt. I ended up playing with it as a skid pad and the car will practically pull my face off before it gets upset in the turn.

OP, I really don't know how you're losing this car. Are your tires at the right pressure, and is the car aligned well? It makes me wonder if something isn't defective, just because mine is sticking SO HARD.

Seriously? Please tell me you're kidding. These cars don't have nearly the kind of grip that you're suggesting....especially with the OEM tires. If you have to "work your tail off" and then it "pulls your face off", I think you might have been driving a different car.

[SubieNate]

Originally Posted by White Shadow

Seriously? Please tell me you're kidding. These cars don't have nearly the kind of grip that you're suggesting....especially with the OEM tires. If you have to "work your tail off" and then it "pulls your face off", I think you might have been driving a different car.

I could see him thinking that if he's never driven a real performance car before. Many of us have been driving on nothing but UHP and up summer tires for years so the grip doesn't feel absolutely amazing. But I've seen tests where they've pulled .89g with the Primacy's. That's not a small number when compared to the average car.

Nathan

[White Shadow]

Originally Posted by SubieNate

I could see him thinking that if he's never driven a real performance car before. Many of us have been driving on nothing but UHP and up summer tires for years so the grip doesn't feel absolutely amazing. But I've seen tests where they've pulled .89g with the Primacy's. That's not a small number when compared to the average car.

Nathan

I guess that makes sense. If you came from a Nissan Pathfinder or something, I can see how you'd think the handling is "rip your face off" good in an FR-S/BRZ. I guess it all depends on what you've driven in the past. I felt the same way when I first got my E36 M3, but I drove an SUV prior to buying that car.

[njccmd2002]

i drive the car daily in sport mode, and i love it. I respect it too. i learned how to control it.

when it rains, the nannies remain on.

so whats the big fuzz.

Dont be scared of the car, respect it.

You wont play irresponsibly with a gun, why would you do with any car.

[Brett]

Autocross. Learn what is feels like as you approach the limits and get past them in a safe environment surrounded by people who want to help. These cars break away very slowly, and in my experience don't exhibit the snap understeer you'll find on some other cars.

[Ingen]

Originally Posted by White Shadow

Seriously? Please tell me you're kidding. These cars don't have nearly the kind of grip that you're suggesting....especially with the OEM tires. If you have to "work your tail off" and then it "pulls your face off", I think you might have been driving a different car.

Well for one I did get the 'new' oem tires, which are bridgestone somethings, so I guess that could be part of it? Anyway, I did come from a Toyota tacoma haha. I'm used to a very high center of gravity, absolutely numb steering, a very annoying clutch and utterly horrible tires. Also, it didn't come with traction control.

This car's spectacular and absolutely nothing to be afraid of. Unless you're being an absolute goon on public roads you aren't going to overwhelm the available grip unless you hit a mario-kart style banana peel.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Ingen

Well for one I did get the 'new' oem tires, which are bridgestone somethings, so I guess that could be part of it? Anyway, I did come from a Toyota tacoma haha. I'm used to a very high center of gravity, absolutely numb steering, a very annoying clutch and utterly horrible tires. Also, it didn't come with traction control.

The Bridgestones are crap all seasons, the Michelins are performance grand touring summers. So no, you have even less grip compared to most.

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

Honestly?... yes. Yes he should go find skinnier tires. It'll train him better on how RWD works, and keep him from building up the speed to do something lethally dumb.

I gotta say, the number of posts I'm reading from people saying, "Oh, this car is so wild and dangerous, it'll bite you!" and "Ooh, never ever turn the VSC off, because it'll eat you alive"... are scaring the shit out of me. Seriously, did any of you ever actually learn how to drive, or were you just handed your licenses when you turned 16? Just how reckless are you people driving, to get the twins to behave like this? Because mine has approximately all the "bite" my 99 Miata did when it was new.

Welcome to the United States. Unlike other places like Finland, driver's ed here consists of learning how far to park from fire hydrants and stop signs. Nothing at all relates to car control.

It's pathetic.

[Ingen]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

The Bridgestones are crap all seasons, the Michelins are performance grand touring summers. So no, you have even less grip compared to most.

Well crap! lol. I guess if you never had something, you don't miss it?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Ingen

Well crap! lol. I guess if you never had something, you don't miss it?

I wouldn't worry about it, at least you followed break in, which is more that can be said for most.

I would be tempted to take it up with my Scion dealer or get a set of the Michelins from the for sale section for cheap if I was you. Learning to play with the loose rear end is a huge part of the fun of this car, and they really facilitate that.

[Ingen]

I might just. On the bright side, now that I'm out of the break in period I can actually get up past 4k rpm, and have a bit more fun in said parking lots. I might do that this weekend actually. It will probably break free a lot sooner with the power available at the higher RPMs.