Top Gear Coupe of the Year Comparo: GT86 vs BRZ

[EBMCS03]

Originally Posted by Chauntalei

That's correct, the base BRZ in the UK has this, instead of satnav:



Satnav is an option over there for the Subie.

Dude that looks better than the 1960s radio in the scion.

[rice_classic]

So it's confirmed then. BRZ owners posting in the BRZ forum like their BRZ's...

[Enemies]

Originally Posted by pastuch

The NAV is awesome, I use it every day but I want to disable the nanny so I can punch in a destination (or my passenger) while driving.

My only pet peeve with the Nav is that it doesn't show the final address when you reach your destination.

Lets say I'm going to 1067 Main Street. Well, after for driving for 30 minutes I can't remember the street address I entered into the unit and I shouldn't have to. Imo, when I arrive it should put 1067 Main Street on the unit.

[Dorb]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

So it's confirmed then. BRZ owners posting in the BRZ forum like their BRZ's...

And the FR-S owners defend their purchase. - Unless they say they gave up trying to find a BRZ and just went with the FR-S.

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by Enemies

I would have bought a GT86 over a BRZ but not an FR-S. Obviously just my opinion, but GT86 > BRZ > FR-S. I don't really get when people say GT86 = FR-S.

I agree with this except I wouldn't say any one is better than the other. All are good for different reasons. I totally get it why someone would pick an FR-S over a BRZ. If you don't want or need the extra features then it's nice to have a more basic option. When I first read that Toyota would be coming out with this car (like 2009 I think?), I didn't want any added features because to me they just added weight and complexity. However, my tastes have changed since then so that I actually want some creature comforts. What bugs me is that you can only get the FR-S in one trim. Curse you, Scion mono-spec!!

[Frost]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

However, my tastes have changed since then so that I actually want some creature comforts. What bugs me is that you can only get the FR-S in one trim. Curse you, Scion mono-spec!!

Quoted for truth. That's why I wish they had a "GT86" trim that would just give us a fully loaded GT86 complete with GT86 badging... hey, there's an idea for them.

You would get the better cloth seats in the GT86 or leather option (personally I prefer high quality cloth in a sports car). The FR-S cloth feels weird, sticky and does the job but the feel and look is off.

[JDMenrique]

I refuse to read these. I know they are fun for some but others take it too far and tend to get butt hurt over nothing. To me the cars are identical, theres no need for a heated sibling rivalry.

[norm24]

Originally Posted by Dorb

And the FR-S owners defend their purchase. - Unless they say they gave up trying to find a BRZ and just went with the FR-S.

Are we reading the same thread? It seems to me that there are more BRZ owners defending their purchase than FR-S owners. All I read on this thread was "FR-S interior is cheap", "It's has the Scion badge", "If it was a Toyota, I'd pick it over the BRZ", blah, blah, blah...

[2013GTRNate]

I am buying a BRZ for the extras... I have driven a GT86 here in Okinawa, Japan and I prefer and will buy the BRZ... I like Subaru brand over Toyota and definitely over Scion... Nothing personal but each brand carries its own "STIGMA", thus is life! IMHO just be happy with your purchase...

[Smudgeous]

As others have mentioned, I also was looking at sticking with Toyota's version until I learned that it came in only 1 option - comparable to the Japanese 86G trim level, but with larger wheels.. No HIDs, LED daytime running lights, smart key, climate control, satnav, or leather/alcantara seat options that the top-end models in all countries they're sold as Toyotas have access to. The increased rear spring rates and lower front rates did look interesting, however.

The moment I first spun the BRZ Limited's climate control knob, I realized I was seriously debating the higher model, and once I actually sat in both the BRZ Premium and FRS, I realized that there was no way I could justify dropping $25k for Yaris HVAC controls. I originally didn't care about any of the other creature comforts, but with plans on keeping this thing around for at least half a decade, that one issue alone pushed me from Hot Lava to WRB.

If I were looking for a weekend fun/track car, I'd be all over the FRS as it feels like the purest canvas to build a monster that we get in NA (I'm interested in seeing how many would have grabbed the 86RC if we got it here).

[Jaylyons1]

Originally Posted by Chauntalei

That's correct, the base BRZ in the UK has this, instead of satnav:



Satnav is an option over there for the Subie.

AHH!! oh.. I'm still in 2013... phew...

[reflex2o3]

Originally Posted by Dorb

And the FR-S owners defend their purchase. - Unless they say they gave up trying to find a BRZ and just went with the FR-S.

Funny you say that, at my Subaru dealer, there is every color brz , but at scion dealer you have order for color choice, unfornately scion couldnt deliever a white one for me untill I got a red one, I do like the brz package, but if im geting my frs at 23xxx thats what i'm going to go with instead, n the frs makes me feel younger, that is my defend

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by Dorb

And the FR-S owners defend their purchase. - Unless they say they gave up trying to find a BRZ and just went with the FR-S.

I know we're both here in the echo chamber but it seems like you and I are reading different threads.

[robo_robb]

Originally Posted by Enemies

I would have bought a GT86 over a BRZ but not an FR-S. Obviously just my opinion, but GT86 > BRZ > FR-S. I don't really get when people say GT86 = FR-S.

They say the two are the same because the FR-S is the name of the 86 in North America. ALL of the parts from the FR-S are shared with varying trim levels of the 86. Most importantly, they share the same playful suspension, which, ultimately, saw the Toyota win this comparo.