Need help solving a complicated problem.

[2020BRZtS]

I wish you the best in your pursuit and I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful in the tire discussion. I have the stock 18s and Pilot 4s on mine and haven't found the need or desire to change them. I love the way it handles. Her biggest complaint about the car is it doesn't have a Jesus handle.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Spektyr

I get that, and that's one approach.

But my wife is not currently a car enthusiast. It's not a requirement that she become one, but I see a path through which that might happen. I need to remove the obstacles before it can be put in motion.


I love to tinker with stuff. For the most part my hobbies in this direction are not particularly expensive. Homebrewing is probably the biggest one where I could easily dump a couple grand on upgrading the brewing equipment. She likes beer and still gives me the "no, we're not doing that" look when I point out some slick stainless steel equipment. (We're doing that, she's just saying no "for now".)

The hurdle with the car is she doesn't yet like driving it because she hasn't really given it a chance. She already has the car she likes the most - a Honda Fit. She doesn't want to change it, and doesn't see any reason why we should change any part of any car.

So if I can demonstrate, without spending large piles of money, that a car like the GR86 can be made "better" by her definition, I can not only get her to drive it more (and have a better chance of the plan progressing) but I also demonstrate that it's not simply throwing parts into a car for no good reason.

Ideally she drives it, loves it, and then wants the same kinds of performance goodies I want. Realistically it will be more along the lines of I get to do more (but not all) of what I want to do provided it doesn't make the car more unpleasant. Which is inline with my goals anyway.

I want a car that you can prowl around in and looks/sounds convincingly stock, but when you put the spurs to it becomes something decidedly more. A Clark Kent/Superman kind of thing.


If I prove it's worth a little money to do it by smoothing out the ride for her first, I get more buy-in from her on everything else. Otherwise it never stops being "the car I'm wasting all that money on".

Maybe she drives it and remains entirely uninterested in cars beyond their utility. But I don't get past step 1 until I get step 1 done.

You are fighting a losing battle if you think changing one thing is all of a sudden going to make her agree to spending more on changing others.
Sure you can get the ride softer but it will cost something else such as handling. Once you get that done then the issue will be "it is too low, noisy, people stare at me, it is still bumpy over railway tracks, there is a blind spot, it smells funny, the seats hurt, the steering wheel feels weird, etc, etc, etc"
You don't get much smoother than stock and pouring money into it to try and turn it into a BMW is never going to change her mind if her ideal car is a Fit.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

You don't get much smoother than stock and pouring money into it to try and turn it into a BMW is never going to change her mind if her ideal car is a Fit.

Fit was one of the most fun-to-drive (in real-world 99% usage) modern cars around. They're not particularly smooove either. Dunno why anyone who enjoys driving a Fit would have any probs with the FT86 as far as ride quality goes. Maybe it's the lowness of it?

Any case, she has fit, OP has FT86, I'm having trouble seeing where the problem lies...

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Fit was one of the most fun-to-drive (in real-world 99% usage) modern cars around. They're not particularly smooove either. Dunno why anyone who enjoys driving a Fit would have any probs with the FT86 as far as ride quality goes. Maybe it's the lowness of it?

Any case, she has fit, OP has FT86, I'm having trouble seeing where the problem lies...

Lowness is a big factor really. Not everybody enjoys looking up at the door handle for most of the vehicles on the road!

[The Red One]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Fit was one of the most fun-to-drive (in real-world 99% usage) modern cars around. They're not particularly smooove either. Dunno why anyone who enjoys driving a Fit would have any probs with the FT86 as far as ride quality goes. Maybe it's the lowness of it?

Any case, she has fit, OP has FT86, I'm having trouble seeing where the problem lies...

Being a long-time '07 Fit owner I can say the stock BRZ is way more comfy on the long haul trips (I did a 15k Km trip cross country in the BRZ first year I had it) even with a much firmer ride. Way better seats make up for a lot of this. On 2hr trips I feel my age getting out of the fit, does not happen at all on longer trips in the BRZ.

Everyone has their idea of what they like in a car. Trying to force them into something they don’t find normal for their needs is a lost cause. I have a good friend that is a loyal Toyota buyer; He just loves driving the BRZ when he gets a chance and has become a vocal fan. Would he buy one even as a second car? No way, his practical side get in the way of that!

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

You are fighting a losing battle if you think changing one thing is all of a sudden going to make her agree to spending more on changing others..

This was what I was going to say. Let's face it 95% (a number I just made up but is probably close to correct) of people that buy cars buy the one they want the way they want it and never modify it, except maybe adding floor mats or a steering wheel cover. They'll never understand why a perfectly good car needs to be changed into something that needs constant attention.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

This was what I was going to say. Let's face it 95% (a number I just made up but is probably close to correct) of people that buy cars buy the one they want the way they want it and never modify it, except maybe adding floor mats or a steering wheel cover. They'll never understand why a perfectly good car needs to be changed into something that needs constant attention.

I would be willing to bet that the number of people modifying new cars is well under 1%.
Forums such as this are a really skewed perspective on what people do to cars. Most new car buyers are not saying "This car is perfect now I need to change the wheels, tires, suspension, intake, headers, exhaust, brakes and aero"

Hell I bet more than half the people on even this forum have bone stock cars. You just don't know since they don't have mods to talk about.

[Spektyr]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

You are fighting a losing battle if you think changing one thing is all of a sudden going to make her agree to spending more on changing others.
Sure you can get the ride softer but it will cost something else such as handling. Once you get that done then the issue will be "it is too low, noisy, people stare at me, it is still bumpy over railway tracks, there is a blind spot, it smells funny, the seats hurt, the steering wheel feels weird, etc, etc, etc"
You don't get much smoother than stock and pouring money into it to try and turn it into a BMW is never going to change her mind if her ideal car is a Fit.

I suppose you're right. After all I'm sure you know her better than I do after 16 years of marriage.

[Sapphireho]

Sometimes I love my wife.

[AsphaltJ]

No comments on your wife or relationship, I'll leave this to others...

The best move I made with my 2015 FR-S was to go from Eibach pro kit springs to ST Suspension XTA Coilovers. The car is way more confortable over bumps and the performance is better. With the same drop, the car is way less harsh and I'm really happy with the move.

If I get a 2022+ I think I'm gonna send the coilovers for rebuilt and install them on the Gen2 car.

Racecomp Engineering (RCE) seems to have a great product too and are active on this Forum. You should talk with them. They could provide the best setting for your needs. @Racecomp Engineering

Light wheels and tires won't help that much to my knowledge.

[Spektyr]

Originally Posted by AsphaltJ

No comments on your wife or relationship, I'll leave this to others...

The best move I made with my 2015 FR-S was to go from Eibach pro kit springs to ST Suspension XTA Coilovers. The car is way more confortable over bumps and the performance is better. With the same drop, the car is way less harsh and I'm really happy with the move.

If I get a 2022+ I think I'm gonna send the coilovers for rebuilt and install them on the Gen2 car.

Racecomp Engineering (RCE) seems to have a great product too and are active on this Forum. You should talk with them. They could provide the best setting for your needs. @Racecomp Engineering

Light wheels and tires won't help that much to my knowledge.

Thanks. I started a conversation with Racecomp yesterday after seeing their great advice on another thread.

Part of the reason I'd prefer to solve the problem with wheels/tires simply the perception of how much "change" is being made to a brand-new car. Changing the wheels is much less "invasive". It's more like changing shoes than changing the bones in your legs.

But if it doesn't produce the result, it's going to feel like wasted money.

I appreciate the advice.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Spektyr

I suppose you're right. After all I'm sure you know her better than I do after 16 years of marriage.

We shall see. Of course you have the advantage of telling us that she loved the changes and now want's her own 86 and we have no way of verifying it. Your money to piss away though so have at it.

[CSG Mike]

How about some coilovers that legitimately make the ride smoother (more compliant)?

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126107

[Spektyr]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

How about some coilovers that legitimately make the ride smoother (more compliant)?

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126107

That's definitely a good option. I'd need to get a proper alignment done after installing those, correct?