STi owner (now BRZ) jumping in late

[Bristecom]

That model/style/color STI is my favorite! But I liked the way the Evo VIII/IX felt inside and drove better (other than the engine maybe).

[wheelhaus]

Originally Posted by Whitigir

How exactly does a 130 torque at 3300 RPM make it more enjoyable for you vs a car which make 250 at 1500 ? I still don't get it

It's difficult to describe if you just "don't get it", because that means you probably never will, and that is unfortunate. The replies above have pretty much hit it. The 86 is a lightweight driver's car, which means it's designed for someone who enjoys the act of performance driving and the connection with the machine. The subtle differences in characteristics of the steering feel, how it transitions it's weight, the seating position, pedal position, chassis balance, shifter feel, etc. all add up to make a car that is so much fun to drive as-is that it doesn't NEED 300+hp to be exciting. A HUGE part of driving excitement is pushing a machine to it's limits, and the 86 has accessible limits without being extremely dangerous, so you can have more fun with it more often. It would certainly still be exciting with 300+hp, but it just wouldn't be the same; it wouldn't have the same spirit.

Originally Posted by Brzetto

I wouldn't call that boring, I would have got the same color but then again I have this thing for blue.

I was in the same boat and nearly ordered a BRZ in World Rally Blue, especially because the last two STi's I had were that color, it's sentimental and I liked sporting the WRC colors. However, the BRZ in Dark Grey just struck me, and I decidedly wanted something a bit more understated.

[Brzetto]

Originally Posted by wheelhaus

It's difficult to describe if you just "don't get it", because that means you probably never will, and that is unfortunate. The replies above have pretty much hit it. The 86 is a lightweight driver's car, which means it's designed for someone who enjoys the act of performance driving and the connection with the machine. The subtle differences in characteristics of the steering feel, how it transitions it's weight, the seating position, pedal position, chassis balance, shifter feel, etc. all add up to make a car that is so much fun to drive as-is that it doesn't NEED 300+hp to be exciting. A HUGE part of driving excitement is pushing a machine to it's limits, and the 86 has accessible limits without being extremely dangerous, so you can have more fun with it more often. It would certainly still be exciting with 300+hp, but it just wouldn't be the same; it wouldn't have the same spirit.

I was in the same boat and nearly ordered a BRZ in World Rally Blue, especially because the last two STi's I had were that color, it's sentimental and I liked sporting the WRC colors. However, the BRZ in Dark Grey just struck me, and I decidedly wanted something a bit more understated.

Fair enough My BRZ is my first Subaru, naturally I had to jump in with what I feel is the best color for the car.

[zc06_kisstherain]

congrat on BRZ and wow 2 toy cars! i wish i can do that

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Whitigir

How exactly does a 130 torque at 3300 RPM make it more enjoyable for you vs a car which make 250 at 1500 ? I still don't get it

Gearing.

-alex

[LeeMaster]

Congratulations on the purchase, I've always wanted an 06 STi.

[WolfpackS2k]

Some of you guys are being ridiculous. The BRZ is not fast. Just admit it. The car's glaring pitfall and main source of criticism is it's engine. And you cannot deny that it would be more enjoyable to drive with an extra 50-75 hp (hell, probably 30 could do it). Adding that horsepower will do nothing to diminish the driving enjoyment you already have.

The BRZ/s handling prowess already allows it to take twisty turns are more than double the speed limit. I know all the cloverleaf exit/entrance ramps around me can be taken at 65 mph+ and people are probably surprised to see a car being flung onto the interstate already exceeding the posted limit. I'm not sure how that can be called "low limit" fun. And adding more horsepower won't get you through the turn faster. It just might get you there faster, as well as require the use of your brakes a bit more.

There's nothing great about this engine, though I will admit I thought it sounded pretty good the other day at 6000 rpm in 4th gear when I was passing someone on a 2 lane section of Hwy 49 driving to Charlotte.

BTW speaking from personal experience you picked great color

[zc06_kisstherain]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Some of you guys are being ridiculous. The BRZ is not fast. Just admit it. The car's glaring pitfall and main source of criticism is it's engine. And you cannot deny that it would be more enjoyable to drive with an extra 50-75 hp (hell, probably 30 could do it). Adding that horsepower will do nothing to diminish the driving enjoyment you already have.

The BRZ/s handling prowess already allows it to take twisty turns are more than double the speed limit. I know all the cloverleaf exit/entrance ramps around me can be taken at 65 mph+ and people are probably surprised to see a car being flung onto the interstate already exceeding the posted limit. I'm not sure how that can be called "low limit" fun. And adding more horsepower won't get you through the turn faster. It just might get you there faster, as well as require the use of your brakes a bit more.

There's nothing great about this engine, though I will admit I thought it sounded pretty good the other day at 6000 rpm in 4th gear when I was passing someone on a 2 lane section of Hwy 49 driving to Charlotte.

BTW speaking from personal experience you picked great color

Well said. I didnt look for power when i bought this car. But everyone is wishing little more power

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by zc06_kisstherain

But everyone is wishing little more power

I'm not. It's fine as is. If it had more power, it would need better tires, or people would be crashing it in the rain left and right. It's already very tail-happy in the wet as is. And if it had better tires it would be even less fun on the street.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

I'm not. It's fine as is. If it had more power, it would need better tires, or people would be crashing it in the rain left and right. It's already very tail-happy in the wet as is. And if it had better tires it would be even less fun on the street.

I drove a stock KA S13 for a long, long time. With the proper gearing and a few more HP, it was underpowered but super fun...

The BRZ/FRS is about 30+more RWHP, and about the same weight.

Anyone complaining about power needs to just buy another car.

-alex

[WolfpackS2k]

If it had more power, it would need better tires, or people would be crashing it in the rain left and right.

That's just a ridiculous thing to say. First, it has traction control. Second, even with more power the tire size is just fine. We're talking about a 2700 lb car here, with less than half the weight on the rear tires. It's not like those 215 section width tires are overtaxed.

The Mercedes Benz C63 AMG has 451-481hp (depending on options) and it's rear tires are only 30 mm wider than the FRS/BRZ/s. You don't hear about them "crashing in the rain" all the time. I only mention this car because when "under tired" comes to mind this is the car that always pops into my head.

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

That's just a ridiculous thing to say. First, it has traction control. Second, even with more power the tire size is just fine. We're talking about a 2700 lb car here, with less than half the weight on the rear tires. It's not like those 215 section width tires are overtaxed.

The Mercedes Benz C63 AMG has 451-481hp (depending on options) and it's rear tires are only 30 mm wider than the FRS/BRZ/s. You don't hear about them "crashing in the rain" all the time. I only mention this car because when "under tired" comes to mind this is the car that always pops into my head.

And how often crazy kids are buying AMG mercs and installing some automatic VSC/TC defeat relays?

In general the longer the wheel base the harder it is to spin a car into a pole.

Who said anything about tire size? It's the particular make/model of the tire that is quite slippery in the wet.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

Who said anything about tire size? It's the particular make/model of the tire that is quite slippery in the wet.

Horrible compound. Great for highway mileage though.

[WolfpackS2k]

^^I'm not sure what you're complaining about then? Seems to me it would be quite easy to mount a different tire.