FR-S or BRZ? Need some advice

[Davie Dynamite]

I totally hear what you guys are saying. It's a tough call.

I'll tell you this. I'm coming from a way different place. My last truck was a 2008 H2. I absolutely loved it. It got stolen and here I am looking for a new car. I think a small nimble sports car is a huge change... but a welcomed change.

The BRZ has the headlights, push start, dual climate, nicer knobs for the a/c etc, nicer interior (IMO)...

The FR-S has the front end... It seems like the BRZ out weighs the FR-S but I still can't get around the front end...

How difficult is it going to be to change that front end? Also, are you anticipating the same after market parts for these 2 cars... mechanical and aesthetic? I mean, I've seen the FR-S outfitted with several different bodykits, wheels, etc but I haven't seen one BRZ with anything really? Is there a reason?

Thanks!

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by MONTEMEX3

Listen to this guy...

If he keeps insisting on talking with both hands off the wheel while driving on public roads, he'll eventually get all the "drama" he is seeking I suspect.

The last thing I want in a car is "drama", but maybe that's just me.

As far as the OP's question, I selected the FR-S for the following reasons:

• I've been a Toyota fan for a long time, and to me the car is more Toyota in its soul than Subaru (others will argue that)
• I prefer the Toyota front fascia
• I prefer oversteer to understeer
• I didn't care about HIDs, and did not want OEM Nav, particularly at a premium.
• I didn't like the silver accents in the BRZ
• I don't like leather or suede seats.

The final straw was getting in as a 1st86er but my decision was made before entering the contest and being moved up from the wait list.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by Davie Dynamite

I totally hear what you guys are saying. It's a tough call.

I'll tell you this. I'm coming from a way different place. My last truck was a 2008 H2. I absolutely loved it. It got stolen and here I am looking for a new car. I think a small nimble sports car is a huge change... but a welcomed change.

The BRZ has the headlights, push start, dual climate, nicer knobs for the a/c etc, nicer interior (IMO)...

The FR-S has the front end... It seems like the BRZ out weighs the FR-S but I still can't get around the front end...

How difficult is it going to be to change that front end? Also, are you anticipating the same after market parts for these 2 cars... mechanical and aesthetic? I mean, I've seen the FR-S outfitted with several different bodykits, wheels, etc but I haven't seen one BRZ with anything really? Is there a reason?

Thanks!

Mechanically they are exactly the same except for the stiffness of the springs and strut. So any aftermarket parts will fit on both cars. If you are into body kits why not just buy the FR-S front bumper and go on from there? Or even replace it with a complete aftermarket bumper cover? The rest of the car (other than the fender gills) are exactly the same.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

If he keeps insisting on talking with both hands off the wheel while driving on public roads, he'll eventually get all the "drama" he is seeking I suspect.

The last thing I want in a car is "drama", but maybe that's just me.

As far as the OP's question, I selected the FR-S for the following reasons:

• I've been a Toyota fan for a long time, and to me the car is more Toyota in its soul than Subaru (others will argue that)
• I prefer the Toyota front fascia
• I prefer oversteer to understeer
• I didn't care about HIDs, and did not want OEM Nav, particularly at a premium.
• I didn't like the silver accents in the BRZ
• I don't like leather or suede seats.

The final straw was getting in as a 1st86er but my decision was made before entering the contest and being moved up from the wait list.

From all the reviews I've read/watched they all said the BRZ was more neutral and did not say it understeers. They did say FR-S oversteers quite easily which for me I prefer neutral/balance handling.

The Premium BRZ doesn't come in leather.

[Razz]

This is a tough question.

I like the BRZ Limited more, but the pricing conflicts with what I will be doing to the vehicle.

Doesn't make sense to buy the BRZ when you convert it to a DD track car.

First thing on the list is
KW Coilovers
Light wheels and tires Enkei?
Bushings
tie rods, endlinks
exhaust
intake
Bodykit
etc...

So is 3 grand worth the better interior?

I think so.

[adprokid]

The Fr-s is lighter and slightly faster, front looks ok, the interior is simple just like the old ae86

[benjoke]

Have you seen a BRZ in person? Yeah the FR-S front end is more aggressive but when you get to see the BRZ bumper it might change your mind because in my opinion it's not bad at all.

I was in the same boat as you. I couldn't decide between the two (I liked the FRS bumper better also) so I had both cars ordered.

If you decide on getting the BRZ and the front end couldn't "grow" on you then you can just replace it. I don't like the Limited's spoiler so I found a person to swap trunk lids with. You could do the same with the front-end.

Good luck and I'm sure whatever you end up buying will put a big smile on your face!

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

From all the reviews I've read/watched they all said the BRZ was more neutral and did not say it understeers. They did say FR-S oversteers quite easily which for me I prefer neutral/balance handling.

Not sure I agree with that, but at the time I made my decision most everything said the suspension was set up for typical Subaru understeer.

Originally Posted by Hanzo

The Premium BRZ doesn't come in leather.

Understood, just meant I didn't want/need that option so it wasn't a factor.

[Proud of BOXER]

Originally Posted by Davie Dynamite

I totally hear what you guys are saying. It's a tough call.

I'll tell you this. I'm coming from a way different place. My last truck was a 2008 H2. I absolutely loved it. It got stolen and here I am looking for a new car. I think a small nimble sports car is a huge change... but a welcomed change.

The BRZ has the headlights, push start, dual climate, nicer knobs for the a/c etc, nicer interior (IMO)...

The FR-S has the front end... It seems like the BRZ out weighs the FR-S but I still can't get around the front end...

How difficult is it going to be to change that front end? Also, are you anticipating the same after market parts for these 2 cars... mechanical and aesthetic? I mean, I've seen the FR-S outfitted with several different bodykits, wheels, etc but I haven't seen one BRZ with anything really? Is there a reason?

Thanks!

The bumper is easy to change. Same aftermarket parts, except for any sort of minor front bumper add ons.

The reason that the BRZ doesn't has as many kits is because there's a bigger fanbase in Japan for the 86, and in the USA FR-S outnumbers BRZs 2/3:1. Also there are more AE86 tuners who are jumping on the 86 bandwagon but less so Subaru tuners doing BRZ stuff.

That being said, everything is (mostly) mechanically the same, so everything will fit.

I went for the BRZ mainly because the creature comforts were worth the extra cost for the Limited that I have a deposit on.

But when you compare costs between the FR-S and the BRZ premium, I don't really see the price difference.

24930 for FRS
25495 for BRZ Premium

That's a $565 difference, not the 1k everyone says.

If you want White, which I did, that pushes the FRS price to 25150 (+220 for white), which is a difference of only $345.

For an extra $565/345 for a BRZ you get Foglights, HID, NAV, and Trunk Lid liner, and Red stitched Ebrake lever. The only thing you "lose" is the Silver handles, IMHO.

That's a deal to me.

Is it worth the extra 2k on top of that for the LED Running lights, heated leather/alcantara seats, silver handles, illuminated mirrors, Keyless Entry, Dual zone automatic climate control, push button start, alarm, and spoiler? I answered Yes.

Also, if you think you can retrofit the climate control and push button start easily. I highly doubt it. Subaru makes their wiring harness one piece, and doesn't usually run wires for missing accessories.

For those who say Subaru dealers are marking their cars up, I was able to find a BRZ Limited 500 less than MSRP, equipped as I wanted in White, with Package 1B, and it was offered to me. Obviously, YMMV.

[Spd229]

I will say my choice was really torn.

The front fascia of both cars looks great, I would have been very happy with either of them as they both have style and personality. I wouldn't really even say that the FR-S is all that much more aggressive than the BRZ as the BRZ looks pretty mean and sporty.

The deciding factor in my case was Availability and Dealer willingness. I was set on an ultramarine or galaxy blue silica FR-S or BRZ, the Subaru dealership seemed to be pretty behind on things unfortunately and didn't seem to be too interested in the car. The toyota dealership I ended up with was very up front about the car and kept me up to date on whatever they knew.

As far as features:
-It's a car
-It has seats! Seats wear out over time but the FR-S seats seem really adequate.
-It has a simple enough HVAC for a car of this size, dual zone is more of a "look what I've got"
-The stock radio in the FR-S does anything I would want (bluetooth, satellite?, ipod, etc)
-The car feels planted and handles nearly identically to the BRZ up to 9/10's
-Headlights are plenty bright and a retrofit kit is $300, meaning I'll still have $900 to change what I want if I feel the need (maybe get that subaru ebrake boot)
-Didn't need push button start (would have been cool..but eh. personal choice of want vs need honestly)
-Supposedly the BRZ handles holes and bumps a bit better, but the FR-S doesn't seem too harsh at all.


There's more, but the cars are cars; they're super similar and will deliver a smile to your face when you get one and drive it. That's what matters.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Not sure I agree with that, but at the time I made my decision most everything said the suspension was set up for typical Subaru understeer.



Understood, just meant I didn't want/need that option so it wasn't a factor.

With my experience so far the BRZ definitely didn't feel understeering compared to my old WRX. In fact, anymore oversteer I would be afraid to push it (I'm not a drifter).

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by Razz

This is a tough question.

I like the BRZ Limited more, but the pricing conflicts with what I will be doing to the vehicle.

Doesn't make sense to buy the BRZ when you convert it to a DD track car.

First thing on the list is
KW Coilovers
Light wheels and tires Enkei?
Bushings
tie rods, endlinks
exhaust
intake
Bodykit
etc...

So is 3 grand worth the better interior?

I think so.

I agree, if you are going to heavily modified the car and want to stay at a lower budget go for the FR-S even though the premium BRZ is only $1,300 more. I personally really like the HID and LED day time running lights so it’s not just the interior.

[Turbowned]

To me the BRZ is more "finished", and what you get for the additional $3300 (FR-S vs. Limited BRZ 6MT), it's totally worth the extra ~$2/day to finance. I wanted a Toyota 86 GT Limited which would be the Toyota equivalent to the BRZ Limited, but since we're stuck with the Mono-spec Scion, I've got no choice but to choose the Subaru. It's up to you whether the HID's, leather/Alcantara heated seats, heated mirrors, keyless access, navigation, fog lights and rear spoiler are worth the extra coin.

[Oriental Life]

Originally Posted by MONTEMEX3

Listen to this guy...

Sorry, guys, but he is full of First he compares driving experience to GTR ($90K), then to Lambo ($140K), then to Ferrari, and then to a MUSTANG - the ugliest car out there?

Sorry chap, but you need to cut down on TG UK, you are taking it the wrong way. You don't get small capable cars, period.

Drama at 35 mph, jezz.... GTR will eat our cars for breakfast. I park near one at work every day.

P.S. I forced myself to watch it till the end... 'original Cooper' not exciting??? Does he even know what an ORIGINAL Cooper was like? That it won number of championships, and ate for breakfast Mustangs and such in the corners? Idiot! He probably thinks Cooper was first released in 2000.