STi to BRZ? Who Else Made The Switch?

[Liehtw8]

I also have a 05 STI 385hp, and I almost traded it in on my BRZ. But just couldn't do it. The STI is paid off and costs me nothing but insurance. The feeling that was in my stomach when it came down to the trade was un-barable. There was no way I could part with it. The BRZ is an amazing car so far, but I love the fact that when I want to go beat up on some "american muscle" I can.

If your in a position that you can have both, hold onto the STI for now. Revisit the idea after you spent some time with your BRZ.

(I know not everyone can have two or more cars, or even have the parking space. But OP didn't say)

[pmccut]

I absolutely love your car, and mostly agree. I drove a friends BRZ-L for a couple weeks and it was fun..but I just can't give up my 12 WRX (Stage2, RCE T2s..basically better KW v3s, lots more) without adding power to the BRZ. I'll be picking one up once my turbo kit comes in and slap it on immediately!

Originally Posted by Jive Turkey

here is my story.

used to own this:



do i miss it? yes mainly because of the attention it got and the noises. EWG <3 however now that i've gotten into my brz i dont look back. sure i miss the power when i quickly want to put someone in their place, but as i've grown up a bit since my STi i realized that you really don't NEED the power to go fast and to enjoy cars. dont get me wrong, i love getting thrown into the seat from high hp cars as much as the next guy, but overtaking people flat out in a corner when they said your car was slow has a special place in my heart

so the sti was dumb quick, practical, and a head turner. however the BRZ isn't exactly a slouch. for starters my sti got 15mpg's on a good day of me trying to behave myself. balls to the wall in the brz the LOWEST i ever averaged was 22mpg's of pure abuse according to the read out. on the highway it barely eats anything if you're below 70mph. the folding rear seats are great, and the trunk space REALLY isn't that small. i've had people sit in the back seat, and it is usable believe it or not. so it sreally not that unpractical unless you have a family of course.

once i modded the car, i realized that this would leave the sti for dead when the road isn't straight. it handles on another level. its so neutral and nimble vs the sti which was so nose heavy and understeered even after i did basically everything to the suspension. another thing i realized is that the sti was like autopilot at times, point the steering wheel and WOT. the car does the work for you, where as i get a greater smile driving my brz, because i can say i'm doing the work, the car will quickly tell you when you're doing something wrong by letting the ass kick out but its never out of hte blue, you can feel everything.

the last key seller to me was the limited's features. keyless/pushstart, dual zone climate control, nav, bi-xenons, heated seats. the interior is so welcoming and nice as compared to the STi which even with the nav unit was still nothing special at all. the sti seats were too big for me and the BRZ seats are incredible. also just the material on the brz limited feel more solid and more with the times.

if you're thinking you'll regret it, you wont. unless you hate DRIVING and like going straight really fast, then yes i can see why you'd not enjoy it.

here is how mine sits as of now, if you were in jersey i'd gladly throw you the keys and let you make up your own mind. in the end though, see what you're happy with. people kept telling me i shouldn't do it or i'll miss this or that. decide for yourself, because on the internet a lot of people really dont know, and most dont own these cars.

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[MightyMeeple]

To the OP: Have you test driven a BRZ?!

Obviously you already know what to expect with regards to less HP/torque but better balance/feel/steering. I say give it a drive and see how it feels to you.

Unlike many here, I came from a 2005 Acura TL as my daily driver to a BRZ. Two completely different cars with different demographics. But I can say, the yes the TL was faster off the line, and had plenty of torque and power when passing on the interstate...but bad steering and a numb driving experience. With the BRZ I can push that car much closer to the edge and feel much more engaged while doing it...all without getting a ticket.

It all boils down to what you want out of your driving experience.

[enormity]

I traded my 2012 STI Limited in 2 month ago and never looked back. I got a BRZ Limited and love it. I've owned A Camaro SS/RS, an S2000, a Boxster S, an AMG Benz, a G37, and countless other cars and this one is by far my favorite!

[melia]

I sold my '08 STI stage 2+ which was my first real car for my BRZ and I honestly dont regret it even though i thought i would.

I do miss the raw power of the STI I wont lie but the BRZ makes me smile every time i drive it not only when i can hear my ewg opening or when i am going fast.
With the STI yes i had a lot more hp but... it was super heavy, no steering feeling and i hated the fact the car was the one driving. As for gas, it was doing 17mpg.
Yes the STI was amazing in any weather, i also had Michelin Pilot Supersport tires on her so it could have been raining cats and dogs outside and everyone else was driving carefully and my STI did not care

But with the BRZ i love the fact that I am in control when i drive, also it is sooo light and nimble its incredible and the steering feel is unbelievable.

Most importantly i have a lot more fun driving the BRZ than the STI

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by melia

But with the BRZ i love the fact that I am in control when i drive, also it is sooo light and nimble its incredible and the steering feel is unbelievable.

Most importantly i have a lot more fun driving the BRZ than the STI

Yep agree with all of the above. I feel much more connected to the road in my FR-S than I ever did with my STI.

[636]

I went from an STi to an FRS? Does that count? :P



to



Don't regret it at all.

[SliverBrz]

In the span of about 8 years I had an

04 Evo , 05 Sti , then 370z , now brz.

All those cars I mentioned have serious straight line power and forces generated at the seat but for some reason the brz wins me over. They all handle well, but the weight and the body rolls makes it uninspiring through corners.

The precision, lightness, tail happy but great handling of the brz made me forget about straight line. The weight of the brz makes it feel so nimble.

Not to mention, the steering wheel response, shifter, clutch, and seating position beats out all those aforementioned cars IMO.

The two companies did some great thinking when they designed this car, it was purposefully built, and you bet they had handling and fun in mind.

Only thing I miss is straight line from all those cars, but everything else the brz can't be touched.

[jabbathewhat]

Bumping an old thread to see if there are any other people who have done this and to see if the people who originally commented on this still feel the same.

I currently have a modded 2012 STI and am looking into this move possibly.

[mrk1]

I had an '08 STI before the BRZ. It was a lot of fun, all the turbo noises they have are fun on the street. Not to mention when it snows its HEAVEN. However good snow days are only a few times a year.

I bought the brz because it is so much more fun to actually get out and drive. AWD and the low end grunt of the STI really can make even poor lazy drivers appear fast, like training wheels. No power and rwd takes some skill and effort to go fast.

[jabbathewhat]

I like the AWD for launching but other then that I have no need for it(live in Miami where there is no snow and no winding roads to save my life). The one thing I may miss the most is the boost but I am thinking about boosting the BRZ. There are quite a few down here since FA20club is around the corner. Just getting the general consensus from people who were in my same situation.

[iLuveKetchup]

Originally Posted by jabbathewhat

I currently have a modded 2012 STI and am looking into this move possibly.

Do it before you get a ringland failure in that GR!

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by jabbathewhat

Bumping an old thread to see if there are any other people who have done this and to see if the people who originally commented on this still feel the same.

I currently have a modded 2012 STI and am looking into this move possibly.

Still feel the same. If you mostly drive straight lines, keep the STI. If you enjoy track/autocross/curvy backroads, you'll love the Twins.

No regrets here, but again, I went in with a clear understanding that the Twins would be much slower than my STI.

[robot]

Over the last 7 years: 04 sti (5 years) -> 94 miata/dd civic (1 year) -> 99 e36 m3 (~1 year) -> brz

I miss the sti. I miss its utility for carrying people and stuff. I miss that I didn't care about getting rock chips or dirt on it too much. I miss the woosh of the turbo.

I love the brz. The cockpit feel. The newness. The handling is better, more balanced. Ideally I'd have both, but that'll never happen. I will probably end up keeping the brz for a long time. It is a very good car.

I miss the cheapness of the miata. The brz handles better and has a little more power.

I am glad to be rid of the bmw. It did nothing for me really.