Impressions after 250 miles

[ForeverCar]

Originally Posted by wizee

I haven't yet gotten to drive one, but your comments exactly match my experience playing with one that was stationary (already sold to someone else). I felt the shifter did shake more than I'd like on startup, and when revving it below 3500 RPM (didn't go higher as engine was cold and I didn't want to abuse someone else's car), throttle response felt rather laggy/slurred and with pronounced rev hang. However, I'm still waiting for a chance to go on a proper test drive with the engine warmed up and using the full RPM range.

Aside from that, I thought the car was nice from what I could tell - interior was fine, seats comfy, a good size, nice looking exterior, slick and precise shifter feel. I have a red base model on order, just hoping I'll be satisfied by the throttle response without needing to tune and void warranty.

Of course, it’ll come down to preferences. When I keep the rpm high, the slow response isn’t an issue. It’s only when I mess up heel & toe that I get surprised by the slow to rev nature. In a sense, I’m appreciating the extra challenge!

[rBobby]

I haven't owned a Subaru in a long time, but my 07 Sti would have a dull pedal/slow throttle response when you reset the ecu for a full tank of gas while it was setting and learning fuel trims. I'm not sure if Subaru ECU's do this anymore since technology has probably advanced since then.

[dsc_pat]

Originally Posted by rBobby

I haven't owned a Subaru in a long time, but my 07 Sti would have a dull pedal/slow throttle response when you reset the ecu for a full tank of gas while it was setting and learning fuel trims. I'm not sure if Subaru ECU's do this anymore since technology has probably advanced since then.

This is exactly it. It will resolve itself.

[Stonehorsw]

Car is really good, drove 2200 miles, being half on a toad trip. Space is cramped, but I was able to fit 2 toddlers and wife. Only dislike (or better, characteristic) was that the seat bolstering pushed my shoulders, which increased the fatigue.
Torque delivery surprised me once (muscle memory from gen1) in the rain/low-temp, which made me having to catch the car, no harm, just made me correct my inputs. Also, car understeers more than the previous (As soon as Spring comes, I will do alignment, which may be the cause).

[Robertw]

Originally Posted by Stonehorsw

Car is really good, drove 2200 miles, being half on a toad trip. Space is cramped, but I was able to fit 2 toddlers and wife. Only dislike (or better, characteristic) was that the seat bolstering pushed my shoulders, which increased the fatigue.
Torque delivery surprised me once (muscle memory from gen1) in the rain/low-temp, which made me having to catch the car, no harm, just made me correct my inputs. Also, car understeers more than the previous (As soon as Spring comes, I will do alignment, which may be the cause).

This is exactly the info I've been looking for haha. I have a GR on order, and was hoping I could fit a 2 yr old, a 6 yr old, and wife in the car for shorter trips. It's going to be the toy car, still have the other family vehicles, but I'd like to get more use out of the car if possible. Being able to use it for school drop off / pickup and short trips with the family is perfect.

[jeffsnavely]

+1
I'm coming out of an ND Miata with supercharger and stiffer bushings so my BRZ Premium feels like a luxury car over the terribly bumpy roads where I live (main reason I didn't get the Limited - wanted the smaller wheels for better ride). The car doesn't seem noisy inside thankfully as anything is a step up from a Miata in this area. Also the base stereo doesn't seem as terrible as I was expecting based on comments here. I'm going to put on Conti DWS 06+ soon.

[Subito]

I’d be very interested to hear more opinions about the noise differences between the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 and the Conti DWS 06+. I’ll probably have a set of one of those installed shortly after taking delivery.

[Shub Deetle]

I find the car just about perfect for me. I wouldn’t have bought it if it wasn’t.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by sds

Picked up my White Limited (6MT) this weekend and have already put 250 miles on the car. This car is replacing my 991.2 GTS, as I wanted something that I could actually drive without feeling guilty about putting miles on (or tracking). It's also the hardtop S2000 successor I always wanted as it makes the same amount of power with far better aero, safety, and usability.

Pros:

1. It rotates quite well under trailing throttle and braking, and feels planted under throttle
2. It's far more powerful than the first gen--feels about as strong as a bolt-on K24A2
3. The driving position is about as close to perfect as it gets
4. It's incredibly easy to drive near the limit compared to a lot of other FR cars
5. It looks gorgeous and very Japanese (in a good way)
6. It rides better than expected--and I'm driving on city streets in Boston
7. The audio system in the Limited is actually halfway decent--at a standstill. More below.

Cons:

1. It has a shocking amount of road noise. I'm benchmarking this against a 991.2 GTS (which has minimal sound deadening and 305 rear Pilot Sport Cup 2s) and an 8th gen Civic Si with a gutted trunk and 200TW tires. This is worse. I would have gladly traded off an additional 20lbs of sound insulation under the carpeting for a lower noise floor--it would drastically improve quality of life.
2. It needs a tune to improve throttle response
3. The trans mount needs improving--there's a substantial amount of shifter movement upon engine startup
4. I wish the rear seats were a little more usable--I knew this going into the purchase, but if there was about 2 more inches of legroom, it would be fine for me. For context, I'm about 5'10" and sit closer to the pedals/wheel than most, and I don't think I could sit behind myself.

I just picked up my '23 yesterday. Only about 30 miles on it at this point, but "shocking amount of road noise" is beyond hyperbolic. It's more quiet inside than our '18 Mazda 3 on all seasons.

The throttle in normal mode does seem a bit soft. I'll play with it a bit more once I get some more miles on it.

I haven't noticed any shifter movement on startup, I also had them do the STi short throw shifter. I believe that was a port installed option. It's great throws are short and crisp.

Rear seats? Meh. I ordered a '15 new after test driving one, I knew they were worthless then and knew they would be worthless now. If we need to take more than myself and my fiance, we will take her 4-door Mazda 3.

I didn't buy a tiny 2-door sports coupe with the expectation of putting 4 adults in it.

[H380]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

I just picked up my '23 yesterday. Only about 30 miles on it at this point, but "shocking amount of road noise" is beyond hyperbolic. It's more quiet inside than our '18 Mazda 3 on all seasons.

The throttle in normal mode does seem a bit soft. I'll play with it a bit more once I get some more miles on it.

I haven't noticed any shifter movement on startup, I also had them do the STi short throw shifter. I believe that was a port installed option. It's great throws are short and crisp.

Rear seats? Meh. I ordered a '15 new after test driving one, I knew they were worthless then and knew they would be worthless now. If we need to take more than myself and my fiance, we will take her 4-door Mazda 3.

I didn't buy a tiny 2-door sports coupe with the expectation of putting 4 adults in it.

Do you have the 17" or 18" rims? The Limited with 18s and the PS4s are unbearable on groved concrete interstate.

[Blighty]

One of the lesser mentioned differences, but another smart liveability feature of the BRZ over the GR86 is the black plastic lip integrated into the front bumper.

This has caught all of my speed bump hits, and because its an unpainted and small plastic part its only around 80$ to replace. Fantastic.

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by Robertw

This is exactly the info I've been looking for haha. I have a GR on order, and was hoping I could fit a 2 yr old, a 6 yr old, and wife in the car for shorter trips. It's going to be the toy car, still have the other family vehicles, but I'd like to get more use out of the car if possible. Being able to use it for school drop off / pickup and short trips with the family is perfect.

The space is highly dependant on how tall the occupants are. I heard the second gen may have a tad less rear space than the first gen...probably due to thicker front seats.

Lots of people say the rear seats are useless, and they are to a degree. But alot of those people are over 6 feet tall. Im 5'-7" and theres barely enough leg room sitting behind myself in my ideal driving position. I can move the seat up a few clicks without compromising drivability but my legs end up being bent a bit more than i want. We used a rear facing child seat on the rear seat passenger side for a time, and the wife (5'-3") was able to squeeze into the front seat, but the seatback is too upright (and more reclined and it touches the car seat...which is normally a no-no) and the headrest being normally tilted forward a bit doenst help. Front facing child seats arent too much of an issue though. I think i can put one behind the drivers seat but my son is only 2 and he'd probably be kicking the seatback. I think realistically either a younger kid in a car seta or a booster seat would be acceptable behind the driver.

Unless of course you are six feet tall...then your seatback touches the rear seat and theres not much you can do with the space.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Sasquachulator

Im 5'-7" and theres barely enough leg room sitting behind myself in my ideal driving position.

I'm 5'11" and easily fit behind myself (except for feet room and headroom), and I was still accosted for being too far away from the steering wheel by an autocross instructor. Maybe being skinny helps here? I'm around 140 lbs.

My 10 and 8 years old fit behind me without a problem as well.

[quikag]

Originally Posted by Robertw

This is exactly the info I've been looking for haha. I have a GR on order, and was hoping I could fit a 2 yr old, a 6 yr old, and wife in the car for shorter trips. It's going to be the toy car, still have the other family vehicles, but I'd like to get more use out of the car if possible. Being able to use it for school drop off / pickup and short trips with the family is perfect.

I have a 4 year old, 18 month old, and wife and they fit perfectly fine in my '22 BRZ. Not a ton of extra room obviously, but it works and we all have a good time sliding around town.