Good BRZ Review

[Mugs]

For those that are thinking about buying or just plain curious about the new BRZ, I found this video review on the BRZ. Its very detailed, and I found it very informative. I have been up close and personal with one at the dealership...I wasn't too impressed with it..but at the same time I like it. Think I would give it a few years to mature..and maybe get a more powerful motor in the there...along with a little bit of different styling...but all and all, a cool car.

 

Hope you enjoy.

 

I don't think we can embed a video on the forum (or at least I don't know how) so here is the URL to the youtube page.

 

Edited June 20, 2012 by Mugs

[Fairtax4me]

My sister bought her Hyundai from Bobb Dunn. Not relative to discussion at all, but I was a a bit more drawn in when I saw that it was filmed in Greensboro.

 

Very well presented review overall. Lots of technical data too. Didn't know the FA20 was 12.5:1 CR. Could have re-edited some of the tongue slips though.

 

Like you, I'm not entirely impressed by the car itself. I'm no fan of the interior, and I think the exterior needs more um... hood scoop. :-p A more throaty exhaust note could go a long way too. I haven't seen one i person yet though, so I won't pass final judgement just... yet, but I can tell by looking at it that the material of that interior is something I would not be able to live with after paying close to $30G for the car. Maybe I'm just spoiled from driving Mercedes Benz's over the past 6 years.

 

The technical aspects of the car are pretty astounding though. It has a lower COG than a Porsche 911, Mazda Rx-8, just about any other sports car out there really, with the exception of some high end Italian cars maybe. You don't have to have the biggest most powerful engine on the block if you can hang a hairpin at 100 mph.

[ShawnW]

Nice share. I like the car so far. Looks like they brought back the frame less windows for this model too.

[ShawnW]

My sister bought her Hyundai from Bobb Dunn. Not relative to discussion at all, but I was a a bit more drawn in when I saw that it was filmed in Greensboro.

 

Very well presented review overall. Lots of technical data too. Didn't know the FA20 was 12.5:1 CR. Could have re-edited some of the tongue slips though.

 

Like you, I'm not entirely impressed by the car itself. I'm no fan of the interior, and I think the exterior needs more um... hood scoop. :-p A more throaty exhaust note could go a long way too. I haven't seen one i person yet though, so I won't pass final judgement just... yet, but I can tell by looking at it that the material of that interior is something I would not be able to live with after paying close to $30G for the car. Maybe I'm just spoiled from driving Mercedes Benz's over the past 6 years.

 

The technical aspects of the car are pretty astounding though. It has a lower COG than a Porsche 911, Mazda Rx-8, just about any other sports car out there really, with the exception of some high end Italian cars maybe. You don't have to have the biggest most powerful engine on the block if you can hang a hairpin at 100 mph.

 

I wouldn't buy one at this point because you can have a WRX for less money. To me, more car for the dollars but thats personal preference.

[john40iowa]

Nice share. I like the car so far. Looks like they brought back the frame less windows for this model too.

 

I am probably in the minority (Yea its quieter, and safer all that), but I like the frame less windows. There is just something cool about grabbing a door top with the window down.

[ShawnW]

I like both and both ways certainly have advantages. Other than smacking your head on the window frame when you go from one to the other.

[Durania]

I wouldn't buy one at this point because you can have a WRX for less money. To me, more car for the dollars but thats personal preference.

 

I am going to agree with you. I would buy a WRX hatch before I bought a BRZ. So much more practical + AWD.

 

I am probably in the minority (Yea its quieter, and safer all that), but I like the frame less windows. There is just something cool about grabbing a door top with the window down.

 

It sure is.

[carfreak85]

Snooze... Sounds like an AutoWeek review. Not only that, but this guy can't edit worth a darn. Engine and wind noise in almost every shot drew my attention more than what he was saying and his camera movement was uber distracting.

 

Love the car though and can't wait until UK Top Gear get their hands on one!

[GeneralDisorder]

I wouldn't buy one at this point because you can have a WRX for less money. To me, more car for the dollars but thats personal preference.

 

RWD has a fun factor all to itself. You can't really compare the two on the grounds of "more car" or "less car" as they are designed for entirely different driving styles. The BRZ is for those that enjoy having the rear end step out a little on a corner and it's entirely a street machine. It's not a rally car and it's not designed to be one.

 

I like both - they serve different purposes and different audiences. Costing less and having a feature that would defeat the entire purpose of the other is not grounds for it being "more car".

 

That said - there's four reasons I won't be buying one:

 

1. Never buy the first generation of any product. Let other people do the beta testing.

 

2. It's not a turbo.

 

3. The only reason it's not a turbo yet is because Subaru is greedy and they want all the early adopters to buy an NA BRZ and then in 3 to 5 years when the turbo version (STi version perhaps?) comes out they can sell the same person another car.

 

4. No used BRZ's on the market. Buying a new car is a huge money losing proposition. I have money because I don't do stupid things with it like buying new cars that will lose half their value over the next 3 to 5 years. Letting someone else take the loss is much more practical. Especially for something that's a "want", not a "need". (Though now that I have a Subaru specialty/performance shop... I may "need" one as a marketing tool :-p).

 

They could have just turbocharged it from the outset - and I'm sure they have reasons beyond the obvious desire to sell more cars - but I'm also sure that's the overiding principle here.

 

GD

[Gloyale]

Other than smacking your head on the window frame when you go from one to the other.

 

Doohh!

 

Can't tell you how many times.

[The Beast I Drive]

A little off-topic, but it appears that the BRZ is also being marketed by Scion as the FR-S...

 

-Bill

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

I Really Think exactly in this Way:

 

... Buying a new car is a huge money losing proposition. I have money because I don't do stupid things with it like buying new cars that will lose half their value over the next 3 to 5 years. Letting someone else take the loss is much more practical. ...

 

So I Agree, Absolutely.

 

Also about the "Beta Testing" GD is Right! ... I Never Buy the First Gen of Nothing, which includes Electronic Devices, etc.

 

B is for Boxer, R is for Rear-wheel drive, Z is for Zenith, as in the best...

 

The Subaru BRZ has a New Engine, The engine is an all-new design called the FA, with a perfectly square stroke of 86x86 and a variable-valve control system that Subaru calls AVCS, for active valve control system.

 

The FA was developed for and only used in this car, "at least for the time being." On the required premium gas, Subaru's numbers are 200 horsepower and 150 pound-feet, with reps at a loss to explain why Toyota rates the same engine –that Subaru builds– at 197 horsepower.

 

The FA is smaller than the Impreza's FB engine, achieved with items such as a shorter and lower intake manifold.

 

 

 

Some Pictures to Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... Prtty Nice, isn't it? ...

[ShawnW]

Is the convertible a concept only or did I miss something huge? I have only seen a hardtop so far.

[subaruplatt]

I for one absalutely love what I have seen and know about the BRZ so far.

 

The essential car for our times !

 

Another 50 + grand dream machine just isn't making as much sense as it used to, at least to me.

 

The STI was always too expensive for me.

 

For me the overriding aspect of this car is that they kept the price down, so mere mortals like me could at least dream of owning one.

[Demolition]

I LOVE THE BRZ

All around its a good car you can take traction control completely off which is sweet for getting sideways

 

BUT

 

Scion and Mazda have a model out EXACTLY like the BRZ the only difference in the logo...Kinda made me mad. I went cruising with my Subie group and we saw a Scion fr-s we chased it down thinking it was a BRZ....but nope

[nipper]

Is the convertible a concept only or did I miss something huge? I have only seen a hardtop so far.

 

It is subarus "artists concept" which means IMHO in subaruspeak we are going to make one since only mazda has another like it.

 

[Mugs]

rwd has a fun factor all to itself. You can't really compare the two on the grounds of "more car" or "less car" as they are designed for entirely different driving styles. The brz is for those that enjoy having the rear end step out a little on a corner and it's entirely a street machine. It's not a rally car and it's not designed to be one.

 

I like both - they serve different purposes and different audiences. Costing less and having a feature that would defeat the entire purpose of the other is not grounds for it being "more car".

 

That said - there's four reasons i won't be buying one:

 

1. Never buy the first generation of any product. Let other people do the beta testing.

 

2. It's not a turbo.

 

3. The only reason it's not a turbo yet is because subaru is greedy and they want all the early adopters to buy an na brz and then in 3 to 5 years when the turbo version (sti version perhaps?) comes out they can sell the same person another car.

 

4. No used brz's on the market. Buying a new car is a huge money losing proposition. I have money because i don't do stupid things with it like buying new cars that will lose half their value over the next 3 to 5 years. Letting someone else take the loss is much more practical. Especially for something that's a "want", not a "need". (though now that i have a subaru specialty/performance shop... I may "need" one as a marketing tool :-p).

 

They could have just turbocharged it from the outset - and i'm sure they have reasons beyond the obvious desire to sell more cars - but i'm also sure that's the overiding principle here.

 

Gd

 

ditto !!!!!!

[ShawnW]

I LOVE THE BRZ

All around its a good car you can take traction control completely off which is sweet for getting sideways

 

BUT

 

Scion and Mazda have a model out EXACTLY like the BRZ the only difference in the logo...Kinda made me mad. I went cruising with my Subie group and we saw a Scion fr-s we chased it down thinking it was a BRZ....but nope

 

Mazda? There is a Scion(Toyota) version and a Subaru version. The Mazda is their own car.

[natext6]

Mazda? There is a Scion(Toyota) version and a Subaru version. The Mazda is their own car.

 

Which car is this Mazda that looks like a brz?

[ShawnW]

Its the latest version of the Miata. MX5 I think they call it. I can see the resemblance.

 

[ShawnW]

 

That said - there's four reasons I won't be buying one:

 

1. Never buy the first generation of any product. Let other people do the beta testing.

 

2. It's not a turbo.

 

3. The only reason it's not a turbo yet is because Subaru is greedy and they want all the early adopters to buy an NA BRZ and then in 3 to 5 years when the turbo version (STi version perhaps?) comes out they can sell the same person another car.

 

4. No used BRZ's on the market. Buying a new car is a huge money losing proposition. I have money because I don't do stupid things with it like buying new cars that will lose half their value over the next 3 to 5 years. Letting someone else take the loss is much more practical. Especially for something that's a "want", not a "need". (Though now that I have a Subaru specialty/performance shop... I may "need" one as a marketing tool :-p).

 

They could have just turbocharged it from the outset - and I'm sure they have reasons beyond the obvious desire to sell more cars - but I'm also sure that's the overiding principle here.

 

GD

 

I see your points.

 

1. I agree on first model year and Subaru makes the case even more usually. The 2008 WRX, the 2004 STI, the 1985 4wd Wagon, the 93 Impreza with the 1.8. Lots of first year tests and then the 2nd year gets redone in a way that sticks for the rest of the years of that generation. But to avoid a 1st gen BRZ seems a little crazy if you want one you better buy one before they pull the plug and don't make any beyond the 4 year mark.

 

2. The Turbo, or lack there of isn't the problem. Its the power. Why is it not a 2.5L. Adding a turbo would have added weight, shifted the 50/50 and messed with the whole thing. But displacement would have been easy enough.

 

3. I would rather see a hardtop convertible than a Turbo model. If its not too hard to do, there will be aftermarket offerings for a Turbo kit that are done well and probably for less money and less insurance rates than a factory one.

 

4. Subaru's are not losing 1/2 their value in that period of time but I see your point. On a new model who knows but I have seen people buying used Outbacks and Foresters that are 3-4 years old for nearly new car prices. Crazy but true. I sold my WRX for more than I paid but I got a deal as an employee at the time. YMMV and as a rule you are right on this.

[natext6]

Happy Mazda is happy

[Suba_GL_87]

this is tottaly suck.

Diesel is best way to go.