BRZ after Cayman S and M3... is it a downgrade? NOW WITH VIDEO!

[DarkSunrise]

Nice video! Out of curiosity, how long did it take you to produce?

[swift996]

I almost bought a Cayman S before the BRZ. I also recently sold my e46 M3 and love the BRZ in it's place.

[Burrcold]

Great video! I think you are spot on with your comparisons.

[ScionFrsFan]

Great Video! Do you keep rev's 5+ when just daily cruising? If so do you have a exhaust system? I like to keep the rev's up as well...I just feel like it bring some attention to me but I just enjoy having the rev's high so much even when just cruising.

[spitz]

Great video. I've owned an M3 and Exige. No regrets.

[Deki]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

I can't speak for an M3, but having spent a lot of time driving Cayman S's (and even base Caymans) in my opinion the BRZ is 100% a downgrade. Other than cost of ownership I can't think of a single parameter in which the BRZ comes close.

Originally Posted by Whitigir

The video was Awesomely Shot, and Edited, and Screen Capped.

I totally agree with Wolfpacks2k.

It is ok to Bias toward the car you own though

I agree as well. While it is a downgrade, and I feel more from the Cayman S then the M3, in terms of what OP said about making the driver work within the limits of the car, I completely agree. The Cayman and the M3 are just as responsive, just not as forgiving. The biggest factor, in my opinion, at least for us mere mortals, is cost. There is really nothing in it's price range that can compete with the BRZ/FR-S in terms of driver involvement. Faster cars? Yes. But more "fun" to drive, I don't know. When I was car shopping the BRZ wasn't out yet, so I ended up in a 2011 GT, and about a month into the ownership, stock LCAs, UCAs, PHB, shocks and struts, springs, sways...pretty much all factory suspension components got thrown out because I felt like the car was lacking in that area, even for daily driving. When I drove the FRS for the first time, even though I wasn't able to give the car 10/10ths, I felt like the car was just about perfect from the factory. I don't know how I would feel about it at the track with my fists of ham, but sporty driving on back roads, the car really impressed me. I didn't have an urge to be in triple digit speeds like I do in my Mustang, and that was a huge plus.

The other thing that I love about the twins is that they look like a mini LF-A.

Originally Posted by spitz

Great video. I've owned an M3 and Exige. No regrets.

Were they each missing a wheel? lol

[BRZnut]

great video...for everyday use, the BRZ rocks!

[BeRZed]

Great review. I think I spotted your car today parked right off marine drive.

[Rosso_Corsa]

Wow, thank you guys SO MUCH for your overwhelming support and for all the views... didn't expect this at all. What a great community here.

Nice video! Out of curiosity, how long did it take you to produce?

Scripting took me about an hour. I already had my thoughts lined up, just needed to cobble together a rough script and what shots I needed.

It took me one whole morning to shoot the rolling sequences. Then another two afternoons to shoot the interview and the detail shots. Editing took a while. Maybe 5 or 6 hours over two evenings?

Do you keep rev's 5+ when just daily cruising?

I don't actually, if I'm just cruising. I drive like a normal person and just accept the fact that the car doesn't have as much torque. If I need to accelerate, I do my best to anticipate it and downshift earlier.

My only complaint is that it really runs out of grunt on uphill grades-- sometimes I'm hard-pressed to get any real rotation when going uphill, even with the throttle matted in second.

I totally agree with you, 100%. Going uphill a little more torque will make the rotation possible and possibly a bit more fun. Just a little is all it needs.

Thanks again for all the comments!

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

I can't speak for an M3, but having spent a lot of time driving Cayman S's (and even base Caymans) in my opinion the BRZ is 100% a downgrade. Other than cost of ownership I can't think of a single parameter in which the BRZ comes close.

Weight my friend, weight. I am fairly certain my BRZ is now at a point where it would be right there with my Cayman R in every performance aspect.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by King Tut

Weight my friend, weight. I am fairly certain my BRZ is now at a point where it would be right there with my Cayman R in every performance aspect.

Yeah...but I'd rather have 300 N/A HP mid-engine...

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Yeah...but I'd rather have 300 N/A HP mid-engine...

While the mid engine and weight balance is nice. I never felt that the engine was anything special. Feels like it is being held back as to not compete with the newer beetles.

[WolfpackS2k]

A Cayman S only weighs around 200lbs more than a BRZ, and has a superior drivetrain layout. And we're talking about STOCK vehicles. So please, let's not beat that dead horse again.

And you think the engine is nothing special? It has a higher redline than the FA20, no power dip anywhere, and the exhaust note sings like an angel up high. Meanwhile the FA20 sounds like a crappy 4 cylinder.

[King Tut]

You asked for a single parameter where it comes close. The BRZ doesn't just come close, it beats even a Cayman R in weight difference by a considerable amount.