First Hand Subaru BRZ experiences? Short/Long Term?

[Rusty Heap]

Yes I did a search, and the last solidly discussed BRZ topics were back in 2012.



The Wife is going to need a replacement for her 6 cyl 300 hp Toyota RAV4 Limited...........I've put sticky Pirelli's on it, and it's a hoot to drive.


So the BRZ? now in 2014, it's had a few years of refinements and aftermarket goodies.


reports?

[Rick V]

I wrench on Subaru (now) and the best thing I can say is the BRZ is on a very short list of cars I would replace my Boxster with. Very fun, tossable, durable, it's Subie.

[look 171]

From me, none. The guys that work on my S2000 builds Honda race cars. They also has a arrive and drive deal at the track. He purchased 3 BRZs for that purpose and the only complain is that they are slow, but the handling is good. I am not sure about the new ones and if the HP has improved?

[pavulon]

One of the monthlys (R&T or Automobile or C&D) recently wrapped up a long term test and noted (IIRC) that the car sort of wore out its welcome from an entertainment perspective. If I were at home, I'd point you at the article. As always, YMMV.

[aschen]

I know there have been a few minor issues with them but are good cars overall. I'd consider one as a did if I didn't already have a tiny car. The main argument against a brz is that a barely used nc miata costs half as much

[BeyGon]

The December issue of Automobile had a long term update on theirs. The things they had problems with, the brakes, because they raced it so much, The tail lights getting replaced because they fogged out so bad, and the sound system, plus assorted rattles. and it didn't have enough power for some.
After reading the article I took my wife to look at one, the closest to our house is a Toyota dealer so we looked at their model. She liked it but the kid selling it didn't have a clue what he was doing. anyway, if we did decided to look again I think I would get the Subaru version. She won't be racing it, no brake problem, it doesn't' rain that much in SoCal so shouldn't have the tail light problem, but she will want good sounds. It has more than enough power for her and they didn't change it for 2014.

[racicotzhe]

They also has a arrive and drive deal at the track.

[Nickshu]

I test drove one before I bought my 2013 Outback 3.6R. Thought about buying one as a daily driver but winters would be tough. It was sweet to drive, a bit underpowered but handling-wise was well balanced and tons of fun once it gets wound up.

I heard in 2015 they may be putting the 2.0Turbo that's in the new Forrester in it. That will cure the underpowered-ness concern without adding much weight. Should be a win-win. Might have to trade in the Outback and suck it up in the winter if it gets the Turbo.....

IIRC there are some suspension differences between the Subaru and Toyota versions, with the advantage being on the Subaru side. I am not sure if I am recalling this correctly but I think so...

[RWebb]

2013 Subaru BRZ Sports Car First Drive – Review – Car and Driver

[stuartj]

Dunno the BRZ but the Toyota twin, the GT86, is a hoot. Fantastic chassis, superb handling, not super fast but fast enough. And about being small- two fat blokes and two surfboards fit inside....

[Tobra]

I would wait for the force induction version, they will build it.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Just wish there was a drop-top version so I'll stuck with my "inferior" Mercedes SLK.

[Nickshu]

2016 Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ Roadster: 25 Cars Worth Waiting For 2014–2017 – Future Cars – Car and Driver

Convertible coming in 2016.

[biosurfer1]

Originally Posted by Tobra

I would wait for the force induction version, they will build it.

It boggles my mind why they haven't already. Damn near everyone I know who has one, ridden in one or written about one says they are underpowered... how much more feedback from the public do you need?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

It boggles my mind why they haven't already. Damn near everyone I know who has one, ridden in one or written about one says they are underpowered... how much more feedback from the public do you need?

Sell as much as you can of the base model, then come in a few years later (when demand is waning) with an improved model. It's pretty basic product planning, and I assume they are selling because I see them everywhere. Personally I see it as a less practical RX8 with better MPG. Eventually the lack of low end torque gets old, especially around town.

[biosurfer1]

Why not sell both right out the gate? Seems to have worked great for Mini

[aschen]

the counter point is the miata, which people have complained about being low power since dinasours roamed the earth, have sold pretty well.

I agree though, as much as I like cool, small, and even moderately powered sports cars, the brz needs more get up and go. I think it can barely crack the 14s in the 1/4 mile.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I haven't driven the FRS/BRZ, so my perspective isn't the best. But I've read a lot of feedback about the lack of low end torque leading to a car that feels slow around town. My RX8 was very similar, you had to really beat on it to go anywhere quickly. That's fun at times, but not all the time. The Miata isn't by any means fast, but it has decent low end torque that keeps it from feeling slow.

[mikeferg75]

Just got done test driving a BRZ and a new Fiesta ST.

I was disappointed in the BRZ lack of power, it felt less than 200 to me. But I did drive it second to the Fiesta ST, ie turbo thrust makes a difference up here at elevation (5500).

I like the rear drive and the cockpit feel of the BRZ better, but the Fiesta ST really felt MUCH faster and more nimble, sounded better, felt lighter. I may well be in the Fiesta ST market very soon.

Ferg

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'm yet to read a negative review of the Fiesta ST. I'm not in the market, but need to go drive one just for fun.