I’ve been autocrossing my 2022 BRZ and at the limit with 200 UTQG tires the rear was looser than I experienced at 80% level driving. Added a 19mm adjustable front sway bar to keep the front flatter. With OEM camber bolts I think the initial understeer pretty much disappears.
Little known observation - the Twins have a great backseat for toddlers and kids. It's better than Mustang and BMW 2 and 4 series (way better than Camaro) and most coupes. The reason is weird unless you try it as a dad - the rear seat is near the door opening (not buried deep behind), so it's super easy to bend and let your kid in and out (vs bend and then lean deeply into the back of the car). The front seat also moves far forward compared to those cars and uses a simple lever (vs painfully slow motors). 😆 The 2 series has more glass/window for your kid though, more airy.
@@BrianMakse you are absolutely right. The 2 series has more room, including seat depth. Headroom in the 2 series, Mustang and Camaro don't work for me at 5 10. I hit the glass. For my bad back I found it waaay easier to get my 4 yr old son in and out of the GR I rented vs my Mustang.
Really appreciate hearing the comparisons to the 86. I bought the BRZ back in March because I read it was a little more compliant and because Subaru could order me one and sell it to me without markup. Got the 17 inch Primacys and it rides really well. Couldn't be happier.
Hi Brian! I've been loving your videos because you point out a lot nuances that most other more "casual" / non performance driver reviewers don't (or perhaps can't perceive). I do want to point out a small but potentially important detail though: these cars (both 2022 BRZ & GR86) are offered with the "Pilot Sport 4" tires, which are a different product to the "Pilot Sport 4S" tire :)
I suspect the softer setup at rear maybe better for winter driving. If you can't get up snow filled driveway, static would matter once you drop-in some bags of salt in the trunk. 😛
This was cool. Didn't know they were just $34K CAD in Canada. Just for the unique Subaru badge and that tweaked suspension, i would pick this over the GR 86. My next conundrum would be picking either rhe A91-GR Supra or the Nissan Z, as they appear to be in the same power class and probably price bracket. Can you do a comparion betweem the two?
The 86 is better balanced, this one likes to push. If you'll never drive it near its limits, this is just fine. I don't do comparisons as a matter of course and the Z isn't on my radar.
thx for going over the differences, I didn't know the BRZ had stiffer bushings in rear. There's not much information online about specific design/tuning intentions between the 2. The more 'tail happy' 86 has been well covered but what are the intentions of engineers behind Subaru's choices in terms of how it drives on the track? If the BRZ is more neutral/stable would that allow faster lap times?
I couldn't glean any engineering detail from Subaru, so I can't comment on their direction. With lap times, the real answer is: it depends. I think the difference would be negligible at most circuits with the GR 86 showing a slight edge.
I’m having the combination of kids in college and a perceived mid life crisis. This BRZ or the 86 maybe the economical solution. It reminds me of the JDM type cars I grew up with but these modern production vehicles are so much better. I hope toyoburu sells as much of these cars as they can. I just need a fun slow car I can drive fast with miles of smiles as I drop off my kids at college, one at a time.
I really love that last line; "I just need a fun slow car I can drive fast with miles of smiles.." I really hope you pulled the trigger on it and copped that fun machine you wanted to bring some joy into your life?
Great review. I have owned my BRZ for 600 miles so far and agree with most of what you say, especially where you have a different opinion from other reviewers. Most other reviewers say how easy it is to get the rear end loose. You say you have excellent traction. I have never found anything but excellent traction. Most other reviewers complain about visibility. I find the visibility excellent compared to other modern vehicles especially modern sports cars like the Supra, Camaro, Z and so on. The visibility is better in the BRZ than in my Mazda3. Your comment about excellent fuel consumption is where I do not agree. Twenty five miles per gallon requiring premium is not excellent in my opinion. 25 MPG with premium is expensive compared to other small cars with similar size and power. Add the premium for premium and fuel is expensive.
I’m an atypical reviewer given my non-trivial racing background. Subaru sets up the rear suspension to be softer than 86, so it naturally has more traction, but it has a tendency to understeer at the limit. For me 20mpg is epic!
Hey Brian! GR86/BRZ or ND2 Miata for daily driving fun (yes the Miata is less practical)? I was torn between all these cars and the car market mess made everything hard. I landed on getting the Veloster N. BUT I still want a Miata lol
What's the experience been like since you got it, what trim did you get, what are the things you've loved and things you can't just shake off that don't do it for you with your BRZ?
With a fairly level playing field parts and service pricing could also be deciding factors. I wouldn't be surprised if the Subaru variant would be a bit cheaper to own.
