Topic: Preview: 2013 Subaru BRZ

[Mike]

I cross shopped a Genesis Coupe 3.8 with a Subaru WRX for my last car    True Story.


Anyway, the more I drive vehicles (especially ones with ridiculous HP) the more I appreciated handling and driving feel and less the forward thrust.

Case in point - Jonathan's current test vehicle is the 2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan R-Spec 5.0 V8.  It is a very nice car, especially for the price.  However, I don't think I have driven a vehicle with less 'sporting' intentions.  Understeer plow into corners mixed with completely numb steering super-cedes any FWD I have driving in the past 10 years.  The winter tires may be adding to this effect.  Jonathan was taking highway on-ramps faster in a Cadillac SRX than I could in the R-Spec.  It does have 429 hp that hurtles you down the highway at ludicrous speeds.  It would roast the rear tires if you could turn-off T/C completely, but you can't.  Hammer the gas, the rear tires slip a bit followed by the car viciously getting off throttle to regain traction then a blast back on throttle again once traction is restored.

It is a nice car, but I'd take a less powerful V6 sedan (535i? M37?) set up for handling over this steroid packed yahct

[dirtyjeffer]

regarding the Genesis sedan, i think the V6 is the sweet spot...great looks, luxury appointments, and with the Premium package, at $45k, truly is somewhat of a deal...no, it won't offer the driving dynamics of the a MB or BMW, but it will likely be more reliable, more affordable to maintain and cost about $20k less comparably equipped...if you want that driving dynamics, you have to pay for it.

[JohnnyMac]

Heck, from my personal experience, buyers of a Mustang, Challenger, or Camaro don't even cross shop the 3.  It all comes down to whether you are a Ford, Dodge, or Chev guy and that's it.   

Hence the comment that most people don't cross shop any vehicles.  That's why so many people drive subpar cars for no other reason than ignorance.

[Mike]

regarding the Genesis sedan, i think the V6 is the sweet spot...great looks, luxury appointments, and with the Premium package, at $45k, truly is somewhat of a deal...no, it won't offer the driving dynamics of the a MB or BMW, but it will likely be more reliable, more affordable to maintain and cost about $20k less comparably equipped...if you want that driving dynamics, you have to pay for it.

Bang on, and I think that is what I was trying to get at.  The BRZ is priced into the territory of faster, far more powerful vehicles.  But it is (supposedly) the driving feel and dynamics that set it apart.

[Mike]

Heck, from my personal experience, buyers of a Mustang, Challenger, or Camaro don't even cross shop the 3.  It all comes down to whether you are a Ford, Dodge, or Chev guy and that's it.   

Hence the comment that most people don't cross shop any vehicles.  That's why so many people drive subpar cars for no other reason than ignorance.

Caliber

[Mike]

....and now where is Jaeger to complain about me bringing up a Hyundai in yet another thread.....

[CanuckG35]

regarding the Genesis sedan, i think the V6 is the sweet spot...great looks, luxury appointments, and with the Premium package, at $45k, truly is somewhat of a deal...no, it won't offer the driving dynamics of the a MB or BMW, but it will likely be more reliable, more affordable to maintain and cost about $20k less comparably equipped...if you want that driving dynamics, you have to pay for it.

Bang on, and I think that is what I was trying to get at.  The BRZ is priced into the territory of faster, far more powerful vehicles.  But it is (supposedly) the driving feel and dynamics that set it apart.

Completely agree.  Same could be said for the higher price of the S2K back when it was being made.  

[lebowski]

I want to make something completely clear.  If you conduct a survey of 100 random people 90+ would consider the Mustang (in any form) a sports car.
Next I'd like to say that when someone who has $30,000 to spend on a "sports car" they don't just look at convertables, or coupes, or hatchbacks, they look at them all.  People in general don't cross shop, all they do is take out 2-3 vehicles they like and make a decision.  But someone like me who strives to get the best vehicle (which takes into account many variables) they cross shop some very different vehicles.  If I was looking at a sports car under $30,000 I would have to include things like the Mustang, Genesis Coupe, Veloster Turbo, Cooper S, GTI, Camero, Challenger, Civic Si, etc, etc.  If the BRZ is under $30,000 it would fit into that category and therefore would have to compete with vehicles listed above.  Would it be the best vehicle out of all those listed I'm not sure.  If all I cared about was resale value, handling, fuel economy, and styling the BRZ would probably be high up the list.  But I have to factor in many other factors as I don't live or drive on a race track. 

So agree that even though you might not consider a Mustang a sports car that in fact the majority of the population does.  Also agree that there will be people who cross shop this vehicle with other sports cars.  I will agree that the BRZ has a very different take on sports cars currently on the market and very little competition in a category for "light weight, non turbo, compact, RWD, 2 door coupe, under $30,000" category.

Survey is noted! But all it proves is you asked 10 car enthusiasts and 90 non-enthusiasts.  

At the risk of stating the obvious, everyone has different priorities: value, practicality, drivetrain config, etc. Some of us relish the back-pinning thrust of a high-torque motor pushing us in a straight line, and some of us value the feel of a nimble little coupe weaving through tight corners. The rest of us just want a compromise of the two that won't break the bank. Alternatively,  you'll even have some weirdo cross-shopping a BRZ with a 10-year-old Range Rover HSE. Like I said, horses for courses.

[blur911]

Heck, from my personal experience, buyers of a Mustang, Challenger, or Camaro don't even cross shop the 3.  It all comes down to whether you are a Ford, Dodge, or Chev guy and that's it.   

Hence the comment that most people don't cross shop any vehicles.  That's why so many people drive subpar cars for no other reason than ignorance.

Yup, I once bought a FWD "sportscar" because I didn't know any better.  Ahhh, hindsight.

[Jaeger]

....and now where is Jaeger to complain about me bringing up a Hyundai in yet another thread.....

I knew you were behind the Hyundai conspiracy all along.    Your take on the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec isn't far off what I have read from others.  If one reads the spec sheet and expects a bargain-priced M5, they will be sorely disappointed.  If one expects a faster, sportier and more powerful rendition of the V6 Genesis Sedan, it's what they'll get.

All of which is compellingly relevant to the BRZ, natch. 

Jaeger

[Mike]

Brakes Work 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsQ6yx92LGw&feature=youtu.be

[avro206]

I must applaud Subaru and (never thought I'd be saying this--) Toyota for having some vision. Instead of all this FWD cars, they went ahead and made an affordable RWD coupe. It must be pretty fun to drive. Surprised by the automatic too. These things will sellout fast I think. Only gripe--at least on paper--a 2.2L or 2.5L should have been used--if nothing else to get some more torque. But I suppose that will be taken care of by a turbo option soon.

[Snowman]

Subaru Business Manager who bought my STi said expect a 265 HP STi version and a roadster to follow. There will be timely launches of updated versions to keep the buzz going.