Tempted to buy a new car, not sure exactly what yet.

"Reigntastic" (reigntastic) 12/15/2013 at 13:45 • Filed to: None

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Well, my MR2 has around 137k miles on that, and it's definitely beginning to show its age. I absolutely love the car, but if I'm going to keep it, I'm going to need a daily, and it definitely will need more work. It's due for a turbo (still on its original turbo), and ideally I'd really want a full engine rebuild, which is just more than I'm willing to spend on the car.

I've thought about it, and I could definitely get a daily and keep the car, but I'm definitely tempted to just buy a new car that can double as my fun car and my daily. I've test driven the FR-S, and I'd definitely be interested in buying a BRZ, but I don't like that it's slower than my MR2, despite being much nicer in feel and age. I'd be very tempted to modify the car much more than necessary.

Other than that, I'm not really sure what would be a realistic choice for me, so I'm interested to what Oppo thinks. Used cars aren't out of the question, but I want something fairly low mileage. Only other requirement is it can't be FWD or automatic.

Desu-San-Desu > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 13:47

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What year MR2?

Also, the aftermarket has made it so insanely easy to increase the power of the FA20 boxer engine that the whole 'not fast enough' argument doesn't really hold water anymore. The way I see it, stick with the original power until you've worn through the OEM tires and have learned the chassis at lower limits, then upgrade the power after you've gotten wider, stickier tires.

BTW, I hear the sweet spot for tire width on the BRZ/FR-S is 235-245.

Reigntastic > Desu-San-Desu 12/15/2013 at 13:48

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1993, so SW20.

Very true, easily modded car, but not without voiding the warranty.

Desu-San-Desu > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 13:50

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Lol, I edited the second part out of that question after I looked at the picture again.

Also, has it had the rear-suspension fix done?

EL_ULY > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 13:51

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Are you married? Do you have little versions of you running around destroying everything? Are you still in school or in the workforce? Do you travel far to work/school in the city or suburbs? Will Garth ever receive his Sports Illustrated football phone?

Reigntastic > Desu-San-Desu 12/15/2013 at 13:52

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'93 is the year that they fixed the suspension, so yes.

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 13:53

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Yes, get the F355 Targa you have in the picture there!

Desu-San-Desu > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 13:54

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Ok, cool.

Yeah, I'd recommend selling the MR2 to a worthy Jalop and using that money to upgrade the BRZ. In my opinion, that's the best way to make use of the budget. That way you'll have a fun, reliable daily driver and have enough money for a supercharger kit down the road.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 13:55

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Have you considered a car like the Subaru impreza? I'm not talking WRX here (although not knowing your budget, it could also be an option to get a slightly used one) but the normal, 148hp impreza hatch/sedan. The car is a really decent mode of transportation, and it's reasonably quick. Sure, it's not going to be as fun as a BRZ or an MR-2, but you get a new car with all the amenities you could possibly want!

Reigntastic > EL_ULY 12/15/2013 at 13:55

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I'm not married, but I have a live in girlfriend. No kids, and I will keep it that way.

I'm in school, but I'm also in the workforce. Work commute is about 17 miles one way.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 12/15/2013 at 13:55

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*want=need

Reigntastic > wbizarre - OEM fetishist 12/15/2013 at 13:56

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Seems reasonable.

Reigntastic > Desu-San-Desu 12/15/2013 at 13:57

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It definitely seems like a good choice to me. Thanks for the advice!

Reigntastic > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 12/15/2013 at 13:59

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My budget could probably fit a WRX, but I've been looking at both the NA and WRX. Insurance would be the worst part about a WRX, though.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 14:03

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yeah, insurance for turbo hatchbacks is insane! (son of a GTi owner here, I know it's bad) but definetely worth a look. or, try holding out till summer next year, and pick up a new 2014 WRX!

Forgetful > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 14:03

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Just bolting stuff on doesn't insta-void your warranty. The aftermarket part has to be proven to be the cause of issue to void a warranty claim.

Just an ECU tune and exhaust system will net you a healthy HP bump. That way you can flash back to stock if you need to go in for warranty service. It'd be a mighty stretch to blame any real issues on aftermarket exhaust.

Down the road a turbo or supercharger is the next step. There are guys running 400hp on the stock block all day. The stock clutch is only good to 300hp though.

Reigntastic > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 12/15/2013 at 14:04

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Truthfully, if I went for the WRX the only reason I'd want the 2014 would be for the six speed, otherwise I vastly prefer the outgoing generation.

Reigntastic > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 12/15/2013 at 14:11

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Just ran the numbers and the insurance for a WRX hatch is lower than a BRZ for me. Interesting.

Reigntastic > Forgetful 12/15/2013 at 14:14

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Depends on how Subaru is with ECU modding, I'd imagine they aren't as bad as Audi though.

With bolt-ons, it really just depends on the dealership. If I really wanted to be thorough, depending on what it is I'd have to swap back to stock for scheduled service, I remember my dad doing that with his Wilwood brakes on his C6.

Forgetful > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 14:24

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Just talk to the techs at the dealership to see where they stand. If they're picky about mods, find a different dealership or a warranty approved shop.

If you just want power, get something else, but if you want an 86 don't let the lack of power keep you from it.

THOMAS5 > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 14:26

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Here are my suggestions/ random cars I thought of on the spot

s2000

older m3 maybe

mx5

rx8

and if you're really feeling ballsy; e39 m5

I would also suggest looking at a mk6 golf gti (yes I know its fwd) but they super toss-able, that 4 banger has a cool throaty exhaust note, and is plenty powerful. If I were you I would at least test drive one

Reigntastic > Forgetful 12/15/2013 at 14:27

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It's not weak enough stock to sway me from it. My seat time in the car was convincing enough of the joy of driving one. Doesn't hurt that it gets awesome mileage, either.

Reigntastic > THOMAS5 12/15/2013 at 14:29

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S2000 is definitely on the list, but they're pretty expensive considering what they are. The MX5 is nice too, but it's just not me. The rest of the recommendations, while amazing, would still make me want a daily on the side. I love M3s, and I like RX-8s, but they aren't the most confidence inspiring cars for repairs.

THOMAS5 > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 14:32

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I hear you, my dad just had to replace the master cylinder for his brakes on his e39 m5, yeah that was $1,500

NoahthePorscheGuy > wbizarre - OEM fetishist 12/15/2013 at 14:36

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not sure if troll or...

Desu-San-Desu > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 14:40

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Also, here's a pretty comprehensive list of forced induction kits available for the FA20 motor:

http://www.frsmod.com/collections/fo…

I would personally, highly, emphatically, sincerely recommend installing a supercharger for the FA20. The FRS/BRZ is designed to be a car about driver involvement and finesse, and Subaru put a lot of time and effort into tuning the throttle response of the car and have even said themselves that a turbocharger would work against the innate character and intent of the car.

I know it's all up to personal preference, but I personally would use a supercharger if I had a BRZ/FR-S, just because of the throttle response advantage. I've never been about peak power. Instead, I look for usable power across the entire rev range, especially in low-to-mid revs, with as much nuanced throttle response as possible, which is where a supercharger's strengths primarily lie. Having sold FR-S' for a living, I feel very passionately about this and wholeheartedly feel like a supercharger is the best way to boost this car's power without impeding the character of it.

As for specific kits, I've heard very, very good things about the Vortech kit. Their complete system has had an especially positive reception and raises power to what I feel is a pretty much ideal amount for the chassis:

Complete systems include a calibration upgrade and all necessary fuel components to boost your FR-S/BRZ to 294HP and 210 lb/ft torque with 9PSI at the factory redline. This includes a replacement MAP sensor and Ecutek programmer to re-flash the ECU with a safe, custom Vortech calibration for 91-octane fuel. Calibration for both manual and automatic vehicles is available and 50-State emissions legal under CARB E.O. D-213-34.

If nearly 300hp isn't enough for you, they also sell a smaller-diameter pulley that boosts power even more.

However, my personal recommendation would be to install a Vortech supercharger kit with a Perrin Performance lightweight crank pulley, ECUtek tuning kit, and intake/exhaust system. Both companies have an amazing track record for quality parts that will run reliably for a long time and this particular upgrade combination is extremely compatible.

So far as chassis and handling mods go, they aftermarket for those is so huge that it really just comes down to preference and budget at that point.

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > NoahthePorscheGuy 12/15/2013 at 15:08

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whuuut... At a glance that MR2 looked like a 355, that's all.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 15:08

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I went from a celica all-trac to a 350Z. It's not the fastest car on earth but it's still quick, it's plenty reliable and it has somewhat easily approachable limits. It wont wow you with sublime balance and delicacy, but it's not like it trips over its own feet either. It basically represents the halfway point between something like BRZ and something like a GTO.

And it will hoon with the best of them, if that's a consideration.

EL_ULY > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 18:21

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GTO, G8, clean XK8 coupe at a good price :]

Suprman > Reigntastic 12/15/2013 at 21:53

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I know you said no FWD, but you owe it to yourself to test drive a Focus ST. I'm a mustang guy and have had RWD since i could drive. my ST is like no other FWD, you can flick the rear out at will.

Reigntastic > Suprman 12/16/2013 at 11:05

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I'll have to try one then, because I like them on paper at least. I've had a turbo FWD car before, and it was nice but I always hated how little power it felt like I could put down. There's a dealership nearby, so I'll go in and see what they're all about.