Topic: Preview: 2013 Subaru BRZ

[Autos_Editor]

On sale this June, the lightweight, rear-drive Subaru BRZ sport coupe is expected to be priced under $30,000.

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[D70]

And next year a convertible?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/6338346276/

[Mike]

And next year a convertible?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/6338346276/

No word yet.  Convertible and STI are all rumors at this point.

[JohnnyMac]

I look forward to seeing how this will do in a comparo against other vehicles people will be cross shopping with this car.  In particular I'll be interested to see how it does against the upcoming Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0L Turbo with over 270 Hp.  I'm sure that this Subaru will be a better handler than others and I guess that's the point.  But part of me would have a hard time buying this over something like the Genesis Coupe that has more power, good handling, and a starting price $1,000's less.  Then again the Ford Mustang base model is right there too, but it's a V6 instead of 4 cylinder and it's less handling oriented than the Subaru and Genesis.

[tazcubed]

<div style="text-align:left">

On sale this June, the lightweight, rear-drive Subaru BRZ sport coupe is expected to be priced under $30,000.

<a href=http://www.autos.ca/subaru/preview-2013-subaru-brz>Read More...</a></div>

It seems that Subaru has identified that it needs to expand beyond the AWD passenger vehicle specs. I'll be curious to see how this plays out, both in terms of sales and initial quality, once it's out on the market for a year. It looks fine, but will look to see it at the next Toronto Auto show.

[bombastic]

A low torque is no go as it is crucial in this kind of cars.

[Mike]

A low torque is no go as it is crucial in this kind of cars.

I would disagree.  The Honda S2000 and Mazda Miata seemed to do ok.

[Jaeger]

A low torque is no go as it is crucial in this kind of cars.

I would disagree.  The Honda S2000 and Mazda Miata seemed to do ok.

And the RX8.

Jaeger

[garytam]

A low torque is no go as it is crucial in this kind of cars.

TOTALLY DISAGREE

 "A low torque is no go" - is VERY TRUE when you talk about SUV, Truck, Minivan or even muscle car like Mustang ...

"this kind of cars" - BRZ, FR-S, Miata, S2000 etc... are track ready sports car, torque does not ready matter much!!!

Because it comes with 6 speed manual transmission, and is there for the driver to keeping the RPM above 5000+ if one wants POWER, or to keep the RPM low if one wants Fuel efficiency in city driving ... and it works great with only 2700 lb curb weight ....

I am very very glad that  after HONDA ditched the small displacement High RPM combo (i.e. the K20 civic Si ) , Toyota and Subaru introduce this flat 4 direct injected 8000 rpm redline RWD light weight sport coupe ....
 

 

[WRX_Pilot]

I look forward to seeing how this will do in a comparo against other vehicles people will be cross shopping with this car.  In particular I'll be interested to see how it does against the upcoming Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0L Turbo with over 270 Hp.  I'm sure that this Subaru will be a better handler than others and I guess that's the point.  But part of me would have a hard time buying this over something like the Genesis Coupe that has more power, good handling, and a starting price $1,000's less.  Then again the Ford Mustang base model is right there too, but it's a V6 instead of 4 cylinder and it's less handling oriented than the Subaru and Genesis.

But IMHO Hyundai just ruined the front end of the Genesis coupe for '12... the BRZ is much more mature looking.

[JohnnyMac]

I look forward to seeing how this will do in a comparo against other vehicles people will be cross shopping with this car.  In particular I'll be interested to see how it does against the upcoming Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0L Turbo with over 270 Hp.  I'm sure that this Subaru will be a better handler than others and I guess that's the point.  But part of me would have a hard time buying this over something like the Genesis Coupe that has more power, good handling, and a starting price $1,000's less.  Then again the Ford Mustang base model is right there too, but it's a V6 instead of 4 cylinder and it's less handling oriented than the Subaru and Genesis.

But IMHO Hyundai just ruined the front end of the Genesis coupe for '12... the BRZ is much more mature looking.

Subjective.  It has the same front end as the Veloster and they can't keep those on the lot so my guess is there are more people who like the front end than dislike it.  But I'm not talking about styling, I'm talking about performance, value for money, content, and overall drivability.  I'm not saying that the Genesis is better, all I'm saying is that I look forward to a comparison. 

[cruzzer]

Great looking and sounds like an excellent and (relatively) affordable fun drive. Wish Subaru could have made their version AWD to further differentiate the BRZ from the Toyota version. I'll be surprised if the gougers at Subaru Canada will sell this for less than $30k.

[lebowski]

I'll be surprised if the gougers at Subaru Canada will sell this for less than $30k.

At $30k this car will still sell, and still be a bargain, IMHO: coupe body, 4 seats, hatchback, RWD, 200hp, and less than 2800 lbs? Imagine paying Cooper S money for a car that's likely more fun to drive than the Mini, has a nicer (read: no  plastic-fantastic) interior and isn't Wrong-Wheel-Drive . To boot, it probably won't cost nearly as much to maintain. Even if they priced it at $35k, i think people would still go for it.

[G.Bombay]

I'll be surprised if the gougers at Subaru Canada will sell this for less than $30k.

At $30k this car will still sell, and still be a bargain, IMHO: coupe body, 4 seats, hatchback, RWD, 200hp, and less than 2800 lbs? Imagine paying Cooper S money for a car that's likely more fun to drive than the Mini, has a nicer (read: no  plastic-fantastic) interior and isn't Wrong-Wheel-Drive . To boot, it probably won't cost nearly as much to maintain. Even if they priced it at $35k, i think people would still go for it.

Is it a hatchback??

[Mike]

I'll be surprised if the gougers at Subaru Canada will sell this for less than $30k.

At $30k this car will still sell, and still be a bargain, IMHO: coupe body, 4 seats, hatchback, RWD, 200hp, and less than 2800 lbs? Imagine paying Cooper S money for a car that's likely more fun to drive than the Mini, has a nicer (read: no  plastic-fantastic) interior and isn't Wrong-Wheel-Drive . To boot, it probably won't cost nearly as much to maintain. Even if they priced it at $35k, i think people would still go for it.

Is it a hatchback??

Nope, fixed trunk, fold down rear seats

[lebowski]

I'll be surprised if the gougers at Subaru Canada will sell this for less than $30k.

At $30k this car will still sell, and still be a bargain, IMHO: coupe body, 4 seats, hatchback, RWD, 200hp, and less than 2800 lbs? Imagine paying Cooper S money for a car that's likely more fun to drive than the Mini, has a nicer (read: no  plastic-fantastic) interior and isn't Wrong-Wheel-Drive . To boot, it probably won't cost nearly as much to maintain. Even if they priced it at $35k, i think people would still go for it.

Is it a hatchback??

Nope, fixed trunk, fold down rear seats

Whoops, my bad. Thanks for correcting - I guess it just looked more hatch-ish than coupe from some angles. Glad it's got fold-down rear seats - that's a big plus.

[JohnnyMac]

I'll be surprised if the gougers at Subaru Canada will sell this for less than $30k.

At $30k this car will still sell, and still be a bargain, IMHO: coupe body, 4 seats, hatchback, RWD, 200hp, and less than 2800 lbs? Imagine paying Cooper S money for a car that's likely more fun to drive than the Mini, has a nicer (read: no  plastic-fantastic) interior and isn't Wrong-Wheel-Drive . To boot, it probably won't cost nearly as much to maintain. Even if they priced it at $35k, i think people would still go for it.

I know subaru has a long history of gouging Canadian customers but if this car isn't under the $30,000 mark I don't think it will sell very well at all.  That being said it's not like it would ever be some kind of hot seller anyway.  At $35K there is no way I would even consider it.  There is just way too many vehicles that this vehicle would be against and a lot of them will have much more horse power and offer a cheaper price/payments.  At $35K it would be competing with Genesis V6 instead of 4 cylinder, not to mention be within throwing distance to the wonderful Mustang GT.

[lebowski]

I'll be surprised if the gougers at Subaru Canada will sell this for less than $30k.

At $30k this car will still sell, and still be a bargain, IMHO: coupe body, 4 seats, hatchback, RWD, 200hp, and less than 2800 lbs? Imagine paying Cooper S money for a car that's likely more fun to drive than the Mini, has a nicer (read: no  plastic-fantastic) interior and isn't Wrong-Wheel-Drive . To boot, it probably won't cost nearly as much to maintain. Even if they priced it at $35k, i think people would still go for it.

I know subaru has a long history of gouging Canadian customers but if this car isn't under the $30,000 mark I don't think it will sell very well at all.  That being said it's not like it would ever be some kind of hot seller anyway.  At $35K there is no way I would even consider it.  There is just way too many vehicles that this vehicle would be against and a lot of them will have much more horse power and offer a cheaper price/payments.  At $35K it would be competing with Genesis V6 instead of 4 cylinder, not to mention be within throwing distance to the wonderful Mustang GT.

$35k is a lot of money,  no doubt, and it opens up the door to a whole bunch of options - lightly used BMW 1-series, mint condition E46 M3's, Nissan Z's, etc., etc, so here's hoping the price stays comfortably below the $30k mark.

I have not driven the Hyundai Genesis, but I did rent a V6 automatic Mustang coupe over the holidays (a free upgrade from a compact car - many thanks to Budget for running out of compacts a their airport location ). In brief, it was very, very nice. But it did not feel like a sports car - nor is it intended to be one. It's a highway cruiser that won't embarass itself too badly when changing direction. In all honesty the car didn't feel any more lithe or nimble than my own legacy wagon. If I was seriously considering a BRZ, the V6 mustang would not be on my radar, regardless of price.

[scooter76]

  Long time reader, first time poster. I have read that this engine with turbo will be in the next WRX and STI. Subaru plans on moving these two models away from the imprezza with unique platforms and interiors. Hopefully one of these engines makes it into the BRZ.

[CanuckG35]

I'll be surprised if the gougers at Subaru Canada will sell this for less than $30k.

At $30k this car will still sell, and still be a bargain, IMHO: coupe body, 4 seats, hatchback, RWD, 200hp, and less than 2800 lbs? Imagine paying Cooper S money for a car that's likely more fun to drive than the Mini, has a nicer (read: no  plastic-fantastic) interior and isn't Wrong-Wheel-Drive . To boot, it probably won't cost nearly as much to maintain. Even if they priced it at $35k, i think people would still go for it.

I know subaru has a long history of gouging Canadian customers but if this car isn't under the $30,000 mark I don't think it will sell very well at all.  That being said it's not like it would ever be some kind of hot seller anyway.  At $35K there is no way I would even consider it.  There is just way too many vehicles that this vehicle would be against and a lot of them will have much more horse power and offer a cheaper price/payments.  At $35K it would be competing with Genesis V6 instead of 4 cylinder, not to mention be within throwing distance to the wonderful Mustang GT.

It depends on what your preferences are.  If you are looking for an affordable GT car with decent power and handling, a Genesis would be a great choice....as would a Mustang.  IMHO, the BRZ is more of a track ready car that will no doubt destroy the Genesis and Mustang V6 on a track.  It just all comes down to what you want.  Personally, I'd take a BRZ over a Genesis even if the BRZ was more expensive and despite the 70hp difference.  I am fully expecting this to be one of the best driver's cars in a long time for less than $50k.