Initial Driving Impressions - BRZ Limited 6MT

[ShoNUFF]

Just picked up my new BRZ Limited in Crystal Black Silica.

Figured I'd post up my review / road test for others waiting on their new car. I enjoyed reading them myself when I was waiting for mine.


EXTERIOR
I didn't get to see the color until I picked it up in person. The Crystal Black has a lot of metal flake that really pops in the sunlight, it looks amazing.

I'm not a huge fan of the wheels, but with the black car they work better. I want to paint them all silver ASAP.

The fog light package on the Limited I think also ruins the front lines of the car. I'm going to swap out with the Premium covers when I can. (PM if you are interested)

Driving Dynamics
I'm still under break-in, so I haven't had a chance to really get the RPM's up to where the car makes it's power. But even below 4K it's got more enough power to get in and around town. Even though it's not a powerhouse, it feels like it doesn't really need any more power. It's so perfectly balanced. I'm sure an I/E and maybe some pulleys will definitely wake things up a bit though.

The torque dip everyone has been complaining about it is there, but feels like more of a flat spot instead of noticeable loss in power. Not a deal breaker by any means.

Coming from a Gen1 Mazdaspeed 3, the car is no where near as fast in a straight line, but the BRZ just feels so planted and connected. Something you truly have to experience to understand. I drove a Ferrari Superamerica a few years back and it had a similar feel of low and planted. The 350z also has that low/ wide feel to it.

Being so low to the ground, the sensation of speed is incredible. Going the speed limit feels much faster then it did in my Mazda. I can't wait to really get her on a track/ Auto-X course.

The gearbox is extremely smooth and the throws are super short making every 'snick' of the shifter a truly rewarding experience.

I've taken a few on-ramps so far pushing it 5/10 and it just feels like there is so much grip and zero body roll.

Interior
The interior is really what sold me on the car. As soon as I sat in the Limited in the dealer showroom I was instantly hooked. I had test driven the Scion FRS in Auto and was not impressed with the overall look and feel of it. It felt juvenile. The Auto drive train was also pretty underwhelming. The 6MT makes a huge difference.

Coming from the interior of the 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 with Black Leather/ Red stitching and mesh alacantara everywhere I was low budget spoiled.

The BRZ takes it to a whole new level.. I feel like I'm in an Audi!

The leather is pretty high quality and the steering wheel is meaty. The HVAC cluster with LED readout looks like jetfighter cockpit. Just so sick...!

The seats.. omg the f*cking seats.. the head rests... I can't get over it. The seatbelt strapping thing.. They really went overboard.

The Navi has a pretty cool interface, but after playing with it for a few days it's frustrating and I might look into that Android swap.

The stereo is also mediocre and could definitely use an upgrade. Speakers are nothing though so you can't really complain.

So that's it. All in all I'm EXTREMELY satisfied with my purchase. All the things that I DON'T like about the car are easily upgradeable.


Sorry for the essay. I'm sure some will read.

:::CLIFFS:::
Awesome car for the money
All small things that suck are easily upgraded.

Proud to be BOXER!

[Longhorn248]

Nice write up! I like how you described the torque dip as more of a flat spot than an actual dip, I completely agree with this. Fortunately it doesn't last for long once you get up in the revs. Hope you don't go crazy during the break in!

[BMWDavid]

Glad you like the car. I've had my BRZ Limited for 6 months now and have almost 7,000 miles on it.

Like you I've driven a Ferrari (550) and sat in others. Also I have exposure to a lot of high end cars. The BRZ can hold its head up high when compared to these cars and when you take the price in account it is a super value.

A word on break-in. Don't baby it. Be sure engine is fully warm before reving then take the revs to 5-6 grand every now and then. Get into the throttle and load the engine while it revs. Vary the speed...

Enjoy!

[86BRZ]

I thought about that torque dip the other day, and you have said it well, it is more like flat, I say for lower RPM gas saving casual driving purposes is good. Wait until you have the car break in and you will find yourself staying in mostly 4 - 6k rpm!

[BMWDavid]

Originally Posted by 86BRZ

I thought about that torque dip the other day, and you have said it well, it is more like flat, I say for lower RPM gas saving casual driving purposes is good. Wait until you have the car break in and you will find yourself staying in mostly 4 - 6k rpm!

I agree...I think this whole torque dip thing is overblown. Yes you can sense it but I love the torque this engine has in the 2,000-3,000+ rpm range when driving in town.

Then when you allow the revs to rise up through 4,500 and beyond it really comes alive.

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by ShoNUFF

Interior
The interior is really what sold me on the car. As soon as I sat in the Limited in the dealer showroom I was instantly hooked. I had test driven the Scion FRS in Auto and was not impressed with the overall look and feel of it. It felt juvenile. The Auto drive train was also pretty underwhelming. The 6MT makes a huge difference.

Coming from the interior of the 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 with Black Leather/ Red stitching and mesh alacantara everywhere I was low budget spoiled.

The BRZ takes it to a whole new level.. I feel like I'm in an Audi!

Mmm, yeah it's close but it's not Audi-level, yet. I leased a 2012 S4 when I worked for Audi earlier this year, and while the BRZ has all the amenities that the S4 has (heated leather/alcantara sport seats, dual zone auto climate, navigation, bluetooth, keyless access/push start), the quality of materials is considerably lower (as would be expected of a car costing half as much). The aftermarket *cough* JPM Coachworks, Billet Pro Shop, ALSA Corp, Sullivan Racing Products *cough* can certainly remedy these shortcomings, though. I will say that the interior is leaps and bounds ahead of many other Subaru models.

Congratulations on your purchase!

[Jaylyons1]

Originally Posted by BMWDavid

I agree...I think this whole torque dip thing is overblown. Yes you can sense it but I love the torque this engine has in the 2,000-3,000+ rpm range when driving in town.

Then when you allow the revs to rise up through 4,500 and beyond it really comes alive.

I aven't really read what others say about the drop but it really does get to me sometimes. I never noticed it during break-in and I don't notice it at all in daily driving since I don't thrash it around. I do notice it pretty well when I need to make that pass or get out into traffic quick and in a hurry which are the times I could really use it.

I'm hoping after a few upgrades, this will help get a little more power at the dip. I just have to wait for the money to grow in my back yard.

[ShoNUFF]

Originally Posted by Jaylyons1

I aven't really read what others say about the drop but it really does get to me sometimes. I never noticed it during break-in and I don't notice it at all in daily driving since I don't thrash it around. I do notice it pretty well when I need to make that pass or get out into traffic quick and in a hurry which are the times I could really use it.

I'm hoping after a few upgrades, this will help get a little more power at the dip. I just have to wait for the money to grow in my back yard.

Agreed.. I think with a conservative turbo kit ... 50whp? It would make a HUGE difference without affecting reliability.

[86BRZ]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Mmm, yeah it's close but it's not Audi-level, yet. I leased a 2012 S4 when I worked for Audi earlier this year, and while the BRZ has all the amenities that the S4 has (heated leather/alcantara sport seats, dual zone auto climate, navigation, bluetooth, keyless access/push start), the quality of materials is considerably lower (as would be expected of a car costing half as much). The aftermarket *cough* JPM Coachworks, Billet Pro Shop, ALSA Corp, Sullivan Racing Products *cough* can certainly remedy these shortcomings, though. I will say that the interior is leaps and bounds ahead of many other Subaru models.

Congratulations on your purchase!

Agreed too. I am going to do the JPM Coachworks, LED bulbs, Aluminum vinyl (you know where) to give the interior a major upgrade.

when I have the time to take it apart...

[Jaylyons1]

Originally Posted by ShoNUFF

Agreed.. I think with a conservative turbo kit ... 50whp? It would make a HUGE difference without affecting reliability.

Yea, this is what Im thinking. I'd be happy with a baby turbo that spools up super fast. I don't need more hp, but I could use a smoother curve and more torque. I don't want to go with a supercharger though since I use this car to commute. Meh, it's at the lower end of my list right now anyway. I want to tighten it up a little first.

[ShoNUFF]

Originally Posted by Jaylyons1

Yea, this is what Im thinking. I'd be happy with a baby turbo that spools up super fast. I don't need more hp, but I could use a smoother curve and more torque. I don't want to go with a supercharger though since I use this car to commute. Meh, it's at the lower end of my list right now anyway. I want to tighten it up a little first.

Jay- I see you have a Black BRZ with blacked out stock rims.. I've been trying to find some pics of this.. Can you post up some good shots?

[Jaylyons1]

Originally Posted by ShoNUFF

Jay- I see you have a Black BRZ with blacked out stock rims.. I've been trying to find some pics of this.. Can you post up some good shots?

I'll have to take some tomorrow. I haven't taken many pics since I dipped the wheels.

Here is one

[ShoNUFF]

Looks good man!

Not sure If I wanna do black or spray them all silver.

[sierra]

Originally Posted by Jaylyons1

Yea, this is what Im thinking. I'd be happy with a baby turbo that spools up super fast. I don't need more hp, but I could use a smoother curve and more torque. I don't want to go with a supercharger though since I use this car to commute. Meh, it's at the lower end of my list right now anyway. I want to tighten it up a little first.

A small turbo would ruin the engine IMO.
I had a Mitsubishi Lancer GSR turbo AWD years ago, with the 1.8L engine that had a very high red line and the engine was capable of even higher rpm's. From memory[17 years ago] it was 7,500rpm red line with 8,250 cut out?
It had a small turbo that spooled up easily and early but it was all over by 5,500rpm and breathless at 6,500rpm.
A good engine gets stronger as the revs rise, as this boxer does.
Don't spoil it.

I got a WRX after the GSR and loved it but the GSR handled better. You could take a turn in 2nd in the wet with all 4 wheels spinning and still follow the line, the balance was that good.