MM Static-Review: 2013 Subaru BRZ
#16
I agree, the competitors would also be the Miata, and Genesis coupe, not the CR-Z
#17
Lexus Fanatic
Nice review mmarshall, I am looking forward to test driving this car though I am a little underwhelmed by the exterior and interior and some of the performance numbers. It seems to have lost all the sexiness from the last maroon concept we saw. Still for Subaru and Toyota for making a affordable rwd sports car, hopefully it does well and more companies follow. I still want a new Supra from Toyota
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Love your reviews mmarshall! Thanks as always! I do have one small request for you (something that seems to be missing in almost all reviews). Whenever there is a particular complaint or gripe (or conversely a positive point), I would love to see photographs of the exact subject (so the reader can make up their own mind). For instance, the "cheap" climate control ***** or the automatic shifter. In the first picture showing the HVAC stack, it looks to be a digital/**** setup. But then the pass through photo through the red car's trunk appears to be cheap Yaris ***** (probably is the Scion version). But great review anyway!
#19
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by UDel
The RX-8 is not being made anymore and is probably the reason that mmarshal did not mention along with maybe the RX-8 being a unique 4 door coupe/sportscar using a rotary engine. The Miata is definitely a competitor though.
Nice review mmarshall, I am looking forward to test driving this car though I am a little underwhelmed by the exterior and interior and some of the performance numbers. It seems to have lost all the sexiness from the last maroon concept we saw. Still for Subaru and Toyota for making a affordable rwd sports car, hopefully it does well and more companies follow. I still want a new Supra from Toyota
Nice review mmarshall, I am looking forward to test driving this car though I am a little underwhelmed by the exterior and interior and some of the performance numbers. It seems to have lost all the sexiness from the last maroon concept we saw. Still for Subaru and Toyota for making a affordable rwd sports car, hopefully it does well and more companies follow. I still want a new Supra from Toyota
Originally Posted by xioix
I agree, the competitors would also be the Miata, and Genesis coupe, not the CR-Z
First, the Miata is smaller and does not come in a true coupe version....only soft and hard drop-tops. Only a few true Miata coupes were done over the years.....I can't remember the last one sold in the U.S.
The RX-8 is substantially more expensive, has a totally different (and unique) engine, and, with the two small half-rear doors, again does not come in a true coupe version. As UDel noted, it is also being pulled from the American market, and will not be a sales-factor among new cars.
The Genesis Coupe is a true sports-coupe, but is somewhat larger physically, and, in the upper-level versions, more expensive than the BRZ/FRS class, though I agree you might be able to make an argument for the lower-line 2.0T versions.
The CR-Z, I felt, was at least a borderline-competitor because, even though it is a hybrid and includes the extra electric-motor, it is about the same size (though taller), has around the same torque-ratings, is a true coupe with two doors, and, with options runs roughly in the same price-range, though the base-price is lower.
Last edited by mmarshall; 04-08-12 at 04:42 PM.
#20
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Well, when you consider that (in spirit, at least as I see it), it seems to be replacing a classic line of sport-coupes from the 1970s, I don't see where that is a big deal. And, besides, a lot of nice cars were done in the 90s.
#21
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
I don't see it as much of a big deal either, it just that it took Toyota and Subaru about half a decade to finally finish this, IMO underwhelming, vehicle. It's not much different from say 90ies Celica, so it's beyond me what took them so long. And the amount of hype surrounding this car in the last 5 years was over nothing. In that time BMW quietly released the 1 series coupe - which has been on sale in the US for a number of years, and is far better car, albeit more expensive.
#22
I don't see it as much of a big deal either, it just that it took Toyota and Subaru about half a decade to finally finish this, IMO underwhelming, vehicle. It's not much different from say 90ies Celica, so it's beyond me what took them so long. And the amount of hype surrounding this car in the last 5 years was over nothing. In that time BMW quietly released the 1 series coupe - which has been on sale in the US for a number of years, and is far better car, albeit more expensive.
b) 5 years is the typical development lifecycle for a vehicle.
c) The 1 series is a far better car how exactly?
#23
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
The 1-series, IMO, costs too much for what you get. It does not realistically compete in the BRZ and FRS price-class. It is also sedan-based, where the BRZ/FRS was designed from the outset to be dedicated sports-coupes/borderline sports-cars).
#24
I don't see it as much of a big deal either, it just that it took Toyota and Subaru about half a decade to finally finish this, IMO underwhelming, vehicle. It's not much different from say 90ies Celica, so it's beyond me what took them so long. And the amount of hype surrounding this car in the last 5 years was over nothing. In that time BMW quietly released the 1 series coupe - which has been on sale in the US for a number of years, and is far better car, albeit more expensive.
#26
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I don't think that dropping a car like this is the way to go. It already sits low and just a few inches off the ground, even with the stock wheels and suspension. Any lower and it would be difficult to keep from damaging the lower-body panels and front air-dam.
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks.
It is marketed as a Toyota in a number of other countries. Here in America, the Scion lineup, of course, tends to disrupt traditional Toyota marketing. The U.S., I believe (though I could be wrong) is the only country with the Scion nameplate.
I agree with a lot of things, and mainly the platform sharing. As many would agree, it should stay as a Toyota.