![]() 07/29/2017 at 19:18 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
So, why are the exact same specs of a car today considered garbage? “No torque! No power! It can’t get out of it’s own way!” Gee, I can’t wait for the day when a Ferrari 488GTB pales in comparison to a modern Honda Accord thirty years on. Just like a 308 does today. Perspective!
If I don’t restore an old Mustang into an injected straight-6 canyon carver, I’m going to pick up a second-hand BRZ someday and enjoy it for what it’s supposed to be. A modern 240z. That modern sporting GT.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 19:22 |
|
Why? Perspective. The market average is drastically different than it was in 1970. Look at what you’re cross shopping at that price point. It’s all relative.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 19:28 |
|
Cars today are more powerful than they were in the 70s, an era that saw massive decreases in horsepower thanks to an oil crisis and new emissions regulations.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 19:30 |
|
I wanted to buy a toyobaru but my Lexus with 313k miles made it seem slow and I needed an upgrade. That’s why I I’m stuck between a WRX and a FoST.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 19:30 |
|
Shhh!!! Be quiet I want to get one used in about 2 yrs. don’t need you driving up prices :P
![]() 07/29/2017 at 19:35 |
|
OH!.....sorry...sorry
![]() 07/29/2017 at 19:36 |
|
LOOK AT IT
![]() 07/29/2017 at 19:38 |
|
Better hope DeMuro doesn’t review one.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 20:00 |
|
This is ‘Murica - we only like to go fast in a straight line (except on on-ramps, or freeways, or empty roads, etc. - basically only when someone is trying to get past us). Cornering is for them Yurrapean types. And weight is there to help you hold the road better - you don’t want to be unsafe, do you?
But seriously, I’m with you. I drive a minivan that’s faster than an early ‘80s Ferrari or any of the ‘80s BMWs I’ve owned, yet I’m told that it’s too slow. I don’t really care, and hoon the shit out of it for fun. I’d like a Miata as a plaything, but if the right BRZ came along I could see myself changing plans, particularly since I don’t really enjoy open-top motoring. Low curb weight and high grip levels are my keys to motoring enjoyment.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 20:07 |
|
Well, when you look at it this way...
2017 Subaru BRZ:
Power: 205 hp (manual), 200 hp (automatic)
Torque: 156 lb-ft (manual), 151 lb-ft (automatic)
2018 Honda Accord 1.5 turbo:
Power: 192 hp
Torque: 192 lb-ft torque
2018 Honda Accord 2.0 turbo:
Power: 252 hp
Torque: 273 lb-ft torque
...it’s pretty easy to see why. The BRZ has more power than the 1.5, but is creamed by the 1.5 in torque, and don’t even get me started on the 2.0...
I understand that the BRZ is more a handling car than a power car, but when it gets all but demolished by a base model midsize sedan...that’s a disgrace.
Also, that 1.5 turbo, when placed in the Civic Si matches the manual BRZ in horsepower (205), then beats it in torque (same 192 as the Accord)...and that’s a compact FWD car.
The BRZ (and the 86) do need at least a little more power to remain competitive, because at this point...it’s dead in the water.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 20:10 |
|
Don’t forget the WRX (non STi) cost about the same money as a BRZ but gets you 110 additional HP, plus a turbo, plus AWD.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 20:17 |
|
Well if FP commenters are representative of all car enthusiasts. A good car is one that’s
Fast in a straight line
Has AWD
Not a panel of “hard plastics” in sight.
Although I doubt the qualifier. A while ago I saw someone comment “I though the commetarait on Jalopnik were professionals!” In response to someone complaining about all the people complaining about interior materials.
I loled, although he’s probably right nowadays.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 20:17 |
|
Because money buys alot more today than it did 40 years ago, and I can get an authentic z car for less than a new BRZ.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 20:18 |
|
And then gets beat by a 305 hp FWD Type-R...
![]() 07/29/2017 at 20:23 |
|
Who?
![]() 07/29/2017 at 20:24 |
|
Tons of people buy the FRS/BRZ?
![]() 07/29/2017 at 20:44 |
|
Correct answer
![]() 07/29/2017 at 22:04 |
|
Not denying this, but at least brz/wrx are comparable in price.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 22:27 |
|
Well I have one of those so I don’t need a BRZ....
![]() 07/29/2017 at 22:56 |
|
A Z has this thing called torque. It would be interesting to see the hp/torque curves compared to a brz. I’m sure the brz is faster than a stock 240.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 23:09 |
|
Very good question on torque, so I looked it up.
the BRZ has a much talked about dip in torque but the engine appears to wake up only at 4500 when the power comes on. Most likely due to only 2 liters and variable cams.
Where the L24 has the displacement and a lack of that dip, but overall, the power to weight and improved handling of the BRZ should make for much the same dynamic drive. The point I suppose I’m making is the sense of what is good and bad is based on quarter mile times and the Nurburgring combination over what is really a great experience to drive. The Z was a great car and the BRZ is just as great. I guess the people have moved on from drivers cars to numbers cars.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 23:10 |
|
indeed. one without a muffler is what set me on this crazy car thing.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 23:13 |
|
1/2 that of the MX-5, on a good day.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 23:20 |
|
It has more power than the Miata, so I don’t think that’s why they undersell the MX-5. Probably because the Miata has buyers in the “cute little roadster” demographic as well as the “budget driver’s car” demographic.
![]() 07/29/2017 at 23:37 |
|
Well I don’t take my Z out on the highway and go as fast as I can, I go around the mountain and up the coastal roads. At no point do I need more HP than I have. I have triple carbs and a 5 speed, replaced the drums with disks, so it is better than a stock Z in 1971. I guess my point is I don’t need more power to enjoy it and except maybe in a straight line I don’t think the Z and its geometry could handle a lot of HP without welding in all kinds of supports and putting coilovers on it. But then you might as well buy a newer car, I hate people fucking up the old cars.
![]() 07/30/2017 at 00:14 |
|
My dad has a nearly bone stock 1970 and it gets down the road just fine. It’s so much more visceral than a modern car, it just feels fast even though it isn’t that fast.
![]() 07/30/2017 at 00:41 |
|
Yeah my car at 45 mph feels pretty fast, it’s lower than stock too. I have never driven a bone stock one with the dual carbs so I can’t really say. I did drive the car home when I bought it with two of the three carbs working, didn’t know.
![]() 07/30/2017 at 11:51 |
|
Cause modern cars make power in ways old cars don’t.