Test drove a '15 BRZ, bought a '13 FR-S ... WAY DIFFERENT

[Mim]

Prior to buying my MY15 BRZ I test drove an MY14 GT86, which in Australia comes on the 16x6.5" wheels. Strangely my BRZ (on 17x7" wheels) seems to ride as smooth as the 86 did back then. Makes me wonder what the ride would be like on an MY15 with smaller and lighter wheels?

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by donoman

I'm hoping to get better gas mileage with the improved undercarriage aero. Not sure if I want to go as far as adding a spoiler, however.

How would adding a spoiler help fuel economy?

[BlackMonarch]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

You forgot the AWD on the BRZ!
And the shark fin antenna that gives the aero equivalent of a 20hp increase!

Actually OP's follow up post about being used to German cars does make sense since even a stock FRS will feel rough compared to most of them.

With my RSR lowering springs I cringe in fear every time I approach a set of railroad tracks, pot hole or crack in the road but I wouldn't trade them for anything!

And this is why I got rid of the 19's that came on my car, and dropped to some 18" with super big rubber.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by BlackMonarch

And this is why I got rid of the 19's that came on my car, and dropped to some 18" with super big rubber.

Ya I can't even imagine what 19s would be like! Might as well be driving an old hay wagon at that point.

[Sideways&Smiling]

I drove both the 2015 FR-S and the 2015 BRZ within the last few days, and they didn't feel much different. If anything though, I think I liked the BRZ more. Hard to say really though. You'd really have to push them hard to feel the differences between the 2015 models, I think. They both feel pretty planted and stable.

[Ddreder]

Originally Posted by Trettiosjuan

Actually it's the other way around, it's the stiff rebound damping that does the bobbing. That is why this car responds quite well to stiffer springs, more performance in compression (less pitch and roll, bit firmer) but actually becomes calmer and more followsome in rebound.

Thank you for that explanation. It actually makes perfect sense. I guess stiffer springs will be in my future because the bobbing can get annoying after a couple of hours lol I hear a lot of good things about the RCE yellow springs. They are a bit expensive for my taste but maybe in the future I'll try and pick up a set.

[MikeM7]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

How would adding a spoiler help fuel economy?

I think he's thinking under panels and spoiler would reduce drag, resulting in better fuel economy. He's probably right.. might save .001 gallon per tank

Back on topic, I turned my music off on my way to work today.. at 70 mph there is some pretty heavy roar from road noise/wind. I guess I just never noticed due to music. I drive a 13 brz anyway, not 15, but I was wrong there is a good amount of road noise. I just don't particularly give a shit. I love this car.

[pantdino]

My '13 FRS is SIGNIFICANTLY more firm than my '95 BMW M3. I literally think I can feel every 2mm change in pavement height in the FRS. (Yes, its stock-- a CPO car.)

So depending on what German car OP was coming from, it might very well seem like a buckboard.

However I still prefer the FRS as a DD because it is more fun to drive.
I put a thin pad on the seat bottom to filter out some of that few mm roughness.

[MokSpeed]

I've never understood this complaint about the twins. I was under the impression the reason people bought this car is BECAUSE of the characteristics of the suspension. You essentially have non-adjustable coilovers.


Those who purchased a twin and were in the market for quiet and smooth ride qualities similar to that of a Lexus or BMW definitely did not do their homework on our cars. Even with the tweeked suspension in the 2015 MYs, comparing the ride quality of the twins to something like a 3 series is night and day.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by MokSpeed

I've never understood this complaint about the twins. I was under the impression the reason people bought this car is BECAUSE of the characteristics of the suspension. You essentially have non-adjustable coilovers.


Those who purchased a twin and were in the market for quiet and smooth ride qualities similar to that of a Lexus or BMW definitely did not do their homework on our cars. Even with the tweeked suspension in the 2015 MYs, comparing the ride quality of the twins to something like a 3 series is night and day.

Yep! Just like crickets there is no excuse for being taken by surprise if you did even the barest minimum of research.

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

You forgot the AWD on the BRZ!
And the shark fin antenna that gives the aero equivalent of a 20hp increase!

Actually OP's follow up post about being used to German cars does make sense since even a stock FRS will feel rough compared to most of them.

With my RSR lowering springs I cringe in fear every time I approach a set of railroad tracks, pot hole or crack in the road but I wouldn't trade them for anything!

Yeah I have s tech springs on mine and I love it. Love the way it drives, and looks but I cringe when approaching dips...lol

Jaden

[Uplink]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

I just assumed I wasnt driving my car enough to notice it.

I doubt many of the 2015 MY owners have driven 2014/2013 or vice versa.

The trick is, I was driving the '15 regularly and reading about the dip but couldn't feel. Then I had the opportunity to try a '13 and it was like the car hesitated from 3k-3.5k then resumed acceleration. Maybe just being overly sensitive but the older cars feel like a hiccup, the newer ones are more like a plateau. It still wakes up around 4k but before that it's more of a flat progression than a peak-dip-peak.

[Uplink]

Originally Posted by MikeM7

I've never driven an FRS, but I've always been confused by a lot of the complaints these cars get. Road noise, rough ride, rattles, issues etc. I haven't had any of these complaints myself, which makes me wonder if BRZ's in general are a little higher quality, but I don't know. I could just be less sensitive/picky than some people and I mostly drive on relatively smooth roads.

The only complaints I've had were the ugly silver trim, and the strange buzzing noise the engine makes at above 4k rpm. Oh, and the tiny tail pipes.. FRS wins there.

Tail pipes were fixed in '15. They fill the bumper arches now. The shark fin also became standard.

I don't have any general road noise complaints, the thing that makes me cringe though is the sandblasting it sounds like the fenderwells are taking when you go over gravel/sand. Direzza's pick up EVERYTHING in the road and there is zero sound deadening on the aluminum panels.

[donoman]

Originally Posted by MikeM7

I think he's thinking under panels and spoiler would reduce drag, resulting in better fuel economy. He's probably right.. might save .001 gallon per tank

The spoiler is worth 0.01cd and underbody another 0.01cd

A member on this forum claimed 10-15% higher gas mileage with the paneling. She had a lot of methodical data and approached the experiment properly. she actually did a nice job.

ill never be completely happy with any car. That's what makes me a true enthusiast. I'm always trying to change everything to match me perfectly. I do pretty well, but it's something I struggle with. You should see my other cars. But I won't settle at "I bought the wrong car".

Why? Because I'm SO close to perfection with this thing. It's going to be my daily driver. With a little help from this forum, it'll be a great one for many years to come.