BRZ - Tell me everything
Discussion
Considering one of these, have read all the reviews etc and there is a nice one at my local Subaru dealer for what appears to be reasonable money. Car would be one of a selection that are used interchangeably every day, so needs to be able to perform as an 'everyday' car.
All the foibles, things that weren't as good as you were expecting and things that were better than you had heard/read about - please inform me of both!
All the foibles, things that weren't as good as you were expecting and things that were better than you had heard/read about - please inform me of both!
Mine is 2 weeks shy of a year old now , but used mostly for trackdays.
Plenty of owners using as a daily driver ( either 86 or BRZ ) ; comfortable, cheap enough to run etc.
Nothing gone wrong with mine despite its use and only a few niggles on other cars I am aware of. Only significant issue has been a change of engine map ( do internet search on CEL Issue) but that looks like a production batch problem on some GT86s only, as far as the uk is concerned.
Practical enough for short runs if you have a family, although back is a bit cramped for anything else.
Brz has different front, front wing trim, interior trim and suspension set up.
Plenty of owners using as a daily driver ( either 86 or BRZ ) ; comfortable, cheap enough to run etc.
Nothing gone wrong with mine despite its use and only a few niggles on other cars I am aware of. Only significant issue has been a change of engine map ( do internet search on CEL Issue) but that looks like a production batch problem on some GT86s only, as far as the uk is concerned.
Practical enough for short runs if you have a family, although back is a bit cramped for anything else.
Brz has different front, front wing trim, interior trim and suspension set up.
I've had my GT86 for almost 3 months now and I can't get enough of it. It is fine for a daily. Comfortable enough and decent mpg.
I've noticed the visibility is a little tricky when checking over your shoulder but that might be the case in most sports cars. The build quality is fine so far and mine is a year old now. The paint seems to be made of butter but I don't have any major complaints.
I've noticed the visibility is a little tricky when checking over your shoulder but that might be the case in most sports cars. The build quality is fine so far and mine is a year old now. The paint seems to be made of butter but I don't have any major complaints.
Worth a test drive at least. It's not fast, IMHO, but brisk and has lovely steering.
I've had a few chats with the guy who built the engine in my p1 and he's really keen to build a turbo brz. Something I'll seriously consider when the cars are down to ~£15k...unless toyobaru release an FI version in the next 12-18 months.
My issue is that they're not light enough to be properly quick with only 200bhp. If it was around 1000kg I'm sure the engine would be fine...
I've had a few chats with the guy who built the engine in my p1 and he's really keen to build a turbo brz. Something I'll seriously consider when the cars are down to ~£15k...unless toyobaru release an FI version in the next 12-18 months.
My issue is that they're not light enough to be properly quick with only 200bhp. If it was around 1000kg I'm sure the engine would be fine...
Rufus said:
Do you sometimes get in it, drop a cog and floor it and just think 'yes this car is special' - I need that feeling too. Don't want to waste the dealers time by test driving if it isn't really the car I think it is.
I do yes. May depend on your car history though. This is the first 'sports' car I've owned. The others were fast versions of fairly mundane cars. Although they were both excellent. I really look forward to driving the GT and although I have no immediate plans to modify it, the availability of parts means I can tweak it to keep it interesting.Being able to gently kick the tail out on a greasy roundabout at low speed will probably never lose its appeal.
I agree with Lefty.
I test drove the Scoob version. It was a nice car to drive, handling, steering was sorted. Small bit of body roll, but not enough to prevent me from buying one, as that could be sorted. Power wise it was the let down. But in saying that, i was coming from a 220 Supercharged Lotus elise. But i just felt it a bit sluggish. Possibly as it was a new car, and had not loosened up enough, or due to the power to weight ratio.
If they brought a Turbo with around the 270-280 i would defo consider buying one. I am sure they would be good fun on track. But in all honesty, at the time, i said i prefered the Mk3 MX5 i had for fun factor.
But nice car, nice looks, excellent driving position. So i still give it a thumbs up, but Turbo version or option, i'd maybe putting my money down on one, as i like the looks.
I test drove the Scoob version. It was a nice car to drive, handling, steering was sorted. Small bit of body roll, but not enough to prevent me from buying one, as that could be sorted. Power wise it was the let down. But in saying that, i was coming from a 220 Supercharged Lotus elise. But i just felt it a bit sluggish. Possibly as it was a new car, and had not loosened up enough, or due to the power to weight ratio.
If they brought a Turbo with around the 270-280 i would defo consider buying one. I am sure they would be good fun on track. But in all honesty, at the time, i said i prefered the Mk3 MX5 i had for fun factor.
But nice car, nice looks, excellent driving position. So i still give it a thumbs up, but Turbo version or option, i'd maybe putting my money down on one, as i like the looks.
Rufus said:
Considering one of these, have read all the reviews etc and there is a nice one at my local Subaru dealer for what appears to be reasonable money. Car would be one of a selection that are used interchangeably every day, so needs to be able to perform as an 'everyday' car.
All the foibles, things that weren't as good as you were expecting and things that were better than you had heard/read about - please inform me of both!
Did you go for it?All the foibles, things that weren't as good as you were expecting and things that were better than you had heard/read about - please inform me of both!
Have an issue with clunking front suspension, which I understand is a common occurrence and am waiting / hoping for a fix to be issued by Subaru at some point.
Apart from that, I find every driver orientated aspect of this car immensely satisfying. I had a MK3 MX-5 on lowered Eibach springs previously, and the two compare closely, but the BRZ has the edge on it's amazing tactile feel. Lots of comments out there concerning power and torque, but I would take the immediacy of throttle response over turbo lag / whoosh any day!
Apart from that, I find every driver orientated aspect of this car immensely satisfying. I had a MK3 MX-5 on lowered Eibach springs previously, and the two compare closely, but the BRZ has the edge on it's amazing tactile feel. Lots of comments out there concerning power and torque, but I would take the immediacy of throttle response over turbo lag / whoosh any day!
I test drove one of these a couple of months ago with a view to swapping my WRX. I want a newer car and I just don't need the power and added insurance/fuel costs of a turbo for my daily driver anymore.
The BRZ has everything I'm looking for. I'm only being held back by the 'unknown' factor. I knew exactly what I was getting with my WRX, and have kept it for a long time. But I would be taking a chance on the BRZ..
Does it still tick all the boxes after a year of ownership?
The BRZ has everything I'm looking for. I'm only being held back by the 'unknown' factor. I knew exactly what I was getting with my WRX, and have kept it for a long time. But I would be taking a chance on the BRZ..
Does it still tick all the boxes after a year of ownership?
Stupidly, and a first for me, I was at the dealer having a closer look and saw a WRX hatch that was in superb condition and at an unbeatable price and bought that instead - the thing that is a first is that I owned one of these a few years ago and then sold it on. I'm actually quite cross with myself for breaking one of our family rules but then again my wife bought a painting back a fortnight or so ago so she can't be overly critical.
Reasons were: I felt that as fun and excellent to drive as the car was to drive it just didn't quite have the engine to complete the package for me, I'm not the type who loves a hugely powerful motor at the expense of everything else but to me a car is only complete when everything is in balance and the BRZ didn't quite fill me with that feeling, although I am absolutely not saying that it is a very accomplished car and a great thing to drive.
Hope that answers some questions.
Reasons were: I felt that as fun and excellent to drive as the car was to drive it just didn't quite have the engine to complete the package for me, I'm not the type who loves a hugely powerful motor at the expense of everything else but to me a car is only complete when everything is in balance and the BRZ didn't quite fill me with that feeling, although I am absolutely not saying that it is a very accomplished car and a great thing to drive.
Hope that answers some questions.
Cheers Rufus, you certainly answered my question. I'm thinking of trading in an Impreza for the BRZ and you opted for the Impreza instead, that says something!
I'm very much considering just keeping the Impreza. Maybe the BRZ just isn't enough car to tempt me away from WRX ownership.
Thanks for your input
I'm very much considering just keeping the Impreza. Maybe the BRZ just isn't enough car to tempt me away from WRX ownership.
Thanks for your input
Cheers Rufus, you certainly answered my question. I'm thinking of trading in an Impreza for the BRZ and you opted for the Impreza instead, that says something!
I'm very much considering just keeping the Impreza. Maybe the BRZ just isn't enough car to tempt me away from WRX ownership.
Thanks for your input
I'm very much considering just keeping the Impreza. Maybe the BRZ just isn't enough car to tempt me away from WRX ownership.
Thanks for your input
I looked on how many left yesterday. Forgotten the exact numbers but Subaru BRZs registered are running at under 10% of GT86 levels, so not surprising there aren't many being seen by anyone.
Was interested to see that less than 10% of BRZs are auto but about a third of GT86s. Not quite sure what that says about the respective owners! I cannot imagine choosing an auto for one of these. myself - just seems wrong. And the Subaru salesman I spoke to reckoned that an auto BRZ would be nearly unsellable
Was interested to see that less than 10% of BRZs are auto but about a third of GT86s. Not quite sure what that says about the respective owners! I cannot imagine choosing an auto for one of these. myself - just seems wrong. And the Subaru salesman I spoke to reckoned that an auto BRZ would be nearly unsellable
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