Any good reason to stick with 1st Gen?

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by Adam_L

The improvements were to the manual only (not sure if you knew that).

I think it was only the power bump (+5hp) and the gearing that was different with the 2017+ manuals.

Every other change/tweak (suspension, materials, engine nvh, etc) was across the lineup as far as i know.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Sasquachulator

I think it was only the power bump (+5hp) and the gearing that was different with the 2017+ manuals.

Every other change/tweak (suspension, materials, engine nvh, etc) was across the lineup as far as i know.

Yep
The intake, header and final drive changes applied only to the MTs. All other changes were done on both ATs and MTS. The MTs also got a bump in strength.
There was also a few regional differences (i.e. battery charging for North America only) but generally all changes applied.

Having had both a 2014 and a 2020 I can safely say that although the power "bump" is probably lost in the averages of weather/driving conditions that final drive change made a noticeable difference in initial acceleration and feel. If, for some bizarre reason I had to get a pre facelift car the final drive swap would be a must for me. Opinions may vary.

[reeves]

Originally Posted by Adam_L

The improvements were to the manual only (not sure if you knew that).

Yea I know.. And I only drive manuals so the auto is of no interest to me

And even if there were no engine/suspension improvements, I'd still only get the '17+ for the throw out bearing fix for those years.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Adam_L

The improvements were to the manual only (not sure if you knew that).

No sense throwing good money after bad.

[alone1i]

How about the topic of reliability? Too early to say?

[soundman98]

it's a toyota. ish.

that's like the literal definition of the brand.

[Adam_L]

*Who could ask for anything more ?! *

[iLuveKetchup]

none

[Ghost of Akina]

Yeah, you can get one!

[BRZ-G1]

Honestly, have not read the whole thread. But to answer your question, absolutely yes! Same car, much stronger engine that fills the void the earlier gen had.

I had driven gen1 multiple times, and I thought it was an amazing handling car, but neutered. The new gen has an engine that really matches the car’s chassis. At the track, it is a peach, it does pull. I’m not a pro at the track, I do track both my gt3 and new BRZ, I love BRZ. It is as fun as the gt3 if not more, as I can push it harder. At my driving level, the power is more than adequate. Earlier gen… I felt needed pushing.

[Samba86]

NecroThread alert :P This guy owns both gen 1 & gen 2 and has some interesting analysis:

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Samba86

NecroThread alert :P This guy owns both gen 1 & gen 2 and has some interesting analysis:

TL;DW - comparing a base 2013 FRS (that he owned for 9 years) to a base 2022 GR86:

• Steering feel is worse in the new gen, goes as far as "substantially worse"
• New gen is much quieter
• Shifting is improved in the new gen, especially cross shifting (but he does appear to have a heavy shift knob on his FRS)
• Clutch pedal feel is worse (but he still has the assist spring in the new gen while removed it in his FRS)
• Throttle slower to respond, says needs more gas to take off
• The FRS feels more raw, "90's sports car vibes"
• Much better fit and finish in the new gen
• AC is much better in new gen (he's in Vegas)

He goes into some more detail on the steering feel around the 12:05 mark, saying "[old] steering is way heavier and gives you more feedback, more precise and doesn't have this kind of strange numbness and laziness right around center like the new generation does".
I'm not sure about feedback, but I felt that numbness/laziness on center as well when I test drove a 2022 BRZ.

The FRS is lightly modded, with header, exhaust, tune and wider wheels and tires (245 MPS4S).

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

AC is much better in new gen (he's in Vegas)

My first thought on this was "It's a 9 year old car have you bothered to have the A/C serviced?"

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

My first thought on this was "It's a 9 year old car have you bothered to have the A/C serviced?"

Same. I think quite a lot of the comparisons by long time owners of the 1st gen are somewhat flawed, in both directions - they compare a car they are very familiar with and very used to, but is also old and probably has quite a bit of wear (especially of the gradual wear items like shocks and bushings). This is akin to comparing worn tires to brand new ones. It will certainly be different, but a single point of time comparison probably isn't all that representative.

I think the ideal comparison would be between a stock low milage 2020 and 2022/3 by a good track driver who didn't recently own a Twin (or even never owned a Twin). I vote for Throttle House (Thomas being a good track driver who's into BMWs, and seems to be able to adjust his reviewing very well to the kind of car he is driving).