|
BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics All discussions about the first-gen Subaru BRZ coupe |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
05-21-2012, 03:10 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Drives: 2011 Subaru STi
Location: PDX
Posts: 13
Thanks: 0
Thanked 21 Times in 3 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
BRZ Test Drive
I got an opportunity to test drive a new BRZ yesterday at the dealership I ordered my own from. I've been harassing their internet department manager enough that he was able to make the necessary arrangements (and now having driven the car, I'll be harassing him even more-so.)
Firstly, the gearshift selector is unreal, there is zero play in the linkage, in fact at first I thought the car was in third, not neutral as it was. I'm also a huge fan of the seats, although I'm slightly concerned I may have trouble fitting a helmet on without contacting the headliner, I'll have to play with seat position more thoroughly once mine arrives. Steering the vehicle feels heavy, and exceptionally responsive -- the entire chassis eagerly anticipated every bit of input and sought out more; this was particularly evident while driving about on a clover-leaf between two highways as I felt a sense of enthusiasm for more speed in the corners. Once the path straightened back out, and I headed back to the dealership, I put my foot into the throttle while in second-gear. The RPMs climbed quickly. There was no sudden lunge of power pushing me into the back of my seat, rather a nice, linear gallop to 5000 rev/m before shifting into third. The boxer rumble was present, but modest and yet an awesome compliment. I really like the audio system for a factory (non built-in) unit. The car was the "Limited" variant, and with it parked in the dealer lot, I played with the iPod control -- works just as it should. Nice bass, and the audio timing feature is an awesome add-on. I'm not super pleased with the depth of the dash, particularly near the center of the car, where I could easily park a 17" laptop up for storage. In addition, the clutch pedal has no feedback, merely pedal in and pedal out. I hope to find this is the result of a delay valve or related mechanism that can be removed later. The worst thing about the car (and venture thus far) is the constant amount of naysaying from people within various car communities; but I would attribute this to more of an issue with certain personality types than anything else. It's obvious that this is no straight-line racer, plainly obvious. The acceleration isn't going to impress any auto enthusiast, and the exhaust note isn't all that reinforcing of the whole, go-car-go persona. What is clear is the fun that will be had cutting along on the backroads, commuting down the highway and casually conversing with a passenger, or 1.5 (something that isn't easily accomplished in my STi) and pushing my abilities as a driver (while at an appropriate venue.) I am thoroughly excited for my own to arrive, and thankful that I'll be traveling for work over the next several months so that I can remain distracted from the mounting impatience. I've also coined it, my man-miata. |
The Following 18 Users Say Thank You to sterile stork For This Useful Post: | 8987846 (05-21-2012), CLTBRZ (05-24-2012), dookie11 (05-21-2012), Guff (05-22-2012), IntenseDVDA (05-21-2012), Jayde (05-21-2012), joshua (05-21-2012), kwood9000 (05-21-2012), Lighting Red (05-21-2012), ngabdala (05-21-2012), normancw (05-21-2012), NYC BRZ (05-21-2012), Sonex51 (05-23-2012), Sportsguy83 (05-21-2012), Subie (05-21-2012), touge-n00b (05-21-2012), Turbowned (05-21-2012), WRXGuy1 (05-21-2012) |
05-21-2012, 06:36 AM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Drives: BRZ
Location: Asia
Posts: 63
Thanks: 11
Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Yeah, its hard to convince people on the BRZ's wide range of abilities as a car.
Where I come from, a brand new one is good enough for a used GTR R35 from 2010. The truth is, not many cars are sports car in the strictest sense. But the BRZ is a genuine sports car and its 39 days till I will be sitting in mine. |
The Following User Says Thank You to pdreams For This Useful Post: | ngabdala (05-21-2012) |
05-21-2012, 02:44 PM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Drives: WRB BRZ
Location: Maryland
Posts: 83
Thanks: 10
Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Well said and seconded.
__________________
BRZ FTW |
05-21-2012, 02:50 PM | #4 |
Storm Vanguard ONE
Join Date: Nov 2011
Drives: SCCA-HI CS-22 FRS
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 283
Thanks: 46
Thanked 182 Times in 58 Posts
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Completely agree on the clutch. Its not very progressive and the grab point is really high, well higher than my WRX was that's for sure. I do like the lightness of the pedal feel though.
|
05-21-2012, 03:42 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Drives: 2015 Mustang EcoBoost
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 796
Thanks: 274
Thanked 195 Times in 89 Posts
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Thanks for your review. Did you test drive a pre-production BRZ or was it a demo car? Hoping it wasn't another customer's car.
__________________
Check out my BRZ videos on my YouTube page: youtube.com/subaruwrxfan
|
05-21-2012, 06:26 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Drives: Girls crazy with his booty
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,123
Thanks: 373
Thanked 63 Times in 41 Posts
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Can you guys be more specific about the clutch? I'm not well-versed in car terminology, so I didn't quite get your descriptions about the clutch...
Do I have to step all the way down before I'm allowed to shift? Or do you mean there's a bunch of deadspace on the pedal, where stepping on it a quarter of the way does nothing (e.g. like some gas pedals or brake pedals have that 'dead space')? Or do you mean how if you're rolling in traffic at the red light, you have to step all the way in in order to 'roll' forward (no gas pedal involved), vs. only having to step the clutch in a little bit to have the car accelerate forward? Please advise da noob :P TYIA!
__________________
|
05-21-2012, 08:41 PM | #7 | ||
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Drives: 2011 Subaru STi
Location: PDX
Posts: 13
Thanks: 0
Thanked 21 Times in 3 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
Quote:
|
||
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to sterile stork For This Useful Post: | dookie11 (05-21-2012), Subaruwrxfan (05-21-2012) |
05-21-2012, 08:49 PM | #8 |
Attack By Demons
Join Date: Feb 2012
Drives: 2022 BRZ (pre ordered)
Location: Riverside
Posts: 2,070
Thanks: 750
Thanked 440 Times in 254 Posts
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
very cool!! thanks for that review
__________________
#attackbydemons #imcomingbackbish
|
05-21-2012, 11:04 PM | #9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Drives: Girls crazy with his booty
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,123
Thanks: 373
Thanked 63 Times in 41 Posts
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
I've only driven a few standard cars, but for those who are knowledgeable/experienced, what's the correct way a clutch pedal is supposed to be? Soft and fluid, or firm/pressured? I'm talking about brand new, stock clutches btw---NOT those racecar driver kinds
__________________
|
|
05-22-2012, 05:49 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Drives: 98 Camry
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 158
Thanks: 4
Thanked 26 Times in 16 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
I see you're in the PDX area... I assume you mean Portland, OR? Which dealership is this? I've got one on order from a dealer in McMinnville but I've been dying to give one a try...
|
05-22-2012, 08:43 PM | #11 | |
Señor Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Drives: white BRZ 6MT
Location: Rockland, NY
Posts: 1,554
Thanks: 740
Thanked 374 Times in 248 Posts
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
sports cars or high power cars in general should have a firmer pedal
__________________
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to dori. For This Useful Post: | dookie11 (05-24-2012) |
|
|
Tags |
man-miata, test drive, testdrive |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Where in San Diego I can test drive a BRZ? | Roberto | Southern California | 3 | 04-14-2012 09:27 PM |
Test Drive | brzmass12 | BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics | 8 | 04-12-2012 11:16 AM |
BRZ test drive invite | aloretoc | BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics | 32 | 03-25-2012 09:13 AM |
Car Business test drive | Sport-Tech | CANADA | 14 | 03-19-2012 01:09 PM |
FT-86 Test Drive | knoxviue | FR-S & 86 Photos, Videos, Wallpapers, Gallery Forum | 36 | 11-30-2011 01:43 AM |