Yet another: Test Drove a BRZ Today

[JCH13]

A couple friends of mine dropped by with a BRZ to test drive, looking for a little input and to have some fun. I took it for a quick spin, including a 'chicane' type turn on a downhill slope that I use as a benchmark of sorts.

This. Car. Is. Awesome.

The engine feels very strong and smooth. The shifter is tight and has very short throw. Brakes are out of this world. The car feels very well balanced. The steering is precise and responsive. The seats were very supportive, they'll definitely keep you planted during spirited driving.

There are plenty of blind spots when backing up due to some massive C-Pillars. The back seats are laughably small, it's not a 2+2, it's a 2-seater. My hulking 5'9" 155lb self had the drivers seat nearly touching the rear seat, and it still felt cozy.

I really liked the fender flares, they seem to line up quite well with the tires, I bet it would be very easy to place the front tires on a race track.

The engine bay is very roomy, I could easily reach nearly anything I could think of, including the exhaust pipes and back of the transmission, all of the belts, and possibly even the spark plugs. I was really worried that it'd be completely stuffed in the engine bay, but I think it will be very easy to wrench on.

I think this car is going to live up to all of the hype.

 

[soccerballtux]

but its only 200hp, for $6k less I could have a 2013 Mustang with 316hp...

 

[JCH13]

but its only 200hp, for $6k less I could have a 2013 Mustang with 316hp...

Get a Mustang then if you only care about horsepower. Also, it's a $3k difference in price.

I was really hoping that this thread would get 1 post in before the horsepower trolling started...

 

[Black2na]

but its only 200hp, for $6k less I could have a 2013 Mustang with 316hp...

The Brz and the frs is clearly not for you then. Since you missed the point of.it.completely its a lightweight car designed for handling.

 

[yottabit]

So at 6'2" ~240 lbs should I pretty much forget about this car? I sat in a Genesis Coupe and thought that was kind of cramped. However I also drove a Saturn SC2 for the longest time and was fine with that.

 

[brainhulk]

What tires were on the car, are they really prius tires?

Do you think it will retain its handling characteristics with a wider tire setup

 

[Dr. Detroit]

The Brz and the frs is clearly not for you then. Since you missed the point of.it.completely its a lightweight car designed for handling.

The V6 Mustang with Track Pack handles pretty darn good too. I'm interested to see where this stacks up against the new Focus ST, the last generation Cobalt Turbo SS, Cooper S, MSP3, Civic SI.

I wonder how many VTEC YO kids will wrap these around a tree in the first 3-months of ownership.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

What tires were on the car, are they really prius tires?

Do you think it will retain its handling characteristics with a wider tire setup

J-spec prius summer tires...low rolling resistance ones.

 

[mnewsham]

Even though my price range for a car right now is looking around 10k, I am still gonna give this guy a test drive for shits and giggles. Looks fun!

 

[PhoKingGuy]

This was the only car i've ever been refused a test drive in. Doesn't help I went to the dealer after class (shirt, tie slacks) and in my 335, still said we don't allow test drives.

When I bought my 335i my salesman allowed me to take an E90 M3 out by myself for lap around the block.

Whatever, the interior looks atrocious with material quality, through that really isn't the point of the car.

 

[Zap]

The engine bay is very roomy, I could easily reach nearly anything I could think of, including the exhaust pipes and back of the transmission, all of the belts, and possibly even the spark plugs. I was really worried that it'd be completely stuffed in the engine bay, but I think it will be very easy to wrench on.

So... enough room for a turbo...

I think this car is going to live up to all of the hype.

:thumbsup:

Got invited to an "invite only" launch event at the dealer where we bought my wife's WRX, but I'm still stuck in San Diego so I couldn't go.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

J-spec prius summer tires...low rolling resistance ones.

It is very confusing why they would put Prius tires on this car as we all know how high performance the Prius is.

 

[brainhulk]

It is very confusing why they would put Prius tires on this car as we all know how high performance the Prius is.

What I'm afraid of is if there is more grip in the back might make the handling turn toward horrible understeer

 

[Viper GTS]

It is very confusing why they would put Prius tires on this car as we all know how high performance the Prius is.

This is likely the only time I will ever say this but I think in this case too much grip would ruin the dynamic of the car. You aren't going to slide it and throttle steer with 200 HP on Michelin PS2s.

Viper GTS

 

[ballmode]

There are a few reasons why I can't enjoy this car.

1. Where I live. Not enough power for stop and go daily driving, and not enough curves to make it a fun daily driver.

2. Price, S2000 money with money left over with a hard top would be my first choice over this.

3. Modability, even if this motor is stout enough for turbo or S/C. First off puts the car into a whole new price range for just 300ish hp. But if you go for grip it takes away from that drift appeal, and if you go for the drift, you don't have the tire for faster ability.

 

[Throckmorton]

It is very confusing why they would put Prius tires on this car as we all know how high performance the Prius is.

Because it's underpowered and that's how you make an underpowered car fun. Like how I put all seasons on my Miata in Texas.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

It is very confusing why they would put Prius tires on this car as we all know how high performance the Prius is.

prius summer tires, not just prius tires. They are the japanese spec prius summer tires, they are low rolling resistance and higher treadwear. Stock tires on most cars suck anyway, get a set of Hankook RS3's and you're golden. They are Primacy HP's, which are still half way decent tires. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Primacy+HP

Also, the tires probably helped them reach a certain MPG requirement and avoid certain taxes for gas guzzling cars now days

 

[JCH13]

So at 6'2" ~240 lbs should I pretty much forget about this car? I sat in a Genesis Coupe and thought that was kind of cramped. However I also drove a Saturn SC2 for the longest time and was fine with that.

Sit in it, see what you think. I didn't spend much time playing with ergonomics. Just don't ever plan on having someone sit behind you unless they're in a baby carrier, that's all :awe:

So... enough room for a turbo...
:thumbsup:

Definitely is, I see exactly where I would place it too... not surprisingly it is where many Subaru turbos are located: passenger side of the transmission behind the engine. Word from my two friends (Toyota salesmen) is that both Scion and Subaru are putting together hi-perf versions.

What I'm afraid of is if there is more grip in the back might make the handling turn toward horrible understeer

Apparently the BRZ understeers a little as it is due to spring rates, I didn't notice anything that would be a deal-breaker. I would, however, keep the car as a square tire setup unless a lot of power was added. At that point throttle oversteer would save the day.

Apparently the FRS has softer springs and stiffer shocks, which would make it more tolerant of road imperfections, and apparently better balanced.

The tires (Michelin Primacy HP) might be "Prius tires" but they are proper summer tires. They've got a UTQG 240, which is a pretty darn soft compound (Starspec is 200, S.Drive is 300). The Contiential Contact DWS is 540, and DW is 340, so they are softer than tires that many ATGers think have spectacular grip. I wouldn't get too fussy about tires at all unless driving at the track to be competitive. The BRZ pulls 0.92gs on the skid pad with "Prius tires", 'nuff said.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

snip

You can pull higher with better tires, i'm sure.

 

[JCH13]

You can pull higher with better tires, i'm sure.

No doubt, one can always turn harder with better tires. But like I said, they're plenty of tire for the street. If one is driving at 0.92gs on the street... well... one is doing it wrong and is going to kill someone.

 

[Fenixgoon]

at autocross this weekend, a guy brought an FR-S. his first lap was 48s (FTD was ~43s from turbo miata's and whatnot) and people only get better with more laps...very impressive numbers IMO. throw some real sticky tires on and it will defy physics.

i feel sorry for whoever gets stuck in the backseat, since it's even more cramped than my genesis coupe

 

[Doppel]

The Brz and the frs is clearly not for you then. Since you missed the point of.it.completely its a lightweight car designed for handling.

I'm still not sure what's more worthless in a modern car: great power or great handling. On the one hand, even a 300 horsepower Mustang can rarely be floored without one looking over their shoulder for a cop and keeping it under the speed limit while enjoying it at all is very difficult.

But on the other hand any modern minivan can handle every corner at the speed limit, so a car that is great at handling is like having a pet dog that is great at hunting unicorns.

In the end, for whatever reason, I'm more impressed with horsepower. I'm more likely to burn someone at the lights than I am to drive around corners quickly.

This was the only car i've ever been refused a test drive in. Doesn't help I went to the dealer after class (shirt, tie slacks) and in my 335, still said we don't allow test drives.

When I bought my 335i my salesman allowed me to take an E90 M3 out by myself for lap around the block.

I hate that sh*t. I was refused a test drive in a 350Z some years back. I certainly looked professional enough and employed and even pulled up in a decent car. It's a fvcking 350Z not a 911 Turbo, I thought it was really lame.

If these guys don't want the run the risk of tire kickers test driving, try selling a different car.

 

[Blades]

Would be great fun with a small turbo. Who makes the transmission(s)? I wonder if there are any (turbo) header mock ups for this new 6-cyl. The new Mustang's V6 is nothing to dismiss. I think I remember the compression ratio being pretty high on this toyasoob motor.

 

[Nyati13]

Would be great fun with a small turbo. Who makes the transmission(s)? I wonder if there are any (turbo) header mock ups for this new 6-cyl. The new Mustang's V6 is nothing to dismiss. I think I remember the compression ratio being pretty high on this toyasoob motor.

Both transmissions are from Toyota, the same ones they stick in some of their Lexus's

 

[jlee]

But on the other hand any modern minivan can handle every corner at the speed limit, so a car that is great at handling is like having a pet dog that is great at hunting unicorns.

Unless you race, or simply enjoy driving.