I'm beginning to think my BRZ is defective.

"TheOnelectronic" (theoneelectronic) 11/25/2015 at 14:55 • Filed to: None

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It’s fast enough to be a sports car, I can’t detect a “torque dip” even when I’m looking for it, and I’m continually impressed by the value for the price.

Based on what I read before getting the car, I can only conclude that mine is broken.

16” Sparco Terras for your time.

Chariotoflove > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:02

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That reminds me of something. Twice in the last couple of weeks now, I have seen this car with the Toyota GT86 badges on it in Dallas. I did not hear that Toyota was selling these as anything other than a Scion in the US. So, I am assuming the drivers changed the badges. Correct?

Also, good use of sarcasm. If you love your car, no one else needs to understand your relationship, including the “experts”.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:04

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I wish I could afford a set of those but 15"s. They look great.

Ryan A. > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:06

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I can’t detect a “torque dip” even when I’m looking for it

It starts around 3,500 RPM and goes until about 5,000 RPM.

TheOnelectronic > Chariotoflove 11/25/2015 at 15:09

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Definitely rebadging. Only BRZ and FR-S here.

And it’s not even a case of loving the car despite its flaws (which I do and which it does have), it’s that I legitimately don’t find the big issues that everyone seems to point out. I’ve never felt like the car is underpowered, and the torque curve feels pretty consistent through the rev range.

Decay buys too many beaters > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:10

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In second gear floor it at 2500 rpm. You will feel it pull pretty hard to 3400, lag a bit, then come on strong again in the high 4k range. Of course if you drive it properly for an NA 4 cylinder and keep the revs up it’s nonexistent.

TheOnelectronic > Ryan A. 11/25/2015 at 15:10

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So I’m told, but I honestly don’t feel anything. My bike has a fairly severe one at about 3.5k so I know what they feel like, but the BRZ pulls very consistently.

TheOnelectronic > Decay buys too many beaters 11/25/2015 at 15:11

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I don’t really go below 3k much so that might contribute.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:11

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I don’t own a Toyobaru but I’ve driven several. I didn’t find them particularly lacking in torque (though I haven’t had enough time or really knew to look for a torque dip) or power. Granted I live near DC and spent tons of time in traffic, so for 90% of the time anything over like 50HP is complete overkill. But on one test drive I was able to scare the daylights out of my wife without breaking 40mph.

TheOnelectronic > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 11/25/2015 at 15:14

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My only gripe is the lettering is vinyl. I suppose paint would be difficult, but I would be saddened if they start peeling.

jariten1781 > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:16

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You don’t notice the torque dip? Crazy town, it’s straight up in your face. Was nothing but noticeable every time I’ve driven one.

Never had any issues with the power, seemed totally sufficient to me.

Bullitt Ride > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:17

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You can’t detect a torque dip in these cars because all you can feel the whole time is a total lack of it.

I drove my friend’s brrzzzzzz and everything about the car felt great except for the get-up-and-go part... putting your foot to the floor leaves something to be desired. I wouldn’t even go as far as saying it needs more power, it’s making 170whp, and that’s sufficient. It’s just the 140wtq that’s brutal. My E30 is putting down ~180wtq, I feel like if the BRZ/FRS was making 170whp/170wtq from the factory it’d feel close to perfect.

TheOnelectronic > Snuze: Needs another Swede 11/25/2015 at 15:19

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It’s not a car that does great in stop and go. It LOVES to rev and is happiest between 4.5k and 7k. Honestly, even if it’s not objectively “Fast”, it’s the car I have the most trouble staying under the speed limit in. I’ve driven 400+hp, sub-4s 0-60 cars with twin turbo V8’s and had no problem going a responsible speed. I get in the BRZ and the only thing in my head is “YES YES FASTER FASTER”

TheOnelectronic > Bullitt Ride 11/25/2015 at 15:21

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Even coming from 300-400hp forced induction cars, I’ve never had an issue with the torque. Then again, I also don’t try to drive it like it’s got a turbo. I don’t often see the underside of 3000 rpm.

Decay buys too many beaters > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:23

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Me either, lots of guys coming to the BRZ from turbo cars, more used to torque being determined purely by throttle position, rather than throttle position and engine speed like all small displacement NA engines.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:28

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I agree. I’ve driven it in the DC metro area in traffic and shit, and like I said, I was still able to scare my wife, but you can tell the car has so much more. Then I was able to drive one up in Frederick, MD., my old stomping grounds. I was actually at the Toyota dealer getting a part for her Lexus and got talking to a sales guy, it was a slow day, so he suggested we go for a spin. I took him out to some back roads I used to romp around on and he basically said “don’t wreck the car, go nuts”. That’s all the instruction I’ve ever needed.

But you’re right about the power delivery and the revvy, snappy nature of the motor. In a past life I was a huge bike guy, so I looove high strung little engines in light chassis. I love that eager feel, when a motor is just begging to be wrung harder, and I can definitely sense that in the Toyobaru.

RallyWrench > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:38

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I love those wheels. Car is definitely broken though.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:44

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I find 16’s suits the car much better than 17’s IMO.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:52

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You could always clean up the wheels then shoot an anti UV clear over the whole thing. Would probably protect the vinyl and stop them peeling.

Rico > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:55

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What other fast cars have you driven before?

pjhusa > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 15:56

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Sparco Terras tho

MLGCarGuy > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 16:08

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Definitely a lemon. BRZ owners should not be enjoying their cars; they should be ranting to the forums about whatever new issue they’ve discovered.

Shiftright > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 16:31

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Auto testers / journos are a bunch of spolied whiners that establish a metric based on the latest megabuck car they drove. “It’s more than a second slower to 60 than an Avantador; It’s slow”.

The BRZFRS is a great driver’s car with perfectably acceptable and fully perfomance for the realities of a practical daily driver. Please continue to enjoy the shit out of it.

Chariotoflove > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 16:42

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Not surprised. People forget that just a few years ago, 200 hp was a high number.

PS9 > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 16:44

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It is defective. The top doesn’t go down and theres some kinda funny symbol where the Mazda badge is supposed to be. What kind of Miata is this exactly? A defective Miata. A Diata.

jminer > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 17:13

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Honestly some people are just too picky. Auto journalists drive a 100k+ 911 and compare an entry level car to it and then complain the latter doesn’t drive like the car that costs 4x.

For 99% of us the BRZ, WRX, Mustang, (or insert your preferred car here) will give us more power and ability than we can handle and we’ll love every minute of it.

I had a base 01 zx3 that pulled primary duty as a commuter (drove 200 miles a day) but was an absolute blast to drive! Very flingable and extraordinarily reliable. Some people hated that car, but some people just can’t be happy :)

TheOnelectronic > Rico 11/25/2015 at 17:19

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Gallardo, S6, Tuned 335i, R8, 458, GTR, Aventador. Those are probably the highlights, though the latter 4 weren’t in a daily driving situation.

BadMotorScooter > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 17:22

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Do you have an intake and/or exhaust? I have the TRD intake and exhaust on my FR-S, and I also don’t notice any real torque dip. Maybe just a very subtle dip around 4k, but barely noticeable to me. I’ve wondered if the cars without intake or exhaust might have a more noticeable dip.

There are times when I think the FR-S is the best sports car for the dollar, and the best sports car I’ve driven (and I’ve driven a lot). Sometimes it absolutely amazes me with perfect poise, balance, and enough power to be fun but nowhere near overpowered. It wants to be driven hard, and provides an incredible experience at sub-jail speeds.

Then other times I tire of the noise (engine, road, interior), the overly intrusive traction control (I usually don’t turn it all the way off), the lack of space (duh, it’s a small sports car), the cricket chirps from the injector pump (at idle it sounds like a loud squeaky lawnmower), and the need to keep it near full boil all the time (duh, it’s a NA 2 liter).

TheOnelectronic > BadMotorScooter 11/25/2015 at 17:29

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The noise is the only of those that bothers me much. At highway speeds I find I have to turn the volume up quite a bit.

Rico > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 17:35

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Damn the only NA cars you’ve driven were exotics. Do you feel that if Subaru put a turbo in it the car would be even more fun? I was going to ask you how do you feel the torque compares to other NA cars in a similar class or price point.

Autohaus Derp > TheOnelectronic 11/25/2015 at 17:37

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Best defect ever.

TheOnelectronic > Rico 11/26/2015 at 00:36

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I have driven other NA cars, but not in the same class or price point. The closest comparison I have is the Slingshot, which uses the Ecotec 4-pot from the old Cobalt. It only makes about 150 hp but that’s not nothing in something that weighs about 700 lbs less than an NC Miata. Comparitively, though, while it’s got about the same amount of midrange pull, and a chunkier bottom end, the upper range does not feel like a place the engine wants to be, if that makes sense.

Honestly? With a turbo, the BRZ would be a very different car. A lot of the appeal for me is the sheer joy of winding it out. As I remarked to another commenter, I don’t think any other car has given me quite the same level of desire to keep going faster and faster. Sure, many cars can go faster than the BRZ, but the BRZ -wants- it. Personally, I only really find myself wishing the car had more power when making passes. The biggest thing is just driving in a higher RPM range than you would in a turbocharged car when you want significant acceleration.

jasmits > TheOnelectronic 01/12/2016 at 19:04

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I find myself breaking too many laws as it is driving myBMW 318. I could only imagine what would happen if I had more power at my disposal. I think for fun on the road power really isn’t the important part as long as it can get out of its own way.