Draco-REX's BRZ "Ghost"

[Scooter Style]

Licensee plate looks good. Gonna try to run w/o one for as long as I can.

Wondered about that ceramic tint stuff. I have a guy coming from Maryland to do a bunch of cars soon.

I didn't have him do my headlights. I am gonna do a custom lamin-x setup.

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by Scooter Style

Licensee plate looks good. Gonna try to run w/o one for as long as I can.

Wondered about that ceramic tint stuff. I have a guy coming from Maryland to do a bunch of cars soon.

I didn't have him do my headlights. I am gonna do a custom lamin-x setup.

If it's in your budget, get the ceramic. It's worth the extra cost, IMO. The ceramic tint blocks a huge amount of heat from the sun, but won't interfere with cell/key fobs/gps/etc like the metal tint does sometimes. The dyed film is just crap. I let myself get talked into it on the spec.B and I regretted it from day one. It lets in almost all the heat from the sun, is not perfectly grey, and has more imperfections. The extra $100 for ceramic is worth it.

[Enjuku Racing]

Looks so good in black!

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

Reverse Impressions.

So, it's one thing to go from one car to a new one. But it's very different going from the new one back to the previous car. The BRZ "Ghost" feels quick and tight and seems to be getting faster and faster as I drive it.

But how much of that is the car and my ability to use it improving, and how much of it is just a shift in perception?

In this case, I took my STI "Grip" out for a spin today.


I've had Grip since new. Power wise it's nearly stock with only a Stage 1 tune. I want to go Stage 2 eventually, but just haven't gotten around to it. Where Grip shines is in handling. There isn't a single piece of the suspension that I haven't had my hands on at one point or another. I'd put this car against almost anything when it comes to on-road handling.

I've AutoXed, "canyon" carved and done quite a bit with this car, so I know it inside and out. It has been a long time since Grip has scared me.

It scared me today. But I'll get to that in a second.

First off, the clutch. I thought Ghost's clutch was getting heavier as I broke it in. I've gotten better at feeling the engagement and I've been feeling better with the clutch. In this case, it's all perception. When I first went to start Grip and push the clutch in, I had to double check that I wasn't pushing in the brake. The stock STI clutch has never really been called too-heavy and I've never felt that way. But compared to the BRZ clutch, it's like exercise equipment. I was amazed at the difference and thought something had failed in the clutch since I last drove Grip.

Handling. While Ghost eagerly turns in and carves nice arcs through corners, there's still a slight feeling of effort. It's probably the Michelins scrubbing a bit. Grip on the other hand slices through corners so effortlessly. There's room to improve the BRZ suspension. However, while Grip changes direction quickly and with accuracy, it doesn't have the sense of eagerness that the BRZ has. Grip feels like it's following my commands to the letter like a soldier. Ghost feels like its eager to please and anticipates my steering inputs. Both are excellent aspects to have.

Throttle response. The BRZ's N/A engine is very responsive. Keep it out of the torque valley and the power is there instantly. Even with the tune on Grip, the throttle response is nowhere near as direct. Throttle inputs are soft and I just don't get the feeling that it wants to leap ahead like I get from Ghost. But that's the downfall with turbos and why I don't think turbocharging, no matter how little lag, is not the choice for the BRZ chassis.

Then I put my foot down. HOLY $#!+. I haven't feel that tossed back in my seat for a very long time. While Ghost is responsive and peppy with adequate acceleration, Grip is on a whole other planet. I put my foot down and wound Grip out and it frightened me for a moment because I wasn't ready for it. Driving Ghost has shifted my perceptions some. Is it a bad thing? I don't think so. It makes moments like above in the STI new again and a lot of fun.

So driving Grip after nearly a week only driving Ghost has really put a perspective on things. Ultimately, my STI, "Grip", feel like a weapon compared to the BRZ. It's sharp, precise, and efficient. Kind of like the vehicular equivalent of a rifle. Ghost on the other hand feels more like a martial art. It has flow and form. Responses are more organic and natural feeling.

If you want to stick with weapon analogies, Grip is like a broad sword, and Ghost is like a stiletto. Both will kill a man, but each in a different way.

Do I regret my purchase? Not at all. Ghost is still a lot of fun, and has a lot to teach me as well. It will make a great daily and enjoyable AutoXer.

That's it..I am getting BRZ limited 6 speed manual, and call it Lil Grip and then when the next gen WRX STI comes out, I will get one of those too, and call it Super Ghost!

You just helped me make my decision....

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by tripjammer

That's it..I am getting BRZ limited 6 speed manual, and call it Lil Grip and then when the next gen WRX STI comes out, I will get one of those too, and call it Super Ghost!

You just helped me make my decision....

LOL

Well do what works for you.

For the record, I have a Grip Jr.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGW2pxaiJs0"]11/13/11 Fort Wayne SCCA Rally X: M4 16_03.MOV - YouTube[/ame]

[Draco-REX]

Got the car detailed today to correct the paint and start the car off right. This is how the car should have been delivered from the dealership.




Some close-ups:



Even closer shots to show the clarity:



This shot has the 3M Clear Bra on it:


My Flickr site is here. Full size pictures are available.

[FTEIGHTSIX]

What did they do in this car detail?
Did they hit it with a buffer?

Ghost looks fuckin great.

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by FTEIGHTSIX

What did they do in this car detail?
Did they hit it with a buffer?

Ghost looks fuckin great.

The works. Started with a full cleaning to remove all oils/waxes from the paint. Then he used a clay bar to remove contaminates like rail dust and other pollutants. With the surface perfectly clean, he went over the whole car with a buffer and polish. Finally he finished with a Zaino wax.

New car paint is actually in a pretty bad condition right off the dealership lot. I'd recommend getting a full detail on any new car to start it off right.

Oh and it rained the very next day. But it barely left any dirt behind. The car still looks clean.

[ravnos04]

car looks good...what's next on the mod list?

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by ravnos04

car looks good...what's next on the mod list?

Accelerated Performance catback exhaust this Saturday.

WedsSport TC105n rims should be here next week.

[bimmerboy]

black looks stunning when properly cleaned, can't wait to see your new rims on this car

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by bimmerboy

black looks stunning when properly cleaned, can't wait to see your new rims on this car

Me neither. But I'm not sold on the color of the wheels yet. I'll see how they look then make a decision. If they're too gold in color, I'll probbaly get them powdercoated a gunmetal.

[bryan]

Looks stunning, Draco. Did you detail the car before you had the clear bra applied? If not, did you have to prep the car in any way prior to the clear bra install?

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by bryan

Looks stunning, Draco. Did you detail the car before you had the clear bra applied? If not, did you have to prep the car in any way prior to the clear bra install?

I had the detailer that did the full job come out and correct the paint where the bra was going to lay first. Best to do that if you are thinking of getting a clear bra. Any issues before it goes down will be there for the life of the clear bra.