Test drove BRZ, a few observations/questions

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

Nah, not interested in FI - defeats the purpose of getting a cheap car with a warranty over the Cayman. What I am interested is a couple mods that helps the car feel a little more spirited in the powerband.

I hate to say it, but it won't happen without FI.

You'd be voiding your warranty with bolt-on mods anyways. This car uses a MAF table stock.

[2point0]

Single best handling mod I did was camber bolts. The car was suddenly able to change directions much more easily. It got more "snappy". Another super cheap, but often overlooked mod was the solid steering rack bushings from TiC. I got the delrin ones because they were on sale, but there should be no difference between these and the aluminum ones. Steering feel was greatly improved.

I also went with Pilot Super Sports (225/40-17) and after they heat up from a few hard corners, they are incredibly sticky. My friend in a worked-over 04 WRX (JDM motor and twin-scroll turbo with tons of suspension) had a hard time keeping me off his tail, and he was on 245 NT05s.

[2013GTRNate]

I considered a used Cayman as well but at the end of the day the warranty and the fun factor of the BRZ was what ultimately won me over. I just hate buying a car that someone else has beat the crap out of for many years. Plus my garage already had a "BEAST MODE" edition, so I really needed something with the practicality of good gas mileage and a warranty. I SMILE everyday on my way to work.

Cheers,
-Nate

[thill]

Originally Posted by 2013GTRNate

I considered a used Cayman as well but at the end of the day the warranty and the fun factor of the BRZ was what ultimately won me over. I just hate buying a car that someone else has beat the crap out of for many years. Plus my garage already had a "BEAST MODE" edition, so I really needed something with the practicality of good gas mileage and a warranty. I SMILE everyday on my way to work.

Cheers,
-Nate

Sigh... I hate you...



Just kidding. But you really do have the perfect balance between two cars..

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by thill

Sigh... I hate you...



Just kidding. But you really do have the perfect balance between two cars..

Between the 3 it looks like


New fxt is a big improvement over the previous generation

[2point0]

Originally Posted by utekineir

Between the 3 it looks like


New fxt is a big improvement over the previous generation

They are really nice, but no more MT on turbo models! Booooring.

[tobin]

996 GT3

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by 2point0

They are really nice, but no more MT on turbo models! Booooring.

There's been no more mt on the turbo forester since 09, mandatory massive sunroof since 06. 04/05 were the only stripped down prime for a project car years the us got of the fxt.

But the new one is still a big jump forward with the new drivetrain.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by utekineir

There's been no more mt on the turbo forester since 09, mandatory massive sunroof since 06. 04/05 were the only stripped down prime for a project car years the us got of the fxt.

But the new one is still a big jump forward with the new drivetrain.

Everyone and their mother is looking for 04/05 FXT. Just a turbo-swap away from STI powwwuhhhh.

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Everyone and their mother is looking for 04/05 FXT. Just a turbo-swap away from STI powwwuhhhh.

Vf39 is pretty fun with forester gearing and smaller than forester diameter tires.

But by the time you do turbo, exhaust, tmic, suspension, arms, bushings, steering rack, linkage, seats, brakes and whatever else you may as well have just bought a gr sti though.

Or atleast that what my expense spreadsheet said before I got too scared to update it.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by utekineir

Vf39 is pretty fun with forester gearing and smaller than forester diameter tires.

But by the time you do turbo, exhaust, tmic, suspension, arms, bushings, steering rack, linkage, seats, brakes and whatever else you may as well have just bought a gr sti though.

Or atleast that what my expense spreadsheet said before I got too scared to update it.

Except... a GR STI isn't a forester...

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Except... a GR STI isn't a forester...

Compare the interior dimensions of a gr hatch vs an sg forester on cars101.

You'd be surprised how close they are in the areas that count.

The 20cf cargo volume difference is mostly in the height of the ceiling. Floor length behind seats is only 6" different.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by utekineir

Compare the dimensions of a gr hatch vs an at forester on cars101.

You'd be surprised how close they are

Oh I know, but I want that sleeper boxy look

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Oh I know, but I want that sleeper boxy look

Agree. The only cosmetics noticeable on mine are height (feal sti struts, rce blacks), brembos, sti bbs and gr sti seats. It flies under the radar 99.9% of the time.

The cosmetically stock frs literally draws more attention in a week than the forester does in a year.