...definitely a gripe about the WRX. Even my GTI had a lower seat, or better angled seat than my VA WRX has. If Subaru could fix the seat position in the WRX, that would go a long way in the "sporty" department; at least another lever push down over what it has....
@@K03sport they have always had that seating position from the beginning of time. i had the same reaction driving my freinds 04 sti, the seating position is high
@@oemj7147 lmao what? How are you just gonna say not true and not provide anything to back it up? It is extremely well known that the Impreza, and later wrx chassis, has a high seating position. So yes it is true
you can always mod the seating position. The WRX STI rally cars lowered the seating position by dramatic margin, even made the co-pilot sit way further back.
The BRZ panel is so clean and organized. The WRX just slapped an iPad in the middle. They’re both Subaru products but I guess the interior was supervised by Toyota.
The Subaru vehicles all share the same infotainment, wheras the BRZ is mostly a Toyota product and uses their stuff. I don't care for the infotainment in the WRX a ton, but its really not that big of a deal.
The rev hang is the dilemma we know is fixed with a tune on the BRZ, but nobody wants to go and void their warranty, nor is that option even available yet. So I'll just say it's very impressive what they've done with the WRX. If it lost that weird tablet, the cladding and the rear-end look I think it would be an absolute home run.
WRX still has noticeable revhang even though it's not as bad as it used to be, since the brz isn't a turbo car, the rev hang isn't as annoying. Also Most people probably aren't buying these cars new or going to mod them anyway. But I agree with you it's all-around better it basically does two things that were big downsides of the last gen: Upgrade the interior so it's not completely trash(good upholstery and material quality and nice steering wheel. Also the way it made power and it how it drove, the engine tuning they're doing from stock actually makes the car an enjoyable daily and it actually gives you power when you ask for it. Aside from that yeah the cladding is bad and the elongated bodylines make it look like it's trying to hard to be a csuv, the rear looks fine to me now, I changed my mind it looks way better in person, the front though is kind of ugly and sloped like a blob fish. Also yes the tesla tablet is probably the biggest letdown, they probably had to cut costs somewhere and just decided to go borrow tech band shove a big tablet in there instead of crafting quality buttons for modes and climate.
@@Toymonkeyjr do you actually understand rev hang? Auto makers design them that way in order to reduce emissions. It doesn't have to do with turbo. Read up on it.
@@porfiriato84 I didn't say it had anything to do with the turbo, maybe you should invest in some reading comprehension classes, yeah? I said it's more noticeable in a turbo car because of the boost pressure, and the power delivery.
I didn’t even know what rev hang was until I bought a 2015 WRX. Glad to see they’ve fixed it, it genuinely had a negative impact on the driving experience.
I didn't know what it was either until I got a Civic Si. I had the car for about 2 and a half years before I traded it in for a 2023 WRX. The rev hang in the Si was absolutely atrocious and the car drove horrible because of it. Drove me nuts and I hated driving the car because of it. My WRX is way better and way more fun to drive. There's zero rev hang in it. Rev hang truly ruins the experience driving a standard vehicle.
Thanks for the comparison. I was highly debating getting the Gr86, but I needed something bigger with 4 doors. Sometimes I pick up my kids after work from school and putting them into the backseats with their oversized backpacks would be too much of a hassle. I’m loving my 2022 Wrx so far.
@@davileett1224 Yeah I think it looks great. Do you think Jeep Wranglers, Polaris RZR’s and Every Atv/Dirtbike ever made is hideous as well? They all have one thing in common with the Wrx. Figure it out.
@@raiderfan367 Throwing out things that are trending ugly doesn't negate I think it's hideous. That's awesome you like it, there is a market for everyone.
He chose what he feels like suits him better with his current lifestyle. Either he deals with the plastic cladding look of wrx or have a hard time looking for space where to put his kids in the backseat if he go brz. As long as you are having fun with the car, that’s all that matters!
@@MrSpamfriedrice yes. I went to Honda first and they wanted $4k to $10k over msrp. I told them to stick it. I appreciate Subaru for not price gouging.
I’ve owned 2 WRXs, my last one a 2021. I bought the 2020 BRZ and instantly loved it compared to the WRX. Then I traded in my 2020 for a 2022 BRZ. The RWD/BRZ is by far so much more fun to drive. Is it as practical as a 4 door sedan, no!!! It’s all about the engaging drive. Lucky for me my winter beater or summer hauler is the Outback XT.
I’ve had my truck for 5 years and I’ve not even dented 30,000 miles yet, and I drive to college an hour away everyday. But I’m Looking to trade it in for a WRX eventually lol
@@sinisterace5272 I just eclipsed 70,000 miles in my truck, I drive almost 600 miles a week. Looking at a Golf GTI, way more attractive to me than a WRX now.
Absolutely brilliant review/insights. I appreciate both wrx and brz more because of the review. I really like how the brz revs out and looks awesome, seems like proper fun. Wrx is a great formula with awd turbo and just the more practical option for me with kids but I’d love a brz.
agree, the BRZ is a much less distracting cabin and puts the focus on driving; not flipping through apps/sxm channels, etc/climate control functions...however, it is much more difficult to put a Great Dane in the backseat of a BRZ. This is where the WRX comes in handy; especially if you need to haul a big/bigger dog. Granted the big dog may not have a lot of room to move around in the WRX, but it has better ingress/egress to the backseat vs the BRZ. I know this because I put a Great Dane in my WRX and he was cool with it.
Thanks Toyota for the Dual injection, port and direct. That is not available in any other Subaru. Carbon build up in the intake without the Port injection is inherent in most if not all only directed injected engines.
I'm getting some cold feet around my GR86 deposit, simply because the few times a year I actually need the space I truly need it. My 228 coupe is just enough. The twins are quite a bit smaller in the storage department.
Just picked up my Trueno blue GR86 Premium. Having a blast! The look of the new WRX and the massive screen (I've spent a decent amount of time in the Outback) are deal-breakers for me personally.
The biggest difference I felt back to back in these cars wasn't the powerband, it was the weight difference and how the wrx felt like it was on high heels compared to the brz and cornering wasn't as fluid. Also the manual in the wrx wasn't as good.
@@natsum6111 Depends what your preference is, I wish it was firmer but I like sporty driving. it definitely has better suspension then older cars so it's comfortable for a daily driver, but don't expect luxury dampening.
@@natsum6111 Well you don't want the suspension to be too floaty over bumps because you will lose steering feel and control. I prefer the gr86 to be honest, it seems more tailhappy and intentional.
the tune on my 2019 wrx premium 6mt is what made me get rid of the car, and I wasn't about to flash the ecu considering I bought the car brand new and wanted a hassle-free warranty if I needed it.
3:20 "They've reduced the trunk opening..." Handling is the reason for that. 🤔 This BRZ/86 body has 50% more torsional stiffness than the original. When the road twists more, this newer car twists _less_ , and steers more predictably. Pillars, subframes, roof, window adhesive, and even the trunk/boot aperture, all play a part in body rigidity.
Love the Toph, awesome stuff. I owned a 16 WRX and it was pretty brutal with the rev hang and the harsh suspension, but it looks like they may have fixed that with the latest offering!
Owner of a '13 WRX hatch and a '24 GR86 (both base models). For me if you want to race in a straight line it's gonna be my 13 WRX even though it's a much older vehicle. The WRX is also just more practical. All that said my 86 is still a great fun car with a different driving experience.
In regards to the power/weight ratios, at sea level the horsepower/weight ratios are almost identical. Torque is definitely where the WRX wins out in this case. The story gets much worse for the BRZ at altitude unfortunately. Although, I have to say even at 5000-6000 ft the BRZ doesn't feel slow. I haven't taken it into the mountains, but I'm definitely a little concerned it is going to be wheezing at 9k+
I have a 15 BRZ and a 17 STI, lol, BRZ is fun in the canyons and the STI is a AWD Monster . STI is mentally and physically harder to drive , because it just wants to go straight. Nobody wants to race the STI but the BRZ gets picked on because Mustang Camaro Charger thinks it’s fast . Both are fun, but I prefer the AWD Turbo
The wrx infotainment isn’t as bad as a lot of people claim, especially compared to other sporty cars in that price range. I wanted a gti but the infotainment and steering wheel controls were absolutely terrible. I got in the wrx and there are real buttons and switches on the wheel, volume, tune, and temp in the middle, the touchscreen is big but your climate controls that you’ll touch the most are always visible and all that other pixel space works out really well for CarPlay.
I have one arriving July 5th, WRX premium in white. Looking forward to it. I plan to keep it stock as possible with minor mods such as tinted windows, led lights and the F1 fog brake lights.
I know your WRX probably didn’t come in yet, but does changing the rims on a Subaru void the warranty? I’d be looking to do the same thing when I buy one with some new rims additionally.
@@Kingfizh It did come in. This message was 10 months ago. I think if you mess with the engine and transmission it will void the warranty but not the rims. That's my opinion.
I also dislike the weird throttle response when downshifting or shifting from neutral into gear on the new BRZ. I decided to just floor it. Feels like low & medium pedal press gives barely any revs and flooring it gives too many. Somewhere in between medium press and flooring it gives the right amount, but it's too hard to find that point.
I really really enjoy these comparisons of relative vehicles from the brz-Z and even this one, they are sweet and give people in the market or soon to be in the market for such vehicles a great perspective of what to expect but also it’s pros and cons from a reputable journalist!
Being an enthusiast, depends on the climate where you're living. I'm across the lake from you in Wisco, I have a 05 STi, actually bought that after selling my 17' Golf R, being in my late 30s, i crave the rawness of how cares where like when i was just out of high school. Love everything except the constant wrenching I have to do on the thing. Recently I'm thinking of selling the GD for a 22' WRX, to get the same ergonomics I had with the golf, and also not deal with constantly having to fix age issues. I'm biggest in autox and do a track day or two at RA and Blackhawk a year when i can find the time, but i love ice racing and running the Road America winter series, not saying you cant do either in the BRZ, but living with it in the winter, the Awd is always going to be more fun and easier to live with when there's a dump of snow. If i lived down south, id have an s2k or brz/86, even go older for an e36 m3 like i had in college, and never look back. Being i live in Wisconsin and can't rationally afford a summer and winter car separately with a family, the WRX would always check more boxes for me. Just depends where you live and what you do with it.
What are your plans for your BRZ? Because, you are one of the only UA-camrs that have this amount of miles and have kept the platform stock. Love your content!
Thanks for this Topher! Exactly the comparison I am looking for as I currently placed an order for the 2023 BRZ Limited in WR Blue, but the dealer is offering me their orange WRX Premium ready on the lot discounted to the same price as the the BRZ order. Going back and forth between this and your separate BRZ/WRX videos - so torn at the moment!
@Varrel Actually ended up with a GR86 as one in the color/trim/transmission became available, so in essence, I went with the BRZ. Having a blast with it!
I have driven the brz yet so I can’t say how it actually feels… just gotta say tho it was funny to me how he mentioned how soft the ride felt as he was going over tons of potholes and bumps in the road it looked stiff as hell 😂
I have a 2007 WRX STI and a 2023 WRX, I enjoyed driving all generations but the 2021 VA WRX looks like a Toyota Corolla with a hood scoop to me, the Hawkeye and new VB both were hated on when launched, but in the future they will be the ones people want 👍🏻
Not to hate on the BRZs current power as I'm sure it's a million times better than before, but I'd still love to see more power from the factory in this chassis. I'd pay for it, and I'm sure others would too.
That's not what the BRZ is about tho. It probably never will get more power. I used to love the Scion FRS and after all these years it always remained underpowered
I have both ❤ the wrx is a Sportswagon 😊 ts cvt and it smokes all the Foresters, or outback’s 😂 the Sportswagon is quiet smoother than the sedan and the adaptive suspension is awesome, has loads of space, great as a GT and a daily. My BRZ is manual and a weekend car, it’s noisy At highway speeds and gets tiresome after an hour of driving due to the noise coming in the cabin, each very different yet great fun, if I had to have only 1 it would be the WRX as it has so many additional advantages that you fine yourself needing in life 😊cheers from Oz 🇦🇺
I sat in a brz yesterday and personally it is way too small for me. I'm 6'1 and was crammed in that thing. WRX was way more usable for daily driving and comfortability. Also the backseats are useless, I'd say if you track the brz you'd probably have more fun with it. But daily i could see getting old very quick.
I 100% agree with you. I'm 6'2 so about your height and I drove my dad and stepmom's BRZ yesterday. I used to drive a 2020 Si Coupe (I drive a 2023 WRX now) and I thought the Si was a small car. BRZ is way smaller. Backseat in that car is useless because no one would fit in the backseat. I can barely fit in the front. I was crammed into that car too. I like the car but it's very small. I'm glad I got the WRX for my daily driver.
I'm thinking about getting into the 86cup and I've done quiet a bit of research between the ZN8 vs ZD8 as well as watching a lot of Japanese videos comparing them. Some say the BRZ is much more stable around corners and feel faster on the track others say it has a lot of understeer. Reviewing the stock suspension components the BRZ should be better and if it's true there's a lot of understeer I think swapping the springs from the rear on the BRZ to GR86 springs would be one of the components to fixing the understeer (along with plenty of front camber however not having double wishbone hurts here). Now that you've tracked both cars what do you think about the handling characteristics? Also a Japanese car reviewer from ILOVECARS said there was a throttle response difference between the two. The GR86 having quick peppy throttle and the BRZ having a "linear response". I don't really understand what he was trying to say here but did you notice any differences there? Thank you!
Not sold on the manual for both BRZ and WRX. I test drove both, I prefer the CVT / automatic option. I have no desire to track my cars. Everyday driver and fun driver, auto is much better. I got tired of just watching you having to shift gears.
The WRX Looks like what a GR Prius would look like if Toyota built one...its not just the cladding it's the profile that makes it look ugly it just has an odd shape. If you don't focus on looks at all it makes sense especially in base and premium trim being about as much as a Civic si. The fact it gets worst gas mileage than a Corvette and the same as other V8 or high powered performance cars is ridiculous. If the Audi S4 can get 21 30 with 355 hp, more weight and AWD there is no excuse for the WRX
I guess the question is, will the BRZ ever get a tune that's accessible to the average buyer. With COBB announcing they won't be allowing tuning that would affect environmental controls, will other tuners follow suit and leave owners stuck with the factory tune? I'm really happy with my gen1 with a tune at the moment. If it had the original tune on it, I don't think it would be a keeper. I'm waiting to see how things pan out. Good to know that subaru can still create a decent tune on the WRX despite current environmental regs.
If you can only have one car, with a family, then the choice is clear. Otherwise the brz would be great as a second car alongside a more practical (and probably boring) one.
not sure if it is the engine sound, the interior or many little things combined but i love all the vids in your BRZ. Never paid attention to cars in general but u kinda ignited it, an R8 video would send me to heaven :DD #SaveTheManuals
Lol @ somebody’s hands slipped on the WRX rear design. I’m starting to like the WRX more Only if it had more sex appeal and stereo system. Great comparison! I would choose it if I needed practicality. Waiting for the civic tour R reveal
Idky but I feel like I really like the exterior of the brz but I hate the interior. It still just looks kinda cheap. I then also don't like the exterior of the new wrx but prefer the interior way over the brz one
Didn’t you mention in one of your videos that you can fit your kid in a car seat in the back of the BRZ? I’m wondering how that works out for you and if it’s possible to have a front facing seat behind you driving? We have a Forester for the kid mover but I’ll still have to occasionally use my back seat. Second question: How is the BRZ for someone learning manual for the first time? Thanks for this comparison, exactly what I was hoping for after your WRX vid!
I find it hard to believe that the wrx would be as sustainably fun to drive as the brz if you were to live with both. You’ll feel the several hundred extra pounds when you want to drive these two on backroads. Ultimate grip and/or thrust is good for the track, but for people who value driving a road car on roads, how can you not prefer the brz? It comes down to what you need insofar as practicality
I’m debating on looking for either at the end of the year! I’ve always had awd/fwd cars.. But, i’m debating either! The luck I’ve had with cars, I would love a warranty! My only concern is the snow! And the fact I know the wrx would be a little more fun with the turbo, due to having owned a 2010 wrx before! Fuel econ wise and all, which do you think would be a better daily to buy? $ value for overall experience! I’d look for one with some of the options like heated seats and stuff!
Wrx beats it in a straight line. Wrx track time with twists and turns was 2nd place to the Elantra N. Wrx can off road, snow road, canal road and actually looks good when it gets dirty. A dirty Elantra N doesn’t look right it needs to be meticulously detailed once a week. This is from a biased 2022 Wrx owner.
I highly recommend watching the u-drag race. Elantra N smoked WRX. Elantra N is 2 second faster on a track. That is huge. And Elantra N comes with 100k miles 10 year warranty. So my vote goes to Elantra N.
Great review! Can you get wireless charging and wireless CarPlay in the BRZ/GR86? Love the BRZ styling, but can’t stand the WRX styling - looks like a crosstrek.
Topher I have a question that isn't car related, but about the camera you use. I have the Gopro Hero 10, but the footage I filmed with it looks worse than my first nokia phone... what are your settings?
I don’t have a hero 10 but I did get one briefly, try messing around with the GoPro color vs. flat color space and see what you prefer. There’s a lot of contrast and high black levels in the new 10s
Stupid question -- isn't the BRZ about the same speed as the out-going STi in a straight-line from a roll? I believe I have seen some videos where this is the case. Even if the WRX (without a launch) is as fast as the BRZ... weight and that horrible WRX 6 speed that was derived from the older WRX 5 speed. And it is an Open Diff AWD system without the STi transmission :*(. It is a car that has moved from its original purpose and IS NOT a rally icon anymore (not this current version which has almost nothing to do with it's last rallycars in 2007). BRZ Rev hang - tune and you are done? Let us know once you do that if it makes it better! My real question - why is the BRZ the only Subaru with an attempt at a fully digitial dash? They just refreshed the WRX and it *still* has the old Subaru analog gauges. :*(
Considering getting a 22 WRX or a 22GR86/BRZ. I’m new to the engines they have and am looking for a new daily. I’m not too worried about the space. The deal breaker for me is if the WRX would be more reliable, or will the GR86/BRZ be best?
Absolutely, if people actually do research on these two motors the FA24f is way better built than the FA24 in the BRZ/GR86. The WRX will definitely be more reliable, no debate
yeah the BRZ is definetly better looking than the WRX, but if you take an older WRX, before 08, man are they better looking but obviously pretty much all those are like driven into the ground and rusty as hell, unless you wanna PAY
Did you find there was a throttle response lag with the last generation when rev matching? I have a 17 86 and constantly surprised how quick it is when I’m rev matching. Feels on par with my cable driven other car tbh. I hate laggy elec throttles especially in a manual.
Hey Topher, I live in Canada ( Manitoba ) and these are the only two cars i've been debating about getting into during the last couple months. I currently drive a 2009 legacy spec b, and almost everything about the BRZ works better for me, ( driving dynamics, better fuel economy, cheaper price, looks, don't need 5 seats, etc). The only thing making me consider a wrx is for our winters here, where it gets to -30c often. Any insight from you would be most appreciated!
Vancouver here and now looking to the 1 car life since my wife doesn’t drive and we sold our R. The WRX is on my list for AWD, but gas mileage is t encouraging:(
@@carloscanizares4699 Canadian struggles eh. I'm curious to hear what else is on your list? I have also considered a manual, CPO 3 series with x-drive, but finding one of those in general is rare, and for under 45 000 CAD is pretty much impossible.
@@LopSidedPopCan only the WRX AND Civic Si for the 1-car setup. We have a CRV but would rather not keep it with whichever new car we get. I cannot stand the Mk8 so the R isn’t even in the picture. There’s this very hopeful, but highly unlikely dream of a G R Corolla :)
Great comparo! May I ask how tall you are and how you feel about the steering wheel telescope distance for the '22 BRZ? Do you feel comfortable overall? I was disappointed at the car show to see this car have the same lack of telescope as the prior gen.
I’m 5’10 and very comfortable! The wheel doesn’t telescope out as much as taller drivers would probably like, but for me it’s perfect. There are some great aftermarket steering wheel spacers out there that solve that problem.
secret is to tilt / decline the chair. I went to subaru dealer and noticed same thing in the WRX and even Forester. I put the seat as far back as it could, adjusted steering wheel, and it still wasn't the proper position. Only by then adjusting the recline of the seat could I get it perfect. Maybe I just have long arms tho lol.
Have you tried the throttle adaption people used on the first gens? Might want to give that a try and see what you think (something about pressing the throttle 20 times, etc...)
Hey, @TheTopher so I'm currently cross shopping a VB WRX and GR86 and had a question. I know in your BRZ in the Snow videos you mentioned that it's really compliant and capable in the winter, but you've also mentioned that the WRX is a good "do it all" car if you live in a snowy environment. I live in WNY on a lake and we sometimes get around triple digits of snowfall for our winters and I wanted to know if you think the GR86 with snow tires would still be a capable year-rounder. I definitely value the NA aspect of the GR86, along with unbeatable styling (IMO) for this price point, but I'm concerned about buying a RWD sports car as my only car and finding that come winter, the car isn't nearly as capable as I would've hoped. I'm asking for advice on what you would recommend since you've mentioned they're both excellent in the snow (albeit one taking a bit more setup to reach that level of capability.) I'd much prefer to have a GR86 in my driveway than the WRX, but I don't want to make the "wrong" decision. It's hard to gauge effectiveness as well since I've only worked with FWD cars in my city.
How well have your fwd cars gotten around? Ultimately it depends a lot on your comfort with going sideways in a rwd car. The biggest limitation with the GR86 is ground clearance so you’d want some oversized winter tires at a minimum for an extra half an inch or so. That puts you right at about everyone else’s ride height. Id recommend 205/60r16. A couple sand bags in the back help a lot but aren’t always necessary. Any snow under 5 inches the BRZ will blaze through but above that it gets tricky. Also ice and hills are tough. That’s when you’ll be really glad you got a WRX lol. I don’t think the Wrx is that much less fun to drive than the GR86/BRZ but I hear you on styling. Our winters have been very mild here in MI but I know NY gets a lot of snow. If you’re seeing deep snow on a regular basis I’d go Wrx. If road maintenance is great and you’re just getting a few inches of powder to get through GR86 will be a champ, but with some driving skill involved. I absolutely love driving my BRZ in the winter but if we got a ton of snow it would be stressful.
Also one note: GR86 suspension is pretty stiff in the cold. I’d look at the BRZ or swapping on BRZ springs/dampers for more compliance if that’s important to you too.
Thank you so much for the response, I really appreciate you going a little more into detail for me here. My FWD car has been really good. I've never gotten stuck, though admittedly some of the steeper hills and inclines are a little sketchy and need to be taken slow, but overall it's been a completely doable experience and nothing too scary. I didn't plan to buy before this upcoming Winter anyway, so I'll try to gauge a little better what to expect. I think I'm leaning towards the WRX just for the year-round practicality, but nothing beats that lightweight, NA RWD feel for the more pleasant half of the year. Again, thank you for the guidance!
Can confirm its there on the gr86, takes some getting used to during normal driving. My previous 4th gen mazda3 MT felt like it had zero rev hang in comparison. Gonna eventually tune it out once its available but ive gotten used to it where its not a big deal.
Honestly, I think it comes down to what you get used to. I’ve had both cable and electronic throttles and the only time I get discombobulated is switching between the two. It’s a driver mod so to speak. It’s true I have to bury my foot when downshifting my third gen Tacoma, but I’m so used to it I don’t even think about it, I just do what is required to get the engine spinning. I’ve got BRZ arriving in mere weeks and could not be more excited!
Here’s the link to the WRX First Impressions video: ua-cam.com/video/6kcjkzFkYOU/v-deo.html
One major difference not mentioned: driving position. In the BRZ you sit low and "in" the car, vs in the WRX you sit higher and "on top" of the car.
...definitely a gripe about the WRX. Even my GTI had a lower seat, or better angled seat than my VA WRX has. If Subaru could fix the seat position in the WRX, that would go a long way in the "sporty" department; at least another lever push down over what it has....
@@K03sport they have always had that seating position from the beginning of time. i had the same reaction driving my freinds 04 sti, the seating position is high
@@oemj7147 lmao what? How are you just gonna say not true and not provide anything to back it up? It is extremely well known that the Impreza, and later wrx chassis, has a high seating position. So yes it is true
@@Mr.Thermistor7228 I owned a 2007 WRX STI and a 2015. Massive difference in the seating position. In the 2015 I felt like I was
seating on the roof.
you can always mod the seating position. The WRX STI rally cars lowered the seating position by dramatic margin, even made the co-pilot sit way further back.
The BRZ panel is so clean and organized. The WRX just slapped an iPad in the middle. They’re both Subaru products but I guess the interior was supervised by Toyota.
Yeah that's why the brz/86 always had a clean interior, with the nice ass guages/climate control because of toyota.
The Subaru vehicles all share the same infotainment, wheras the BRZ is mostly a Toyota product and uses their stuff.
I don't care for the infotainment in the WRX a ton, but its really not that big of a deal.
The rev hang is the dilemma we know is fixed with a tune on the BRZ, but nobody wants to go and void their warranty, nor is that option even available yet. So I'll just say it's very impressive what they've done with the WRX. If it lost that weird tablet, the cladding and the rear-end look I think it would be an absolute home run.
good thing then cause those are all relatively very easy to change and there ya go you got the home run
I've got no rev hang on a 22 BRZ.
WRX still has noticeable revhang even though it's not as bad as it used to be, since the brz isn't a turbo car, the rev hang isn't as annoying. Also Most people probably aren't buying these cars new or going to mod them anyway. But I agree with you it's all-around better it basically does two things that were big downsides of the last gen:
Upgrade the interior so it's not completely trash(good upholstery and material quality and nice steering wheel. Also the way it made power and it how it drove, the engine tuning they're doing from stock actually makes the car an enjoyable daily and it actually gives you power when you ask for it. Aside from that yeah the cladding is bad and the elongated bodylines make it look like it's trying to hard to be a csuv, the rear looks fine to me now, I changed my mind it looks way better in person, the front though is kind of ugly and sloped like a blob fish. Also yes the tesla tablet is probably the biggest letdown, they probably had to cut costs somewhere and just decided to go borrow tech band shove a big tablet in there instead of crafting quality buttons for modes and climate.
@@Toymonkeyjr do you actually understand rev hang? Auto makers design them that way in order to reduce emissions. It doesn't have to do with turbo. Read up on it.
@@porfiriato84 I didn't say it had anything to do with the turbo, maybe you should invest in some reading comprehension classes, yeah?
I said it's more noticeable in a turbo car because of the boost pressure, and the power delivery.
I didn’t even know what rev hang was until I bought a 2015 WRX. Glad to see they’ve fixed it, it genuinely had a negative impact on the driving experience.
rev hang pisses me off
I didn't know what it was either until I got a Civic Si. I had the car for about 2 and a half years before I traded it in for a 2023 WRX. The rev hang in the Si was absolutely atrocious and the car drove horrible because of it. Drove me nuts and I hated driving the car because of it. My WRX is way better and way more fun to drive. There's zero rev hang in it. Rev hang truly ruins the experience driving a standard vehicle.
Thanks for the comparison. I was highly debating getting the Gr86, but I needed something bigger with 4 doors. Sometimes I pick up my kids after work from school and putting them into the backseats with their oversized backpacks would be too much of a hassle. I’m loving my 2022 Wrx so far.
You love that hideous plastic wheel well trim too?
@@davileett1224 Yeah I think it looks great. Do you think Jeep Wranglers, Polaris RZR’s and Every Atv/Dirtbike ever made is hideous as well? They all have one thing in common with the Wrx. Figure it out.
@@raiderfan367 Throwing out things that are trending ugly doesn't negate I think it's hideous. That's awesome you like it, there is a market for everyone.
He chose what he feels like suits him better with his current lifestyle. Either he deals with the plastic cladding look of wrx or have a hard time looking for space where to put his kids in the backseat if he go brz. As long as you are having fun with the car, that’s all that matters!
@@kikomanster8188 I agree with your points except for being all that matters. Resale value matters.
I ordered a new WRX that should come in July/Aug. Its like waiting for Christmas.
Congrats, can you, later on, comment on your experiences driving it? It would be highly appreciated!
Congrats, we’re you able to get it at msrp?
@@MrSpamfriedrice yes. I went to Honda first and they wanted $4k to $10k over msrp. I told them to stick it. I appreciate Subaru for not price gouging.
waiting for mine too! cant wait
@@russhendrix9674 that's great to hear, and definitely a factor in my decision!
I’ve owned 2 WRXs, my last one a 2021. I bought the 2020 BRZ and instantly loved it compared to the WRX. Then I traded in my 2020 for a 2022 BRZ. The RWD/BRZ is by far so much more fun to drive. Is it as practical as a 4 door sedan, no!!! It’s all about the engaging drive. Lucky for me my winter beater or summer hauler is the Outback XT.
So you haven't driven the new 2022 WRX? I also owned 2 WRX 2011/2019 and the new one is way better in almost ever regard.
💯💯
BRZ with WRX engine is what was needed. It would have obsoleted Cayman, Supra and ND Miata.
I like the 22 WRX interior quite a bit. Definitely upgraded from previous gen. Styling is subjective.
3000 miles in a few months? I've put over 2000 miles on my bike and I only got it right before the new year!
Great video as always Topher!
I’ve had my truck for 5 years and I’ve not even dented 30,000 miles yet, and I drive to college an hour away everyday. But I’m Looking to trade it in for a WRX eventually lol
@@Kingfizh I've put 70,000 miles on my 2015 Impreza since I bought it back in 2020
@@sinisterace5272 I just eclipsed 70,000 miles in my truck, I drive almost 600 miles a week. Looking at a Golf GTI, way more attractive to me than a WRX now.
Absolutely brilliant review/insights. I appreciate both wrx and brz more because of the review. I really like how the brz revs out and looks awesome, seems like proper fun. Wrx is a great formula with awd turbo and just the more practical option for me with kids but I’d love a brz.
agree, the BRZ is a much less distracting cabin and puts the focus on driving; not flipping through apps/sxm channels, etc/climate control functions...however, it is much more difficult to put a Great Dane in the backseat of a BRZ. This is where the WRX comes in handy; especially if you need to haul a big/bigger dog. Granted the big dog may not have a lot of room to move around in the WRX, but it has better ingress/egress to the backseat vs the BRZ. I know this because I put a Great Dane in my WRX and he was cool with it.
Thanks Toyota for the Dual injection, port and direct. That is not available in any other Subaru. Carbon build up in the intake without the Port injection is inherent in most if not all only directed injected engines.
I'm getting some cold feet around my GR86 deposit, simply because the few times a year I actually need the space I truly need it. My 228 coupe is just enough. The twins are quite a bit smaller in the storage department.
Been waiting for this comparison!
Just picked up my Trueno blue GR86 Premium. Having a blast! The look of the new WRX and the massive screen (I've spent a decent amount of time in the Outback) are deal-breakers for me personally.
The biggest difference I felt back to back in these cars wasn't the powerband, it was the weight difference and how the wrx felt like it was on high heels compared to the brz and cornering wasn't as fluid.
Also the manual in the wrx wasn't as good.
How is the suspension? Is the 86 comfortable as a daily driver?
@@natsum6111 Depends what your preference is, I wish it was firmer but I like sporty driving. it definitely has better suspension then older cars so it's comfortable for a daily driver, but don't expect luxury dampening.
@@Toymonkeyjr I'm kinda in between the BRZ and Gr because the roads are bumpy from where I live.
@@natsum6111 Well you don't want the suspension to be too floaty over bumps because you will lose steering feel and control. I prefer the gr86 to be honest, it seems more tailhappy and intentional.
the tune on my 2019 wrx premium 6mt is what made me get rid of the car, and I wasn't about to flash the ecu considering I bought the car brand new and wanted a hassle-free warranty if I needed it.
3:20 "They've reduced the trunk opening..."
Handling is the reason for that.
🤔
This BRZ/86 body has 50% more torsional stiffness than the original. When the road twists more, this newer car twists _less_ , and steers more predictably. Pillars, subframes, roof, window adhesive, and even the trunk/boot aperture, all play a part in body rigidity.
I’m not feeling the tablet thing in the WRX. Seems out of place for the car aside from the… other elements…
Those are two of my dream cars, I honestly wouldn't know which one to buy (if I had the money to do it)
Comes down to if you have kids. Lol
Love the Toph, awesome stuff. I owned a 16 WRX and it was pretty brutal with the rev hang and the harsh suspension, but it looks like they may have fixed that with the latest offering!
Owner of a '13 WRX hatch and a '24 GR86 (both base models). For me if you want to race in a straight line it's gonna be my 13 WRX even though it's a much older vehicle. The WRX is also just more practical. All that said my 86 is still a great fun car with a different driving experience.
In regards to the power/weight ratios, at sea level the horsepower/weight ratios are almost identical. Torque is definitely where the WRX wins out in this case. The story gets much worse for the BRZ at altitude unfortunately. Although, I have to say even at 5000-6000 ft the BRZ doesn't feel slow. I haven't taken it into the mountains, but I'm definitely a little concerned it is going to be wheezing at 9k+
I feel like this video, is the video I always wanted. Thank you for the insights! :)
I have a 15 BRZ and a 17 STI, lol, BRZ is fun in the canyons and the STI is a AWD Monster . STI is mentally and physically harder to drive , because it just wants to go straight. Nobody wants to race the STI but the BRZ gets picked on because Mustang Camaro Charger thinks it’s fast . Both are fun, but I prefer the AWD Turbo
The wrx infotainment isn’t as bad as a lot of people claim, especially compared to other sporty cars in that price range. I wanted a gti but the infotainment and steering wheel controls were absolutely terrible. I got in the wrx and there are real buttons and switches on the wheel, volume, tune, and temp in the middle, the touchscreen is big but your climate controls that you’ll touch the most are always visible and all that other pixel space works out really well for CarPlay.
my most sought after video.....u read my mind dude.
The comfort you feel in the BRZ speaks volumes to me.
Which steering wheel do you prefer? The WRX steering wheel kinda looks cooler
I have one arriving July 5th, WRX premium in white. Looking forward to it. I plan to keep it stock as possible with minor mods such as tinted windows, led lights and the F1 fog brake lights.
I know your WRX probably didn’t come in yet, but does changing the rims on a Subaru void the warranty? I’d be looking to do the same thing when I buy one with some new rims additionally.
@@Kingfizh It did come in. This message was 10 months ago. I think if you mess with the engine and transmission it will void the warranty but not the rims. That's my opinion.
@@JJ-rf7dg Got it. Thanks!!
I also dislike the weird throttle response when downshifting or shifting from neutral into gear on the new BRZ. I decided to just floor it. Feels like low & medium pedal press gives barely any revs and flooring it gives too many. Somewhere in between medium press and flooring it gives the right amount, but it's too hard to find that point.
I really really enjoy these comparisons of relative vehicles from the brz-Z and even this one, they are sweet and give people in the market or soon to be in the market for such vehicles a great perspective of what to expect but also it’s pros and cons from a reputable journalist!
Being an enthusiast, depends on the climate where you're living. I'm across the lake from you in Wisco, I have a 05 STi, actually bought that after selling my 17' Golf R, being in my late 30s, i crave the rawness of how cares where like when i was just out of high school.
Love everything except the constant wrenching I have to do on the thing. Recently I'm thinking of selling the GD for a 22' WRX, to get the same ergonomics I had with the golf, and also not deal with constantly having to fix age issues. I'm biggest in autox and do a track day or two at RA and Blackhawk a year when i can find the time, but i love ice racing and running the Road America winter series, not saying you cant do either in the BRZ, but living with it in the winter, the Awd is always going to be more fun and easier to live with when there's a dump of snow.
If i lived down south, id have an s2k or brz/86, even go older for an e36 m3 like i had in college, and never look back. Being i live in Wisconsin and can't rationally afford a summer and winter car separately with a family, the WRX would always check more boxes for me. Just depends where you live and what you do with it.
a 22 wrx with some e30 in the tank on the stock tune will run a high 12 second pass
edit: that being said i bought a 23 BRZ
What are your plans for your BRZ? Because, you are one of the only UA-camrs that have this amount of miles and have kept the platform stock. Love your content!
Nothing too crazy, keeping it pretty similar to my 2014 build tbh. A few things are coming in next month!
@@TheTopher I put the Corsa exhaust on mine like your last brz. It sounds great with the 2.4 and lots of pops
Thanks for this Topher! Exactly the comparison I am looking for as I currently placed an order for the 2023 BRZ Limited in WR Blue, but the dealer is offering me their orange WRX Premium ready on the lot discounted to the same price as the the BRZ order. Going back and forth between this and your separate BRZ/WRX videos - so torn at the moment!
@Varrel Actually ended up with a GR86 as one in the color/trim/transmission became available, so in essence, I went with the BRZ. Having a blast with it!
@@TheNiloJuniorgood choice. The BRZ looks wayyyy cooler as someone that’s not too much of a car guy lol
Ya heads up guys the 2022 WRX protuned is getting 350hp with over 400ftlbs of torque on 93 octane now.
The sound of the BRZ when he opened the hood was not great.
It’s aluminum. Very light,so it’s gonna sound that way
I have driven the brz yet so I can’t say how it actually feels… just gotta say tho it was funny to me how he mentioned how soft the ride felt as he was going over tons of potholes and bumps in the road it looked stiff as hell 😂
yay more BRZ content! I hope someone actually does a GR86 vs BRZ comparison .
N/A is better for reliability and gas so... GR86.
The wrx is on a whole new level
Preferred the look of the older wrx more so I got a 2021 WRX Premium.
I have a 2007 WRX STI and a 2023 WRX, I enjoyed driving all generations but the 2021 VA WRX looks like a Toyota Corolla with a hood scoop to me, the Hawkeye and new VB both were hated on when launched, but in the future they will be the ones people want 👍🏻
Not to hate on the BRZs current power as I'm sure it's a million times better than before, but I'd still love to see more power from the factory in this chassis. I'd pay for it, and I'm sure others would too.
That's not what the BRZ is about tho. It probably never will get more power. I used to love the Scion FRS and after all these years it always remained underpowered
I'm in Colorado and definitely need all wheel drive at times. If I could afford both I would definitely have a BRZ.
“Maybe someone’s hand slipped.” 🤣🤣
That is probably the nicest comment about the new wrx design.
I have both ❤ the wrx is a Sportswagon 😊 ts cvt and it smokes all the Foresters, or outback’s 😂 the Sportswagon is quiet smoother than the sedan and the adaptive suspension is awesome, has loads of space, great as a GT and a daily.
My BRZ is manual and a weekend car, it’s noisy At highway speeds and gets tiresome after an hour of driving due to the noise coming in the cabin, each very different yet great fun, if I had to have only 1 it would be the WRX as it has so many additional advantages that you fine yourself needing in life 😊cheers from Oz 🇦🇺
man I wish I was that smooth with the gears
I sat in a brz yesterday and personally it is way too small for me. I'm 6'1 and was crammed in that thing. WRX was way more usable for daily driving and comfortability. Also the backseats are useless, I'd say if you track the brz you'd probably have more fun with it. But daily i could see getting old very quick.
I 100% agree with you. I'm 6'2 so about your height and I drove my dad and stepmom's BRZ yesterday. I used to drive a 2020 Si Coupe (I drive a 2023 WRX now) and I thought the Si was a small car. BRZ is way smaller. Backseat in that car is useless because no one would fit in the backseat. I can barely fit in the front. I was crammed into that car too. I like the car but it's very small. I'm glad I got the WRX for my daily driver.
I'm thinking about getting into the 86cup and I've done quiet a bit of research between the ZN8 vs ZD8 as well as watching a lot of Japanese videos comparing them. Some say the BRZ is much more stable around corners and feel faster on the track others say it has a lot of understeer. Reviewing the stock suspension components the BRZ should be better and if it's true there's a lot of understeer I think swapping the springs from the rear on the BRZ to GR86 springs would be one of the components to fixing the understeer (along with plenty of front camber however not having double wishbone hurts here).
Now that you've tracked both cars what do you think about the handling characteristics? Also a Japanese car reviewer from ILOVECARS said there was a throttle response difference between the two. The GR86 having quick peppy throttle and the BRZ having a "linear response". I don't really understand what he was trying to say here but did you notice any differences there? Thank you!
I’m planning on a BRZ, then if I need more space (kids, hobbies, etc) I’ll sell and get a WRX and install better seats
I have a 2022 WRX and definitely agree the interior feels cheap, especially coming from a GTI. Great driving car though.
Not sold on the manual for both BRZ and WRX. I test drove both, I prefer the CVT / automatic option. I have no desire to track my cars. Everyday driver and fun driver, auto is much better. I got tired of just watching you having to shift gears.
I am always someone prefers power. I’ve owned 4 WRXs (3xnew). But honestly the BRZ looks so much better. I’m torn.
The WRX Looks like what a GR Prius would look like if Toyota built one...its not just the cladding it's the profile that makes it look ugly it just has an odd shape. If you don't focus on looks at all it makes sense especially in base and premium trim being about as much as a Civic si. The fact it gets worst gas mileage than a Corvette and the same as other V8 or high powered performance cars is ridiculous. If the Audi S4 can get 21 30 with 355 hp, more weight and AWD there is no excuse for the WRX
I guess the question is, will the BRZ ever get a tune that's accessible to the average buyer. With COBB announcing they won't be allowing tuning that would affect environmental controls, will other tuners follow suit and leave owners stuck with the factory tune? I'm really happy with my gen1 with a tune at the moment. If it had the original tune on it, I don't think it would be a keeper. I'm waiting to see how things pan out. Good to know that subaru can still create a decent tune on the WRX despite current environmental regs.
If you can only have one car, with a family, then the choice is clear. Otherwise the brz would be great as a second car alongside a more practical (and probably boring) one.
The BRZ uses a Toyota trans, TL70, although it's a pretty dated design it still feels better than a Subaru 6MT.
Yo where's u get those little mirrors at.
Also your control is phenomenal you should consider trying autocross or maybe time attack.
not sure if it is the engine sound, the interior or many little things combined but i love all the vids in your BRZ. Never paid attention to cars in general but u kinda ignited it, an R8 video would send me to heaven :DD
#SaveTheManuals
Lol @ somebody’s hands slipped on the WRX rear design. I’m starting to like the WRX more Only if it had more sex appeal and stereo system. Great comparison! I would choose it if I needed practicality. Waiting for the civic tour R reveal
Idky but I feel like I really like the exterior of the brz but I hate the interior. It still just looks kinda cheap. I then also don't like the exterior of the new wrx but prefer the interior way over the brz one
Which one would you rather drive in the rain or snow?
I wonder how much the softer ride on the BRZ has to do with the wheel size on yours too. I imagine the bigger size would be harsher.
I wonder if they made the WRX ugly to deter the enthusiast’s from buying it and then immediately ruining the reliability of the engine.
Lightweight crank pulley maybe for the downshifting revs :)
Didn’t you mention in one of your videos that you can fit your kid in a car seat in the back of the BRZ? I’m wondering how that works out for you and if it’s possible to have a front facing seat behind you driving?
We have a Forester for the kid mover but I’ll still have to occasionally use my back seat.
Second question: How is the BRZ for someone learning manual for the first time?
Thanks for this comparison, exactly what I was hoping for after your WRX vid!
Would love to see a brz vs Mazda 3 video. I know they aren't the same bracket but it's currently what I'm cross buying lol.
I find it hard to believe that the wrx would be as sustainably fun to drive as the brz if you were to live with both. You’ll feel the several hundred extra pounds when you want to drive these two on backroads. Ultimate grip and/or thrust is good for the track, but for people who value driving a road car on roads, how can you not prefer the brz?
It comes down to what you need insofar as practicality
This may be a very dumb question but... Which one feels quicker? The BRZ or BMW 230i?
I’m debating on looking for either at the end of the year! I’ve always had awd/fwd cars.. But, i’m debating either!
The luck I’ve had with cars, I would love a warranty! My only concern is the snow! And the fact I know the wrx would be a little more fun with the turbo, due to having owned a 2010 wrx before!
Fuel econ wise and all, which do you think would be a better daily to buy? $ value for overall experience!
I’d look for one with some of the options like heated seats and stuff!
Wrx or Elantra N? Weather is not an issue.
Wrx beats it in a straight line. Wrx track time with twists and turns was 2nd place to the Elantra N. Wrx can off road, snow road, canal road and actually looks good when it gets dirty. A dirty Elantra N doesn’t look right it needs to be meticulously detailed once a week. This is from a biased 2022 Wrx owner.
I highly recommend watching the u-drag race. Elantra N smoked WRX. Elantra N is 2 second faster on a track. That is huge. And Elantra N comes with 100k miles 10 year warranty. So my vote goes to Elantra N.
don't think i've ever seen you drive one on this channel what do you think about the chevrolet impala my mother had the 2011 version with the v6
Doesn't the gr86 have a slightly different throttle programming?
i loved wrx in white but now i can only consider the dark grey cus the ugly arches
I just wonder is the spare tire set can fit in the 86 trunk?86 doesn't have spare tire.only have couple tools...
Great review! Can you get wireless charging and wireless CarPlay in the BRZ/GR86?
Love the BRZ styling, but can’t stand the WRX styling - looks like a crosstrek.
@MutedHimself it could be affordable and nice looking imo. I actually really liked the last gen WRX/STI.
Topher I have a question that isn't car related, but about the camera you use. I have the Gopro Hero 10, but the footage I filmed with it looks worse than my first nokia phone... what are your settings?
I don’t have a hero 10 but I did get one briefly, try messing around with the GoPro color vs. flat color space and see what you prefer. There’s a lot of contrast and high black levels in the new 10s
Stupid question -- isn't the BRZ about the same speed as the out-going STi in a straight-line from a roll? I believe I have seen some videos where this is the case.
Even if the WRX (without a launch) is as fast as the BRZ... weight and that horrible WRX 6 speed that was derived from the older WRX 5 speed. And it is an Open Diff AWD system without the STi transmission :*(. It is a car that has moved from its original purpose and IS NOT a rally icon anymore (not this current version which has almost nothing to do with it's last rallycars in 2007).
BRZ Rev hang - tune and you are done? Let us know once you do that if it makes it better!
My real question - why is the BRZ the only Subaru with an attempt at a fully digitial dash? They just refreshed the WRX and it *still* has the old Subaru analog gauges. :*(
Do you have any tips for driving the brz smoother? it's my second manual car and I haven't driven manual for a year prior to getting my 2023
could you post amazon linky to the exact blindspot mirrors, I'm looking to get for my brz too and these match pretty good
Considering getting a 22 WRX or a 22GR86/BRZ. I’m new to the engines they have and am looking for a new daily. I’m not too worried about the space. The deal breaker for me is if the WRX would be more reliable, or will the GR86/BRZ be best?
The wrx will be less reliable.
@@hunterbawlzoh how the table have turned
Absolutely, if people actually do research on these two motors the FA24f is way better built than the FA24 in the BRZ/GR86.
The WRX will definitely be more reliable, no debate
A normally aspirated engine is always going to be more reliable than a turbo charged engine.
Have you had any issue with oil starvation now that you track the BRZ?
yeah the BRZ is definetly better looking than the WRX, but if you take an older WRX, before 08, man are they better looking but obviously pretty much all those are like driven into the ground and rusty as hell, unless you wanna PAY
"Its got rear seats" ...😂 ZERO SPACE.
Is the BRZ available on the display in U.S? Or you need to order one?
How do the engine/exhaust sounds compare?
Did you find there was a throttle response lag with the last generation when rev matching? I have a 17 86 and constantly surprised how quick it is when I’m rev matching. Feels on par with my cable driven other car tbh. I hate laggy elec throttles especially in a manual.
Hey Topher, I live in Canada ( Manitoba ) and these are the only two cars i've been debating about getting into during the last couple months. I currently drive a 2009 legacy spec b, and almost everything about the BRZ works better for me, ( driving dynamics, better fuel economy, cheaper price, looks, don't need 5 seats, etc). The only thing making me consider a wrx is for our winters here, where it gets to -30c often. Any insight from you would be most appreciated!
Vancouver here and now looking to the 1 car life since my wife doesn’t drive and we sold our R.
The WRX is on my list for AWD, but gas mileage is t encouraging:(
@@carloscanizares4699 Canadian struggles eh. I'm curious to hear what else is on your list? I have also considered a manual, CPO 3 series with x-drive, but finding one of those in general is rare, and for under 45 000 CAD is pretty much impossible.
@@LopSidedPopCan only the WRX AND Civic Si for the 1-car setup.
We have a CRV but would rather not keep it with whichever new car we get. I cannot stand the Mk8 so the R isn’t even in the picture. There’s this very hopeful, but highly unlikely dream of a G R Corolla :)
Great comparo! May I ask how tall you are and how you feel about the steering wheel telescope distance for the '22 BRZ? Do you feel comfortable overall? I was disappointed at the car show to see this car have the same lack of telescope as the prior gen.
I’m 5’10 and very comfortable! The wheel doesn’t telescope out as much as taller drivers would probably like, but for me it’s perfect. There are some great aftermarket steering wheel spacers out there that solve that problem.
secret is to tilt / decline the chair. I went to subaru dealer and noticed same thing in the WRX and even Forester. I put the seat as far back as it could, adjusted steering wheel, and it still wasn't the proper position. Only by then adjusting the recline of the seat could I get it perfect. Maybe I just have long arms tho lol.
What do you do for a living?
Reliable? Sorry but you can't know that until enough time has passed. And enough time hasn't.
How about the seating positions, steering wheel reach
Too bad Subaru won't make a BRZ with the turbo motor.
Have you tried the throttle adaption people used on the first gens? Might want to give that a try and see what you think (something about pressing the throttle 20 times, etc...)
What do u mean?
Thanks!
Hey, @TheTopher so I'm currently cross shopping a VB WRX and GR86 and had a question.
I know in your BRZ in the Snow videos you mentioned that it's really compliant and capable in the winter, but you've also mentioned that the WRX is a good "do it all" car if you live in a snowy environment.
I live in WNY on a lake and we sometimes get around triple digits of snowfall for our winters and I wanted to know if you think the GR86 with snow tires would still be a capable year-rounder. I definitely value the NA aspect of the GR86, along with unbeatable styling (IMO) for this price point, but I'm concerned about buying a RWD sports car as my only car and finding that come winter, the car isn't nearly as capable as I would've hoped.
I'm asking for advice on what you would recommend since you've mentioned they're both excellent in the snow (albeit one taking a bit more setup to reach that level of capability.) I'd much prefer to have a GR86 in my driveway than the WRX, but I don't want to make the "wrong" decision. It's hard to gauge effectiveness as well since I've only worked with FWD cars in my city.
How well have your fwd cars gotten around? Ultimately it depends a lot on your comfort with going sideways in a rwd car. The biggest limitation with the GR86 is ground clearance so you’d want some oversized winter tires at a minimum for an extra half an inch or so. That puts you right at about everyone else’s ride height. Id recommend 205/60r16. A couple sand bags in the back help a lot but aren’t always necessary. Any snow under 5 inches the BRZ will blaze through but above that it gets tricky. Also ice and hills are tough. That’s when you’ll be really glad you got a WRX lol. I don’t think the Wrx is that much less fun to drive than the GR86/BRZ but I hear you on styling. Our winters have been very mild here in MI but I know NY gets a lot of snow. If you’re seeing deep snow on a regular basis I’d go Wrx. If road maintenance is great and you’re just getting a few inches of powder to get through GR86 will be a champ, but with some driving skill involved. I absolutely love driving my BRZ in the winter but if we got a ton of snow it would be stressful.
Also one note: GR86 suspension is pretty stiff in the cold. I’d look at the BRZ or swapping on BRZ springs/dampers for more compliance if that’s important to you too.
Thank you so much for the response, I really appreciate you going a little more into detail for me here. My FWD car has been really good. I've never gotten stuck, though admittedly some of the steeper hills and inclines are a little sketchy and need to be taken slow, but overall it's been a completely doable experience and nothing too scary.
I didn't plan to buy before this upcoming Winter anyway, so I'll try to gauge a little better what to expect. I think I'm leaning towards the WRX just for the year-round practicality, but nothing beats that lightweight, NA RWD feel for the more pleasant half of the year.
Again, thank you for the guidance!
brz almost looks like the old 350z body
thank you for confirming the weird rev matching/throttle response issue on the BRZ, I wonder if the GR86 is the same?
Can confirm its there on the gr86, takes some getting used to during normal driving. My previous 4th gen mazda3 MT felt like it had zero rev hang in comparison. Gonna eventually tune it out once its available but ive gotten used to it where its not a big deal.
@@pol.86 I was commenting on something Topher said about throttle response for rev matching, I don't mind the rev hang that much.
@@alexandram9477 oh true, 😄
Honestly, I think it comes down to what you get used to. I’ve had both cable and electronic throttles and the only time I get discombobulated is switching between the two. It’s a driver mod so to speak. It’s true I have to bury my foot when downshifting my third gen Tacoma, but I’m so used to it I don’t even think about it, I just do what is required to get the engine spinning. I’ve got BRZ arriving in mere weeks and could not be more excited!