Dip I dip you dip; torque dip that is

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
06/06/2018 at 23:27 • Filed to: None

I think I’m going to go try driving a 86 twin this weekend. I don’t think I’d actually call it in on project 996 (and even if I wanted to, I don’t know what I’d get for it without a bit of work) yet but yesterday pushed my patience. A door sensor or the central locking system went berserk as the wife and I were driving home from a date night. At random the car would beep twice as I was driving and we had all sorts of issues with the passenger door.

I guess it’s still better than when my 944 completely died on a date night but still not ideal when you have as few nights together without the kiddo as we do. Cause even though we laughed about it; it still was driving me a little nuts for the rest of the night.

My wife loved having the top down though and we had a blast getting around before it started acting weird.

Anyways; as kind of a barometer for things I may go try and drive a BRZ for the first time. Just tuck it away in my head. I’d probably be more inclined to actually get an FR-S if I really were shopping as they came in more colors and less frequently seem to have the little spoiler(if I have a spoiler I want a big freaking wing). Back seat will be important, as will figuring out if it feels too slow.

DISCUSSION (20)

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
06/07/2018 at 00:15

Ooo, I’m also putting an 86 on my possible next car list. Will be on the lookout for your take on it.

I’m in a Sonic now so I’m sure it will feel fast enough to me. I’m more curious about the feel overall (as well as the torque dip)

It would be my daily and the Sonic has same amount of torque but it’s real punchy all the (traffic friendly) lower-middle of the rev range. I think I’d have to adjust my driving style for sure.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
06/07/2018 at 01:19

The BRZ needs a long test drive to settle into whether you’ll like it or not. It’s fun like everyone says but pay attention to the road noise, material quality and the seriously short gearing combined with the torque dip. If you can live with all that, then it may suit you.

It’s been 2 years for me with mine and it’s starting to just become unbearable on my commute. If you have any questions let me know.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
06/07/2018 at 01:22

The torque dip is real. I can push the pedal to the floor and it’ll just keeping going along until it gets out of the dip. It’s almost like turbo lag without the insanity afterwards. As a daily it does get quite noisy. If you’re in stop and go traffic be prepared to change gear. A lot. The gears are really short and the ideal change points are all right at the cruising speed of traffic where I live.

Long road trips are okay. Just don’t expect to be comfy. You actually can fit 4 adults in it but nobody will be comfy. The rear passenger knees aren’t the problem. The feet are. The seat is so low to the ground anyone with shoes on won’t have feet that fit under the seat so you’re limited in how far back you can move the seat.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
06/07/2018 at 01:30

You’ll for sure notice the torque dip in a test drive (for a used one, at least: I think they’ve reduced or eliminated it in the current version). But my experience is it doesn’t show up in every day life. These things aren’t powerful enough that you ride the midrange anyway, so full throttle at 4000 rpm isn’t a common need. You’re either cruising and south of 3000, or in a hurry, 3 gears down, and north of 5000 - if you’re flooring it at 3000 and waiting, you’re doing it wrong. With a 7500rpm redline, there’s still a lot of space to play in above 5000 -it’s like 3500 in a 6k-redline car.

More important things to decide if you can live with are the harsh ride, loud road noise, and lack of some everyday-friendly features like memory seatbacks and decent cupholders.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/07/2018 at 04:29

Oh, and by the way: back seat - ha ha ha.

Ok for a parcel shelf, useless for humans with legs.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
06/07/2018 at 07:04

The back seat in a BRZ is a parcel shelf. You aren’t putting anybody with legs back there.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
06/07/2018 at 07:55

More so than a 996? I have a daughter that’s almost 4.

Arrivederci > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
06/07/2018 at 09:04

As a couple others have mentioned, make sure you do a proper test drive. If you just go up and down a city street, you’ll hate it and miss the point of it completely.

That said, I traded mine in because I didn’t have much of an opportunity to drive it as it should be driven and as a commuter, it’s a little rough around the edges, especially with a full exhaust, suspension and wheels/tires :).

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen
06/07/2018 at 09:16

Thanks; in my 996 it’s got a 7250 redline and really there is not much fun under 4000 so it’s what I’m used to. It’s also loud(can with a hardtop and a smallll exhaust). I’m trying to decide if I want to trade in some speed and that something special for something a little more reliable.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/07/2018 at 11:22

Is there any rev hang? Did you ever do a header/tune that seems pretty common?

Joe6pack > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
06/07/2018 at 16:17

I’ve test driven a few of these over the years and they very much remind me of the NA 944. That said, I settled on a GTI for the four doors, dsg and overall comfort - not to mention price.

I feel where you are coming from. I’ve been fooling with old cars for too long. Give me a warranty and reliability.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Joe6pack
06/07/2018 at 16:25

See; your comment about the GTI is funny because I’ve got a manual turbo beetle(GTI rear suspension, transmission, and engine) but it just doesn’t quite scratch my itch. I’m not sure if it’s all because the tires stink on it, or if I’m just more of a NA/RWD kind of person. The beetle was pretty fun at first but it wore off a bit.

I unhooked the 996s battery overnight and now the door/alarm thing seems to have passed.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/07/2018 at 17:35

Good info. My Sonic has a super close-ratio trans, shorter than the 86, so I’m used to shifting a lot. ( I kind of like that part)

I will barely have 1 passenger let alone more than 3 so not too worried about the rear space. How is the noise? Road noise/engine noise/exhaust noise? So many have aftermarket exhaust.

I’m thinking of Turo-ing one for a couple days to try it out, but most I’m seeing are pretty heavily modified around me.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/07/2018 at 18:00

Elaborate on “unbearable on my commute.” Just the road noise or the torque dip too? Is it that hard to drive around?

Joe6pack > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
06/08/2018 at 20:59

Don’t misread me. I love the 86/BRZ, but it’s a little impractical vs the GTI. I’m also pretty sure the GTI is faster and it handles like a go cart. I don’t remember that sensation with the 86/BRZ.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
06/10/2018 at 19:18

There is a slight rev hang. It’s annoying when you’re trying to quickly change gear which is a lot when you’re on an expressway with a bunch of other German monsters sedans.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
06/10/2018 at 19:20

Unbearable as in the road and tire noise is horrific. The rain sounds like hail since there is no insulation aside from the roof lining that’s only there since it would be unwise to sell a car with an exposed roof. The torque dip isn’t that big an issue until you’re on an expressway. Then it’s bad. Like we’re talking people are tailgating your ass while you’re trying to make it to 50mph.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
06/10/2018 at 19:24

The road noise is horrible. It becomes a numbing white noise after 20 minutes and you forget about it. After 2 hours it starts to get to you again and you just want to get to your destination so you won’t have to hear it anymore.

Engine noise is okay. Nothing to write home about. Exhaust noise is crap. You can try an exhaust but due to the lack of sound deadening you’ll get drone. If you get an exhaust make sure it’s a suitcase shaped muffler because anything with a cannon shaped muffler will drone enough to make your ears ring. I swapped in an MXP catback and on my 2-hour drive to Napa I honestly just hated it and the car. The bass when you are lifting off the gas is absolutely terrible.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/11/2018 at 13:55

Thanks man! I’m going to try a longer test drive and this info gave me some areas to pay attention to.

Road noise is a big one since I would probably be putting a bunch of miles on it.

What are you driving now? Looking to get out of the brz?

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
06/11/2018 at 17:08

Glad I could help. Yes I would highly recommend a long test drive. Also make sure you get on a freeway/highway above 50mph since that’s when the road noise gets bad. Leave it in 4th at 50mph since that’s what the engine will sound like at 70mph cruising in 6th. Also don’t just thrash it. Pretend like you’re in traffic since that dramatically takes away the fun part of the car and will tell you if you can live with it. The sales person may think you’re crazy but that’s important to test as well.

I’m still driving the BRZ as my daily and only car. I’m hoping to get into a Golf R soon though. I just need nicer interior materials and comfort. the speed of the golf r combined with the beautiful Lapiz Blue color and hatchback shape is ticking all the right boxes for me. The virtual cockpit is also a cherry on top. Also I’ve actually found times where I wish I could drive friends on a weekend trip but can’t in the BRZ so that’s also a factor in wanting a hatchback