BRZ: the three-hour drive experience

"PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power" (petarvn)
06/03/2016 at 11:00 • Filed to: None

Earlier this week i went to the gorgeous !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! with a photographer friend who happens to be a car guy. The car for this expedition? his 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited, affectionately named the Furrari!

luckily for me, he was tired that day, which resulted in me being tossed the key for the drive! This was my first time driving one of these things for more than 15-20 minutes, so i was curious to see what happened. Here’s what i found out:

-anyone who claims that this is underpowered doesn’t know what underpowered is! granted, it’s not that fast but it certainly never left me feeling like it was dangerously/stupidly slow. it could use an extra 20hp and 50ft-lbs of torque, but i had no issues passing people in 5th on the freeway in it

-It’s decievingly comfy. Sitting in it is great for 2-3 hours non stop, but getting out hurts . Granted, i had done leg day the day before this so hiking didn’t help, but I was feeling it when i got out.

-Tire noise. surprisingly, not that bad at all! it drones a bit but not horribly so

-gravel roads are a hoot in this! a section of road was unpaved, and powersliding this thing around gravel hairpins has to be one of the highlights of my driving career, probably up there with flooring a ZR1, and doing doughnuts in a Mustang GT in a wet, empty parking lot.

-Overall, it’s a great car, one that i feel lives up to it’s hype well. Still, i can’t see myself owning one though. As great as it is, i’d spent my $26-$30K on an Ecoboostang.

DISCUSSION (12)

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/03/2016 at 11:08

Just get a used one! The used market is definitely a buyer’s market on these. Glad to hear you enjoyed it though. I regularly take my FR-S on pretty long trips (drove 5 hours to central Michigan and back this past weekend), and like you said they’re surprisingly comfy; especially for how aggressively bolstered the stock seats are.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/03/2016 at 11:11

Also, Vance Creek Bridge looks awesome! My girlfriend and I will be visiting my brother, sister-in-law, and niece next weekened in Federal Way (girlfriend and I are staying at an AirBnB in West Seattle). Might have to make a trip out there. Although I imagine the drive won’t be as enjoyable in my rental Corolla or my brother’s Silverado. haha

Justin Hughes > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/03/2016 at 11:23

Your three hours basically reflects my opinion after 2+ years of ownership. Power is fine. A little more wouldn’t hurt - a small supercharger is on my potential future projects list - but it’s adequate as it is. I’ve driven 10 hours straight in mine and it’s surprisingly comfy. I do have a bit of tire noise on the highway, but that’s because I’m running 235 width Michelin Pilot Super Sports instead of the stock Prius tires. And gravel roads (or rally stages) are a blast!

Given the choice today, a Mustang EcoBoost would be a strong contender. My life and my needs have changed, so I’d actually be looking for a WRX or GTI at this point.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Justin Hughes
06/03/2016 at 11:29

this one is on 215-wide pilot supersports and comparing to a BRZ on stock rubber, this is glued to the road. it makes a world of difference

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
06/03/2016 at 11:30

vance creek is great! just be aware, it is on private property. do your research before going! :)

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
06/03/2016 at 11:31

oh I’m not looking at buying one! I’m probably getting a mustang this summer hahah. I was just pointing out how it was to drive for awhile

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/03/2016 at 11:32

I figured, was just commenting on your last comment about the Ecoboost. haha That being said, the new GT is very, very tempting...

Justin Hughes > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/03/2016 at 11:58

HUGE difference!

Arrivederci > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/03/2016 at 13:05

Agree on your points as well! My BRZ really woke up with a header and tune to the point where now it really doesn’t need anything extra. More power would still be nicer, but it’s pleasant to drive aside from the fact that it’s now rather noisy. It’s at home on a windy backroad, but can actually be a rather pleasant cruiser for what it is.

I don’t think I’d take an Ecoboostang over it, but I would definitely trade mine for a 2015+ Mustang GT if I found anybody willing, lol.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
06/03/2016 at 13:16

Oh it is! I’m just biding my time until i can order grabber blue right now

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Arrivederci
06/03/2016 at 13:17

My friend ia getting a borla catback and tune soon, the catback should be arriving any day now actually! So we’ll see how much more awake it becomes

Yossarian > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/03/2016 at 13:58

Yeah in the four years I owned one I never had complaints about the power. The road noise of the tires can be fixed by getting some better performance summers. Pilot Super Sports made the car even better.