(GR86) Second Generation FR-S/BRZ insider info...

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Jordanwolf

The whole front is a mess really, besides the headlamps.

The 16-20, year old crowd may not even pick these ones up assuming the gen 1/1.5 are even cheaper, they will want those. This is more of a older woman car now, there I said it. More cupholders and safety tech.

No self respecting old lady would be caught dead it that thing. Besides no turbo.

[Tokay444]

Originally Posted by Brz-123

I feel exactly the opposite. The catfish nose of 86 is plain ugly. A WRBlue BRZ is the best looker.

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Wrong.

[Tokay444]

Originally Posted by TheDonEffect

Wait, people here actually like the current 86 front bumper? And this new BRZ is ugly?

Correct.

[Jordanwolf]

Originally Posted by wbradley

The mature female demographic will be addressed in a future MY Launch Edition model

Put it away!

[chipmunk]

Say what y'all want - 25hp & 25 lb-ft increase over the current engine is significant. We'll always find a reason to justify and convince ourselves that ours 1st gen cars are better in some way. Whatever. If I could afford it, it's no brainer for me to trade up when it's released. Or at the latest, wait for 2nd or 3rd year of production.

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[JesseG]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

That actually looks much nicer than the one in the Hakone. Mine is very pretty and all but I am afraid to actually rest my arm on it since the rails are very flimsy.
Looks like they may have moved the cup holders back a little which may make the contortionists happy but everybody else cramp up at the thought.

I think it’s a pretty cool solution to the BRZ/86 arm rest dilemma. You can keep it closed if you don’t have any drinks, and it looks more padded and larger. If I do have a drink, it will be secure there. (I don’t typically drink a coffee or other drink while I’m driving, I just want it to be securely held in place)
I have the optional sliding arm rest in my FR-S, and I don’t really like it. I usually keep it all the way back, and it’s too far back to use as an arm rest. That’s more than I ever thought I would write about arm rests.


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[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by chipmunk

Say what y'all want - 25hp & 25 lb-ft increase over the current engine is significant. We'll always find a reason to justify and convince ourselves that ours 1st gen cars are better in some way. Whatever. If I could afford it, it's no brainer for me to trade up when it's released. Or at the latest, wait for 2nd or 3rd year of production.

Sent from a potato

I have read every post in every thread on this subject and I don't think anybody has said that this isn't a good thing as far as engine goes. It is better than realistically expected since the 260+HP rumour's were trash to start with.
Also don't think that anybody is trying to justify their current car.
What has been in dispute and shouldn't be is the subjective topic of styling. It is a butt ugly, disjointed conglomeration of body styles that many just plain do not like. Nobody is telling you not to like it though.
I could afford it and you couldn't pay ME to buy one based on the styling alone. If I crashed my car tomorrow (well in fall of 2021 I guess) I would be into something else since this is off my list.
We will see in a year who here will put their money where there mouth is and buy one.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by JesseG

I think it’s a pretty cool solution to the BRZ/86 arm rest dilemma. You can keep it closed if you don’t have any drinks, and it looks more padded and larger. If I do have a drink, it will be secure there. (I don’t typically drink a coffee or other drink while I’m driving, I just want it to be securely held in place)
I have the optional sliding arm rest in my FR-S, and I don’t really like it. I usually keep it all the way back, and it’s too far back to use as an arm rest. That’s more than I ever thought I would write about arm rests.


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Mine is always all the way back. It looks great but just is not a practical nor robust design. I have never really been an armrest sort of guy anyway though.

[chipmunk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I have read every post in every thread on this subject and I don't think anybody has said that this isn't a good thing as far as engine goes. It is better than realistically expected since the 260+HP rumour's were trash to start with.

Also don't think that anybody is trying to justify their current car.

What has been in dispute and shouldn't be is the subjective topic of styling. It is a butt ugly, disjointed conglomeration of body styles that many just plain do not like. Nobody is telling you not to like it though.

I could afford it and you couldn't pay ME to buy one based on the styling alone. If I crashed my car tomorrow (well in fall of 2021 I guess) I would be into something else since this is off my list.

We will see in a year who here will put their money where there mouth is and buy one.

To each their own.

The rear bothers me for sure, but over time, pretty sure the aftermarket community will find a replacement for the rear duck-wing.
1st gen, to me, hits all the anesthetic sweet spots. Better than an Elise/Exige IMO. But this 2nd gen still looks better than most/all of its contemporary competitors.

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[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by chipmunk

To each their own.

Exactly but it appears that there are a few that would rather not hear that not everybody loves it and somehow those that voice their dislike are ruining the car.

[surfwaxsmitty]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Specs are nice. Not great but good.
Design is subjective to personal taste.
It is very very easy to be unhappy with this design for many.
Many others seem to love it.
As long as each group is not trying to tell the other group they are wrong that is fine.

All good points.

Originally Posted by Jordanwolf

You are in denial about the design. Everything is passable besides that front bumpers pervy grin. ITS NOT A FKN MAZDA.

Honestly, as long as it didn't become more aggressive looking I was gonna be happy with the exterior. I like the move toward a cayman style upper fender and headlight, the way the fender is level with the A-pillar line, along with small changes like the door curve and rear side window, and a less aggressive rear end. Great thing is bumpers are easy to change, maybe you will like the 86 option.. or the refresh..

Regardless, the change in torque and power band is going to feel fantastic. Along with what looks to be a good power all the way to redline. Who would have thought there would be an engine available with this spec, in this era, in a coupe ~2800lbs for 30k?

The s2000 decades ago with 12 more HP, less torque at much higher point in the power band, and only offered in a convertible, was still more expensive when released. That was the grand finale of some amazing 4 cylnder NA engines. If they offered the s2000 back then in a coupe with foldable rear seats and a usable trunk, think how even more desirable it would be today.

We have that now.

[Jordanwolf]

Originally Posted by surfwaxsmitty

All good points.



Honestly, as long as it didn't become more aggressive looking I was gonna be happy with the exterior. I like the move toward a cayman style upper fender and headlight, the way the fender is level with the A-pillar line, along with small changes like the door curve and rear side window, and a less aggressive rear end. Great thing is bumpers are easy to change, maybe you will like the 86 option.. or the refresh..

Regardless, the change in torque and power band is going to feel fantastic. Along with what looks to be a good power all the way to redline. Who would have thought there would be an engine available with this spec, in this era, in a coupe ~2800lbs for 30k?

The s2000 decades ago with 12 more HP, less torque at much higher point in the power band, and only offered in a convertible, was still more expensive when released. That was the grand finale of some amazing 4 cylnder NA engines. If they offered the s2000 back then in a coupe with foldable rear seats and a usable trunk, think how even more desirable it would be today.

We have that now.

Meh, I will be looking in the used market 5+ years down the road anyway before I get one, so it's no real sweat on my shoulders, I can wait. I much prefer aggressive looks, so this happy go lucky style isn't really me, doesn't feel sporty, and there really isn't much point questioning the on paper stats right now, we'll just have to wait for a proper review to happen and some actual first hand experiences from owners of both.

[pope]

I also dislike digital dashes. The lcd disrupting facelift dash was obnoxious enough I specifically looked for a 14-16.

I might be in the minority, but, despite the pseudo-wide-body fenders, I like it and generally dislike wide-bodies.

I think the slight power bump with the 2.4 is fine, but I’m also satisfied with the 200hp 2.0 in the current car. My hope is that the new car has a revised transmission that isn’t made of glass. 2.0, 2.4, whatever just give us a transmission that will let people mod the cars without shredding the gears. Then people who want to stick with the balance of a stock car can enjoy as is, but those that want to do more can.

Ultimately though, my minister of finance isn’t on board with having two sports cars and no sedan (getting rid of the monstrous waste of steel (pickup) is a nonstarter), so unfortunately for the future of sports cars, although I like it and the truck will be paid off before it’s released (so a new loan would not be out of the question), I like my ‘14 with ‘17 bumper and taillights better and will not be updating. Not unless I succeed at bringing my app to market and it does wildly better than I could imagine and money becomes no object.

[RetroRacer]

Waited most the day to reply fully. But here is my worthless .02

First off, I’m very happy this car was made at all, the fact they still build these types of cars for us should be commended, especially with a manual transmission.

As you may know from my previous posts, I sold my Camaro SS to get either a current gen or the new gen if I waited.

What I like:
1) Still under 2900 lbs.
2) Chassis improvements
3) New motor, with a lesser torque dip
4) Improved track mode

What I dislike:
1) the front bumper (headlights look fine, not a fan of the front bumper personally.
2) The side skirts/rocker panels. I feel a cleaner aftermarket design would fit the cleaner lines of the rest of the vehicle.

In short, overall it’s a “good enough” design, but if I had a 2017-20 86/BRZ I’d be happy with what I have and wait. If I had an early FRS etc with high mileage it may differ.
Stock for stock I feel the 1st Gen is a far cleaner design. No question.

With that said this is by no means a “bad” looking car, but would take more work to look “clean” to me than the current models.

This will be my 3rd car, so I’m going to wait to see the Toyota version, and DRIVE them both before I decide.

Chassis improvements etc sound great on paper, but until I actually drive the car I’m not sold as I expected to be.

I’m going to wait it out for another year until I can experience the car first hand.

Again, very happy with what I see on paper, but to me the styling on the first gen is a far cleaner design stock.

Opinions are a good thing, can’t please everyone but can’t get mad at people for stating their honest opinion.