Thoughts on 2015 WRX vs 13/14 BRZ

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by thill

Well it is a different animal

- On the plus side it feels really, really, fast after driving a BRZ for so many months. Feels faster than my 2.0T twin scroll Gencoupe as well by at least a second and actually feels faster to me than the 3.8 V6 Gencoupe going 0-60. This is my first AWD non-SUV vehicle and it is just planted around turns.

- AWD in Minnesota is really nice to have. With the Blizzak tires on it, there is nowhere I can't go

- I needed the practicality of the backseats and trunk space and that has been really nice already with the kids.

- The steering wheel controls are nice to have and the car is loads quieter inside.

- The WRX does not feel as heavy as it really is on the street.

- I do not miss the horrible touch screen radio in the BRZ..

On the downside:

- It is not as fun to drive around sharp corners as the BRZ. You can't really slide the rear end out like you can in the BRZ.

- I feel like I am sitting so much higher, well because I am. I miss the gocart feeling of the BRZ.

- The WRX understeer was something I am still adjusting to. I have to slow down on the corners and I am already looking at suspension mods to tighten things up (camber, sway bars, better tires, etc).

- If I don't get a speeding ticket soon it will be a miracle. I constantly find myself going 15mph over the speed limit without even trying in the WRX.

- Gas mileage in the WRX is going to be at least 5mpg worse than the BRZ and they both require premium.

- I miss the pushbutton start in the BRZ.

The FT86 is a very special platform. Lightweight RWD with low center of gravity is something no WRX can mimic, and I will really miss those attributes. The WRX is fun in other ways (power), but I won't lie, the BRZ is a more fun car to drive. I will miss it.


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Rear sway (adjustable 22mm) & a downpipe + protune (get an access port) should be your main mod focuses right now. Don't worry so much about camber & lca's right now.

That'll bring out the WRX's character better. Also, short shifter + front & rear shifter bushings. They'll improve the shifting feel immeasurably.

I drove an 08 WRX from March 2009 till April 2013, and an STi from April '13 till November '13. So, that's where I come from on the mod recommendation side.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[thill]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

Rear sway (adjustable 22mm) & a downpipe + protune (get an access port) should be your main mod focuses right now. Don't worry so much about camber & lca's right now.

That'll bring out the WRX's character better. Also, short shifter + front & rear shifter bushings. They'll improve the shifting feel immeasurably.

I drove an 08 WRX from March 2009 till April 2013, and an STi from April '13 till November '13. So, that's where I come from on the mod recommendation side.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the feedback, the WRX had a short shifter installed at port and it does make a big difference. I am sure thre are better aftermarket ones, but I am pretty happy with the dealer installed option. The Asin in the BRZ is a better gearbox but the WRX is not bad at all. One of the Subaru salesman I have been talking to has a 13 WRX that has aftermarket rear sways installed and he is going to let me drive his car when the weather improves to see how I like the mod. He also has better tires on the car and he felt that made a pretty big difference along with an alighment which adjusted some of the camber in the front. I also want to get the car on the track in the spring to better find the limits and get used to AWD.

I am holding off on a tune right now as the car already has more power than I need I might feel differently after I get used to it, and I am leery of the whole tune/warranty game with Subaru. While I was waiting at the dealer to have my winter tires put on the car the service manager was on the phone with, who I assumed was corporate, and he was talking to them about a car that was in for warranty work that appeared to have a flashed ECU. I did not catch the whole conversation, but I can only assume they were going to deny the warranty repair..

[M-17]

[thill]

^^ I see what you did there

[kuhlka]

Originally Posted by M-17

2015? More like 2008-2014...

The 2015 looks more like a cross between an EvoX and the 2005 STI.



This sure as hell doesn't look like a Corolla.

[kuhlka]

I might finally have a good reason to sell the 05 once the BRZ is paid off.

[M-17]

Yeah, once the pics came out earlier, I've been discussing how much it looked liked an Evo. But hey, I didn't make the meme, I just found it funny to pass along.

[EvilBeaverFace]

Motor Authority article about leaked pics HERE

[kuhlka]

Originally Posted by M-17

Yeah, once the pics came out earlier, I've been discussing how much it looked liked an Evo. But hey, I didn't make the meme, I just found it funny to pass along.

I get it. I was making that observation back in 2008 when they released the hatchback featuring the Toyota Camry front end. IMO, this latest design is what they should have done in 2008. I really hope they do another hatchback. I think it'd look better with the new front end.

[radroach]

I don't think they could have done a better job on the new STI wheels. Same for the 2015 WRX wheels, Crosstrek wheels, and BRZ wheels. All these have been very cool designs.

[boxer 2.5]

WRX wheels are terrible IMHO. Will be swapping them out as soon as I get mine.

[krayzie]

Just in time for 2014 24 hours of Nurburgring I'm sure Subaru can use a new car to beat VW/Audi this year to reclaim the SP3T class.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by radroach

I don't think they could have done a better job on the new STI wheels. Same for the 2015 WRX wheels, Crosstrek wheels, and BRZ wheels. All these have been very cool designs.

I don't know about you, but I really do NOT like the BRZ wheel design. It's just so... blah.

I'm looking forward to replacing them with RPF1's and not just for the weight savings.

Originally Posted by kuhlka

The 2015 looks more like a cross between an EvoX and the 2005 STI.

This is a good thing. The GD STIs looked great, IMO, as do the EVO's.

At least the new STI looks appropriate for an STI.

[mwjcyber]

Unable to determine if I like it or not, usually you shouldn't have to think about it.