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.

 

[VBhak]

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.

Spot on!!! I've lived in both Los Angeles and Phoenix (current), and this 100% applies. NO WAY would I have a CT5V-BW in LA, and possibly, not even a CT4VBW -- would likely get an Acura Integra or something of that ilk. There is too much traffic and not enough open roads to truly enjoy the vehicle as a daily driver. (I get that the weekends in LA would allow access to the mountains)

In Phoenix?? Hell, every drive can be a dragster race, and a few areas even have some slight curves. The weekends allow access to the mountains up north in the same vain as LA, hence, the CT5V-BW is the ultimate one car garage solution for us Phoenicians.

 

[Roadhawk]

Spot on!!! I've lived in both Los Angeles and Phoenix (current), and this 100% applies. NO WAY would I have a CT5V-BW in LA, and possibly, not even a CT4VBW -- would likely get an Acura Integra or something of that ilk. There is too much traffic and not enough open roads to truly enjoy the vehicle as a daily driver. (I get that the weekends in LA would allow access to the mountains)

In Phoenix?? Hell, every drive can be a dragster race, and a few areas even have some slight curves. The weekends allow access to the mountains up north in the same vain as LA, hence, the CT5V-BW is the ultimate one car garage solution for us Phoenicians.

I disagree. There are all kinds of mountains around LA with wonderful driving roads and tolerable traffic levels. LA proper - freeways and surface streets - I get your point.

 

[CT4-Venom]

I disagree. There are all kinds of mountains around LA with wonderful driving roads and tolerable traffic levels. LA proper - freeways and surface streets - I get your point.

All cars suck to drive in LA proper!

 

[Roadhawk]

All cars suck to drive in LA proper!

Generally true....back in the 80s I used to commute from Hollywood (Los Feliz) to El Segundo and I never took the Freeway. I did get stopped once by a motorcycle cop on La Cienega doing 75 in a 35. He totally let me go after seeing my ID. LOL.

Freeway driving can sometimes be exciting ...I've got a great story of having a gun pulled on me through a window and being chased by gang members in a pink lowriding BMW on the 10 going east from the 405 to the 5 where I lost them doing a left exit in the tunnel....hoping they crashed but I'll never know...At times I was going 100+ on the shoulder of the 10 then weaving in and out of traffic but I couldn't shake them...

 

[CT4-Venom]

Generally true....back in the 80s I used to commute from Hollywood (Los Feliz) to El Segundo and I never took the Freeway. I did get stopped once by a motorcycle cop on La Cienega doing 75 in a 35. He totally let me go after seeing my ID. LOL.

Freeway driving can sometimes be exciting ...I've got a great story of having a gun pulled on me through a window and being chased by gang members in a pink lowriding BMW on the 10 going east from the 405 to the 5 where I lost them doing a left exit in the tunnel....hoping they crashed but I'll never know...At times I was going 100+ on the shoulder of the 10 then weaving in and out of traffic but I couldn't shake them...

Hollywood to El Segundo? That’s quit the commute, nothing but aerospace companies over there, is that your line of work?

People drive on the 405, always is a parking lot for me. That’s a crazy story! May I ask what was the lead up to this incident?

 

[Roadhawk]

Hollywood to El Segundo? That’s quit the commute, nothing but aerospace companies over there, is that your line of work?

People drive on the 405, always is a parking lot for me. That’s a crazy story! May I ask what was the lead up to this incident?

I was an investigator for the Senate Armed Services Committee doing space warfare stuff at Air Force Space Division/Aerospace Corp etc - I had a very law enforcement looking badge and cop also recognized and noted the Space Division pass on my car and surmised I was some kind of spook. He told me to keep up the good work for the country and to try to drive a bit slower...lol.

The gun/chase incident occurred as I was returning home (to Los Feliz) from the airport after being away. I was trying to merge from the 405 onto the 10 and the pink BMW shot forward to prevent me from merging (clearly F'ing with me)....I braked hard, swung in behind him, shot forward on his left side then pulled in front of him from the other side....and it was on.

After I changed lanes they they pulled up along my passenger side and the driver rolled his window down while the passenger in the BMW front seat pointed a handgun with what looked like a long silencer across the front of the driver and out his window toward me.

I took off and they followed right on my tail through heavy traffic but with me driving on the shoulder when I could...as fast as I could. I didn't want them following me home so I passed my exit (101 freeway) went through the tunnels and took the in tunnel left exit to the 5 north....timing it to cut across 2 lanes of tight traffic....they tried to follow but didn't make it. My heart was beating like 300 beats per minute....so fast...it was all pretty intense.

Around that time there were a bunch of shootings on the freeway....mostly of slow left lane drivers....it resulted in left lane drivers being more attentive and courteous (so I was approving)....lol...but I didn't want to be on the wrong end of one of those...

 

[CT4-Venom]

I was an investigator for the Senate Armed Services Committee doing space warfare stuff at Air Force Space Division/Aerospace Corp etc - I had a very law enforcement looking badge and cop also recognized and noted the Space Division pass on my car and surmised I was some kind of spook. He told me to keep up the good work for the country and to try to drive a bit slower...lol.

The gun/chase incident occurred as I was returning home (to Los Feliz) from the airport after being away. I was trying to merge from the 405 onto the 10 and the pink BMW shot forward to prevent me from merging (clearly F'ing with me)....I braked hard, swung in behind him, shot forward on his left side then pulled in front of him from the other side....and it was on.

After I changed lanes they they pulled up along my passenger side and the driver rolled his window down while the passenger in the BMW front seat pointed a handgun with what looked like a long silencer across the front of the driver and out his window toward me.

I took off and they followed right on my tail through heavy traffic but with me driving on the shoulder when I could...as fast as I could. I didn't want them following me home so I passed my exit (101 freeway) went through the tunnels and took the in tunnel left exit to the 5 north....timing it to cut across 2 lanes of tight traffic....they tried to follow but didn't make it. My heart was beating like 300 beats per minute....so fast...it was all pretty intense.

Around that time there were a bunch of shootings on the freeway....mostly of slow left lane drivers....it resulted in left lane drivers being more attentive and courteous (so I was approving)....lol...but I didn't want to be on the wrong end of one of those...

That's a crazy story. Glad it didn't escalate any more than it did.