New BRZ at NYIAS

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

They sell at that rate because they make them at that rate as much as anything. They said right from the start it was going to be a low production car aimed at a very specific buyer. It isn't like there are 10s of 1,000s of then sitting on lots that haven't sold. If they wanted to sell more they would make more and market the crap out of them. They aren't doing either of those.
You hit the nail on the head though as they won't make a turbo to please a an even smaller segment of the market no matter how much we scream we want it. They were pretty clear on that right from the start as well.

All true, but I think it's all being viewed somewhat incorrectly. Having a higher performance version of the BRZ doesn't mean that it'll sell less than the current NA version. Because 1) there are a lot of people who want a BRZ, just with more power, but were seriously considering an NA one anyways and didn't bite the bullet, 2) people who purchased an NA BRZ, but were underwhelmed after a while and sold it, but would return with more power, and 3) people who would stray from any other performance RWD coupe segment (Mustang, Camaro, Porsche, Hyundai, etc) and try out a more powerful BRZ.

Just my thoughts on it from hours of scouring other forums. People overall like the car a lot, but stray to other segments to have more power with warranty. Subaru could catch a lot of "fish" with a more powerful BRZ, selling each and every one of them until they actually could increase production. In the meantime, they'd get those coupe owners in their dealerships or on their websites, and they'd eventually have their families looking at the non-performance models too. That was their idea with the BRZ initially (I think from SOABlog on NASIOC): Guy walks into the Subaru dealership with his wife to replace their aging Subaru, and sees the BRZ sitting on the showroom floor. He falls in love, having wanted an affordable, sporty coupe, and they purchase TWO Subaru vehicles. Whereas they would've originally only purchased the one, and the BRZ costs Subaru very little to make since it's a shared platform, so it's all win for them. Smart move.

[MokSpeed]

Originally Posted by vividracing

I just think it's kind of an insult to badge the BRZ with STI and all it has is appearance upgrades, nothing at all to the engine. Which is not typical of what's known as STI since on a WRX it means moar powah!

I think the BRZ STI is to the BRZ looking at the WRX STI what the Mitsubishi Lancer OZ is to the Lancer when looking at the EVO. You ask, why even bother? It's still the same car, and the appearance changes aren't even all that great, I can buy better looking trim parts myself.

-RyanG

Forester STi

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

So this is more like Subaru of America begging Subaru of Japan to just continue pushing STI parts to the U.S.

The problem with that is Subaru doesn't seem to realize what's out there that would compete with their parts. A set of BRZ STI springs is $600. Is it really $300 better than RCE, Swift, Hotchkis, Eibach, etc...? No one will buy SPT/STI parts because there are options that are just as good or better for a lot less money.

It would be different if it were a vehicle that you could buy off the showroom floor (e.g., Impreza WRX STi), but people who buy the lower model (WRX) aren't putting STI parts on it, they're going to RCE, Cobb, AP Racing, and whatever else and getting better stuff. People still buy STIs from the dealer though.

[Kostamojen]

You need to recheck those prices, the Yen has dropped a lot compared to the dollar, and a lot of the parts on Japanparts for example are MUCH cheaper now.

[Metabrz]

Originally Posted by Sideways&Smiling

You're joking, right? It's not bullshit at all. This is the engine for a professional racing series. The engine has to be reliable and they restrict power in the GT300. Obviously, it's capable of making much more.

It means nothing though, because no regular FRS/BRZ/86 owner will ever have that engine.

I never said that the engine is not capable of 450.

"They quote it lower on the stand, but that's just an agreement between the Japanese manufacturers," he smiles.

This is nothing but a car sale man building hype.

Is the engine in the concept even working? Have they started it? Why would the official press not be correct?

Its gossip designed to get forum junkies and journo's blood going, nothing more.

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

You need to recheck those prices, the Yen has dropped a lot compared to the dollar, and a lot of the parts on Japanparts for example are MUCH cheaper now.

Fair enough, I pulled that price from Rallispec. On JDMParts it's $500; $250 for the front and $250 for the rear. RCE Yellows are $315 for all four through FT86SF. Are the STI springs really $185 better than the RCE springs?

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Fair enough, I pulled that price from Rallispec. On JDMParts it's $500; $250 for the front and $250 for the rear. RCE Yellows are $315 for all four through FT86SF. Are the STI springs really $185 better than the RCE springs?

I see what you're saying, but it really boils down to how much you trust STI's R&D. They have a thicker driveshaft from the BRZ tS that you can purchase. No one's really stated WHY, but obviously STI thought it was important enough to upgrade the tS to have and allow it to be sold separately. They supposedly test each part carefully to ensure that all of the parts work well for that SPECIFIC Subaru vehicle as a whole. They're in it for the experience, which is in essence what the Twins are about in the first place. So that's what makes "tS" kinda cool, and "STI" awesome in general.

Apparently the STI springs should hold up to a lot more prolonged abuse, including special paint coating to make them durable (which is what any company claims as well). STI has Subaru money behind it, for whatever that's worth, and they specifically focus on Subarus, all day everyday. I have no clue what the stories are with the other aftermarket companies, but their time MAY be divided between other brands of vehicles and not as tuned into the BRZ's characteristics.

At this point I'm totally speculating and talking out my bootyhole, but it's an interesting thought to me. STI parts do drop in price, though. Example: The short shifter was over $500 at first, but is now competitively priced around $300.

[tahdizzle]

I really don't buy the "used cars on BRZs on lots" side of the discussion. The car has already been sold once. Subaru has made their 2 bits on that vehicle. A chance to make more $$ on a 2nd vehicle ( a pretty good chance) isn't a bad thing.
However seeing a BRZ on a lot for 6 months is bad because that takes up $$$ too.

Also lets talk about pricing, it has already been asked if someone would buy a 40,000 dollar brz. I don't think many brz owners would trade in for the newer one with-out carefully considering the purchase.

In other words, I don't think there will be that many people trading old BRZs for new ones.

[JDsThatGuy]

I wouldnt trade my BRZ in if the STi came out at $40k, I'd rather throw a turbo/SC on it myself and save the cash. Lots of good discussion in here btw..

..also lots of speculation :smile:

[Rookie84]

Originally Posted by JDsThatGuy

I wouldnt trade my BRZ in if the STi came out at $40k, I'd rather throw a turbo/SC on it myself and save the cash. Lots of good discussion in here btw..

..also lots of speculation :smile:

I see it differently. If BRZ STi came out with turbo engine, the internals will be more stout and it will easily make as much or more power than NA BRZ's stock internal and fuel system + FI setup reliably with simple stage 1 or 2 tune. Plus the transmission would be more stout as well. I would more than gladly pay $40k for it.

But the sad fact is that it won't happen. I will most likely purchase '16 BRZ when it becomes available and throw on a SC setup.

[B-R-Z]

The only way I would consider trading in my BRZ for a new one is if a turbo model was released. All of these 'special edition' BRZ's (STI, Blue series) are just your same old BRZ/FR-S with different parts tagged with STI, which is nothing I have any interest in. Better brakes, different springs, etc do not mean anything if there's no extra power IMO. I'd pay $35-$40k for a turbo model.

I'll keep my BRZ forever, will probably buy a WRX once it's paid off for turbo fun and to drive in the winter.

[welllam]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[s0sl0w]

It's honestly a bit overdone.

I'd still rock the fuck out of one though.

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Are the STI springs really $185 better than the RCE springs?

The prices I have on Japanparts are $161 for the fronts/rears, total of $322.

But If I were buying new and the STI's really cost more, yes I'd pay the extra for the STI springs.

I got my yellows used for cheap though. I've also had to spend a bit on swaybars to compensate for the yellows spring rate ratios, so it evens out.