BRZ Owners Here - Opinions ?
 

I put a deposit on a 2024 Subaru BRZ today, it is in stock and in the showroom of my local dealer. There are some promotions on this month which had been hard to find the last 2 years. World Rally Blue, Sport Tech 6 speed MT model (Canada). I also like the TS models with the big gold Brembos but I think I will just get the Sport tech version . I love the seats, overall look of the car, matte finish wheels are nice, and it is the closest thing I have found that compares to my last S2000, with the benefits of comfort, technology, efficiency, and warranty. Our insurance companies really like Subarus as rates are really good compared to other brands.

I know some owners here had BRZ's in the past, I'd love to hear some opinions on them, thanks for any replies.

Great cars, I was on a waitlist for a GR86 before I got the GRC, and I owned a first gen Monogram previously.

I personally prefer the chassis of the twins to the S2000, I feel the twins are more playful and approachable. I think alot of it has to do with the tires, and not feeling like a proportionately long vs square car, whatever it is I just prefer the handling characteristics of the twins. If I had to pick between engines, kinda hard to argue against the F2xC out of the S2000s, but in reality the FA2X engines in the twins are debatably better since it has more accessible and usable torque, combined with the less stickier tires and playful chassis, it makes the car feel lighter than the S2000, which makes it more enjoyable to me.

I much prefer the steering feel, and shifter feel/action is a coin flip. I'm in the minority that doesn't think the S2000 shifter is the GOAT, but I do believe it's in the top tier, and the twins are in the same tier as well.

There isn't much better out there than driving down your favorite back road, top down, under a tree canopy, in full VTEC song, it's probably one of the best automotive experiences you can have. Short of that though, I feel the twins offer a better driving/ownership experience. Things like practicality is boring, but people really discount how much practicality lends to the fun aspect of a car in reality use. Being able to drive something more and turn something mundane like running errands into something fun is very endearing. And you can absolutely turn these cars into weapons as well.

Thank you, that is a great review and I respect your opinion, much appreciated. I was always one who didn't think the shifter in the S2000 was the best ever, it was really good but sometimes notchy to the point of having to think about every shift. The BRZ shifter feels very good.

I was also one who never liked convertibles , I loved the S2000 for many reasons but not the convertible aspect, so I ran mine with a hardtop 90% of the time. If the S2000 was available as a hardtop I would have taken it as that. The BRZ comes closer to that preference for me with it being solid roof vehicle ( I believe it is aluminum) . The 7500 rpm engine is good enough for me, maybe not as good as 8000 or 9000 but respectable, I also like how they have gone with the dual fuel injection system, it gives me confidence for keeping it as a long term car.

Thank you

The TS or PP version of the 86 are the ones to buy. $1500 for Sachs dampers (Hitachi on the BRZ side) and Brembos is worth the price, in fact it’s an absolute steal. I would skip anything else personally. I’m looking at getting the Yota version and no PP = no deal. With the Hitachi or Sachs dampers and the Brembos that’s a car you can keep for a decade +. The regular versions have brakes and suspension fine for a DD. $1500 is f’in cheap AF for the upgrades. Might as well get them and rob them blind.

You are totally right the TS package on the Subaru is a steal, in Canada I think it is only $1,500 difference , dampers and brakes are a great deal.

DO IT! One of the most fun cars I’ve owned. Definitely get the shocks and brakes. Even if you don’t track, it makes a good car even better. Then, you will get every dollar of the package back at resale as used buyers will specifically be looking for that performance package.

I've never lived with an 86 but I've competed in a first gen in AX for a few seasons and have had my S for a long time. The drivetrain of the S is much more exciting than the first gen 86. The second gen is every bit as fast as the S but I haven't gotten to drive it to comment on feel. I've ridden in one and the mid-range feels hefty compared to either an S or first gen 86.I'm glad they finally upped the power of the 86 in a proper way. Obviously the 86 has the advantage in practicality. At 10/10ths, the S just feels better, especially the front end. On turn entry, there are very few cars that do it as well as the S2k. It loads up the front end under braking so well. The 86 does not do that in the same way. It's not something that would really impact a decision as a street car though. The 86 rotates on throttle more consistently and is more friendly while doing it. I would not sell my S for an 86 but if I were buying a car right now, the 86 makes a lot more sense unless you just have to have a S2k. The 86 does a lot of things better than the S but the S still has a special feel to it that not many other cars do.

Correct, I find that the S2000 shifter is moody, it's downright bad when it's parked outside in the cold. The twins are much more consistent, a heavier knob makes a world of difference, a short shifter will make you forget about the s2000 shifter.

I'm the same way, my last AP1 and AP2 both had hardtops that never, ever came off. That 1% time when you're driving for fun down a mountain road, in the late afternoon hours so you're in the shade under a tree canopy, in full VTEC song, absolutely nothing beats that experience. Short of that, the S2000 can be quite frustrating with the constant squeaks rattles, lack of low end torque, the snappy handling characteristics, etc. I find the the twins to be a more engaging and willing dance partner, and remember, this is all with significantly inferior tires in both compound and size to the S2000, and a more street friendly suspension set up. You don't even need coilovers, just a quality spring and shock set up, a decent 245 square tire setup will absolutely change the whole vibe of the car. Personally, unless you're driving competitively (whether with yourself chasing PRs or others racing), I wouldn't even go that far, I love the playful nature of the car that's so accessible on the street, you could tease that back end to come out almost at any time driving at legal speeds. It's akin to driving old school, I'm talking ancient old school, hot hatches like a Beetle or Mini, or first gen Rabbit, you just chuck those cars everywhere and you feel like you're in the Italian Job, but you're actually going slow. People think they need to go 100+mph to get thrills, try going downhill on a skateboard doing 20mph. I find the twins have that quality in them, it's a very rare trait to find in general these days, let alone in currently produced cars.

No doubt the F2xC engines will be more endearing and characterful, and a joy in its own right. However, driving around town, it's a chore to keep that thing going, and sometimes it's just exhausting. Sure, it feels eager in VTEC, but outside of it the car feels very lethargic and dead, not to mention that if it's a particularly hot day or whatever, and you don't get the full VTEC kick, it just leaves you scratching your head. On a nice cool spring day when that VTEC kicks in, especially in AP1s, yeah it's great, but it doesn't like doing it repeatedly.

Also, the S2000 has a very quick rack which contributes to what alot of people like about the handling of the S2000. But it has zero communication, and the loading you mentioned I reckon has alot to do with the stickier tires and such. I'm no where near an expert on this topic so I will take your word for it, I'm probably the slowest driver on this forum, but I attributed alot of the good things said about the s2000 handling to the quick rack and better tires. Put them on equal times and same brake pads I think will change alot of that. Also, in the S2000 you sit farther back, so when you turn, it gives you this whipping feeling which makes it feel more dramatic than it actually is, vs the twins you sit practically like a FWD car. There's alot of mind tricks that the S2000 does that makes it feel more special than it actually is. Don't get me wrong, these tricks is what makes any car endearing and addictive, but I think over time as you get used to it, it starts to wear off.

Personally, Honda's FWD prowess shows up in the S2000 as in some ways it has alot of the same ethos baked into it. It's definitely happiest with a grip style driving, whereas the twins want to play and slide.

The S2000 was a very quick rack compared to its contemporaries. In the modern era, it's just normal. The AP1 is 13.8:1 compared to the 86 at 13.5:1. It's a moot point between these 2 cars and the AP2 is 14.9:1. I also think that the "zero steering feel" thing about the S2k is largely due to journalists writing it in reviews when compared to its contemporaries. It was one of the first electric power steering racks and it didn't have great feel compared to the hydraulic racks of the time. Sure, an NC and a 986 and 987 have significantly better steering feel. I do not think the BRZ, ND, or any modern car that the S2k is compared to has significantly more feel. I've had seat time in both of those comparisons. I've driven all 3 cars on 200tw tires, in anger, so my personal comparison is on fairly equal terms. Granted, my S2k is modded at this point, has more camber, stiffer suspension, etc. It's been a while since I've been in a stock one. However, I think that "steering numbness" is a thing that people continue to parrot since it was written in 2001.

Sitting back in the car does totally change the sensation when the car steps out. Regardless, the S2k is much snappier than an 86. It can be fun but also not, in ways. The 86 is more friendly, while being playful. Tunes are readily available for the S2k and lowering VTEC with a HFC does do wonders for having fun on street.

Ohlins would be about $2400. I’ve been using them for 25 years and they go on everything I own eventually. Bikes and cars.

But the kicker is when you throw a brake upgrade at the Twins. Cheapest I’ve seen is this:
https://www.fastwrx.com/collections/...40674988490840

So now you’re at $4500 + shipping + labor. I’d rather have Ohlins all day over Sachs or Hitachis but not when I can get them and the full Brembo kit for $1500. But there is a case to go used imo as I have zero interest in eyesight or ADAS of any kind on a car like this. It’s just stupid. But finding a mint low mileage one that some kid hasn’t been banging it off the limiter doesn’t seem like an easy task.

I was also never as enamored of my AP2 as others. Like Don said, rattle city. It was so loud, the NVH, and I rarely could ever use the vert aspect. Either too hot and humid here, or cold. Not much in between. It taught me that I have no interest in ever owning a vert again and would have preferred a S2000 coupe. I’m a motorcyclist first so that gives more freedom and 1000X the experience compared to some drop top cage. It’s also a small ass cockpit. That aspect got old. In contrast, the Twins cockpit is wrapped around you, proper sport driving position but I’m not folded up. So much better for taller folks. Almost ideal sporting cockpit. Never liked the snap oversteer either and that happened multiple times on track. And one of those times I had to get some minor fixes done (bodywork). The engine, also as Don said, lacked torque, especially down low. Fine on a flat surface but with the constant elevation changes in my mountain range I use, didn’t cut it. HP was fine it was the lack of torque to climb at speed. And the engine was the biggest hype train I ever owned. Ooh it revs to 8k or 9k if AP1, neat! I had inline 4 sportbikes from Honda in the garage at the same ownership time of my AP2 and that aspect was always a nothing burger when those would rev to 14,500 rpm. I like midrange power on my bikes or in my performance cars as well. And I like it fat. The S2000 is a great car but the motor was never anything I was doing backflips over. Had to keep it at the absolute limit 24/7 or you got nothing. I get the appeal but that isn’t for everyone. The only thing I ever missed about that car is how late I could brake in a corner. I could literally wait until the last meters, stomp on the pedal, and pull the corner off. I miss that but I’m optimistic that a new GR86 with this PP/Brembos will get me back there, at least in the ballpark. Then the Honda is a traditional inline 4 which I loathe. You always get inertia torque. The Boxer may be a bit agricultural but I prefer the configuration over a traditional inline 4. Yamaha really got this right with their crossplane 4 that fires like a 90 degree V4. Honda used to be the best V4 mfr on the planet (now that is Ducati) and they are so good at it I never understood why they never put one in something like a S2000. Such a fantastic motor with feel and it keeps a constant power pulse on the drive wheel(s). The Twins with a decent exhaust and UEL headers sounds and feels fantastic.