Stock BRZ

[Stierzy34]

I like to have the car modded to my tastes. Nothing over the top, nothing crazy. Just small accents that I feel make the car more enjoyable to me. If there is one thing that I have learned through modding cars is that I ask myself "will this make it more enjoyable to drive or will this be more of a burden?"

My 05 WRX was a huge burden. Went to far lol.

You could be stock or have a million parts, really if the person driving it enjoys it, that's what matters. Simple as that.

[Symmetrical]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

This will be offensive to about 99% of the population. A lot of creative people drive super-boring cars because it's just an appliance to them. Some of them will a nicer appliance (BRZ/FRS), but they will still think that people like you probably have too much money, so that you don't know what else to do with it other than throw it at their car
This is an example of what's wrong in generalizing your own view.

I like the car as is, with OEM rubber. It's a nimble playful coupe with enough grip for regular driving and enough slip when I want it to slip.
This car is not a 'blank canvas' to most buyers. It's an attractive package of features not present in anything else at the price. I'm sure it's a 'blank canvas' to some, but somehow I think that to those some every car is a canvas. I don't expect to see a lot of support for this view here, mostly because the forums are a concentration of people who are looking for information to modify their cars.

The majority of BRZ/FR-S owners I've chatted with in parking lots/gas stations etc are not on the forums.

Wheel gap, non-flush wheels etc - it's a taste preference of a small fraction of population. A small fraction that is vocal on automotive forums. I have nothing against this preference, I mildly like it, but I'm not prepared to lose suspension travel or overload the wheel bearings just for a marginal improvement.

Well said.

I'll add that some of the mods some people here do really don't add anything to the car but rather diminishes the value of it.

I've been through that route because I've modified every single car I've owned. So when I see a heavily modified "insert car" I think, jeeze that thing must have been ripped apart and put back together. Who knows if it was half assed or done right. And there's a good consensus to not buy a modified car.

Some of those guys on here want to close "wheel gap" so they lower it and ruin the entire suspension geometry. Or throw on huge wheels with bicycle tires. It becomes form > function. And even some of the trends looks down right stupid, I mean really -30 degrees camber in the rear?

The cars that get the most respect are the function > form or hell they can even achieve both, but typically those are the guys who spend enough money to do things right like Shiumai's car. Every thing is done tasteful and adds to the value of the car. Authentic parts that are executed properly.

I think we can all agree though that that's the beauty of cars, everyone is entitled to do whatever they want to it. My purpose for this thread was really to seek out those who actually just enjoyed the BRZ for what it is. And I got my answer that most of you do but with little changes here and there.

[gily25]

I decided to go back to school to finish my masters right after I bought this car so no mods for me LOL. Once I can afford them the warranty will have run its course then all bets are off and who knows what will be available then. You can enjoy this car without having to do anything insane to it and that's the main reason I wanted this over a vehicle with a clunky shift linkage or steering issues etc. etc. Also you can still personalize the car with vinyl decals and other facets without blowing the warranty or the likeness of the car. Doesn't stop me from looking and considering what I would do with unlimited cash and skill, but honestly I would guess less than 50% of these cars will be modified in their lifetime (true mods, not just wheels or exhaust).

[switchlanez]

Originally Posted by Symmetrical

Well said.

I'll add that some of the mods some people here do really don't add anything to the car but rather diminishes the value of it.

I've been through that route because I've modified every single car I've owned. So when I see a heavily modified "insert car" I think, jeeze that thing must have been ripped apart and put back together. Who knows if it was half assed or done right. And there's a good consensus to not buy a modified car.

If you take care of your car and mod tastefully enough, you won't have a hard time with resale. My similarly modded Celica GT-S (wheels, suspension, TRD body kit, interior enhancements) sold for more than what most Celicas were going for on the market. It was my obsession and I maintained it better than most.

I also modded my MR-S with intake/full manifold-back exhaust, bracing everywhere, and extremely rare JDM parts. All quality parts that cost too much to "throw in" with the car when I sold it. I was getting lowballed on my "high" (but fair) asking price with all goodies included. So I parted everything out, reverted the car to stock, sold it for just a few hundred less than what I bought it for 20k miles prior, and made a significant chunk of my money back in the part out sale.

I'm following both those examples with my BRZ with full confidence just in case I'm ever in a pinch and need to sell. Or if Subaru/Toyota release an updated model with significant changes that I want to jump on.

On the flipside, I'm very hesitant to buy a car that's been modded lol but I've still done it after scrutinization of both the car and the seller. Everything turned out fine.

[Symmetrical]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

If you take care of your car and mod tastefully enough, you won't have a hard time with resale. My similarly modded Celica GT-S (wheels, suspension, TRD body kit, interior enhancements) sold for more than what most Celicas were going for on the market. It was my obsession and I maintained it better than most.

I also modded my MR-S with intake/full manifold-back exhaust, bracing everywhere, and extremely rare JDM parts. All quality parts that cost too much to "throw in" with the car when I sold it. I was getting lowballed on my "high" (but fair) asking price with all goodies included. So I parted everything out, reverted the car to stock, sold it for just a few hundred less than what I bought it for 20k miles prior, and made a significant chunk of my money back in the part out sale.

I'm following both those examples with my BRZ with full confidence just in case I'm ever in a pinch and need to sell. Or if Subaru/Toyota release an updated model with significant changes that I want to jump on.

On the flipside, I'm very hesitant to buy a car that's been modded lol but I've still done it after scrutinization of both the car and the seller. Everything turned out fine.

Yeah that's the same thing my brother suffered with his twin turbo Z. Everything done right, but couldn't sell it for anywhere near his asking price with all the parts. So the best option was to part out and sell the car near stock and make most of the money back.

But don't misunderstand me, like I said there are cars that are done right that is done so well it adds value. There are a lot of good examples here and I like most of them. But the ones I don't get are the guys who hack the hell out of the car for the sake of "style" or looks alone. I'm sorry but I'll never ever put a rusted hood on any of my cars or slam my car until the front wheels can't be turned and the pebbles on the ground run for their lives when I drive by. I don't care much about wheel gap because I'd rather be able to drive by a speed bump without having to do the scrape dance lol

[switchlanez]

Buddy just posted this in our local FR-S/BRZ FB group:

[cevin45x]

I think in the future these cars will be modified the hell out of and it might be rare to find a stock brz (especially if they only produce them for a couple years)

But the main reason I keep mine stock is cuz I autox and I like to get to know how the stock car handles (the way it was intended) The only thing ill change is the tires (direzzas II) But I plan on running down the oem tires first. My times aren't fast with them but its a good experience, and im sure ill appreciate the direzzas more because of it.

[BRZfan]

Ditto.
At some point in MOST people's lives there comes a time when it becomes necessary to be responsible for more than just oneself. Usually comes with family, job and all the benefits that come with them. When these things become a successful endeavor it is time to buy a THE car, spend the money, that has all the features already with it that one desires. There are Jags, Porsche, Lexus, Corvette (the new 2014 Stingray), Shelby, BMW/M3, etc. Some would rather have an original (stock) than a chopped up (modified) wannabe. In the meantime I drive my BRZ, keep all the records, and expect to sell it quickly when the time comes without some potential buyer wondering "what happened to this car". .
These are the people WHO CARE.

Originally Posted by garby

I say "who cares?" Some of us have more important things to think about than whether the area your knee rests on matches the seats.

[Skyllz]

For the first time in my car enthousiast life(I'm 36), I am telling myself, "this car is awesome".

I dont see myself doing any heavy mods like I used to in the past on other tuner cars(turbo miata with stand alone and others...).

Probably new wheels, some lightweight 17x8 with sticky tires, a header and a tune to smooth out the torque. That's about it.

I dont even see myself changing the stock exhaust or suspension at this point. It's just that well sorted out as a package. I will however to "performance maintenance". Meaning that when the shocks will be done, they will be replaced by a set of Konis, this kind of things.

[ThisIsChrisKim]

Originally Posted by BRZfan

Ditto.
At some point in MOST people's lives there comes a time when it becomes necessary to be responsible for more than just oneself. Usually comes with family, job and all the benefits that come with them. When these things become a successful endeavor it is time to buy a THE car, spend the money, that has all the features already with it that one desires. There are Jags, Porsche, Lexus, Corvette (the new 2014 Stingray), Shelby, BMW/M3, etc. Some would rather have an original (stock) than a chopped up (modified) wannabe. In the meantime I drive my BRZ, keep all the records, and expect to sell it quickly when the time comes without some potential buyer wondering "what happened to this car". .
These are the people WHO CARE.

I'm sort of in the same boat. I wanted a really great car that was fun to drive. The stock BRZ is just that. Since I live in a downtown area in a highrise and the subway is my main mode of transit, my car is the definition of a fun time. I also don't have a garage to do any maintenance or store extra tires or anything like that, so any extra parts would be a headache. Stock BRZ to me is a great car and I see no need to do extra mods to it.

[Skyllz]

Originally Posted by Marchy

i like the look of the stock wheel, they'll make for a perfect winter set up.

Not like you have to live in Ottawa weather much anymore...

Pete from MR

[BcRuZn]

I've only been with the car for a week. As of now i would just like to keep it stock because its such a joy to drive.

[Dorb]

Stock or only OEM, until warranty up for me.

[L4NDO]

I see myself growing with the BRZ. After one month of ownership, I've began to add a few JDM parts - STI gurney flap, side markers, and exhaust tips. Other than a Cosworth drop in filter, I have not touched anything else engine or suspension wise. I'm enjoying the car the way it is. The BRZ is such a pleasure to drive and I know with more years of ownership, I'll know what I want from it, whether it's better handling, power, or looks.