garage makeover - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

cdrazic93 · 09-29-2014, 02:32 PM

Ok so I have a problem...I cant seem to decide whether I want to keep my BRZ or sell it in place of two cars.

The replacement vehicles in question would be a 2015 WRX and a ninja 300.

Since I live in the PNW, would the WRX be worth the AWD or would i be just fine with my brz? I havent had this car for a winter yet and have only driven FWD and AWD in the snow.

Anyone care to offer some advice?

Dave-ROR · 09-29-2014, 02:54 PM

Do whatever makes you happy man. We really can't decide for you. I'm struggling with my BRZ decision also.

53Driver · 09-29-2014, 03:26 PM

Well, if it helps any, I had a 2008 Shelby GT500 that I daily drove for 2 years in Virginia. That means I got to drive in both rain, snow and ice. Not ideal, but it can be done. Considering these cars make so little torque, especially down low, I really wouldn't worry about it too much. Especially if you put some good all weather tires on it. of course, if you're getting tired of the car or just ready for a change, well I'm sure the 2015 WRX would be alot of fun.

DarkSunrise · 09-29-2014, 03:46 PM

FWIW my old STI hatch was much better in the snow than my FR-S.

That said, my advice would be to mount snow tires and rear ballast on your BRZ and see how it does this winter. If it gives you a lot of issues, then go with the WRX + bike. It's not like Subaru is going to discontinue the WRX anytime soon, so no harm waiting and giving the BRZ a shot.

vividracing · 09-29-2014, 04:02 PM

I daily drove my FRS last winter in Chicago with a cheap set of snow tires on the stock wheels, and the car was an absolute blast to drive. With summer tires its not possible to, but if you invest in a winter alternative, turn off traction control and you'll find out what the little boxxer is actually capable of. Good luck!

Decay107 · 09-29-2014, 06:07 PM

AWD is overkill for rain

That being said, bikes will offer a much more "pure" driving experience than any car can. The FR-S definitely gets left at home a lot more than my bikes when the weather is nice.

Nevermore · 09-29-2014, 06:09 PM

Last winter was horrible, the worst winter I can remember ever having to drive in and the first real winter of driving my FR-S in those kind of conditions. The first winter I owned this car it just fine on the stock all-seasons, but last winter I was so glad I sprung for the snow tires. Put some good snow tires on it and you'll do just fine. You might have to take it slow if it gets bad, but the nannies are really good at keeping you pointed forward, so even if you start to slide, unless it's really bad, you should be fine.

RobertPaulson · 09-29-2014, 07:02 PM

winter tires if you're really worried about the odd snow the PNW gets or get some really good all season tires for when the weather averages less than 45 and wet. Continental DWS is a great tire for just that.

gramicci101 · 09-29-2014, 07:09 PM

I bought my bike first. Then I bought my BRZ, then I sold my bike. For me, the BRZ offers a lot of the fun of the bike, but with air conditioning and without the risk of painful death. Especially around where I live. It's too hot and there are too many drunks.

For snow, a good set of actual snow tires, not all seasons, will do nicely. All seaons are great for lower temps and rain, but not so good on snow and ice.

cdrazic93 · 09-30-2014, 12:51 AM

Thanks for the replies guys, I wont be deciding until after this winter, if I'm still considering it. Ill just slap on some nice winter tires on the stockers and see how well that goes.

bcj · 09-30-2014, 01:00 PM

Used to drive up to Crystal Mt. and Alpental all the time in a 64 Pontiac Le Mons or a 64 Plymouth Savoy.
Never had a problem with the appropriate cables. Ran cheap retread bias ply tires.

You don't NEED AWD to get around. Marketing.

Last winter in Seattle, we only got about 1 inch of snow for one day. No big deal.

I've got two bikes though 8)

carbonBLUE · 09-30-2014, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

Thanks for the replies guys, I wont be deciding until after this winter, if I'm still considering it. Ill just slap on some nice winter tires on the stockers and see how well that goes.

get rid of the stock tires at least and give it some good winter tires

should be fine. Or you can be hardcore and garage the 86 and put studded tires on the bike during the winter. :P

09-29-2014, 02:32 PM	#1
cdrazic93 Junior Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: a car Location: Probably at school Posts: 4,341 Thanks: 3,184 Thanked 2,512 Times in 1,502 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	garage makeover Ok so I have a problem...I cant seem to decide whether I want to keep my BRZ or sell it in place of two cars. The replacement vehicles in question would be a 2015 WRX and a ninja 300. Since I live in the PNW, would the WRX be worth the AWD or would i be just fine with my brz? I havent had this car for a winter yet and have only driven FWD and AWD in the snow. Anyone care to offer some advice? __________________ "Ah! What music! They could have never imagined, those pioneers who invented the automobile, that it would posses us like this, our imaginations, our dreams. Men love women, but even more than that, men love CARS!"-Lord Hesketh

09-29-2014, 02:54 PM	#2
Dave-ROR Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Drives: Stuff Location: Florida Posts: 10,317 Thanks: 955 Thanked 5,965 Times in 2,689 Posts Mentioned: 262 Post(s) Tagged: 8 Thread(s)	Do whatever makes you happy man. We really can't decide for you. I'm struggling with my BRZ decision also. __________________ -Dave Track cars: 2013 Scion FRS, 1998 Acura Integra Type-R, 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback DD: 2005 Acura TSX Tow: 2022 F-450 Toys: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Parts: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited, 2005 Acura TSX Projects: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited track car build FS: 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 LT CCSB 8.1/Allison with 99k miles

09-29-2014, 03:46 PM	#4
DarkSunrise Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 22 BRZ (Previously 13 FR-S) Location: USA Posts: 5,798 Thanks: 2,187 Thanked 4,243 Times in 2,221 Posts Mentioned: 48 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	FWIW my old STI hatch was much better in the snow than my FR-S. That said, my advice would be to mount snow tires and rear ballast on your BRZ and see how it does this winter. If it gives you a lot of issues, then go with the WRX + bike. It's not like Subaru is going to discontinue the WRX anytime soon, so no harm waiting and giving the BRZ a shot. __________________ "Never run out of real estate, traction, and ideas at the same time." 2022 BRZ Build 2013 FR-S Build

09-29-2014, 06:07 PM	#6
Decay107 Turning is for Nerds Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: 35 characters is not enough Location: PDX Posts: 1,974 Thanks: 836 Thanked 1,259 Times in 717 Posts Mentioned: 186 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	AWD is overkill for rain That being said, bikes will offer a much more "pure" driving experience than any car can. The FR-S definitely gets left at home a lot more than my bikes when the weather is nice. __________________ My build thread / journal / evidence for warranty claim denial Motorcycle build thread Last edited by Decay107; 09-29-2014 at 06:26 PM.

09-29-2014, 06:09 PM	#7
Nevermore Wayward Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: Hot Lava 86 Location: Bust of Pallas Posts: 3,336 Thanks: 1,669 Thanked 2,312 Times in 1,386 Posts Mentioned: 50 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Last winter was horrible, the worst winter I can remember ever having to drive in and the first real winter of driving my FR-S in those kind of conditions. The first winter I owned this car it just fine on the stock all-seasons, but last winter I was so glad I sprung for the snow tires. Put some good snow tires on it and you'll do just fine. You might have to take it slow if it gets bad, but the nannies are really good at keeping you pointed forward, so even if you start to slide, unless it's really bad, you should be fine. __________________

09-29-2014, 03:26 PM	#3
53Driver T64-416Ax3=13,140shp Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 2002 AP1 and 2015 F-150 EB (DD) Location: NWA Posts: 878 Thanks: 783 Thanked 372 Times in 221 Posts Mentioned: 21 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Well, if it helps any, I had a 2008 Shelby GT500 that I daily drove for 2 years in Virginia. That means I got to drive in both rain, snow and ice. Not ideal, but it can be done. Considering these cars make so little torque, especially down low, I really wouldn't worry about it too much. Especially if you put some good all weather tires on it. of course, if you're getting tired of the car or just ready for a change, well I'm sure the 2015 WRX would be alot of fun.

09-29-2014, 04:02 PM	#5
vividracing Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 2,593 Thanks: 491 Thanked 1,065 Times in 617 Posts Mentioned: 49 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	I daily drove my FRS last winter in Chicago with a cheap set of snow tires on the stock wheels, and the car was an absolute blast to drive. With summer tires its not possible to, but if you invest in a winter alternative, turn off traction control and you'll find out what the little boxxer is actually capable of. Good luck!

09-29-2014, 07:02 PM	#8
RobertPaulson Hisnamewasrobertpaulson Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: 2017 Golf R Location: Everywhere and Nowhere Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 1,294 Thanked 827 Times in 473 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	winter tires if you're really worried about the odd snow the PNW gets or get some really good all season tires for when the weather averages less than 45 and wet. Continental DWS is a great tire for just that. __________________ This is your life and it's ending one minute at a time.

09-29-2014, 07:09 PM	#9
gramicci101 Off Topic Join Date: Feb 2014 Drives: 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited Location: Vegas, baby! Posts: 4,610 Thanks: 2,369 Thanked 4,243 Times in 2,170 Posts Mentioned: 43 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	I bought my bike first. Then I bought my BRZ, then I sold my bike. For me, the BRZ offers a lot of the fun of the bike, but with air conditioning and without the risk of painful death. Especially around where I live. It's too hot and there are too many drunks. For snow, a good set of actual snow tires, not all seasons, will do nicely. All seaons are great for lower temps and rain, but not so good on snow and ice.

09-30-2014, 12:51 AM	#10
cdrazic93 Junior Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: a car Location: Probably at school Posts: 4,341 Thanks: 3,184 Thanked 2,512 Times in 1,502 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks for the replies guys, I wont be deciding until after this winter, if I'm still considering it. Ill just slap on some nice winter tires on the stockers and see how well that goes. __________________ "Ah! What music! They could have never imagined, those pioneers who invented the automobile, that it would posses us like this, our imaginations, our dreams. Men love women, but even more than that, men love CARS!"-Lord Hesketh

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