Monday Morning Matchup: BRZ vs. Focus ST vs. WRX

"ModerateSloth" (moderatesloth) 10/07/2013 at 11:13 • Filed to: CAR MATCHUP

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Seeing that my last question that I posed got a good response, I thought that I would pose yet another car matchup/comparison/discussion question. Lets say that you had around 28k to spend on a car, and being an enthusiast you don't want anything mundane. The three that come to mind for me are the Subaru BRZ, Ford Focus ST, and the Subaru WRX. While all three of these cars are wildly different, I think that they are all brilliant. The BRZ being a fantastic drivers car, the Focus ST being the next generation "hot hatch", and the WRX with it's versatile all wheel drive system. However, the BRZ's rear-wheel drive system could create some problems in the winter, the interior of the WRX seems a little lacking, and the the front-wheel drive ST could provide a little less fun than rear or all wheel drive systems. What do you guys think, would you buy one of these three or something completely different?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 11:16

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Trolololol

PelicanHazard > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 11:17

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ST all the way for me. My brother owns a Focus hatch that I've driven and ridden in many times. So then the ST comes along and asks if I can have all the practicality of the hatch I already know, with more spunk, and better looks and interior than the WRX? I'm in. The BRZ doesn't even factor in this matchup.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 10/07/2013 at 11:17

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Not trolling at all. Really.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 11:19

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Personally I'd go with the WRX because hot hatch and winter.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 10/07/2013 at 11:20

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Cool, cause that would be it.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 11:20

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ST for me.

And, honestly you will need winter wheels and tires for all three choices if you live anywhere it gets below 40F and occasionally snows. The ST is fitted with summer-only rubber, the Prius tires on the BRZ won't cut it during the winter and while AWD is nice it still need good traction to work effectively.

dropthatclutch > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 10/07/2013 at 11:23

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Considering, Truecar suggests that I could get a GT for $27k, I have to agree.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 11:23

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Have $28k and want to max your Jalop potential?

Don't buy new.

ModerateSloth > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/07/2013 at 11:26

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Fair enough, what would you get?

magman007 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/07/2013 at 11:36

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This. Used STi, lightly used 5.0, e46 m3, s4 are all viable options in the price range.

burglar can't heart click anything > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 11:41

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FR-S and a set of snow tires for me. Maybe. Man, that would be a tough decision.

Well - the good news is they are all correct answers. Ask the same question in, say, 1998 and there were not so many good choices.

boxrocket > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 11:42

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Used Mazda2 (local dealer has a loaded 2012 in the atomic-frog-green for $14K), tune the hell out of it (Mazdaspeed3 brakes and goodies, for starters, with RX-8 hubs and wheels), and have money left for tires, track fees, insurance, and fuel.

Or put $5-10K into my RWD Volvo and win all the things !

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/07/2013 at 11:44

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That's so true, I would much rather get a good M5 E39 (in Germany they start at about 13k) and still have money left over for repairs and higher running costs.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 11:50

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With 28k?

A used CTS? Used Taurus SHO AWD?

My list is endless with 28k available. I never buy new so I can get more car for my moneys.

GhostZ > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 11:50

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$5000 1976-7 280z

$3000 Body work

$10,000 suspension work

$10,000 swap + performance parts on a VK45DE.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 11:57

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2006 Mustang GT for 10k. 16k for mods. ligthen the thing up to maximize fun. plenty of green for a set of blizzaks on the stock wheels. since you spent money buying lighterwheels and better tires anyways right!?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 11:58

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'07 Porsche Cayman - CarMax OKC or Jackson TN

'06 Z4M - Houston TX

'08 S2000 - CarMax KC

'07 S2000 - CarMax Austin

'06 S2000 - CarMax Irving TX

'05 S2000 - CarMax Wichita

'09 A5 3.2 - CarMax KC

'09 370Z - CarMax Jackson MS

Or just get a used Miata and call these guys:

http://www.flyinmiata.com/

Saracen > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 12:21

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You don't have to buy right at your spending limit.

Fiesta ST

Abarth

MKVII GTI is not out yet but is supposed to be fantastic.

Cooper S

Milky > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 12:24

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Well ....... I all ready have a Crossfire on all seasons, so I would get this Elise on autorader with 40k on its clock for $27,324. Sounds just about perfect to me.

EDIT: Bleerg just saw that one was in Hawaii, so this one for 23K.

Scott Keelan > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 12:26

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Giles007 > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 12:29

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"the BRZ's rear-wheel drive system could create some problems in the winter, the interior of the WRX seems a little lacking, and the the front-wheel drive ST could provide a little less fun than rear or all wheel drive"

You hit the nail on the head here. This was the logic I used, and settled on the ST. It's still plenty of fun!

maximillious > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 12:32

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This weekend as I rode around Chicago I was contemplating my next major car purchase. I thought about all the cool cars that are out now, between the ST and little ST, the Subarus and the FRS. There are so many amazing cars to buy new for somewhere around 25k. Then I started thinking what I could do for 25k that would be unique. I settled on an S12 Silvia and spending the 25 k to completely resto mod it. I figure by the end of that budget I would have a car that is 100% unique and as capable/reliable (all things done properly) as a car purchased new off the lot.

maximillious > maximillious 10/07/2013 at 12:33

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Kugelblitz > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 12:35

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Just went through this very same decision process, except the Mazda 3 speed was also factored in.

BRZ will not baby, or even adolescent, so no. ST is FWD, so nope. Went with the a very very lightly used WRX sedan (Carmax). I did not get the Sti because 17mpg just did not work for me.

After geting to a Carmax a few hours after the 3s was sold (twice) and both times seeing a WRX or Sti nearby, I went with the Subaru.

iLikeCarsAndSkiing > boxrocket 10/07/2013 at 12:41

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Really? A Mazda2?

iLikeCarsAndSkiing > Milky 10/07/2013 at 12:42

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I like this idea, but that is just not practical. The BRZ is more practical than an elise.

Milky > iLikeCarsAndSkiing 10/07/2013 at 12:56

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No one said you have to own just one car. The Crossfire would stick around for winter/grocery duty.

iLikeCarsAndSkiing > Milky 10/07/2013 at 13:13

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That is a valid point.

mr. idk > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 13:21

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2010 Camaro SS, Acura NSX, e46 M3, Cayman, mid-eighties Porsche 911, and the list goes on

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 13:48

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At the very least, test drive everything in your price range you're remotely interested in before you make a decision.

NoahthePorscheGuy > ModerateSloth 10/07/2013 at 18:31

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If there was a new WRX I would probably choose it in a heartbeat, but its getting a little long in the tooth. Easy Answer: Buy a Fiesta ST for 21k and spend the other 7k on a 944 Turbo for rwd hoonery

boxrocket > iLikeCarsAndSkiing 10/08/2013 at 00:56

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Hell yes. Cheap and cheerful, and a hoot to drive when you give 'em the stick. Much like the eco-boxes of old, they beg to be flogged, and take modifications well.

JasonStern911 > ModerateSloth 10/08/2013 at 06:33

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So many better options in that price range if one is patient.

996 C4S:

Z4M Coupe:

964 C4:

Elise:

2nd generation Viper:

C6 Corvette:

Cayman:

Etc., etc.

cazzyodo > ModerateSloth 10/08/2013 at 14:30

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This was my exact conundrum earlier this year. I almost bought the WRX but found it lacking in comfort to use as a DD. The BRZ want was great but winter concerned me. The ST checked all the boxes by giving me the best combination of value, fun and practicality.

And it came in red.

GreenN_Gold > ModerateSloth 10/08/2013 at 14:33

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Oh hey look, it's my car! So I guess I already answered this question. I got the WRX.