Entry Level?

[Dirty Harry]

Originally Posted by spike021

For me it's my first personal car.

First time driving manual.

First time doing track/autox days.

First time canyon carving.

First time commuter.


So yeah, it's my entry-level.

But damn, I could keep it forever and if I had way more money than I do now I'd totally get something higher up like a GT4 or something, and I'd still keep the BRZ. It's a fantastic, practical (for me) entry-level car. But entry-level doesn't have to mean it's the highest I'll ever go into the sportscar range, or that it means I'm a newb driver because I choose to keep the "entry-level" model.

I must admit a GT4/Spyder was my dream car but the gearing really turns me off, unless you take it to a track. I drive a lot with a friend who has a 911 GTS (991), but he can never get near the limits of his car on public roads and you start to wonder what’s the point. Don’t get me wrong they’re both awesome cars still.

Sums it up...

[mstryff]

The FR-S and BRZ have also been called Scion and Subaru's halo cars. The companies, salespeople, and journalists just say what they need to to get paid.

[nikitopo]

BRZ is a very important car for Subaru. In Europe it is currently the only sports car they can offer. A GT4/Spyder is a nice "super car" territory vehicle, but how many people can drive it close to its limits? Many people cannot even drive a 200hp car close to its limits.

[Dadhawk]

@Flarpswitch I think you're reading too much into the term entry level.

Bottom line, it is an entry level vehicle into sports cars, because entry level simply means the least expensive way to get into a certain thing.

Porsche, Lambo, Ferrari all have "entry level" models into their world.

In the end, who gives a flip if someone thinks you have an "entry level" car? All that matters is you're happy with it. Look I could afford a much more expensive car and looked at more expensive ones when I bought the FR-S. However, it met the criteria I had at the time so I was perfectly happy with it. Still am 170,000+ miles later.

Is it entry level, yes. Do I care, no.

[nikitopo]

It is not the least expensive way to get onto a certain thing. A well conditioned used car with relative good chassis dynamics and half the power figures is all someone needs to start learning and have fun. There are too many options out there.

[AnalogMan]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

No, you don't. What matters is what you feel, not what other people see.

I couldn't agree more!!! Buy a car for what you think about it, not to impress other people.

Too many people care more about what strangers will think of their car than what they themselves do. Like a friend of mine, who is constantly 'moving up' to the highest 'number' BMW he can afford (which usually means high miles and marginal condition) because he thinks it says he's 'successful'. Likewise, too many people obsess with the 'numbers' of a car, 0-60, 1/4 mile, etc., for some kind of sad bragging rights at the bar or gym. Who cares?

The only 'arriving' in a car for me is when I get to my destination and turn the engine off. I'm in my 60's, and couldn't care less if some people I care nothing about might think that it's 'inapropriate' for me to be driving such a 'young person's' car, or that I should be driving some more 'age appropriate' car. Who cares what people who don't matter in your life think?

The only thing that matters to me is how a car feels for me to drive. I don't care about the 'numbers', but if I enjoy going down the road and rowing through the gears. That's all that should count.

Life is short and hard enough as it is. Just focus on making yourself happy and don't worry about impressing other people.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

It is not the least expensive way to get onto a certain thing. A well conditioned used car with relative good chassis dynamics and half the power figures is all someone needs to start learning and have fun. There are too many options out there.

OK, point taken, and I agree. I almost included the phrase "new" in my entry but decided not to since most of the discussion was about available new cars.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by AnalogMan

I care nothing about might think that it's 'inapropriate' for me to be driving such a 'young person's' car, or that I should be driving some more 'age appropriate' car. Who cares what people who don't matter in your life think?

Who says it is a young person's car? Have you seen these statistics?

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/show...&postcount=431

Again media tries to pass the message that this car is for young people, because it is an "entry level" sports car. Older people should be able to afford a more expensive car. Right?

[soundman98]

The reality is young people buy used more often, and older people buy new.

Due in no small part to each generations availability to excess funds.

[ls1ac]

I am lucky enough to have both track and "sports" cars, and i choose to use the BRZ as my DD. It is just fun to drive! I have a Porsche Boxster that i now keep in Fl. because it is a top down car. It is nice but not the driving fun. The BRZ can be driven with enthusiasm on the street and not get in trouble. The others are fun, but three seconds of WOT and you are in loose your license territory. Even at the track the BRZ is great fun, my son has some "Hot" cars but really likes the BRZ to use for practice.
By the way the BRZ is far and away the least expensive car to use at the track.


In conclusion, This may be a starter car, but for me it is also a finisher. Not sure how many more i will be getting (74yrs old).

[wbradley]

I can't think of a lower priced car in it's category, at least here in North America. So, in that way it is the entry to the sports car world. On the other hand, my car as currently equipped is hardly the same as it was as a stock vehicle in terms of power, grip, dynamics. The difference is that the process of making the car that way required my own work and learning whereas a Porsche Cayman for example would eat up my budget before maintenance and possibly destroy it if any components need replacement. I've heard stories for decades about $7K exhaust systems in the 928 and all kinds of exorbitant stuff. I don't need to prove to the world that my wallet can handle getting DP'd.

PS- I know Camaros and Mustangs are cheaper in the US, but unless equipped as such, I do not consider them sports cars at their entry level. I'll take a base twin over a base of either of those 2 other vehicles any time to start.

[Flarpswitch]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

@Flarpswitch I think you're reading too much into the term entry level.

Bottom line, it is an entry level vehicle into sports cars, because entry level simply means the least expensive way to get into a certain thing.

Porsche, Lambo, Ferrari all have "entry level" models into their world.

In the end, who gives a flip is someone thinks you have an "entry level" car? All that matters is you're happy with it. Look I could afford a much more expensive car and looked at more expensive ones when I bought the FR-S. However, it met the criteria I had at the time so I was perfectly happy with it. Still am 170,000+ miles later.

Is it entry level, yes. Do I care, no.

One way to interpret Entry Level is when it is put into context of a larger story. I made the acquaintance of the Unsers and then the Galles racing team some years ago. I saw Al Junior get his start in a go-cart; his entry level car and you know the rest. When the term is used in the pejorative sense, it is condescending and insulting. It is as if, “Oh, it’s only a 86 or BRZ, you can’t be a serious enthusiast.” Way to go marketing people, you sure know how to make potential buyers feel good about their purchase. For some this is what they can afford and for others, this is all they want or need. I met a guy who just bought a Alfa Romeo Spyder. Nice. He owns a Mazda MX5 Miata and belongs to a Miata club. Miata entry level? Nope, he’s keeping it because it is the right tool for the job at hand.

[DarkSunrise]

I'm not sure it matters whether it's called entry level or high end. It's certainly an affordable sports car, but that doesn't preclude it from being one of the most fun (similar to the S2000 in that way).

[thomasmryan]

entry level.....in the 90's. performance is quite similar