Reality Sets In for the BRZ

[JDMenrique]

I pick up my 2 year old from daycare every day... it is what it is, a 2+2. Is it a little impractical? Yes. But c'mon now its not like you're pulling teeth, get over it.

[Longhorn248]

The stereo buttons suck, the ride is stiff, the center console is poorly designed, the seats can sometimes be uncomfortable, the speakers aren't the best, the back seat is tiny, the trunk is small, I've had condensation in my rear tail light, my engine chirps every once in a while, I lose my GPS signal, and the tires are off a Prius...but every time I come up to a sharp corner on the road, downshift, and then give the car a little power through the exit a huge smile comes across my face and all of a sudden all of that doesn't matter.

[kludger]

I knew I was buying a purpose built RWD sports car which had a few convenience items added (2+2, basic Nav and sound) whereas they were expecting another cupholder equipped family friendly practical hatchback with a "GT" sports package added similar to the GTI, Focus ST etc...

Personally I'll take the priority being on the sportscar side as opposed to priority on family friendly convenience, we already have a Mazda5 as the family car for that, but my BRZ still works in a pinch to pick the kids up from school.

[Wattage]

I knew this car wasn't exactly practical when I bought it, but I don't need practical right now.

If I had 3 kids and needed to haul heavy shit around I would have bought a truck. Hell, my next vehicle probably will be a truck. But I didn't buy my FRS with the expectation that I would be doing anything practical other than driving myself to work.

[SubieNate]

On the speakers - I really don't think the drivers themselves are the issue. It's something inside the door buzzing. So the driver replacement he mentioned in the article was probably pointless.

Put some dynamat or similar (I prefer SDS Tiles ) on the doorcards and sheetmetal, use a bit of lightweight open cell foam between things that could rattle and you're golden, with maybe ~10 pounds added to the car. If it matters that much to you.

Everything else is pretty generic and could apply to 99% of 2+2 coupes.

I don't get all the complaints on the interior quality myself. I think the plastics are fine for a $26k car and the center console is utilitarian and minimalistic and doesn't get in the way of shifting. I like being able to put my drink far enough back that most of the time it's not in the way of my elbow. I hated on my Impreza how the cup holder was up high in the dash, if it spilled at all it would get ALL over the place. With the FR-S, I lay a microfiber over the cupholder before I put a cup in it, and usually ask for the little plugs for the lids in paper coffee cups.

Most of the time, I make coffee at work with my french press and a desktop water boiler. It tastes better anyway.

Nathan

[BRZnut]

I think the writters would be better off with a boat like a maxima

[Superhatch]

I drove an Escalade last week. I took it auto-xing and used it for a 100m round trip to work.

I'll say I'm less than impressed with it's fuel economy and it's handling ability.











/sarcasm

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by SubieNate

On the speakers - I really don't think the drivers themselves are the issue. It's something inside the door buzzing. So the driver replacement he mentioned in the article was probably pointless.

Put some dynamat or similar (I prefer SDS Tiles ) on the doorcards and sheetmetal, use a bit of lightweight open cell foam between things that could rattle and you're golden, with maybe ~10 pounds added to the car. If it matters that much to you.

Everything else is pretty generic and could apply to 99% of 2+2 coupes.

I don't get all the complaints on the interior quality myself. I think the plastics are fine for a $26k car and the center console is utilitarian and minimalistic and doesn't get in the way of shifting. I like being able to put my drink far enough back that most of the time it's not in the way of my elbow. I hated on my Impreza how the cup holder was up high in the dash, if it spilled at all it would get ALL over the place. With the FR-S, I lay a microfiber over the cupholder before I put a cup in it, and usually ask for the little plugs for the lids in paper coffee cups.

Most of the time, I make coffee at work with my french press and a desktop water boiler. It tastes better anyway.

Nathan

From what I can tell the door buzzing is from the piece of plastic that the window switches are mounted to. It's screwed into the door panel. If you hold that piece down the buzzing will go away. A bit of foam around the edges of that bit will probably stop the noise, but I've been too lazy to take my door apart again and give it a try.

[DEC1]

Originally Posted by Longhorn248

The stereo buttons suck, the ride is stiff, the center console is poorly designed, the seats can sometimes be uncomfortable, the speakers aren't the best, the back seat is tiny, the trunk is small, I've had condensation in my rear tail light, my engine chirps every once in a while, I lose my GPS signal, and the tires are off a Prius...but every time I come up to a sharp corner on the road, downshift, and then give the car a little power through the exit a huge smile comes across my face and all of a sudden all of that doesn't matter.

+1
I drive 140 miles round trip to work each day and have been doing that since June. I now have ~14K on the car and still like it because I recognized what I was buying and the potential compromises. EVERY car, regardless of price, is a compromise in some way.
I think the article is accurate. Especially regarding the infuriating head unit and the bluetooth that doesn't work properly (at least for me)
It is clear that Toyobaru's focus was on handling dynamics and all of that...creature comforts came in as a far second place and it shows.
Hopefully now they will focus on a better interior ergonomic experience (read: better head unit, better console, improved aesthetics).
I love this car even with its shortcomings and cant imagine another I would pick to replace it.

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by draggin_az

"normal" people dont care about cars. to them its just and item that gets them from point A to point B.

this is true,hence WHY so many civics and corollas are sold.economy,usefulness,and getting from point a to point b WITHOUT "breaking"
for years,and years..just sayin'

[GotM]

If this car should be compared to practical cars, then I bought the wrong car .

I was actually happy when I saw t he true lack of leg room in the back seat. Now, I dont have to worry about having passengers back there.

I dont like that I have read about the various issues people have had with their cars. But, I think this happens with a lot of cars. I jsut came from a BMW 135. It ws on it's 3rd HPFP. The AC crapped out every year of ownership. Along with a few other issues along the 3 years of ownership.

[jmaryt]

i hear ya on the "back seat " passengers! i believe if ya get hit hard
the passenger(s) in the back would get seriously f**ked up!

[carbonBLUE]

Originally Posted by Dorb

Sounds like some folks made a blind purchase and now not happy.. Who would buy this as a family car?

I did, plenty practical

[NamSin]

Love reviews like this. It keeps soccer moms and car poolers from giving the brz /f-rs/ 86 a bad name and stops it from becoming the new hair dressers car

As far as the so called "reviewers": if your main criteria to gauge a cars worthiness is starbucks you should be taking the bus while wearing a helmet.