patrick_y
[PuristSPro Moderator]
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Some quick notes regarding the Scion FR-S, an equivalent car
Had the pleasure of driving a Scion FR-S 2.0L - an equivalent car to the Subaru BRZ (Scion is a Toyota sub-brand in the United States) 6-speed manual in San Francisco in November 2012.
A very fun little car. Very good steering feel and feedback, despite an electric steering assist system. Very good gearbox, ratios are well spaced. Highly enjoyable to drive as a whole. Engine is fun, peppy, but really lacks a bit of torque. This creates the caveat that one really should shift around 3k-4k rpms rather than between 2-3 because when you're in the next gear, you want the RPMs to remain above 2000 rpms or else the car is a noticeably less responsive. Handling is very good and very enjoyable, with good feedback. Didn't get the car anywhere near its limits, but from what I could tell the car is very enjoyable to drive.
Note, the Scion/Subaru car is very small and very low. I'm on the short side (in height), and the car was perfectly fitted to me. Individuals who are tall, probably wouldn't enjoy this car as much. The suspension was very good, road conditions weren't harsh so there was no "jiggle" test. The seat was very supportive and body-hugging. Good seat.
A few weeks after driving the Scion FR-S, I had the privilege to drive a friend's BMW 128i coupe 6-speed manual transmission. And although I have to admit the Subaru/Scion car looks more desirable, the BMW 128i was significantly easier to drive, it had a little more power and a lot more torque, and the steering and gearbox on that car were nearly perfect. In comparison to the Scion, the BMW 128i was a more usable car, but likely more costly to run and maintain than the Subaru/Scion. But the BMW 128i was bigger, more comfortable, and more practical than the Scion/Subaru as well.
Overall, a great car for the money. Truly. But I wouldn't say it's better than a BMW 128i.
Subaru BRZ: A sensual Coupé.
I quickly saw it on the So Cal roads during my trip, and I didn't expect that from Subaru. A sensual small coupé, with the famous 4 Cylinders Boxer, which delivers 260 HPs. Here are the pictures I found on the net: Small, yes, the engine is, but its melod...
Handles like a dream
Very well balanced, much better than the already miata. Although the chasis could certainly cope with more more and a turbo ! U mentioned 260ps , the ones in Asia are rated at 200ps ......... Hmmm Never knew the had 2 different engine codes.
2.0L Block ?
Do u know if the ones u saw were 2.0L boxer FA20 engine blocks ? Subaru does have the EJ20 and EJ25, the former being the bigger blocks. Although the EJ20 blocks being close decks, and are able to pump out more power, when further tweaked, and the FA20 be...
For the moment, 200 ps, but they are preparing the STi version.
You are right, thanks for the correction. Best, Nicolas.
STi
3 magical letters ! That figures ! Good to know they are preparing an STi version, cant wait ! Although, I am not sure I can live with Rally bred bruiser on a daily basis .... Age is catching up, and I do not own an RM :P
Well, the good point is that the price is great.
30 000 Euros in France, I've read 29 K USD in the US... Good offer, in my book. Which allows us to hope a reasonably priced STi. I will have an eye on that car, definitely. Best, Nicolas.
Funny, the distributor is just across the street from my..
factory, they are really lovely. Actually, there is also a Toyota version, exactly the same as the car was developed by both Toyota and Subaru. When they first went on sale here in Australia it was via the net and a friend of mine told me the entire quota...
I was amazed how quickly ...
... both the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 appeared on our roads. I see a few more of the Toyotas at the moment, and actually prefer the front end design of the 86 with the more open grill and vertical driving lights. But it just seems weird to me to have such...
My Euro just fell to the floor :-)
Nicolas, you told me about the Subaru coupé you saw in the US and i had no clue what car it could be :-) !!!! Since it was that obvious i probably didn't think of the BRZ ... in fact i have already driven it, be it the GT-86 in Toyota disguise. In my opin...
I will wait for the STi to come.
And I will definitely try it. I as always captivated by the engine of the Impreza, less by the lines of its body. Now, things have changed... Best, my friend. Nicolas
I like the body styling, very sensual, very organic. Not too "contrived"
or tacked on. Hope you get some seat time soon! TM
Nice car.
All I read about it, both the Toyota and the Subaru, are positive things. Let's wait for the STI. :) Been about to buy an Impreza STI a couple of times. Some friends have it (highly modified, about 350hp) and they run like god. The way the boxer engines p...
A test will tell us more, my friend, but it is true that...
I was always amazed by the engine, much less by the body. Now, the two fundamental aspects of a nice car are gathered. Let's test / taste the feeling! Best, Nicolas
I remember accelerating flatt out ...
... In an Impreza with my window slightly open, fantastic noise ... but then my friend passed me in his normally aspirated 3.5 V8 Ferrari 355 revving up to 8000 and all you could hear was the fantastic scream of that V8 :-) These turbo boxers are awesome ...
Nothing like breathing free.....
.......and not forced, my friend. :) Come on!, we can not compare, and those "small" V8s, including the Modena, scream like hell, up there in the rev counter. The 430 started to sound different, lower tone, I guess due to the larger displacement. The Suba...
Same here,, my friend.
I was just waiting for a snesual body... Now it is the case. With a bit more powerful engine, it could well be THE car to get, for the fun and the pleasure. Best, Nicolas
the BRZ and GT86 are great looking cars and perfect for younger drivers
from information i have read about them they were specifically designed for the younger driver who wants a sleek looking coupe, but doesnt want a hugely powerful engine. everything i have read about them is great. the boxer engine gives it a low centre of...
The STi is more in my target, but I first have to try the " basic " one.
And, like you, I am more on the Subaru... Best, FQ! Nicolas
Its a shame you dont...
Its a shame you dont like 4 door saloons as you would love my 3 litre 6 pot boxer which now puts out 270bhp. It may be a tiptronic auto, but it is bloody fast and handles really well due to the Bilstein suspension as mr Bim will testify. You also will hav...
Naaah. My mother had a VW Scirocco, and I loved it.
And my daughter seems to have the same preference than me. Between my Audi A 5 and my Volvo P 1800, she decided. She doesn't want to travel in the Audi anymore! ;) Best, my old friend. ;) Nicolas
I cant wait until she...
I cant wait until she is old enough to drive. Then we'll see what her real preferences are. I've been there so i know :) On 2 Apr 2013 22:11, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* amanico (registered) on April 2nd, 2013 - 14:10 ...
Haha....
Haha. On 2 Apr 2013 22:14, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* amanico (registered) on April 2nd, 2013 - 14:14 > > *Title: She will have her own car. Don't touch to Daddy's Cars! :) > * > > *
Just like my dad ! LOL
Then again, I would not wanna be caught dead in a Champagne Gold Beemer !?!
Subaru for me too ...
It is devellopped mostly by the Subaru people so the Toyota badge should be a Dollar badge :-) .... On the GT86 offcourse. And then you have the scion, which looks nicer than the Toyota :-) but only for the US market. Bim
The Subaru BRZ is definitely a looker IMO
Every time I see one on the road, my eyes are glued to it as it drives by. Sexy sexy car and very affordable too. I consider it to be one of the most sexy cars in its price range. Cheers, Anthony
So that u know
And u probably do know that cars in Singapore are astromomical ! the bRZ costs almost SGD200k ie Euros100k !! Go figure .....
Holy crap, that is a...
Holy crap, that is a ludicrous price. Over 3x the European price. We think things are expensive over here, but they are nothing like that. I feel for you G On 3 Apr 2013 06:29, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* flamenco (reg...
Feel more ...
Putting things in more perpective. A brand new (soon to discontinued) Mk6 Golf GTI costs slightly more than SGD200k ie Euros100K. The Megane RS costs even more !!! A Cayman S is close to SGD500k ie Euros250K .... U get the picture And by extrapolation, u ...
You see Anthony, they've done...
You see Anthony, they've done it right. you love the looks and you're only at the upper age end of their target market. It was designed to be affordable and attractive to late 20's to 30's and it quite obviously is. These cars will sell very well although...
They're popping up fast here in SoCal
I see several of them a week and that's a lot for Subaru given it's a smaller brand and the car is still considered a new release. The first time I saw one ... I was thinking to myself ... "What the heck is that car? Looks so bad a$$!" :) I drove the Suba...
Some quick notes regarding the Scion FR-S, an equivalent car
Had the pleasure of driving a Scion FR-S 2.0L - an equivalent car to the Subaru BRZ (Scion is a Toyota sub-brand in the United States) 6-speed manual in San Francisco in November 2012. A very fun little car. Very good steering feel and feedback, despite a...
Not the same engine nor the same price, though, Patrick.
At least on the french market. The 6 Cyl from BMW are the best, in my opinion. Tough contender! Best, my friend. Nicolas
Your correct, the price in the EU is a big difference!
I really enjoyed the FR-S. Lots of fun. And if you don't mind revving the engine a little bit, it's a whole lot of fun. Almost always fun to drive a slow car fast.
Price difference between BRZ and 128i is minimal.
Indeed, the prices are very close in the United States. The starting price (before options, taxes, license) for a Subaru BRZ Limited with manual transmission is approximately $28,500 USD. Pricing is very firm, some dealers try to get $2000 over sticker, b...
Thats interesting, i think theres...
Thats interesting, i think theres a big gap over here. When i have a minute i'll check it out. G On 4 Apr 2013 22:56, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* patrick_y (registered) on April 4th, 2013 - 14:56 > > *Title: Price diff...
Torque is one of the...
Torque is one of the points raised by most road testers, but lots of cars lack torque and are still great fun. The Mazda RX8 and any Honda ivtec engined car are just 2 i can think of. I much prefer the Scion FR-S model name to the Toyota GT86. With regard...
Absolutely right...
In the US, the price is somewhat similar. The Subaru BRZ "Limited" is around $28,000 USD firm before taxes/licensing. The BMW 128i in a lowly optioned variant with manual transmission would be around the same de facto price. But I forgot, in Europe, the p...
Yep, i'm still loving my...
Yep, i'm still loving my Legacy. More than enough power to get anyone in trouble whilst also being fun. Loads of torque too being a 6 pot. It is a far more impressive car than many give it credit for. I had a 2.4 iVtec Honda Accord which loved to rev to 7...
Needs a turbo!
Back to Baru roots ! High revving blocks are not so cool with increasing age .... LOL
I think a turbo will...
I think a turbo will come in the subaru eventually, but remember, this has been built down to a price and insurance group to attract the younger driver who wants a sexy coupe, but cant afford to run and insure the current offerings with 3 litre + engines....
I am surprised that YOU guys are only now, looking.....
at this Beautiful little car! It has been in The Land Down Under for quite a few months now, perhaps a year? Beautiful little car indeed, I have seen some on the street and, yes it looks stunning. The Japanese made it again:):) Cheers Francois
Not a problem, but I reckon by the time you arrive.....
the car will be in its fifth version:):)
Well, at the moment it has 147kW or 200HP, only....
50 to go:):):) I may see you Down Under earlier than first thought:) Cheers, Francois
it was designed for the...
it was designed for the younger market where bhp=high insurance costs. added to the fact that most people cant drive a 200bhp car to its full potential, it should stay as it is. G On 8 May 2013 08:52, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *P...
Both can co exist, IMO.
Agree that 200 HP is already a respectable level of power. But a slightly more powerful version could be interesting, too. To fight with some monsters of the category. Best, FQ. Nicolas
Hi Graham, you have just brought back souvenirs....
I remember when VW came out with the Golf GTI back in the mid seventies, it had 110HP and that was HUGE, I had one in 1979 and it was really fun and POWERFUL.:):) Cheers Francois
the MKI Gti, the best...
the MKI Gti, the best yuppie hot hatch ever made. i've never owned a GTi, but my son had the MKIII(i think, 2000 reg) 1.8turbo. not a hot hatch, more a gt, but nice nonetheless. G On 8 May 2013 10:37, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *P...
Sorry to differ, yes, the MK1 was the best at the time.....
But for me, the best GTI was the Peugeot 1.9 GTI. While sex was still better than the Golf GTI MK1, the Pug 1.9 GTI was....well ...almost as good as sex:):):) Cheers Graham, Francois