Test Drive Impressions and MSRP confirmation

[engee]

Hey everyone,

I was just at my dealer today and was also able to do a test drive as well. The car I drove was the BRZ limited. I currently drive a 2009 wrx Hatch which is what I will comparing the BRZ to.

Initial Impressions:
This is the first time I've ever seen or sat in the car. As others have said, seating position is low. You have to step down to get into the car. However, the lines of sight are great. I prefer the sight lines comparing it to my WRX. I'm 5'9" and weigh 150 lbs. The seats fit me completely perfectly. The bolsters were nice and snug. Clutch travel seemed extremely short. The shifter felt precise and accurate. Throws are way shorter than a stock WRX. On a normal drive, the car is quiet and composed. Very stable and isn't loud at all. Suspension is a bit stiff, in my opinion, for a daily driver but it isn't bad by any means. The steering wheel is smaller than the WRX's wheel. Left the lot and starting driving around.

After just cruising around for a bit, I had to stop at a red light. I asked the rep if I could step on it. He gave a grin and said go for it. All my qualms about the car not having enough power left my mind. The car growled to life. The sound at the higher RPM's was glorious. Quick shift to 2nd and there was a sweeping right. Tossed the car in and car was completely balanced. A smile lit up on my face. Car is just amazing. Quick left after the right sweeper and car just transitioned beautifully. Brakes on the car felt better than my WRX. I then proceeded to just cruise around again and was able to get some things I wanted to find out, 6th gear at 50 mph is 2,000 rpm. Heel toe on this car feels completely natural. Nav unit is really good. We lost track of where we were and used it to get back to the dealership. However, neither of us knew the exact address. The nav unit found it easily. Once back to the dealership, I finalized my paper work and got MSRP.

I know this is brief and if anyone has any questions, I'll definitely try to answer them as well.

Brief note: To all those that preordered this car and have an idea of what this car is about, you will not be disappointed.

[stateless]

Thanks for the review! I'm coming from an 06 WRX so it always helps to hear a WRX comparison.

[Sport-Tech]

When you say suspension is a "bit stiff for a daily driver" -do you have experience to compare it any of the following: Integra GS, current Corolla XRS, 90s-era 3 series?

[slizoth]

Excellent review, Ive been comparing the BRZ to the WRX more and more, but I still side with the BRZ... Just wish I could get the price tag down more, new grad deals, first car deas, ect.

[engee]

Originally Posted by Scion FR-S

When you say suspension is a "bit stiff for a daily driver" -do you have experience to compare it any of the following: Integra GS, current Corolla XRS, 90s-era 3 series?

I don't have any experience to those cars. However, it's a stiff suspension where you'll feel the bumps of a road but nothing too harsh that you'll want to kill yourself.

[Lighting Red]

I have some questions for you, but I am at work...

[M-17]

Originally Posted by engee

Nav unit is really good. We lost track of where we were and used it to get back to the dealership. However, neither of us knew the exact address. The nav unit found it easily. Once back to the dealership, I finalized my paper work and got MSRP.

I know this is brief and if anyone has any questions, I'll definitely try to answer them as well.

Brief note: To all those that preordered this car and have an idea of what this car is about, you will not be disappointed.

That sounds like a great way to go for a test drive if you asked me and at least you got to test it out too. Hopefully this week I'll get a shot at it.

[kykiee]

i notice your location is NJ. which dealership did you go to?

[Lighting Red]

engee, can you please describe the road conditions you were on. I am fascinated by your comment on the suspension. I did not find the suspension stiff, and I hit a couple rain gutters and other road features that would lead to decent hits. To me the car was generally compliant. There is a level of stiffness befitting the type of car the BRZ is, but is was not anything near annoying... or even noteworthy. Thank, brother!

[bimmerboy]

As a former WRX owner as well this helps even more than an avg review.

You mentioned the brakes felt better- I heard that the BRZ actually has the same brakes as the wrx, which left me wishing for more... However it seems like the reduced weight really helps!


so even with a driver + passenger, the acceleration felt adequate? How bad/good is the sound with the equal length headers?

[Jayp]

Originally Posted by kykiee

i notice your location is NJ. which dealership did you go to?

I'd also like to know. I'll be going to Jersey in a month or so. So if the dealership in my area doesn't get car before I leave, I'll test drive it Jersey!

[engee]

Originally Posted by kykiee

i notice your location is NJ. which dealership did you go to?

Originally Posted by Jayp

I'd also like to know. I'll be going to Jersey in a month or so. So if the dealership in my area doesn't get car before I leave, I'll test drive it Jersey!

Liberty Subaru in Oradell. They had the car there today only. Not sure where it will be next. The rep was kind enough to let me drive it.

Originally Posted by Lighting Red

engee, can you please describe the road conditions you were on. I am fascinated by your comment on the suspension. I did not find the suspension stiff, and I hit a couple rain gutters and other road features that would lead to decent hits. To me the car was generally compliant. There is a level of stiffness befitting the type of car the BRZ is, but is was not anything near annoying... or even noteworthy. Thank, brother!

Road conditions are normal local roads. I guess stiff is a wrong word. The suspension is definitely adequate for the car. I went over a railroad track and definitely felt it. It wasn't anything I was annoyed about but rather I definitely noticed it more than I would in my WRX.

Originally Posted by bimmerboy

As a former WRX owner as well this helps even more than an avg review.

You mentioned the brakes felt better- I heard that the BRZ actually has the same brakes as the wrx, which left me wishing for more... However it seems like the reduced weight really helps!

so even with a driver + passenger, the acceleration felt adequate? How bad/good is the sound with the equal length headers?

The brake feel compared to my WRX is just better. It seemed to have a better initial bite and brake pedal travel was definitely less. The reduction in weight definitely helps the car.

The sound of the exhaust at normal cruising speeds is quiet. You do not hear the car at all. You can talk at normal cruising speeds.

But... during the last 1,000-1,500 revs before red line, the sound is glorious. It's loud, deafening even. My guess as to why this happened is due to the supposed resonator tubes. During these last 1,500 rpms, I was shocked.

In terms of acceleration, the sound makes you forget completely about the acceleration. You feel like you are going fast even though my WRX would destroy this car in a straight. Much like others have said, you have to add in all other things when perceiving speed. The car felt fast even though it probably wasn't. It's really difficult to explain. Sorry for my lack of words.

[Pakjk89]

If I can add, when I went on my test drive, we had 3 people in the car including myself and the car was still a marvel. I guess I didn't think about that until now but brakes and acceleration were still strong.

[Zgrinch]

Originally Posted by engee

The sound of the exhaust at normal cruising speeds is quiet. You do not hear the car at all. You can talk at normal cruising speeds.

But... during the last 1,000-1,500 revs before red line, the sound is glorious. It's loud, deafening even. My guess as to why this happened is due to the supposed resonator tubes. During these last 1,500 rpms, I was shocked.

That is music to my ears...quiet when cruising and loud when you gun it.
Thank you for your post.