New C&D production BRZ review... "Porsche-like Handling"

[SnapOv3st3r]

The 58mph shift, and the dip in the power band would be easily fixed with a reflash of the ECU.

[zoomzoomers]

Originally Posted by SnapOv3st3r

The 58mph shift, and the dip in the power band would be easily fixed with a reflash of the ECU.

But with what costs elsewher?

[Lighting Red]

Originally Posted by Alfie

"[SIZE=4]I will buy the ToyoBARU or the '13 Boxster for my 40th

Alfie, buy the Porsche while you are still young enough to enjoy it. You are asking us our opinions on your purchase, but it is clear to everybody here that you already know the answer. Get the Boxster, brother. It has a MUCH NEEDED dose of testosterone for 2013, and is a finer car for it. If I did not have a soft spot for Italian bikes (my wallet), I would probably go for a used Cayman S.

[MmmHamSandwich]

Originally Posted by SnapOv3st3r

The 58mph shift, and the dip in the power band would be easily fixed with a reflash of the ECU.

I am pretty sure that is a side effect of intake tuning for better performance in the upper rev range. If it were a simple tune fix Subaru and Toyota wouldn't have let that slide...

[MmmHamSandwich]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

Even the RSX type S has a better 5-60 mph.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take-road-test

Coming from a very similar 07 Si, all I can say is ouch...

That's a pretty hard pill to swallow. Makes me wonder if something else is going on. The BRZ is notably lighter and makes more torque than the K20 in all areas IIRC.

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by MmmHamSandwich

Coming from a very similar 07 Si, all I can say is ouch...

That's a pretty hard pill to swallow. Makes me wonder if something else is going on. The BRZ is notably lighter and makes more torque than the K20 in all areas IIRC.

Remember, you may not drive the car the same way they tested it to get that time. Wait until you dive the BRZ to make a final judgement.

[SnapOv3st3r]

Originally Posted by zoomzoomers

But with what costs elsewher?

Reflashes are offered from the factory.

[SnapOv3st3r]

Originally Posted by MmmHamSandwich

I am pretty sure that is a side effect of intake tuning for better performance in the upper rev range. If it were a simple tune fix Subaru and Toyota wouldn't have let that slide...

They would if they wanted the customer to come to them by offering performance enhancements. It would be similar to APR upgrade that you can get on the VW. TRD when it makes Superchargers for Toyota vehicles, its often accompanied by a reflash of the factory ECU. They could do the same here by offering us a reflash for a performance increase. If not then a tune on the car will correct these minor hurdles. All in due time though, as there are no tuning piggy backs yet.

[Dimman]

2 options for the 5-60?

A) Hate the 5-60 but love your clutch.

B) Love the 5-60 but hate your clutch.

[MmmHamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Alfie

"I will buy the ToyoBARU or the '13 Boxster for my 40th this summer.

WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET???"

Strangers or not, I trust you enthusiasts and thanx for the input!
Im not listening to Cayman or R suggestions since even the BASE Boxster is stretching it for my budget BUT it IS doable!
I wont be getting ANY options- not even this $3000 paint!
Porsche has been my bedroom poster car since I had a licence, so even if I have to sell it in 5 years with 60,ooo miles on it and get the ToyoBARU for FREE, at least I got 'it' out of my system...
P.S. Dave-ROR the maintenance doesn't scare me because I am very gentle with my cars since Ive always bought with cash- my brakes were like new at 60,000 miles on my Honda and at almost 120,ooo I am still on the original battery and clutch!! And Porsche HAS made strides as of late in minimizing maintenance for their cars since it was a big customer complaint!

For what it's worth I recall the Boxster being one of the most reliable cars Consumer Reports collects data on.
Personally I love the Spyder but they probably tack on 10k for it. Great car though, but at 20k more than the BRZ, they are in two pretty different leagues.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by MmmHamSandwich

I am pretty sure that is a side effect of intake tuning for better performance in the upper rev range. If it were a simple tune fix Subaru and Toyota wouldn't have let that slide...

Depends. Honda tuned the TSX with a large dip so owners would be able to notice VTEC. Hondata reflashed gains ~32hp and ~28ft/lbs of torque by removing the dip and some other tuning. The car actually feels slower with the reflash because the curve is so flat, but it's faster.

The fact that it's there in this car doesn't mean it's hard to tune out, just that a decision was made to have it there, whether it was on purpose or caused by other components remains to be seen.

[86'd]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

Even the RSX type S has a better 5-60 mph.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take-road-test

It's funny. The BRZ beats the RSX in every other category for about the same price. And honestly it should.

I think other posters are correct in assuming that the TQ dip is probably what's killing the 5-60.

And that's why cars like the GTI excel at it because that's where the meat of their powerband is.

I'm not too worried, but it looks like and is sounding more and more like there's really no midrange power, just a little low grunt, and power high in the rev range.

Regardless I'm sure the power is more than adequate. Though I'd like to see if the curve could be smoothed out. Hrmm...

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Depends. Honda tuned the TSX with a large dip so owners would be able to notice VTEC. Hondata reflashed gains ~32hp and ~28ft/lbs of torque by removing the dip and some other tuning. The car actually feels slower with the reflash because the curve is so flat, but it's faster.

The fact that it's there in this car doesn't mean it's hard to tune out, just that a decision was made to have it there, whether it was on purpose or caused by other components remains to be seen.

I think in this case the acoustics are the cause. Consider the 'double' torque peaks and the super flat upper range. I think the only way for the good low peak and the flat upper is with a pipe induced flat spot just like bikes. Tuning for two reflection factors puts a bad one in the middle.

[Spaceywilly]

I'm not sure the torque dip would make that much of a difference in the 5-60. I think it is just very low on torque in low RPMs (below 2000), so it just takes a while to get going. I'm honestly not too concerned with it, I think higher RPM performance is a lot more important because that's where you'll be when you're trying to accelerate (other than from 5mph). The same can be said for the 30-50 and 50-70 times. It doesn't surprise me that a 2.0L engine can't pull at low RPMs. 30mph in 6th gear is below 1000RPMs and 50 is below 2000RPMs. I think 30-50 in 3rd and 50-70 in 4th would be more appropriate tests.