My wife said my BRZ is too slow

"highmodulus" (highmodulus) 02/26/2014 at 08:04 • Filed to: needs turbo badly

5

65

"Its pokey", she said disapprovingly. My Jalop heart grew three sizes that day, as she clearly thinks we need something a bit more Clarkson in the driveway. On a related note, this determination came after I brainwashed her into liking Top Gear.

So she went from loving SUVs like the BMW X3 to thinking we need to replace the BRZ with something much quicker. I am happy with thise turn of events, but too bad for you BRZ. I blame that compromised engine on the Subaru/Toyota development slap fight and the strong Yen at the time it was developed.

#hat tip to Doug

Tom McParland > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 08:08

9

Bring this home-

Well honey...you did say the BRZ was too slow. Seriously though...I think a Focus ST would be a fine replacement. Yes it is FWD, but it is a hoot!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 08:11

1

Best thing I've heard all day lol

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 08:11

2

Supercharger kit!

The Dummy Gummy > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 08:12

2

My Jalop heart grew three sizes that day

This is great. I'm a sucker for Dr. Seuss though.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Tom McParland 02/26/2014 at 08:19

1

I love my Focus ST. It looks like the new WRX could be a good move too.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 08:21

18

You don't know how refreshing it is to hear a BRZ owner actually admit that their car is too slow. I applaud you sir for not living in denial.

Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 08:24

7

This goes without saying...

Sinanigans > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 08:25

2

Moooaaarr power! Add a Phantom electric supercharger... power only when you stomp on it :-)

Dusty Ventures > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 08:27

4

Three step solution:
1: Open hood
2: Insert snail
3: Enjoy

Cynical > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 08:28

1

Way cheaper, way faster. Ducati 1198

highmodulus > Dusty Ventures 02/26/2014 at 08:42

2

Having followed supercharger and turbo aftermarket installs on FT86 forums, probably not for me. The cost/risk/reward is a bit off. While not everyone roaches their engine doing it, enough have to give you pause. Its a shame, it should have come with the 2.0 DIT in the Forester XT but then Toyota couldn't pretend they had anything to do with the car at all.

It also should have had a hatch rather than the joke of a trunk, radio designed by someone who didn't hate their customers, and the Prius tire gimmick wasn't my favorite. And the stock engine and exhaust does not make a pleasant noise.

Still she's a fun little car, with a fantastic chassis. But I fear the poor relationship between Toyota and Subaru with regard to the FT86 program are going to doom the BRZ. Not to mention the Fiesta ST and new WRX.

pfftballer > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 08:45

1

I couldn't agree with her more. Pokey is a good word for it. She needs a lightly used Corvette in her life.

pfftballer > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 02/26/2014 at 08:46

0

I've said it 100 times here. Where's my love?

pfftballer > Sinanigans 02/26/2014 at 08:47

3

Don't forget your fuel Tornado too!

Tom McParland > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 02/26/2014 at 08:50

0

I forgot about the WRX...and the reason I forgot is there is no 5-door. :(

DatASSun > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 08:54

1

Now just convince her it needs a ls3 with a T56 behind it ..

JR1 > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 09:04

3

Faster, same price, and it has a V8 what more could you possibly want?

Casper > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 09:08

0

My wife had her BRZ about a month and started to agree with me that it needed boost, suspension, and brakes. Now it's in que to be the next upgraded vehicle after my car is done.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > pfftballer 02/26/2014 at 09:38

6

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French 02/26/2014 at 09:40

0

seen a lot of turbo'd toyobarus lately, thats got to bring the kits price down some what.

Jayhawk Jake > Tom McParland 02/26/2014 at 09:40

1

It sucks doubly that there's no 5 door. For one, there's no 5 door. Also, since there's no new 5 door I suspect old 5 door values won't come down much anymore...

Interestingly the WRX seems like a super popular 'next car' in the Sonic community. I've seen at least 3 or 4 Sonic owners swap for a WRX hatch

Jayhawk Jake > pfftballer 02/26/2014 at 09:40

4

And a fuel shark for gas mileage!

pfftballer > JR1 02/26/2014 at 09:49

1

I agree, she'll love the torque monster.

Sinanigans > Sinanigans 02/26/2014 at 09:56

0

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthr…

www. phantomsuperchargers .com

Well documented... it's not one of those crappy eBay electro-charger, it's an electric powered turbo compressor. Several Subarion members have been benchtesting this for over a year now.

Sinanigans > Sinanigans 02/26/2014 at 10:05

0

Let's not forget that Audi, Subaru, and other manufacturers have been experimenting with this for a few years now. Drift Office and Vishnu performance are already testing and developing tunes for this product. Its not for everyone, but I think its an excellent mod.

horspowr1001 > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 10:30

8

1) Congrats

2) Make sure she doesn't make any comments like that in bed

3) Buy a CTS-V

Elliot > JR1 02/26/2014 at 10:46

4

A C5 Z06 should be an almost straight up trade.

N/A POWAAAHH > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 11:47

0

Is it an auto? There's your problem, sir!

Makoyouidiot > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 12:21

0

I drive a Fiat 500. Your BRZ is a rocketship. That is all.

Milky > Cynical 02/26/2014 at 12:30

4

Way wetter, way colder, way fall over, way die.

Justino6969 > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 13:03

1

Well she isn't wrong..

Congrats on the catch! (The car too)

m2m, apex detective > highmodulus 02/26/2014 at 13:04

0

Don't crush the BRZ. I'll happily take it off your hands ... should I manage to drive it over the Atlantic, Jesus-style.

highmodulus > m2m, apex detective 02/26/2014 at 13:11

0

Not crushing it, its not an Honda CrossTour or anything. Its a fantastic chassis let down by the engine and its strange co-development. If they plopped the WRX engine in there (will take $$, as it doesn't currently fit) it would be great.

But a great sports car with a not so great engine is an issue. I have enjoyed the car's handling, but probably will be moving on to something else.

highmodulus > N/A POWAAAHH 02/26/2014 at 13:13

3

6 speed. I am not a monster.

Cynical > Milky 02/26/2014 at 14:31

0

So? You wanna live forever? You might choke on your dinner tonight, might as well live well while you're here.

Axial > Elliot 02/26/2014 at 15:21

0

Should be, but that depends on the value of a BR-Z or what the other party thinks it should be.

I know most Corvette owners would go "are you high!?" to anybody seeking a straight-trade for a BR-Z to a Corvette. Yes, even 1984 C4 owners would be that way.

If he can sell the BR-Z for $17,000, he's in business!

Elliot > Axial 02/26/2014 at 15:25

1

My comment wasn't truly "hey go trade a guy for a C5Z"

It was just a that a BRZ is worth 20-25K ish and so is a C5Z. And I know which one I would choose. If you bump it to 35K then you could get a C6Z.

Axial > Elliot 02/26/2014 at 15:29

0

You still got me thinking, though. My brain just starts crunching numbers whenever a feasibility question is even remotely hinted at. C5Zs go for between $18000 to $25000, and I'm just not sure a used BR-Z can go be sold for that much.

If he were to bump his to $35k, he could actually get into a used C6 Z06, because I've seen them going for that price range around here. At dealerships, even, not Craigslist pricing. It's pretty crazy what you can get in the used market at any given price level compared to new.

Milky > Cynical 02/26/2014 at 16:16

0

Good thinking #YOLOswag, I'll put one of these in the kids room.

Cynical > Milky 02/26/2014 at 17:13

0

Now, now.

Doug DeMuro > highmodulus 02/27/2014 at 14:26

3

May I recommend Ferrari?

frankie fizz > N/A POWAAAHH 02/27/2014 at 15:06

0

nope, the problem is it's a BRZ

RyderSt > highmodulus 02/27/2014 at 15:51

0

Time to buy a Fiesta ST #TORQUE

highmodulus > Doug DeMuro 02/27/2014 at 16:17

0

You may. I would enjoy the "You said the BRZ was too slow" interplay with my wife. Also would enjoy single-handedly ensuring my State Farm agent got his bonus this quarter.

But you already bought one, and write better than me. That earth is now salted.

I did note my Carmax has a 07 BMW M6 V10 in stock, a car that reliably will get single digit MPG is tempting. But alas, its got the SMG transmission (fun not included).

Not sure what direction I will go in. If you see something interesting in Virginia let me know.

highmodulus > highmodulus 02/27/2014 at 16:20

0

Add this to the list of cars Carmax will deeply regret selling an extended warranty on:

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/…

KnifeKnut > highmodulus 02/27/2014 at 17:05

0

It seems to me they may be crowdsourcing development of a higher power engine, and higher performance trim by watching what the aftermarket and tuners are doing, esp with the electric forced induction, which has a minimum of penalties.

ICantStandNewJalopnik > Makoyouidiot 02/27/2014 at 20:53

0

I'm about to buy one as well! A Gucci C. How do you like yours? I'm pretty excited. I really don't care how slow it is because I grew up in the days of the Cutlass Ciera, Nissan Pathfinder 3.0, Lincoln Continental. 0-60 over 10 is no big deal. We all made it through that.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > pfftballer 02/27/2014 at 21:07

1

That's what I call my penis.

MachtSchnell > highmodulus 02/28/2014 at 03:10

1

Driven a few M5s with the SMG (also driven a 6MT) and anyone who says it isn't fun is being obstinate. It is a bit tricky to drive in traffic initially, but in manual mode in a high shift speed it slams them in. A manual may be preferable (and in my opinion it is), but I wouldn't discount the SMG it really is fun once you learn it not even worth being in the same sentence as the E46's garbage SMGII.

Makoyouidiot > ICantStandNewJalopnik 02/28/2014 at 08:11

0

I love it. The Fiat/Chrysler 1.4 Multiair is a great little engine, economy is pretty good, the exhaust sounds great, It's comfy and relaxed but still fun when you want, and the amount of room inside surprises the hell out of anyone I let sit in it. Add that to its stylish looks and it is just awesome.

ICantStandNewJalopnik > Makoyouidiot 02/28/2014 at 08:47

0

Do you have the aftermarket Mopar exhaust? I think I'm putting that on. Why? Because that Multiair engine sounds so good. Is yours the manual or auto? The Gucci only comes in auto, but that's all my wife can drive. Are you scared driving it around because it's so small?

highmodulus > MachtSchnell 02/28/2014 at 08:50

0

On the M5/M6 I would want the 6 speed. If you are getting an absurd car, get it all the way absurd.

Makoyouidiot > ICantStandNewJalopnik 02/28/2014 at 10:31

0

I don't have the exhaust...yet. Mine is a 5mt, and I actually feel very safe, namely because the small size and nimbleness give me more options...I went from a Land Rover Discovery to this and I actually feel safer in something that can dodge without falling over.

Papagiorgio > highmodulus 02/28/2014 at 12:23

1

Speaking of the BMW X3, my girlfriend test drove an X3 xdrive 35i and it was remarkably fast. Maybe it was just because she was used to her old 140 hp beater car, so driving something with 300+ HP AWD was a surprise.

Jay J > highmodulus 03/01/2014 at 08:59

0

Just slap in a vortech supercharger

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > highmodulus 03/02/2014 at 22:18

0

put like,

4 turbos on it.

Greenmobile Supremo Commando, BRZ Extrordinare > highmodulus 03/02/2014 at 23:18

0

Greddy Turbo Kit!

N54S62 > pfftballer 03/05/2014 at 16:48

1

You need to write an article so someone can reply with a gif, duh

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > highmodulus 03/05/2014 at 17:10

1

used S65 AMG. She will love it.

hollanddjw 1 > Sinanigans 03/05/2014 at 19:37

0

I can think of 1500 other things I'd rather spend $1500 on...

hollanddjw 1 > highmodulus 03/05/2014 at 19:41

0

The new WRX engine is based on the same engine as the one in your car and it makes ~270 chp (more than a C4 Corvette). Just boost it!

Sinanigans > hollanddjw 1 03/05/2014 at 20:59

1

Different strokes for different folks,

Team6.1 > highmodulus 03/07/2014 at 23:49

1

I've been there. I was gonna do it. And it's still a car I've always wanted. But when all the praise is for how it handles tight corners and mountain passes and when you're stringing out the RPM's...I just couldn't do it. Instead I have 400hp on tap. Off every stoplight. Every highway on ramp. And it still handles pretty damn well in the corners. But it's just, you just have this beast waiting to be unleashed under your right foot, traction be damned.

PardonMyFlemish16 > highmodulus 03/08/2014 at 11:28

0

If they had put a 2.5 in it it would have been perfect power wise.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > highmodulus 05/19/2014 at 13:49

0

"something a bit more Clarkson in the driveway"

Clarkson on the E9x:

It is... pretty much perfect.

Why don't I have one of these cars?

also:

This is the best car, and always will be, and there's no point in ever thinking otherwise.

Congrats again!