These cars are fast

[fang_gt86]

Originally Posted by DanielC

My only real gripe with the cars is the fact that they are so barebones from the factory at all trim levels. Even the BRZ Limited, which is the one I'm contemplating, lacks basic creature comforts like a freaking armrest (seriously, wtf?) and not even an option for different wheels/tires. On the Scion front it seems like they finally got the right platform for the brand, and now is when they decide to not push the factory/OEM+ customization aspect.

I guess it comes barebones for marketing purposes, cost-cutting or just the way it was designed. After all, part of its philosophy is to offer a Porsche feeling without breaking the bank...

[Vides990]

Originally Posted by regal

Should quit the slander and open your eyes I've worked with aerospace engineers (hell I' a Boilermaker) they tend not to stick around very in the auto industry due to mindsets just like yours . modifying an fat20t isn"t designing a jet engine. A football player generally doesn't pan out in baseball that's all I'm saying. People are installing turbos on their twins every day in the garage for christs sake>

And the turbos people install on their cars aren't bottom mounted, have the exhaust ports on the correct side of the engine, and don't require you to jack the car up off the ground so it doesnt drag. To fix those issues to fit the FA20T you're going to need a new chasis, not sure how thats so hard to understand.

Also, if you had a clue, there have been rumors of Toyota/Subaru working on a 1.6/1.8T version of the FA20, that could be the boosted motor that ends up in the car after 2016. The FA20T just doesn't fit in the car without extensive modification, its really that simple.

[dirtymax]

Originally Posted by DanielC

My only real gripe with the cars is the fact that they are so barebones from the factory at all trim levels. Even the BRZ Limited, which is the one I'm contemplating, lacks basic creature comforts like a freaking armrest (seriously, wtf?) and not even an option for different wheels/tires. On the Scion front it seems like they finally got the right platform for the brand, and now is when they decide to not push the factory/OEM+ customization aspect.

For the ~26-29k price tag, it really does seem a bit expensive. Yes rear wheel drive, yes good suspension geometry, yes they look fantastic. I don't live near the 'twisties', and much of my commute is on an expressway going in a straight line at either 70mph or in bumper to bumper traffic. Is this the most sensible option for someone like me? Nope. Do I still want a BRZ? Absolutely. Just wish they would have given the above more thought.

I basically lay on the armrest of my Jetta but I dont think this car needs one. Your in more of an aggressive position in this car and an armrest might just get in the way of shifting at a good pace. Other than the crap stereo this car has just enough tech in it for me. I dont want buttons on the wheel or anything else because it would just be in the way of ripping around in this car. This is just my feel of the car after having it for awhile

[TrackRider54]

I've never been a fan of buttons on the wheel. Only thing I ever do to the radio is turn it up and down, hit the preset buttons, and skip tracks. I've never found it difficult to reach over and hit a button on the radio.

I do enjoy a good hands free bluetooth setup, but picking up a Jawbone ERA (https://jawbone.com/headsets/era) would give you much better audio quality.

I'm continuing to read and research the BRZ/FRS in hopes of picking one up cheap in a couple of years. My needs are:

1) Fun to drive
2) Fuel efficient
3) Great handling
4) Reliability
5) Cheap to maintain
6) Cheap to insure

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by TrackRider54

I'm continuing to read and research the BRZ/FRS in hopes of picking one up cheap in a couple of years. My needs are:

1) Fun to drive
2) Fuel efficient
3) Great handling
4) Reliability
5) Cheap to maintain
6) Cheap to insure

Why not Miata today?

Also if you like being able to reach over and hit a button on the radio by feel you're pretty much locked into a '13 FRS with a base head unit or installing your own. I haven't heard very many positive reviews on the touchscreen units in these cars...

http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/brz/20...en-stylus.html

[Whitigir]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Why not Miata today?

Also if you like being able to reach over and hit a button on the radio by feel you're pretty much locked into a '13 FRS with a base head unit or installing your own. I haven't heard very many positive reviews on the touchscreen units in these cars...

http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/brz/20...en-stylus.html

Yeah, the Miata even have Convertible Top...also Hard top convertible. I can't think of anything else for being cheaper to buy part for than the Miata

Miata can easily be found for 25k with hardtop, and 23500 with soft top, brand new

[Mikem53]

Originally Posted by Vides990

The FA20T just doesn't fit in the car without extensive modification, its really that simple.

You would think , for pennies on the dollar, they would be able to make it fit.. Lol
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.
Maybe bigger wheels and tires so the turbo won't scrape...

[Whitigir]

Originally Posted by Mikem53

You would think , for pennies on the dollar, they would be able to make it fit.. Lol
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.

They can, but why would they ? They want 86 to be Naturally Aspirated for better reliability, and cheaper maintenance.

Mazda tried it with Miata Speed, and they dropped it right off the bat, right away, because it didn't make any senses

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by DanielC

My only real gripe with the cars is the fact that they are so barebones from the factory at all trim levels. Even the BRZ Limited, which is the one I'm contemplating, lacks basic creature comforts like a freaking armrest (seriously, wtf?) and not even an option for different wheels/tires.

This is what I meant earlier when I said that some people don't understand the point of this car. It has what it has and lacks what it lacks because it fills a particular market niche. Adding features would increase the price into another market segment, where it would be pointless because there are already other cars competing there. The idea behind this is to offer a (relatively) barebones sports car that you can customize yourself with aftermarket options to be exactly what you want.

I have the 2014 BRZ Limited, and personally I'm impressed with the features this car has for the price. The '60s and '70s sports cars in this market niche didn't even have air conditioning. Some didn't even have door handles.

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Also if you like being able to reach over and hit a button on the radio by feel you're pretty much locked into a '13 FRS with a base head unit or installing your own. I haven't heard very many positive reviews on the touchscreen units in these cars...

It sounds fine to me, but whoever designed the touchscreen interface needs a good punch in the balls. Trying to click those tiny buttons while my hand is bouncing up and down with every surface defect in the road can be a challenge. It's clear they designed it in a workshop and didn't do a whole lot of road testing in this car.

[Sonolin]

Everybody complains about luxury & DD-ability - these cars are full of comrpomises for a DD. They're meant as track "day" cars - something you can drive to and from track with little to no hassle.

Don't use it as a DD - use the back seats to haul shit to and from the track. That's what they're meant for, not people & groceries.

I'd walk daily for the chance to track my car more often

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Sonolin

Don't use it as a DD - use the back seats to haul shit to and from the track. That's what they're meant for, not people & groceries.

On the contrary, I bought mine specifically as a daily driver, but with the full knowledge of what I was buying and why it was built that way. For people who understand what it is, it's fine as a daily driver.

[Sonolin]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

On the contrary, I bought mine specifically as a daily driver, but with the full knowledge of what I was buying and why it was built that way. For people who understand what it is, it's fine as a daily driver.

I agree, I use my car as a DD as well. I just recognize that its not its primary habitat, and have recognized situations where buying X car would've been a better choice.

Those sitautions are just very few and far between for me. But they are still there.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Sonolin

I just recognize that its not its primary habitat, and have recognized situations where buying X car would've been a better choice.

I have a Jeep for the places the BRZ shouldn't go.

[acro]

This car is what I consider quick. But I didn't buy it to drag in so that's irrelevant.

Absolutely nothing in the price range drives like this ( few things more expensive actually drive like it).

On a track or a twisty road, I would consider this fast