Is the BRZ interesting to drive when the roads aren't twisty?

[Khazzy]

Originally Posted by husker741

You just aren't looking in the right places in Omaha

exaclty what I told him

[infinite012]

Originally Posted by sierra

Mine used to move around in a straight line on certain roads. Especially sensitive to certain surfaces on single track country roads where you straddle the camber. Since fitting a strut brace[Grimmspeed] I haven't noticed it.

That damn Grimmspeed bar seems to be the cure for a lot of things. I should've purchased one when I was in the GB...

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by infinite012

It's boring and darty on the highway. You will constantly be correcting the steering wheel trying to go in a straight line.

Sounds like you need an alignment.

My brz in stock form is hardly darty & in need of correcting steering input.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[infinite012]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

Sounds like you need an alignment.

My brz in stock form is hardly darty & in need of correcting steering input.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Sounds like I already explained that I got one.

[2013GTRNate]

Originally Posted by Slipstream

Long time lurker, first time poster (sort of). I have lusted after the BRZ since it was first announced and I'm finally in a position to purchase one. Unfortunately, I'm starting to second-guess my decision based on a sore subject - power.

I live in Omaha, NE... not exactly the Nurburgring in terms of driving excitement. Most of our roads are laid out in a grid and "twisty mountain passes" are not common. Therefore, 85% of my driving is going to be on normal roads with not much more than a long on ramp or occasional hairpin to stretch the BRZ's muscle. At that point, I'm driving a 200-hp coupe with not much torque more than a perfectly-balanced instrument of corner-carving.

For those of you who live in the middle of the country, is this still a fun car to drive day-after-day? Or do you wish you had gone with something more powerful and less handling-focused?

(I'm now cross-shopping the BRZ with a '11-12 Mustang GT and an oddball choice, a Z3 Coupe, for reference)

I have fun just sitting in my BRZ while parked in the garage, I'm not joking about that. If you pick the car that is right for you then the terrain shouldn't reduce the euphoric feeling that driving it causes. I spent over a year picking all of the cars in my stable and I enjoy driving each and every one of them. I could have afforded cars costing 2 or 3 times what these do but the enjoyment I get from my BRZ and Forester and knowing that they are such a "bang for the buc" I love passing all of the boring Audi, BMW, Cadillac to name a few owners and smile about what my Forester and BRZ bring to the table. I volunteer to make grocery runs all of the time and love the little trips. Basically life is great in my BRZ! I hope that you too make the right choice for your next car, even if it isn't a BRZ/FRS.

Cheers,

-Nate

[993Fan]

Originally Posted by bdbx18

I gotta agree, my BRZ does get a little darty on the freeway but it's because of the quick steering and/or stiff suspension and not alignment.

Many of the roads around here are grooved and the BRZ tramlines like crazy on them.

But I haven't had any problems on smooth roads.

[Pete156]

I don't think I'd have bought a BRZ if I lived in NE (or any other flat state). This car begs for turns and is boring as hell on straight roads (even with FI). No, this car is not interesting to drive on non-twisty roads unless Cherize Theron is your passenger. I am thankful I live in WA, with world class twisty roads and these tall things called mountains to drive around.

[userjack6880]

I have plenty of twisties on my daily-route. Tons of potholes to avoid.

In all seriousness, I get myself enough stop signs, lights, and a few nice curves (not to mention a roundabout which is loads of fun) that the potholes are the only real downside to my commute.

[1086]

I think you will still be satisfied and enjoy a BRZ.

Have you thought about the mazdaspeed 3? Are you only considering RWD cars?

[alan.chalkley]

Like most sports cars , the BRZ tram rails (darts) a little on straight freeways on the stock tyres and is a lot worse with wide tyres fitted.
The BRZ is a lot more fun than my old Brock 5 liter V8.
Big horsepower cars are only fun with big fat tyres and big fat petrol tanks.

[AznKirby]

Originally Posted by 1086

I think you will still be satisfied and enjoy a BRZ.

Have you thought about the mazdaspeed 3? Are you only considering RWD cars?

[Ganthrithor]

Is there anything that is fun to drive on straight roads, assuming you're planning on staying under go-straight-to-jail speeds?

The BRZ does really slow, happy burnouts without making a lot of smoke or too much noise. I guess that's entertaining where the roads aren't? And the gas mileage is pretty good. And it doesn't feel like you're driving a bus. These are all pluses in my book.

[Slipstream]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

E85, headers, catback, intake, tune. Those are what can be done to improve the NA power, but they won't get you anywhere near 250 WHP (and trust me, you'll be "along for the ride" at 350 WHP in this car). A good SC or turbo kit will get you there easily at low boost (5-8 psi) and a good tune... the tune is critical, absolutely critical.

Good to know. 250whp isn't even really necessary IMO; I was thinking brake horsepower. That would put the car about even with a stock S2000, but with a little more torque. When I found the car to be a tad underpowered it really was just a bit down on power. Compared to the Miatas I tried, it was plenty potent.

Originally Posted by Whitigir

I would rather pay 7-8k more for a Brand new car with 5 miles on it. That 7-8k is way Worth it for a NEW car...I would say Pop a Cherry. That 7-8k is way worth it...for a Shinny car

Now, if I was to save 15k ...I would buy used, and don't mind the rest

I'm kind of in this camp. With some of the deals that can be had on brand new BRZs (if you know where to look) it makes more sense for my OCD personality to start with a brand new/un-abused model. The Rabbit that I just sold was mine from new and I was pretty proud of the condition it was in. The fact that it sold for asking price within five days of listing it validated my neuroticism. Lol!

Originally Posted by 2013GTRNate

I have fun just sitting in my BRZ while parked in the garage, I'm not joking about that. If you pick the car that is right for you then the terrain shouldn't reduce the euphoric feeling that driving it causes. I spent over a year picking all of the cars in my stable and I enjoy driving each and every one of them. I could have afforded cars costing 2 or 3 times what these do but the enjoyment I get from my BRZ and Forester and knowing that they are such a "bang for the buc" I love passing all of the boring Audi, BMW, Cadillac to name a few owners and smile about what my Forester and BRZ bring to the table. I volunteer to make grocery runs all of the time and love the little trips. Basically life is great in my BRZ! I hope that you too make the right choice for your next car, even if it isn't a BRZ/FRS.

Cheers,

-Nate

I can't give thanks yet (or I'm doing it wrong), but Thanks and great input!

Originally Posted by 1086

Have you thought about the mazdaspeed 3? Are you only considering RWD cars?

Only RWD at this point. I come from a long line of FWD cars and want to try something new. I did try the newer MS3 for kicks and was amazed at the savage power delivery between 3-5k RPMs... But disappointed by the lack of it outside of that range. The arm wrestling match that is WOT in first gear was pretty hilarious though.

[1086]

Ha... acura rsx type-s ...