Maddening Mad Men!

"Groagun" (groagun) 04/08/2015 at 14:46 • Filed to: None

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Sorry if I lead you on in any way but this post is not about the TV series, none of which I have watched. I'm sure I will get around to it long after it's gone and binge watch it with a bottle of Canadian Club and several Old Fashions to help set the mood.

No, this article is about the Subaru BRZ tS STI: say that five times quick! Not just the car but what seems to be the endless reasoning(read BS) as to why Subaru cannot give us the car we really want.

Ah that pink badge, those wheels and that boy racer wing: it all adds up to STI. Those three letters are liken to M, AMG, Abarth or any other in house tuned special direct from the factory or with direct involvement of the OEM. It's not Hennessey or Mansory or any other 'Tuner', it's the factory giving us the very best it can and making it bullet proof and maintaining the warranty.

The BRZ/GT86/FRS was a car I thought would never make it to production. Endless concepts and talk with no action in sight for what was about 4 years if I recall correctly. Then like a bolt from the blue, it appeared one day and all was good with the world: kind of.

The original argument with the car was about back to basics, cheap, fun and cheerful sports cars. Real sports cars with two doors only and two seats only: oh and a manual gear box. It delivered on all accounts and was a great drive and fairly well engineered at least from a dynamic driving perspective.

Now in it's fourth year of production there have been some weaknesses found in the car that have tarnished the quality and durability ratings but nothing of real significance that have turned people off the cars at all.

However, from day ONE, the real want and desire has always been 'more power'. Several highly noted auto journalists have opined that more power could be added as the chassis could definitely handle it but the extra power may ruin the balance and purity of feel of this great car. BULL SHIT!

Waxing eloquently about purity and traditional characteristics is fine if it was 1995 not 2015. In a landscape where the basic family sedan now has 200-275 HP we have moved beyond the quaint needs of Englishmen in tweed jackets and Ascot/Flat caps.

So why not give us what we want? Is the deal between Subaru and Toyota that constrictive that Subaru legally can't give us the STI version? It is possible as there are sales constraints to the car but as for different version of the existing architecture I don't see that as being feasible as it would artificially limit sales to both companies.

I love cars and have more knowledge than the average 'Joe' but I'm no mechanic or engineer, all I want is the hot rod version I can simply buy off the showroom floor. I want my M/AMG/Abarth.

It seems to me that the Mad Men of advertising agencies have spun this story and question with so much BS and have constructed a total 'non answer' to the only one we are asking that now I think this great car is in danger of disappearing all together.

Four years and no 'hot' version in sight. That just doesn't add up in the modern automotive world and there have been no concrete answer as to why. Nothing would stop Subaru or Toyota TRD from having a base version and a 'hot' version.

I think they are missing a great opportunity and failing to act on what should be a great story and car for the 21st century.

Carscoops/Automobile Mag-SubaruBRZ tS STI

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If any of you can give me a good reason as to why we can't have the car we want, please, please let me know.

ACESandEIGHTS > Groagun 04/08/2015 at 14:52

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Is "boy racer" like a more car-specialized version of the American "bro"? Or is it commenting on young men who drive loud cars? I can't be the only American perplexed by the term. I suspect it's a chach who likes Japanese rides all fitted with aftermarket trinkets.

Groagun > ACESandEIGHTS 04/08/2015 at 15:05

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Wow, I have to admit I was taken a back by your "I can't be the only American" part of your question. 'Boy Racer' is a phrase mostly used by Americans to initially describe the Honda Civic crowd of tuners from the late 80's and 90's.

Lowered cars with big wings, neon lights, loud exhausts and even louder paint or decal schemes. The attempt to make your car look like a GT4/3 or touring race car was basically the intent. Hence the phrase 'boy racer'.