Figured I would start a thread here. Should be getting here anytime in the next few weeks. The first BRZ I got right when it came out. 2013 Limited in World Rally Blue. Exactly a decade later, I ordered the same spec of the 2nd gen: 2023 Limited in World Rally Blue :lol:
I did manage to get VIP pricing, which is basically Subaru's supplier pricing. I donate $25/year to Leave No Trace (a non-profit focused on cleaning up forests and parks) and get access to it. Totally worth it.
Here's what the final numbers are going to end up being:
MSRP: $31,095
Accessories:
- Auto dimming mirror + homelink: $403
- Door scuff protector: $110
- Footwell Illumination Kit: $213
Sub total: $31,821
Delivery: $1,020
Total: $32,481
VIP Discount: -$1,776
Doc fee: $100
Certificate of Title: $150
Temp Tag: $20
Tax: $2,337
Total: $33,672
I think it's a crazy value. Outside of the BRZ/86 twins and the Miata, there really isn't any affordable RWD, manual transmission cars anymore. Even the Miata is a few thousand more. Once you get past these 2, you're looking at $50k+ for a fun car, which is a lot of money for a toy.
I don't plan on doing coilovers, wheels, and tires like usual. Going to keep this mostly stock. I did start ordering things for it already though :lol: Mostly stupid little cosmetic things
- OEM clear side markers (overnight parts from Japan yo!)
- LED Bulbs for interior lights
- Exhaust extensions (US market has the exhaust tips set really deep in the bumper for some reason. Just brings them out to match rest of the world)
- MTEC Clutch assist spring (the stock clutch feel has always been weird. This supposedly fixes it)
- 3D printed magnetic phone mount from Etsy
Probably also going to order:
- Knee pads for the center console (https://www.eightyzips.com/shop/p/civytptkuot4gzhzfsincqktvrdpa2)
- Audio upgrade (https://oemaudioplus.com/gr86-brz/)
I'll do a full detail once it gets here and put it on the battery tender until it gets warm out.
Quote from: MrH on January 25, 2023, 08:17:41 AM
Figured I would start a thread here. Should be getting here anytime in the next few weeks. The first BRZ I got right when it came out. 2013 Limited in World Rally Blue. Exactly a decade later, I ordered the same spec of the 2nd gen: 2023 Limited in World Rally Blue :lol:
I did manage to get VIP pricing, which is basically Subaru's supplier pricing. I donate $25/year to Leave No Trace (a non-profit focused on cleaning up forests and parks) and get access to it. Totally worth it.
Here's what the final numbers are going to end up being:
MSRP: $31,095
Accessories:
- Auto dimming mirror + homelink: $403
- Door scuff protector: $110
- Footwell Illumination Kit: $213
Sub total: $31,821
Delivery: $1,020
Total: $32,481
VIP Discount: -$1,776
Doc fee: $100
Certificate of Title: $150
Temp Tag: $20
Tax: $2,337
Total: $33,672
I think it's a crazy value. Outside of the BRZ/86 twins and the Miata, there really isn't any affordable RWD, manual transmission cars anymore. Even the Miata is a few thousand more. Once you get past these 2, you're looking at $50k+ for a fun car, which is a lot of money for a toy.
Congratulations, this is going to be a great joy ride car to own!
The domestic RWD pony cars (Mustang/Camaro) can be had with stick shift for well under 50 grand in V6 or 4 cylinder form.
They prolly don't drive anything like your new car though.
fun fun fun!!
Quote from: MrH on January 25, 2023, 08:17:41 AM
Even the Miata is a few thousand more. Once you get past these 2, you're looking at $50k+ for a fun car, which is a lot of money for a toy.
Yeah, my 13k mile gently used ND seemed like a great deal for like $22k (including Brembos and BBS!)
Didn't realize the BRZ was cheaper.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on January 28, 2023, 08:25:08 PM
Yeah, my 13k mile gently used ND seemed like a great deal for like $22k (including Brembos and BBS!)
Didn't realize the BRZ was cheaper.
Yeah. Even comparing Limited BRZ to a Club Miata without the brembos and BBS, it's still cheaper. If you add the Brembo package, it's pretty significant
Looks great - definitely a future collectible if it isn't already. What's the latest on the lead time?
It's been on a train since January 17th. No sign of a truck pickup yet for delivery. I should get it this month still, just not sure on the exact day.
Quote from: MrH on February 01, 2023, 10:08:15 AM
It's been on a train since January 17th. No sign of a truck pickup yet for delivery. I should get it this month still, just not sure on the exact day.
Ah, that was my life for a month. Lawl
Just saw it pop up on the delivery schedule from the trucking company! Should be delivered on Monday, so I'll pick it up sometime next week
(https://i.imgur.com/hoR92iP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QgftWjl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1i8WACH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QBDf74O.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Tl5rUiF.jpg)
nice wheel covers
yes please keep those :lol:
Love the white PPF. Very protective.
color and a stick. be still my beating heart
I hear these new ones have a number of more horse powers
:wub:
Quote from: MrH on January 25, 2023, 08:17:41 AM
I think it's a crazy value. Outside of the BRZ/86 twins and the Miata, there really isn't any affordable RWD, manual transmission cars anymore. Even the Miata is a few thousand more. Once you get past these 2, you're looking at $50k+ for a fun car, which is a lot of money for a toy.
Maintenance is likely much better with this one than many of the more expensive ones, too!
Those are pictures from my sales guy. Probably picking it up tomorrow. I told them to leave the plastic on.
Quote from: MrH on February 06, 2023, 08:15:36 PM
Those are pictures from my sales guy. Probably picking it up tomorrow. I told them to leave the plastic on.
Awesome car! Congratulations.
Consider also telling him not to slap a dealership advertisement decal on the back of the car.
Took it home yesterday and sprayed it down and removed all the plastic. I'm trying to decide if I want to tackle all the detailing myself or just pay to have it done.
It's going to be a couple hundred bucks to get all the materials. If that's the case, I probably want to do the other cars too to justify the expense. But then the idea of paint correcting the black RDX is nightmare fuel :lol: So I'm leaning to just taking them all to a local guy.
The break in period for this is going to be rough. <4k RPM for 1,000 miles. It's geared pretty short, so it's a lot of shifting. Overall, it's better than I remember from the test drive. Interior is really nice for the price point.
But buffing out black paint is the most satisfying of all colors. Even if it doesn't turn out "perfect."
Quote from: giant_mtb on February 08, 2023, 09:14:43 AM
But buffing out black paint is the most satisfying of all colors. Even if it doesn't turn out "perfect."
Actually, can you tell me what you think of this guy's prices? I thought they were all really reasonable.
https://www.affordabledetailing.net/
$1000 for a full paint correction + ceramic coating on a black SUV seems like a steal.
Quote from: MrH on February 08, 2023, 09:24:06 AM
Actually, can you tell me what you think of this guy's prices? I thought they were all really reasonable.
https://www.affordabledetailing.net/
$1000 for a full paint correction + ceramic coating on a black SUV seems like a steal.
Does seem reasonable, considering what some places charge for ceramic coating.
1000 miles? Eesh. Time for a road trip.
That is a nice color
Alright, decided to go with this detailing guy. I like him, total straight shooter.
It's going to be a detailing bonanza. Outback gets a cheap detail first, then BRZ gets a ceramic coating, then the RDX. Should be much easier to keep these things clean after we get to that point.
A good reset works wonders. Just gotta maintain it. I recommend a full detail at least once a year. Twice a year if you can swing it (or just DIY).
Paint correction every ~2 years depending on color and condition. It's a lot easier to do a single-stage correction with a light-cut compound every year or two than it is to battle through 5 years of built up scratches/swirls.
Yep. Once I got the S2000 ceramic coated, it was super easy to keep looking nice. I could use Optimum No Rinse wash, clean the whole car in 15-20 minutes, and it looked great.
Any thoughts on putting a conventional wax on top of a ceramic coating? I figure that'll be an easy way to keep things looking nice.
Won't hurt, will help maintain that deep wet finish. Go for it.
Edit: ask your detailer the same question. Curious what he says...if he's a straight shooter he'll give you the same answer as me.
The dude has been pretty awesome to deal with so far. I explained the RDX to him and wanting a full paint correction. He asked if it was a daily, and said that honestly, just do a single stage paint correction. He said it will probably get 90%+ of any imperfection out. It wouldn't be worth doing a ton of deep cutting to get it absolutely perfect just to put it through the daily grind. He's willing to do it if I want to, but recommended going cheaper. That's probably a few hundred bucks of work he could do, but knew it's not worth it unless it's some concours car.
That's legit. He's definitely correct on that front. Single stage with a finish of wax or other coating/sealant is adequate for 99% of DD vehicles and is amazing to most people's eyes.
Finally met the dude yesterday. Great guy, really pragmatic view of detailing. I think he realized being a perfectionist isn't really the money play here. Being easy to work with and schedule and competitive pricing.
Really happy with how the Outback and BRZ turned out. BRZ isn't perfect, but for <$1k, it's the best I can expect. The RDX was in process yesterday. He's not going to get it perfect, but it'll look really good when it's done. Just the nature of a not properly maintained, used, black car with piano black pillars.
Finally got all the cars through the detailer. It's not perfect, and probably not quite as good of work as the guy I used for the S2000 paint correction and ceramic coating, but he was about half the price so I'm very happy with the results. The RDX had a ton of clearcoat scratches from just being a black, used car and came out better than I expected.
(https://i.imgur.com/54064GP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HlmcyUk.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4AH8f5h.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8nysd1o.jpg)
Mods so far:
- Phone mount
- Exhaust tip extenders
- JDM OEM clear corner markers
- Some LEDs in certain areas of the cabin and trunk just for better lighting
I'm closing in on 600 miles. A few impressions so far:
- I absolutely love the color and looks. I smile every time I see it
- The interior design is perfect for what it is. No piano black. Just lots of great, matte plastics. Very usable design and all the creature comforts I could really want in a car like this (blind spot monitoring, CarPlay with a responsive head unit, nice digital dash layout, heated seats, good headlights, etc)
- Way more comfortable and quieter than the S2000. The wife doesn't even mind riding in it, which says a lot. It doesn't beat me up nearly as much as the S2000 did commuting in it.
Negatives:
- The sound system is kind of weird. Most newer music it sounds really good? Incredibly bassy for not having a subwoofer. But some older albums sound god awful. Everything is really muddy and unrecognizable. It's strange. Most podcasts are fine, but sometimes there are guests and words that end in S are overly harsh. There's an audio upgrade available I'm considering, but it's $500.
- The car is geared relatively short. Keeping this thing <4k rpm for break-in has been difficult. Can't wait for it to be over.
- Clutch feel is just like the 1st-gen, which is weird to say the least. It has this massive helper spring that's variable. As you depress the clutch, the force required is all over the place. Makes the whole experience strange. I bought a clutch spring that everyone says solves the issue, I just need to install it. Looks like a huge pain in the ass
- Shifter feel is just ok. Not Miata or S2000 level, but better than the 1st gen.
- The rev hang is pretty bad. I think once I get the clutch spring worked out, I'll probably get used to it, but it feels really unnatural to get off the gas so early when shifting.
https://youtu.be/8gvS3n8wI9Y
Holy shit. What a terrible design. I really don't understand why they would do this.
Finally wrestled the clutch spring out yesterday and replaced it with a much lighter one. It's like a whole new car. It feels normal for the first time.
Also swapped out the speakers with a set from OEM audio plus. Just listened in the garage quickly and they sound a lot better. Guess I'll see tomorrow on the drive to work.
https://oemaudioplus.com/gr86-brz/
Quote from: MrH on June 25, 2023, 07:04:34 PMhttps://youtu.be/8gvS3n8wI9Y
Holy shit. What a terrible design. I really don't understand why they would do this.
I could only guess that the spring helping to make sure the clutch pedal is all the way "up" is to prevent wear on the clutch from people who hover their foot on the pedal. You have to be deliberate to push on the clutch- but then the spring helps reduce the work you have to do.
But it seems like an artificial "nanny" that just isn't needed.
That is super strange. Good to know it's a fairly easy fix. The clutch was one of the biggest reasons I prefer the ND Miata over a BRZ.