What the BRZ/FRS was made for (contributions are welcomed)

[gonzo]

I posted this in another thread, but I wanted to repost it here to allow other people to add onto it. Everyone who comes on here to complain about the car's price/power/tires should to linked to this thread.

Roadtrip is the reason why I wrote this and subsequently created this thread, so I'll start by quoting him.

Originally Posted by roadtrip1098

When it comes to handling, the engineers decided to fit thinner tires on the car so it would be more edgy and easier to break traction with. In the past if you wanted to make a car edgy you just added power. I completely understand that smaller tires and less power is more economical, but for a sports car? In the company of V6 Mustangs, Hyundai Genisis, ect. I see the BRZ falling short. Yes it handles better than a Mustang, but in the road and track test (might have been car and driver), the Stang somehow held a considerable lead on a road course, followed by the Genisis and it shoddy gearbox.

My problem isn't that the BRZ/FRS is slow, it's that there are plenty of alternative platforms out there that do the same thing for less money - even while doing it on an outdated platform.

To me the BRZ should have been less than $20,000 base price vehicle. If you want to compete with the big boys at the $26k-$28k base price, keep the wider tires on it and give it either the H6 3.0, a supercharger, or turbo.

The TRD/STi versions will come out in 2014 with some of those options, but at a price in the mid $30k range, stepping up competition to things like the 370z, Mustangs, EVO's, Infinity, even BMW 3 series. In that class I'm afraid the BRZ/FRS will not only be outperformed, but also outclassed.

Sometimes it's not about how fast you get to your destination, it's about having fun on your way. Cars with more HP like the evo, sti, v8 stang are MUCH more fun than the FRS in a straight line, but if you've ever driven the frs on the type of road it's meant for you'll experience a different type of fun than just driving in a straight line.

This car was made in the image of the ae86; it's meant for windy mountain roads. You can't feel how low the car's center of gravity is in a straight line. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to the type of roads this car was meant for. In that case, the other cars you mentioned will by far give you a more exciting drive, if your drive consists of straight roads with occasional turns. This car was meant for touge. Luckily, I live about 45 min away from Palomar mountain, which is by far the closest I've ever been to the touges in Japan. This is what the Palomar road looks like:





This car is meant for those tight switch backs. I love driving my friends 400hp evo, having your entire body mashed into the seat from the acceleration is thrilling. But I'll never forget the first time I drove palomar south grade in my frs. I stopped at the restaurant at the top and my hands were shaking like the first time I rode a motorcycle.


Read the following about the AE86 and perhaps you will understand. But until you get this car on the type of road it's meant for, the japanese call it a Touge, you will never understand or experience the joy this type of car can create.

AE86 description:

The rear wheel drive configuration, combined with the AE86's light weight (approximately 2300 lb (950–970 kg) curb weight), balance and relatively powerful (and easy to tune) 4A-GEU engine made it popular among the Japanese hashiriya (street racers in Japanese), many of whom raced in mountain passes (touge in Japanese) where the corners suited the AE86 best, especially on the downhill.

Wiki of Touge

[gonzo]

" I wish Toyota could make cars like this again "

"This kind of power is just right for these tires"


Listen to why Tsuchiya think's the 120 hp ae86 is extremely fun to drive.

[whataboutbob]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=193 what you get for a view at the top if you follow the road off to the left of the store at the top.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by whataboutbob

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=193 what you get for a view at the top if you follow the road off to the right of the store at the top.

I'll definitely go up there next time

[jflogerzi]

Can someone post the starting and ending points on Google Maps?

[Veloist]

History repeats itself everybody. Back then I believe the AE86 competed with more powerful cars but was priced in the same ball park.

Back then it sold for around $11k which is around $25,000 today which is the price of an FR-S. It's competition which included muscle cars with V8s went for around the same. (I JUST saw a receipt of a 1985 Corolla GTS on club4ag)

1984 Camaro V8
1985 Mustang V8
1985 Corolla GT-S original receipt
Inflation Calculator

Anyways it's funny how this idea of the FR-S (and the AE86) being overwhelmingly underpowered was introduced to me in a classic Japanese Anime called Initial D. And it's funny seeing this feud occur in real life! It reminds of that one scene...

[ame]http://youtube.com/watch?v=ryp1ijSG3rI[/ame]

Okay, not everyone can do that in real life, but this scene represents something metaphorically--the people (who are criticizing the FR-S's lack of power compared to other cars at its price) are essentially Keisuke (the driver of the yellow RX-7) because they think that (for the price) the more powerful car will contribute to it being a better value.

If the lack of power is a deal breaker; then it is a deal breaker. I understand that some people LOVE powerful cars and it's obvious why they'd be disappointed with this car.

[jstans84]

We have some good twisties over here on the east coast as well. Namely the Tail of the Dragon. I can't wait to take my FR-S on that road.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by Veloist

H

Anyways it's funny how this idea of the FR-S (and the AE86) being overwhelmingly underpowered was introduced to me in a classic Japanese Anime called Initial D. And it's funny seeing this feud occur in real life! It reminds of that one scene...

That gave me a flash back to my anime days

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Can someone post the starting and ending points on Google Maps?

Yes I can.

[czar07]

Roadtrip needs to name the so called cars that do the same thing the 86 does for 25,000.

[2013GTRNate]

I already responded with this in the BRZ side:

The FR-S/ BRZ were made to have fun in a car that can be used to drive everyday and get great gas mileage. It is a more than capable platform that once it out lives its service life I can rebuild and turn it into a fun AUTO X and Track car.

The TWINs are worth much more than the SUM of their parts would suggest and to all of those that think that a V6 Mustang or any Korean sports car are in the same league or bracket, YOU are seriously misinformed... Having more HP doesn't make things better. I have had cars that once tuned to higher levels of HP were no longer fun. The FR-S/ BRZ are fun cars at all times and at speeds where you don't need to risk your life or the lives of others.

My .02 cents...

[roddy]

I posted this pic in another section of the site, but I believe it says a lot about what this car was built for...

[roddy]

I also have a late model V6 Mustang, and the FR-S is better on roads like this, hands down. The Mustang pulls like a freight train in the straights with the supercharger, but in the tight twisty stuff, the FR-S is king. Throw in some uneven pavement, and the Mustang is a handful...more like work than fun. The FR-S is a scalpel, the Mustang... a machete. They both get the job done, but in different ways.

[BRZnut]

I have had the BRZ for 5 days now and it is a fantatic sports car at a great price with a quality build. Nothing in this price range of 25-29K can beat it.