Companion to BW

[DAC17]

At a lower price point, think hard about a WRX tS. Tremendous value for winter driving, will hold its value well, and way more fun than it's given credit for.

 

[+ManifoldPSI]

At a lower price point, think hard about a WRX tS. Tremendous value for winter driving, will hold its value well, and way more fun than it's given credit for.

I've had my '05 STi for nearly 20 years now, and though it's a different era of car, I would still recommend a WRX, especially for winter use. And the TS injects a little more fun, though WRXs aren't as raw and fun as they once were (what is, these days...) As long as you are okay with a lower "class" of car. But lower ownership/insurance/etc costs are an added benefit of going down a "class."

How do you like your BRZ Ts? Is '25 the year that got the updated steering? Curious if the changes are noticeable, but I imagine that would require a back-to-back comparo with a prior model year.

 

[DAC17]

I've had my '05 STi for nearly 20 years now, and though it's a different era of car, I would still recommend a WRX, especially for winter use. And the TS injects a little more fun, though WRXs aren't as raw and fun as they once were (what is, these days...) As long as you are okay with a lower "class" of car. But lower ownership/insurance/etc costs are an added benefit of going down a "class."

How do you like your BRZ Ts? Is '25 the year that got the updated steering? Curious if the changes are noticeable, but I imagine that would require a back-to-back comparo with a prior model year.

I like it a lot. You're right that, without a back to back comparison, Yes, the steering is the updated variety. I can't really know compared to prior years, but mine has great, neutral handling, the Brembo brakes are amazing (except for the dusting...) and the car is quite comfortable for me (at 6'3"). I fully understand the "down class" comment, but boy are these fun!

 

[FLYARMY]

My SUV for hauling people and packages is my Kia Telluride EX. I can't say enough about how good this car is. Great write ups as top 5 SUV from Consumer Reports. Sister car is the Hyundai Palisade. Mine has 3 rows of seats and carries 7 people and their stuff. Very good gas mileage and lots of easy to understand bells and whistles. Costs from $40-55k. Next year I might trade in my Jeep Grand Cherokee for the hybrid Telluride coming out. I drove mine from NY to CA and back and was sometimes behind the wheel for 12 hours !

 

[1Evil55]

My SUV for hauling people and packages is my Kia Telluride EX. I can't say enough about how good this car is. Great write ups as top 5 SUV from Consumer Reports. Sister car is the Hyundai Palisade. Mine has 3 rows of seats and carries 7 people and their stuff. Very good gas mileage and lots of easy to understand bells and whistles. Costs from $40-55k. Next year I might trade in my Jeep Grand Cherokee for the hybrid Telluride coming out. I drove mine from NY to CA and back and was sometimes behind the wheel for 12 hours !

I think the Telluride's look great especially all blacked out. At one point was considering one for the kids. It all went away when a buddy told me the story of the Telluride he had seen recently. Apparently directly above the Telluride was a sticker that said "I can" and directly below was "a dick." I can't un see it.

 

[sonny200]

My BIL, in Albany, NY, had a Panamera that he had dedicated snows for & had no issues with it during the winter. If I were in the market for a foul weather vehicle, I'd look very seriously at a used Panamera Turbo. Get all weather floor mats & throw on a dedicated set of snows. AWD, luxury, real room for 4 & lots of storage space. Doug DeMuro makes a very good argument for why it's a great buy at this time.

 

[+ManifoldPSI]

I like it a lot. You're right that, without a back to back comparison, Yes, the steering is the updated variety. I can't really know compared to prior years, but mine has great, neutral handling, the Brembo brakes are amazing (except for the dusting...) and the car is quite comfortable for me (at 6'3"). I fully understand the "down class" comment, but boy are these fun!

I test drove a '24 last year, I think, and I don't remember anything about the steering at all. This makes me want to test drive a '24 and '25 to see if the difference is perceptible. I have a '20 Ltd, I am curious how the GR86 TS chassis has (hopefully) improved over the GT86 Ltd. Yep, the handling is great. So flickable.

"Down class" or not they are a hoot! And cheap ownership costs with good reliability are the icing on the cake. Do you drive yours in the east coast winter weather? I am wondering how it would handle snowy roads on some good winter tires, what with it being a bit more (allegedly) torquey than the FA20.

 

[quikag]

I test drove a '24 last year, I think, and I don't remember anything about the steering at all. This makes me want to test drive a '24 and '25 to see if the difference is perceptible. I have a '20 Ltd, I am curious how the GR86 TS chassis has (hopefully) improved over the GT86 Ltd. Yep, the handling is great. So flickable.

"Down class" or not they are a hoot! And cheap ownership costs with good reliability are the icing on the cake. Do you drive yours in the east coast winter weather? I am wondering how it would handle snowy roads on some good winter tires, what with it being a bit more (allegedly) torquey than the FA20.

One of the most enjoyable to drive cars around town (and track) I've had the last many years was my '22 BRZ Limited six-speed manual. What a fun and great car. No matter the speed, it was just a joy to drive. I only traded mine because I was getting a C8 Z51 for faster track driving. But, while the C8 is more capable, the BRZ is leagues more fun to drive, especially around town.

 

[Roadhawk]

One of the most enjoyable to drive cars around town (and track) I've had the last many years was my '22 BRZ Limited six-speed manual. What a fun and great car. No matter the speed, it was just a joy to drive. I only traded mine because I was getting a C8 Z51 for faster track driving. But, while the C8 is more capable, the BRZ is leagues more fun to drive, especially around town.

I get why you went with the Vett for the track...but I think your comment about the BRZ (and similar) is spot on. Many folks (supposed driving enthusiasts) just don't seem to get it.

A few months ago I was having some car talk with some of my son's friends. He drives a modded first gen Scion 86 (toyota BRZ) thats just a hoot to drive (even if not a "fast" car per se)...they mostly drive American Muscle cars and all talk about aspiring to own a Viper or fast Corvette or such. I did my best to try to explain driving pleasure (and hassle)...but likely to deaf ears...oh well...what can you do....

 

[brewski]

I get why you went with the Vett for the track...but I think your comment about the BRZ (and similar) is spot on. Many folks (supposed driving enthusiasts) just don't seem to get it.

A few months ago I was having some car talk with some of my son's friends. He drives a modded first gen Scion 86 (toyota BRZ) thats just a hoot to drive (even if not a "fast" car per se)...they mostly drive American Muscle cars and all talk about aspiring to own a Viper or fast Corvette or such. I did my best to try to explain driving pleasure (and hassle)...but likely to deaf ears...oh well...what can you do....

I think it comes down to where you live and drive. I've been fortunate to live in mountains or hilly areas all my life. When you live in areas like that the lower powered, but lighter and more tossable cars are an absolute hoot to drive. If you live in an area with straight and flat roads, then most of the fun driving is acceleration from a light. I would image a BRZ, miata, etc would be a bit boring on some of those wide flat straight roads I see videos from texas and bread basket areas.
Without driving windy roads all the time it seems it would be easy to get into heavy big bore cars.

 

[DAC17]

I test drove a '24 last year, I think, and I don't remember anything about the steering at all. This makes me want to test drive a '24 and '25 to see if the difference is perceptible. I have a '20 Ltd, I am curious how the GR86 TS chassis has (hopefully) improved over the GT86 Ltd. Yep, the handling is great. So flickable.

"Down class" or not they are a hoot! And cheap ownership costs with good reliability are the icing on the cake. Do you drive yours in the east coast winter weather? I am wondering how it would handle snowy roads on some good winter tires, what with it being a bit more (allegedly) torquey than the FA20.

Not sure about the snowy conditions, since it won't go out in that. I have Pilot Sport AS4's on, so it will go out on cold, dry days.