FRS/BRZ Questions, I am new.

[Reason22]

Looking to get a new ride due to some moron deciding not to pay attention and hitting my VW. Miss my turbo n tuned Wolfsburg. I am familiar with RWD sports cars, grew up on Vettes and mustangs. Love cars that you can customize to be yours and are fun to drive.

I do tend to dive spiritedly, not an expert in the least. But handling and control of the car are somewhat important to me. I love the feeling of a car being on rail, like the FRS/BRZ it’s a nice change from my Wrangler which is now my DD. I love my Jeep due to its handling and the ability to feel the road/terrain. You ca always just know by feel where you tires are and how the vehicle is going to react in a given situation.

So that leads me probably to the most hated question on your forum. Most of the posts I have seen state that the FRS is more prone/inclined to overseer and the BRZ tends to push (under-steer). How noticeable is it? Has anyone here driven both to the degree that they could tell a difference and give me a little more insight? How much more “work” is needed to get the BRZ to step out?
My only experience is a friend’s FRS, a 2013 I think, and it always felt like I could get the rear to step out when I wanted it to and never felt like I was not in control of it doing so. I was able to test drive a BRZ Series Blue yesterday but was unable to hoon it at all. Stupid dealer wanting to ride along lol.

Is there any big differences between the cars mechanical/suspension wise now? Have they made any improvements to the cars since the initial release? I remember reading about the 2014’s were supposed to be improved like A Pillar stiffening, and a few other things I can’t quite remember a while back in a car magazine. Anything to new or to note between the two car on the 2015’s?

Any opinions on the Series Blue? One dealer already quoted me 27k for one and am sure I could get them down another 2-3k.

[gramicci101]

The BRZs are prone to steer neutrally, not understeer. The FRS will be more fun for that reason, both cars being stock. I can induce oversteer quite easily in my BRZ, but that's because I'm trying to. Trailing throttle and power oversteer are both pretty easy in these cars.

However, if you put better tires, or different springs, or 50 lbs of subs in the trunk, or whatever, you change that balance and it becomes whatever you make of it.

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

However, if you put better tires, or different springs, or 50 lbs of subs in the trunk, or whatever, you change that balance and it becomes whatever you make of it.

This all day.

It really comes down to how long you will drive the car stock (suspension wise) until you change things. When that hapoens it wont act the same anymore and thats the truth

[Reason22]

Car will stay stock for a little while at least till I am done with school. I am very familiar on how a small tweak of weight or a change in the suspension can affect a it a great deal. Jeep used to ride great on the road now its bounces all over the place but is amazing off-road.
Any changes to the 2-15 models? Is it worth it to get the Blue Series BRZ? All it looked like to me was an added on body styling and a limited run built.

[Reason22]

Also do waht is the gear ratio and do they come with a LSD?

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Reason22

Any changes to the 2-15 models? Is it worth it to get the Blue Series BRZ? All it looked like to me was an added on body styling and a limited run built.

Nothing major.

I personally don't think the blue series is worth the price tag. Its just a bodykit, wheels and some blue stitching on the interior.

As long as you're aware this car isn't fast compared to the WRX or other cars, you'll enjoy it. This thing is made for corners, not so much for the strip.

[Reason22]

Yeah I am aware on that fact the cars isn't fast. Was leaning towards the blue since the dealer is already offering it me me at 27k just to come in to take a look. But there are 4 subie dealers in my area and they all have one. I would get the best price and have them compete.

Any inputs on a route to go? Base BRZ?

[Weasel Soup]

When I got serious about getting my '86' I drove three different cars the same day. CPO BRZ, CPO BRZ, new FR-S, in that order. I could tell a difference between the two BRZs in just a couple of blocks (later found the second BRZ had an additional aftermarket strut tower brace) and could tell a difference in the FR-S the first time I took it around a corner at speed. I liked the feel of the FR-S better, and I put a strut tower brace on mine as the first 'mod' within 700 miles of owning it.

[Reason22]

CPO? Certified pre-owend i take it?

[poptart]

Originally Posted by Reason22

Any changes to the 2-15 models? Is it worth it to get the Blue Series BRZ? All it looked like to me was an added on body styling and a limited run built.

Aside from small cosmetic stuff, the 2015 car has a revised suspension. Also they upgraded some bolts that hold the sub frame and some bolts on the rear control arms. I read a thread here where someone had a 13 the bolts had backed out on.

I think the series blue is cool. I really like the aero kit. The wheels are ok, red calipers kind of lame. The package is a lot cheaper than buying it separate. But I don't think it's too good to pass up. I'd be happy with a limited edition.

[Speed2th]

series blue is a good package and it was only 1000 units available. if you want to replicate one, you would have to spend a lot more. although most of things are aesthetic only, but it made the car stands out and has the prestige of uniqueness. the current motor trend of 2015 new car buy guide recommends series blue is the one you should go for with BRZ. although some people disagreed and think it was waste of money (although MSRP was only $2k more, in real world dealer are more flexibles with price of premium and limited and more firm with series blue- that results $3-4k difference)

[wheelhaus]

Originally Posted by Reason22

Also do waht is the gear ratio and do they come with a LSD?

Both cars are mechanically identical, and both come with a Torsen style rear LSD. It's a mechanical gear type that doesn't require any maintenance, but requires both wheels to have some resistance in order to work (i.e. if one wheel is off the ground, it will spin that wheel). In this situation, applying some brake (or the stability control will do it if it's active) will apply the needed resistance to drive the other wheel.

Stock gear ratio is acceptable, some have dropped in shorter diff gears for slightly better acceleration, but fuel economy will suffer a little bit.

[Cope52]

Originally Posted by wheelhaus

Stock gear ratio is acceptable, some have dropped in shorter diff gears for slightly better acceleration, but fuel economy will suffer a little bit.

I always questioned this, especially in small, torqueless motors. Mazda put in a steeper rear end for the 09 RX8. Not only dd it not help acceleration, the MPG was unaffected.

BTW, how slow is a BRZ in Denver?!

[wheelhaus]

Originally Posted by Cope52

I always questioned this, especially in small, torqueless motors. Mazda put in a steeper rear end for the 09 RX8. Not only dd it not help acceleration, the MPG was unaffected.

BTW, how slow is a BRZ in Denver?!

Fortunately I haven't driven it at a lower altitude yet, so ignorance is bliss... Many years ago I had an 04 STi and drove it from Denver to Ohio, and that was pretty significant. It was a turbo obviously, and they don't suffer as badly as NA does up here... So I'd hate to do it in the BRZ, it'd be too depressing. I'm planning on going SC in the next 1-2 years.