Subjective Impressions

[BRZ-G1]

1100 miles on the clock. Opened up to 6000rpm. Plan to go 500rpm every150 miles. I do work the engine at the set limit. This break in has been adopted from a GT development director.

now…. I will keep comparisons relevant, no bullshit.

1.Handling
Great handling for a small rear wheel drive car on the road. But please understand that this great handling is compared to VW GTI and Hyundai. It will actually perform great on track, especially with long straights and turns. Where it will give way is quick direction change. There is that initial turn in soft lean, then the car stiffens and takes a set. This actually what makes this car less responsive and fun compared to say an Alfa Giulia
. Alfa would be my choice if it came in a manual. I highly recommend driving a BRZ or GR86 and an Alfa Giulia back to back. It is mind boggling, the 4 cyl Alfa handles much better and is more fun on the streets than a M2 or M3 from any generation, and yes better than the BRZ.

I’ll try to make a video showing this turn in lean compared to the benchmark. Also, if you have seen Hagerty video with Jason Camisa, you can clearly see the ridiculous lean when he is drifting the car. Also, please , Jason, stop drifting. Are most of us going to drift? … either on track or the street. Definitely not at the track, as my concentration will be to hammer lap times.

Oh… with all that initial soft lean due to springs, the car overall is fairly stiff. Stiffer than Focus ST, Alfa Giuliano and softer than my GT3. I ca



2. Steering
Very responsive and precise, but no road feedback. The initial turn-in lean hinders the sharpness. Thus, much less fun and direct than my recent Alfa Giulia 2.0 FI (33k new for a 39k car). I would say it is even less responsive because of the lean compared to my older Focus ST. Stay tuned for the Ohlins R&T that will be installed soon. I think with some negative caber, this is like going to be the best modification that will improve handling and feel.

Ohlins Road & Track for FRS/BRZ suspension install/review thread - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB
Ohlins Road & Track for FRS/BRZ suspension install/review thread Suspension | Chassis | Brakes -- Sponsored by 949 Racing
www.ft86club.com

3. Power…
Wow, gobs of it if you are on track and not a professional driver. This is the car I will be able to push to the the limit. My GT3, I barely drive at 70% cuz of concern about hurting the car. I am not your regular GT3 rich guy. I have worked really hard to buy the car and not ready to part with the car yet. My goal is 2:00 lap time at Buttonwillow 13CW with BRZ before I go back to my GT3 manual, which I only have managed a 2:00 time all stock, including cambers. My newly learning 14 year old boys may beat me, as they go in go karts.

of note, recent dynos have shown that this unit still has the torque dip. However, at its lowest point, it is still higher than previous gen’s highes torque. I really have a hard him detecting the dip on the road. Hopefully on track, it won’t be an issue.


4. stereo
For what it is, I think it plays very nice. Imaging may be off, but having midrange and treble at 0, bass at 2, and all other parameters at 0, I think is the optimal setting.

I’m used to and like Harman flat curve. Have been a science-based audiofile for some time. Bass goes down to 50-60hz and has a good slam. Low distortion overall, especially in the bass region where many fail.
For baseline, I have KEF R11 Speakers with McIntosh Mc452 amp for my home stereo.

Better than many systems I have heard. It is certainly better than my GT3 Bose with a sub, but inferior to my Cayenne Bose. Better than my recent Alfa Guilin and Focus RS.


5. put some new flow formed Koniig wheels today.

stock 18x7– 23 lbs
Koenig Ampliform 18x8.5 44mm offset—19 lbs

Stock Michelin PS4: 20 lbs 215/40R18
Bridgestone Protenza Sport: 24 lbs. 245/35R18

Bridgestone was not my first choice, but looking forward to the ps4s when these are gone

pending installation:

have Ohlin R&T delivered. Will install soon
Ferodo DS11.1 brake pads
Endless 650 brake fluid.

will be ready for track soon

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bdoziq4uzq...Brz1.HEIC?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/w3oi8a6el0...Brz2.HEIC?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/s9dtzvyxm4...5517.HEIC?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/1mkm31wd22...Brz4.HEIC?dl=0

@[/MENTION]

[Hiroba Games]

I was thinking of buying new brz or bmw 230i maybe i should add alfa to that list. I can buy a new one less than what bmw or brz is gonna cost me (living in Turkey). Are you talking about 2.0l 200hp rear wheel drive or 2.0l 280 hp with all wheel drive?

[rBobby]

Thanks for the write up. Any rubbing with the new wheels/tires? I was planning on getting the same setup for my car when it comes in.

[Rustyoid]

wow the factory 18x7s are 23 LBS?!

thats terrible!!!

[s30series]

lol

[PBR]

Excellent write up. The Guilia has an exceptionally quick steering ratio. I had an EVO X that had a quick ratio too. Quick turn in but then all that weight comes into play. A quick ratio is also a way for manufactures to make a heavy car feel more "darty" and responsive. Have a '22 BRZ now and recently sold a '13 FRS with Tein Flex Zs, -2.5 front camber. The turn in is a bit lazy jn the BRZ stock and I do agree about the lack of feedback in the steering. Bilstein B8/RCE Tarmac/Raceseng camber plates/spc control arms en route for mine.

[dsc_pat]

Turn in laziness usually translates to less understeer later in the weight transfer. Fast track setups feel super loose. Put a bigger front swaybar and you'll get that feeling, with terminal disadvantages.

Also, our car is super bumpstop active by design, so this initial feeling is normal.

Finally, weight distribution also explains this feeling you got.

[AK2112]

Guilias are cool but who's cross shopping them with a brz?

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by AK2112

Guilias are cool but who's cross shopping them with a brz?

Right? It's a bloody sedan....

[BRZ-G1]

Originally Posted by rBobby

Thanks for the write up. Any rubbing with the new wheels/tires? I was planning on getting the same setup for my car when it comes in.

No rubbing with stock suspension 18x8.5 et44
As I mention the clearance was close. 18x9 wheels will likely not clear the coilovers 45 offset. You need to go 40 or likely 35 offset to be safe if thinking of 18x9.

[alphasaur]

Originally Posted by AK2112

Guilias are cool but who's cross shopping them with a brz?

It's one of the lighter premium sedans that still has excellent driving dynamics and it has the perk of actually being able to fit people in the rear seat.

I could see someone cross-shopping them if they're looking for a fun daily driver. You can get them CPO with low mileage in the low to mid 30s, which is how much a new brz is.

Not everyone is a track junky which is likely the one objective area where the BRZ would be a superior car (oh and manual transmission).

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by alphasaur

It's one of the lighter premium sedans that still has excellent driving dynamics and it has the perk of actually being able to fit people in the rear seat.

I could see someone cross-shopping them if they're looking for a fun daily driver. You can get them CPO with low mileage in the low to mid 30s, which is how much a new brz is.

Not everyone is a track junky which is likely the one objective area where the BRZ would be a superior car (oh and manual transmission).

If you want a DD then get the Alpha.

[BRZ-G1]

I highly agree with the comment above. If one needs a daily driver, it is hard to overlook the Alfa. I have owned the 4-cyl Giulia for 3 years. My friend owns the Quadrafoglio. On the streets, the 4-cyl Alfa felt much more agile and fun to drive than the beast. On track it would be a different story.

I bought the BRZ to teach my 15 year old twin boys to drive and serve as a first car. It also will be our track toy.

[EAGLE5]

Alfas are just as reliable as Subarus.