BRZ vs GSR/MX5/STi/Speed3

[jeebus]

Originally Posted by Captain Insano

I like all your reviews, I also owned a MY04 STi too and only disagree with a few points on that one, some comments...

I think the MY04 STi when it came to the USDM was totally badass, raw, and such a unique car I don't think I'll ever quite love another car like I loved that car. And your review of the MY04 STi transmission was spot on. It was absolutely bullet proof... But I think they made that car more geared for a 2.0L turbo engine (EJ207) with peaky power than a 2.5L turbo engine (EJ257) with a small turbo for that size engine that was very good with torque (at that time) for a 4 cylinder turbo engine. Those gear ratios were good for a more peak hungry engine like a 2.0L, but way too close for a car that felt closer to a small 8 cylinder than a 4 cylinder engine to me. The result was a transmission that was SUPER durable, but with gear ratios that felt a little too close for that engine (these are all my subjective opinions).

Acceleration - yep agree with you. No comparison STi is better.

MPG - yep agree again, no comparison BRZ is better.

Seats - yep, agree again. I loved those STi seats when I bought the car. But comparing now the BRZ seats to those STi seats, I do like the BRZ seats a bit more.

Value - yep, BRZ wins for me. I can haul all my kids in it, but still enjoy a sports car nature of the car when they aren't with me. STi had that too and actually had 4 doors, but the BRZ is way cheaper.

I can't agree that the STi handles better. Although you feel more understeer at the limit, the MY04 STi would hand the BRZ it's ass on a track. Any track, take your pic. It obviously does handle better, even though you could feel some understeer at the limit in an unmodified MY04 STi (that was quite easy to tune out with a few modifications as well).

While you might like the feel of the BRZ brakes more, the MY04 STi brakes are better. Even for that car which was a little bit heavier than the BRZ stock for stock.

Interior on MY04 STi was sooo sparse, but I loved that about it. Totally purposeful for practicality (4 doors & AWD) and performance at the same time at a great bargain for a car of its capabilities at that time period. But you are right, the interior if the BRZ if you are comparing is much better.

At the end of the day, I find myself loving both cars for totally different reasons. The BRZ to me is just so FUN. It FEELs like a race car to me without having ridiculous power. This is where I think you have the opinion it handles better, because the way it FEELs.

well said. My "handling" review was pretty subjective. I realize the STi will own the BRZ on an AutoX or track, but it was lacking the balance and feel that the BRZ has. Power to weight being equal, I think the BRZ would give the STi a serious run for the money.

And you're right. It was raw and unique. I liked that about it but also hated that about it. You know what I mean? But when you really put the $ value to it, it seems like that rawness was more cheapness....

[Texas BRZ]

Nice comparison, and good read... Thank you for sharing your perspective.

[xwd]

Great reviews.

I wouldn't say the STI handles better overall than the BRZ. I think it's the whole package of the power, AWD, and diffs which make it faster. The STI has a similar chassis and suspension design only it weighs almost 500lbs more, has a poorer weight distribution, is taller, etc. I have driven quite a few STIs and autocrossed and tracked them. You can't maintain speed through a corner like you can with the BRZ, at least stock for stock. It is like comparing a Miata to a STI, of course the STI is faster but it doesn't truly handle better.

The seats in all of the USDM STIs are terrible IMHO, I replaced mine with the JDM ones.

[Captain Insano]

Originally Posted by jeebus

well said. My "handling" review was pretty subjective. I realize the STi will own the BRZ on an AutoX or track, but it was lacking the balance and feel that the BRZ has. Power to weight being equal, I think the BRZ would give the STi a serious run for the money.

And you're right. It was raw and unique. I liked that about it but also hated that about it. You know what I mean? But when you really put the $ value to it, it seems like that rawness was more cheapness....

Yep, I do know what you mean. People mean different things when they say "handling"... To me that means how fast it can get around a track. I know, not everybody agrees on that, but that's how I think of it.

The rawness versus cheapness, it's kinda just how you view the car. I don't think people looking for a sports car would call and STi Spec C cheap - they love the things the car doesn't have which cut weight. It's not typically viewed as a cheap thing. The lack of padding in the STi roof and sound deadening in general (leading it to have lots and lots of outside noise inside cabin), he lighter glass (thinner) windows, the lack of stereo - all that was done not for cheapness (debatable) but more to save weight that first year.

I do think we are pretty much on the same page with the reviews. Some of my review reads like I prefer the STi, but I don't. I loved that car, but comparing both, the BRZ fits my life alot more than the STi (I even have an AT BRZ so my wife can drive it - not possible in an STi).