Photo log!

Direct link to all my BRZ photos.  Unless I get a new piece I will specifically blog about these will be updated without any notification.

https://picasaweb.google.com/110077863287524663813/BRZ?authuser=0&feat=directlink

I would drive 3000 miles...

My commute is 110m round trip and I usually drive this 5 days a week in the summer. In the winter we will be mainly using my wife's Scion Xd which has dedicated winter tires and does very well in the snow. That said I am at the point where I think I have some solid experience with the car and can do a follow up to my initial impressions.

Interior
I am still in love with the interior. The controls are laid out well, and they are easy to understand. The touchscreen radio/nav is great once you learn how much force your finger needs and how to press the buttons on the screen. The seats are still firm and the seating position feels low and natural. It's similar to some of the dedicated track cars I've owned/been in. One gripe is that there is a small cubby just to the left of the USB port which would be great if it was deep enough for a phone and had a removable rubber insert rather than one that can't be moved. Great for iPod minis I suppose. Nighttime viewing and operation of the controls is easy on the eyes and lit very well. I've had two people in back so far. Once my brother who is short sat in back on a 1.5h car ride and he had no issues aside from having to wear a hat since the rear seats in essence have a glass roof and short hair + 1.5h of direct sun = sunburn otherwise. The other time my friend who is about 5'10" sat in back while my other friend who is 6'0" sat in front. They both fit, but 20m was likely all that would be comfortable. Really this car is either for short people, or two people.

Exterior
The paint is doing well so far but I would really like to get a clear 3M bra on the car soon. The wheels are great because they are dark grey, black and the only silver is on the outsides of every 3rd blade. This means that the wheels, for the most part, look the same if they are clean or dirty. The WRB does a great job of looking good even with a layer of rain dust on it. Touchless car washes, a synthetic sham and a microfiber towel make it look brand new.

Driving Impressions
This car is more fun to drive as each day goes by.  I'm really getting a feel for the limits of the tires and suspension and realizing more and more how balanced the platform is.  It's leagues above anything else in it's class when it comes to handling and fun.  I will say that another 50hp would make the car spectacular and I'm thinking that bolt ons, an ECU and cams will make this car what many people wanted it to be.  I'm having lots, and lots, and lots of fun with this car in totally stock trim and any complaint I have about hp is a small one.

To date my avg mpg is at 30.7, 70% hwy/30% city.

I've had a good amount of stick time with TCS and VSC on Full, Sport, and Off modes.

DRY-FULL
This setting make the car feel like any other car on the road for the most part. You might get a chirp out of the tires, and you might feel a very slight step out if you really get on it, but you can drive the BRZ like a fwd Civic in this condition.
WET-FULL
In the wet the Full setting is very good at keeping you in line. You can get a little more wheel spin, and step the back out a tiny bit more, but unless you are doing something very stupid you should have no troubles driving this car in the wet with everything on.
DRY-SPORT
I'm not as impressed with the Sport setting as I thought I was going to be. My expectation was that in sport you would have some ability to step out and get a little sideways, and while that is true the Sport mode also slams the door on your fun in an abrupt and unexpected manner. The sudden correction of sideways motion to an attempt to straighten you out is jarring at times. There is probably a happy medium in there somewhere, not too much slide, a slow progression to the limits of Sport mode, but it is something I will have to learn over time.
WET-SPORT
In the wet Sport mode is similar to what's noted above aside from the limits approaching faster due to the ability to more quickly lose grip. Not a lot of fun.
DRY-OFF
If you've had some rwd experience, or have an open parking lot, this is the mode you want to be in. It allows you to understand the limits of the tires, not the limits of the ECU. That limit is much higher than one would expect with a 240 A/A tire. I've entered and exited corners faster with this car than with my 91 Civic Si on full coil overs and Falken Azenis. The BRZ just sticks when you want it to stick even while the TCS/VSC is off. Learn this mode, love this mode.
WET-OFF
Unless you really want to just do some doughnuts for no other reason to do them, or know what it was like driving a rwd car prior to having an ECU which helps in the wet I don't see much reason to play around with this combo. You don't get to learn much aside from your limits in the wet, and most people aren't going to need this. Even if I was on track and I had on wet weather tires on I would likely still be in Sport mode.

Oil Change

Oil change today at 2973 miles.

5.7 qt Mobil 1 full synthetic 0W-20.
OEM Subaru oil Filter.
Tried Qwik Valve F-105, did not fit.  Will exchange for an F-108.
Time: 30 minutes.

Initial thoughts

I picked up my 2013 Subaru BRZ from Wilde Subaru on the 24th of May.  Here are my initial thoughts after the first week of driving.


Interior 
Very solid build quality Amazing touch points.  It feels much better than my friend's '11 Civic Si. Seats are great, I'm 5'8" 160lbs and they fit like a glove. Driving position is spot on. The driving position reminds me most of some of the dedicated track cars I've built. Radio/Nav/Sat is easy to use. I setup my bluetooth handsfree phone quickly and it's easy to use. We get free XM radio...not sure for how long, 1 month? I wish there was a USB jack in the glove box, it's on the main panel below the AC controls. Good cubby space, but no where to put a phone when plugged into the USB jack. I'll likely hack that cable and run it to the glove box.

Exterior
Wheel gap is pretty big and I think visually it could use a drop...but it feels SO good I don't want to mess with it. Body panels are all tight and aligned well. The hood is deceptively light. The engine bay has more open space than I expected. Whoever said their wasn't room for FI was crazy. The side marker lights don't blink when the turn signal is on. I'll likely re-wire that. Wheels look much darker in person than any photo I've seen. Great color and I like them much better in person. No matter how many times you've seen it at an auto show, it is smaller than you think.

Driving Impressions
I'm following the 4K RPM limit until 1000m so I've yet to get on it. The ride is firm, but not jarring. It's similar to an aftermarket lowered sport suspension on tight valved struts, or any of the more modern sports cars. It is happy to put along at 40mph in 6th with no issue. It has more torque than you think it does. Only reving to 4k it is plenty to move around town. I've been flooring it to 4K rpm a bunch and Im averaging 28.6 mpg, mixed driving. I think you should pull a solid 32-34 freeway. The shifter is crisp, short and has a great mechanical feel. It is the most accurate shifter I've felt in a car of this cost.  I can compare it to an '02 Civic Si and an '05 Mini Cooper S, and an '11 CSI all of which I've owned or driven and this is better than all three. It's a little light, but heavier than those I mentioned.  But...just a tiny bit lighter than I'd like. Great for a DD though. The clutch IS light. Again, great for a DD but lighter than I expected.

 Overall I am extremely pleased with all the basic aspects of the car. It's living up to all my high expectations, and exceeding many of them. I've owned the car for less than 24 hours and have already gotten 5 thumbs up, and two people pull out phones and take pics from their car while next to me. It looks great, and gets lots of attention. I am 100% happy with the money I spent.