More Fun Than A Barrel Full Of Monkeys: BRZ Proves To Be Every Bit As Enticing The Exige Or 911 GT3

Distill the comprehensive goodness of the 2013 Subaru BRZ down to a single desirable property and it is this: Profound control.

It is the rear-drive BRZ's competence in those pivotal split seconds as the limit of grip approaches and departs that gives it undeniably enticing character. Few cars in recent memory do it so well and those that do typically cost at least twice as much. Think Lotus Exige/Elise or Porsche 911 GT3. In other words, the BRZ offers a level of engagement that, until now, has been either too costly or too impractical for the average enthusiast.

That will change with the introduction of the BRZ to the U.S. First, with an estimated price in the mid-$20,000 range, it's not costly. Second, it's practical enough to be driven daily. And, finally, it fills a niche in the U.S. market that has remained conspicuously vacant for years.
 

quizz - 3/24/2012 12:26:20 AM

+2 Boost

Looking forward to the sport-turbo model coming next year.

dlin - 3/24/2012 1:53:11 AM

+1 Boost

I'm kinda upset with 55.7/44.3 weight distribution. That means it'll understeer naturally, and the back end doesn't have enough weight to help grip or acceleration. It's certainly hard trying to keep weight down while maintain rear-biased distribution, but why not just build a MR scalable platform that can be shared with Lexus for some high end model?

USNA1999 - 3/24/2012 6:39:03 AM

+3 Boost

Really, like a Lotus Exige/Elise or Porsche 911 GT3? LoL! I was planning on trading in my LS 460 for something sporty like a M3 or the new CAYMAN but now that this came out, forget about it; this is the car to purchase.

CarCrazedinCali - 3/24/2012 12:27:01 PM

+2 Boost

LOL, riiiiight... 0-60 in 7.3seconds! woohoo!

CarCrazedinCali - 3/24/2012 2:39:08 PM

-2 Boost

$23,800 for new Cooper S which I am sure will also out handle this

MorePower - 3/24/2012 9:31:35 PM

+3 Boost

Good luck finding a Cooper S at $23,800. Even at $24k, I would still take the Subaru over a Cooper S.

CarCrazedinCali - 3/25/2012 2:52:31 PM

0 Boost

Good for you, settling always is an option

ThierryHenry14 - 3/26/2012 2:43:37 PM

+2 Boost

This car is great, for what it is, but once you start comparing it to a Lotus Exige/Elise or Porsche 911 GT3, well, then this becomes a big joke...

Just stick to saying that for a mid-20K car, its hard to find a more exciting, edgy, raw driver's car. Period...

toyfan - 3/26/2012 6:41:48 PM

+1 Boost

Thierry, I agree but don't think that is the point.
I think that the enjoyment is on par with those vehicles, hence the comparison. Not that it can outperform them.
I think it's impressive that it is hard to find some one who has driven this vehicle and has something bad to say about it. Everyone seems to enjoy it!!!

ThierryHenry14 - 3/27/2012 4:53:11 PM

+1 Boost

I absolutely agree with you, but once you start even mentioning this car with race track bred vehicles such as the GT3 or the Exige/Elise, then the performance should blow the socks off of you. Otherwise, its better to leave that comparison out of the publication. But I know what you mean.