Any good reason to stick with 1st Gen?

[alone1i]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

One of the reviewers (Topher) who used to own a 1st gen BRZ said he still preferred the first gen due to it feeling more raw and sounding better.
ThrottleHouse noted the 1st gen has better steering feel.
I personally prefer the way the 1st gen looks, especially the FR-S. 1st gen is also a bit lighter.
So there are some reasons. I’ll probably still trade up but it’s not without a few downsides.

Yes, 1st Gen has such an old school styling and it is so original. 2nd Gen has bit commercial styling.

[soundman98]

i'll test drive the newer one once i'm able to, but the digital dash alone is enough of an irritant to keep me away-- it'll be the main thing i need to use while night driving, and it'll bother me every second it's in my periphery screwing up my night vision...

[mazeroni]

If you like the late 80s ~ early 90s aesthetic of simplicity in features and design, you should want to stick with Gen I. It has also managed to age well and still looks unique - sans the 2017 86 redesign.

Although I was spoiled by keyless and push to start. I would never buy another car without keyless. It. Is. So. Awesome.

But there is a lot about the GEN I people romanticize.

The engine is a blender chopping gravel. The powerband is bad. It was and is too expensive for its overall build quality and features.

Gen II appears to have fixed all of that. I also suspect the changes to the car are being dramatically overstated.

Looking at the Topher videos, the negatives he gives is that the steering is lighter and the engine lacks the right noise... That's sort of it. But everything else is described as being improved.

So yea, I dunno why, if you had the money, you would stick with GEN I unless the looks really bother you that much.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by mazeroni

The engine is a blender chopping gravel.

it's funny because in my bone-stock car, i get stopped at stoplights all the time with people complementing my exhaust system... i guess being one of the very few people that doesn't have a UEL or a pop-tune makes it a real oddball of a sound...

[TommyW]

I was in an event at Sonoma this week and between stints I went up into the view area above T2. There was a white 86 that had a really good driver and watching him go through the motions was wonderful to watch. The car just looked “right”. Gen 1 will be a hard act to follow.

[PulsarBeeerz]

The 2nd gen is not a quantum leap in performance. No need to restart the depreciation curve if you own a 1st gen imo. lol If I was looking to have a car payment again as much as I love this platform, Ive already experienced it.

[Thefalls]

Originally Posted by mazeroni

If you like the late 80s ~ early 90s aesthetic of simplicity in features and design, you should want to stick with Gen I. It has also managed to age well and still looks unique - sans the 2017 86 redesign.

Although I was spoiled by keyless and push to start. I would never buy another car without keyless. It. Is. So. Awesome.

But there is a lot about the GEN I people romanticize.

The engine is a blender chopping gravel. The powerband is bad. It was and is too expensive for its overall build quality and features.

Gen II appears to have fixed all of that. I also suspect the changes to the car are being dramatically overstated.

Looking at the Topher videos, the negatives he gives is that the steering is lighter and the engine lacks the right noise... That's sort of it. But everything else is described as being improved.

So yea, I dunno why, if you had the money, you would stick with GEN I unless the looks really bother you that much.

I agree with what you have said above.

This is a car many of us are going to mod. The exhaust will most probably be tuned to our ears for better enjoyment.

Wheels and coilovers will be added to achieve that sweet look and reduce the wheel gap.

I also prefer the first gen and how it drives, who knows maybe after a test drive of 2nd gen maybe some of my opinions will change.

For those who will drive it stock, then these issues will remain, if we can call them issues. Ultimately we will get used to these "issues".

Quite a few people have said that they didn't like it when they saw the 2nd gen for the first time but eventually they said its 'growing' on them.

I think it will be slightly harder for those modded first gen owners to move on to the 2nd gen. And at the same time some mods can be carried forward.

A bit enticing.

But then what other platform gives the same amount of satisfaction and makes you smile from ear to ear while driving ? And with the same budget?

Hmmm..

[Ernest72]

Because my 16 makes me happy. No need to pay more for a similar experience. But if I was up for a new car I would get one.

[mazeroni]

Originally Posted by Ernest72

Because my 16 makes me happy. No need to pay more for a similar experience. But if I was up for a new car I would get one.

I do think there is a distinction to be made.

The 2013s are the most "rough" model year. By 2016, Toyota/ Subaru had made a number of revisions to smooth the rough edges, especially with the suspension. If you have a 2017+, it will be that much harder of a decision.

But yea, someone going from a 2013 to a 2022 (me) will likely get the most "benefit."

[alone1i]

Originally Posted by soundman98

i'll test drive the newer one once i'm able to, but the digital dash alone is enough of an irritant to keep me away-- it'll be the main thing i need to use while night driving, and it'll bother me every second it's in my periphery screwing up my night vision...

I can't stop telling that how much I love my current Gen's dash and steering wheels. I was lucky to sat inside few very expensive super cars but honestly I just love mine one so much. Simple but so pleasant.

[RZNT4R]

Depending on what 1st gen you have, you may:

like analogue gauges
be lighter
be geared shorter
have better fuel economy
have fog lights (might be important if driven year round and in inclement weather)
have a spare tire (might be important if you drive inter-city or remote areas)
be riding on 17 inch wheels (may be important if pavement quality is bad vs. 18 inch)
have 4 pot brembos and sasch dampers

The new car *may* have a much more expensive HVAC system to fix, I haven't seen any info that would tell us if it stick to 134a or moves to 1234yf

[Jegan_V]

One area I know I won't like on the 2nd gen, the stalks. Don't know why but Subaru went with the BMW style ones which return into position every time. Never liked it on any BMW I've driven because of how stupid it is to cancel them. Why did they spend effort to make a change...that even BMW has reverted back from?

Might be an item I'd want to actually modify if I go 2nd gen...

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by mazeroni

I do think there is a distinction to be made.

The 2013s are the most "rough" model year. By 2016, Toyota/ Subaru had made a number of revisions to smooth the rough edges, especially with the suspension. If you have a 2017+, it will be that much harder of a decision.

But yea, someone going from a 2013 to a 2022 (me) will likely get the most "benefit."

That would be my take as well.

I have a 2020 86 GT, so its the most up to date, highest spec and refined of the first gens, and quite frankly IMO I don't think the changes are enough to justify a swap. I have 18" wheels (no PP though) with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, Dual HVAC, the suede and soft touch points in the same areas, alcantara/leather seats, digital readouts (but analog gauges). I get alot of the same stuff already. To me the biggest difference is just the increased power, and that wouldnt be enough for me. Its more of a sidegrade at least for my model year. Im sure the rougher earlier models will see a bigger overall benefit to justify the swap.

Plus i just got mine a few months ago and no way is it time to let it go. I woulda just waited for the second gen but the first gen felt right and i didnt want to wait.

[Kona61]

Originally Posted by Jegan_V

One area I know I won't like on the 2nd gen, the stalks. Don't know why but Subaru went with the BMW style ones which return into position every time. Never liked it on any BMW I've driven because of how stupid it is to cancel them. Why did they spend effort to make a change...that even BMW has reverted back from?

Might be an item I'd want to actually modify if I go 2nd gen...

I've owned several bimmers that were like this. At first it's odd, but you get used to it after only a few days honestly. Not a big issue.