Anyone have a 2013 Subaru BRZ?

[Steeps]

Hopefully your dealer will stick by their word and not get the itch to register it early. Went for my test drive with an aim to purchase it in September, they told me it could be ready from the start of August and I picked it up mid July. Shouldn't really complain as it's been great weather and I've enjoyed having the car over the summer.

It was the Half Way House, met up to have a poke around and a karting session, not really local to me.

 

[rjk]

so. OP wheres you're BRZ?

 

[Aeleys]

so. OP wheres you're BRZ?

Added to his hotwheels collection, duh....

 

[Justintime]

ARGHGHGHGHG I hate this response, it boils my blood. I'm still driving my un-dinged/kerbed/scratched first car and it's been nearly 4 years!

I have no idea what you have, but it is a relatively high powered RWD car? I get what you're saying kind of though, my first accident wasn't until my 3rd car and 5yrs after i passed my test, and car 2 was actually quicker and less predictable

 

[McDaniel]

Hopefully your dealer will stick by their word and not get the itch to register it early. Went for my test drive with an aim to purchase it in September, they told me it could be ready from the start of August and I picked it up mid July. Shouldn't really complain as it's been great weather and I've enjoyed having the car over the summer.

It was the Half Way House, met up to have a poke around and a karting session, not really local to me.

Well they said it could be ready for Aug 27th but I told them to wait for Sep 1st so fingers crossed they dont do it early. I wouldnt normally be worried about the new plate but its only a few days.

Its about 5-10min from me that place. Thought I recognised it.

 

[Grimezy]

Even though in the 2 years I've been driving I haven't had an accident, I have still had scratches and kerbed wheels in places where I shouldn't have. Luckily I drive a banged up Punto, plus my commute to work is down thin country lanes with hedges either side so regularly have to shove over for tractors, but even in general driving I've had a couple of incidents i.e. reversing out of sister's drive, not really realised I had to turn the wheel quite sharply to avoid the big *****ly bush and ending up with surface scratches in the shape of waves on my side panel.

I just think a car like that for a first one is asking for trouble. You haven't had any experience actually on a road and you're in a car that is designed to go sidewards at 30mph.

I suppose if it's daddy's money though you won't care regardless of what happens.

 

[NathWraith]

I suppose if it's daddy's money though you won't care regardless of what happens.

You sound bitter, tell me you wouldn't take up such an offer if it was extended to you.

 

[Grimezy]

You sound bitter, tell me you wouldn't take up such an offer if it was extended to you.

I probably wouldn't, I'm 20, I still live at home, I should probably start thinking of moving out soon, I'd never have the opportunity to have £23k in my bank account ever again. Probably spend £5k-£6k on a car and the rest towards a deposit if I'm honest.

What happens when he comes to wanting a new car and realises his car has depreciated and he can't afford to buy something better than what he has because he could never actually afford it in the first place, because it was his dad who could afford it?

And you know what the statistics say, he is in a high risk category to have an accident as a new driver especially if he's in a RWD sports car. It's people that jump into cars that they don't actually have the experience to drive that end up in accidents and bump up the insurance premiums of every other young person. Perhaps he'll be an immaculate driver and have a clean record for 20+ years and I'll be proved wrong, but it only takes him having a mate in the car telling him to 'practice' drifting only to end up in someone else's bonnet.

Yes, he's very fortunate to be in the position he's in and yes, maybe I would feel different if it were me, but I still think it's one heck of a lot of money on a first car and I don't see any reason why he can't go for something older and cheaper and then look at getting a GT86/BRZ when he has a couple of years experience under his belt and when he knows exactly what he wants.

 

[task]

My first car was a 1975 SWB Series III Safari. Much fun was had in this car!

My first car was a SWB Series IIA, also had many years of fun.

GT86/BRZ would be an amazing first car!

 

[NathWraith]

I probably wouldn't, I'm 20, I still live at home, I should probably start thinking of moving out soon, I'd never have the opportunity to have £23k in my bank account ever again. Probably spend £5k-£6k on a car and the rest towards a deposit if I'm honest.

What happens when he comes to wanting a new car and realises his car has depreciated and he can't afford to buy something better than what he has because he could never actually afford it in the first place, because it was his dad who could afford it?

And you know what the statistics say, he is in a high risk category to have an accident as a new driver especially if he's in a RWD sports car. It's people that jump into cars that they don't actually have the experience to drive that end up in accidents and bump up the insurance premiums of every other young person. Perhaps he'll be an immaculate driver and have a clean record for 20+ years and I'll be proved wrong, but it only takes him having a mate in the car telling him to 'practice' drifting only to end up in someone else's bonnet.

Yes, he's very fortunate to be in the position he's in and yes, maybe I would feel different if it were me, but I still think it's one heck of a lot of money on a first car and I don't see any reason why he can't go for something older and cheaper and then look at getting a GT86/BRZ when he has a couple of years experience under his belt and when he knows exactly what he wants.

All fair and valid points.

You should have just said that rather than coming across and jealous and bitter with the "daddy" comment now couldn't you!

 

[Grimezy]

All fair and valid points.

You should have just said that rather than coming across and jealous and bitter with the "daddy" comment now couldn't you!

I still enjoy throwing that in there I still have the belief that if you work for something and earn it yourself then you are much more likely to appreciate what you've got (obviously). And it won't be such a shock to the system when it does come to paying things for yourself.

 

[NathWraith]

I still enjoy throwing that in there I still have the belief that if you work for something and earn it yourself then you are much more likely to appreciate what you've got (obviously). And it won't be such a shock to the system when it does come to paying things for yourself.

True but if you aren't good at driving you will manage to crash whether you appreciate it or not.

 

[Justintime]

I probably wouldn't, I'm 20, I still live at home, I should probably start thinking of moving out soon, I'd never have the opportunity to have £23k in my bank account ever again. Probably spend £5k-£6k on a car and the rest towards a deposit if I'm honest.

What happens when he comes to wanting a new car and realises his car has depreciated and he can't afford to buy something better than what he has because he could never actually afford it in the first place, because it was his dad who could afford it?

And you know what the statistics say, he is in a high risk category to have an accident as a new driver especially if he's in a RWD sports car. It's people that jump into cars that they don't actually have the experience to drive that end up in accidents and bump up the insurance premiums of every other young person. Perhaps he'll be an immaculate driver and have a clean record for 20+ years and I'll be proved wrong, but it only takes him having a mate in the car telling him to 'practice' drifting only to end up in someone else's bonnet.

Yes, he's very fortunate to be in the position he's in and yes, maybe I would feel different if it were me, but I still think it's one heck of a lot of money on a first car and I don't see any reason why he can't go for something older and cheaper and then look at getting a GT86/BRZ when he has a couple of years experience under his belt and when he knows exactly what he wants.

Well written.

 

[Conscript]

So I went and had a sit in another GT86 last weekend, this time with the girlfriend as she hasn't seen one in the flesh yet (luckily she likes it too ).

I have to say I'm really tempted and need to book myself a test drive.

Has anyone driven both the flappy paddle and manual variants? I was pretty certain the manual would be for me, but according to the figures, the flappy paddle auto is actually more efficient and with lower tax, and I imagine easier to live with everyday for a fairly novice driver like myself.

Also, can any existing owners comment on the media system? I gather you can stream music via Bluetooth but from a bit of Googling I gather this might be quite limited; not allowing you select tracks from the head unit, etc. Bit of a shame as the head unit doesn't have any inbuilt storage capability either (according to the salesman). Can anyone comment?

I know these shouldn't be primary concerns when considering a car of this sort, but I'd still be driving it every day so practicality is still a consideration.

 

[NathWraith]

I would avoid the auto man. Slow torque converter.

 

[Steeps]

I own a manual and briefly tested the auto. Coming from only ever owning manual cars, for me the manual felt right and the auto was not as involved on the road. The auto is geared differently which is where the figures come from. Get a test drive, if your dealer is serious about trying to get a sale try to drive both.

The media system you can stream bluetooth directly from your phone (connects as soon as you start it up) but you're limited to how your phone plays and can only change track, you cannot select playlists from the headunit.
The headunit does have a USB input and I bought one of these: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FL-043-PA to keep in the car. It allows playlists, play by artist/album/genre etc.

The head unit is not the most responsive or at times the most practical, I would avoid paying for the in-built navigation with an aim of changing the head unit in the future.

 

[Conscript]

I would avoid the auto man. Slow torque converter.

This is what puts me off - if it's just a torque converter with paddles, it doesn't seem like anything special.

I own a manual and briefly tested the auto. Coming from only ever owning manual cars, for me the manual felt right and the auto was not as involved on the road. The auto is geared differently which is where the figures come from. Get a test drive, if your dealer is serious about trying to get a sale try to drive both.

The media system you can stream bluetooth directly from your phone (connects as soon as you start it up) but you're limited to how your phone plays and can only change track, you cannot select playlists from the headunit.
The headunit does have a USB input and I bought one of these: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FL-043-PA to keep in the car. It allows playlists, play by artist/album/genre etc.

The head unit is not the most responsive or at times the most practical, I would avoid paying for the in-built navigation with an aim of changing the head unit in the future.

That's really helpful, thanks Steeps - I will probably avoid the auto then. I would have done anyway, usually considering them slower and less economical than their manual counterparts; it was just that the better economy figures got me considering one.

As for the head unit, again, very helpful thanks. A USB input will do fine - I just want something that I can shove all my music on and stick in the car permanently. At the moment I use the phone because I keep all my music on that, but USB would save faffing with connecting it every time I get in. Satnav is also not high on my requirements list; I rarely have a need for it and when I do, I use CoPilot on my phone.

You've just pushed me one step closer to spending money. Thanks a bunch

 

[Conscript]

Anyone own/driven the TRD edition?

Just booked a test drive at my local dealer and they said it would be a manual TRD that I'd be driving. From what I gather it's just a different body kit, slightly stiffer suspension and bigger exhaust.

 

[pioneer2000]

It's essentially identical bar the cosmetic differences. The larger wheels will have a minor effect on the ride but apart from that... enjoy!

 

[pioneer2000]

This is what puts me off - if it's just a torque converter with paddles, it doesn't seem like anything special.



That's really helpful, thanks Steeps - I will probably avoid the auto then. I would have done anyway, usually considering them slower and less economical than their manual counterparts; it was just that the better economy figures got me considering one.

As for the head unit, again, very helpful thanks. A USB input will do fine - I just want something that I can shove all my music on and stick in the car permanently. At the moment I use the phone because I keep all my music on that, but USB would save faffing with connecting it every time I get in. Satnav is also not high on my requirements list; I rarely have a need for it and when I do, I use CoPilot on my phone.

You've just pushed me one step closer to spending money. Thanks a bunch

Just to give you another view, I have an auto (test drove both) and simply find the smooth comfortable automatic shifts, ease of manual mode / sport mode use when desired, speedy paddle shifts (for a torque converter it's very quick), better mpg far more appealing than the notchy manual.

I just gave back a manual courtesy car that i've had for the past 3 days tonight... yes, it is faster off the line as you can dump the clutch with the manual, but once up to speed, the auto is very similar and just brings an added refinement. to the car.

It's a totally personal thing so would definitely advice trying both, but don't be put off the auto as it's not "suited" to a drivers car / it's slow... because it really isn't either of those.