People don't cross shop those because its like deciding between a school bus and bicycle.

You're all over the place if that's the case, make up your mind.

(and I like the BRZ, so this is in no way a negative comment about them)

I have ADD when it comes to cars.

Mainly, I want something newer/nicer/faster than my NC. I really want an STi, but I'm not sure if I REALLY want to drop $40k on a car.

In the last 5 years:

'88 325is Ground control, S52 swap, etc etc etc
'91 318is Ground controls, etc etc etc
'06 350Z
'10 Speed 3
'11 Frontier Pro-4X (I was working on a '91 325iC at the time)
'90 Miata track rat, XIDAs R888s etc etc etc
'13 Mustang GT w/Track Pack
'06 Miata Grand Touring

I haven't yet, but I plan to very soon.

Lol... ADD indeed.

In the last 5 years:

'04 PT Cruiser GT, exhaust, tune, etc...
'97 Miata
'92 Saab 900
'99 Saab 9-3
'00 Miata turbo, built motor, etc (Vlad's previous Miata)
'04 Volvo V70 (still own)
'04 Jetta TDI (still own)
'02 Chevy Monte Carlo SS (what a POS)
'02 Jetta
'05 Pontiac GTO (will always miss that sound)
'04 MSM (current)
and
'07 Honda VFR800
'06 Buell XB12R
'04 Buell XB12R

Aside from some other cars I owned just to flip, and that I've had 3 different company cars in the last 3 months.

Lulz.

Anyway.... If you want something new, go for it. One thing is for sure: resale value on the subies is insane. Since you don't keep cars long, I'd say you should go for a new WRX (non-STI) because they seem to lose value more slowly than the STi's, aside from the other factors already mentioned.

Nothing wrong with liking different cars dude, I just mean you can't really cross shop because they serve entirely different purposes.

I totally understand not wanting to drop 40k on a subaru. I would never buy a new sti for 40k, I think that's bananas, but you still gotta have a game plan in place. Buying a cheaper car cause its cheaper will suck in the long run cause it might not meet your needs, and ultimately what good is a car if its simply cheap? you'll just hate it.

I think a brz looks great, is a fun little car, and I hear they're great on track with a few minor mods. But it has no torque, and it has no space, so for most of us that makes it not ideal daily, and can't be compared to a wrx or sti.

And we cannot compare modded vs stock because that never results in anything productive.

Understand completely. I DD an NC now, so space isn't an issue.

The wife drives the V8 4Runner now, so we have the big do-it-all vehicle, so my car is purely for my own enjoyment.

I haven't driven a BRZ but I can't imagine it being better than a NC. Front and rear Strut type suspension<<<<< Double wishbone suspension.

However... You can get a BRZ for stinkin' cheap. How do I know? Because I sell them. I can do more than $2k off MSRP on one.

Add this:

Jackson Racing FR-S/BRZ Supercharger System Released | Jackson Racing

Live happily ever after.

:dunno:

I knew they were going to be 50 state legal but didn't know when. Looks like they are already. Very cool. 5k is steep but really not bad at all for a full pnp legal kit.

The twin screw kit from Innovate is also tempting, but I'm guessing this would be a ton better on track due to less heat..

OP if you don't have kids to haul around, and have a big ol 4runner for cargo carrying, I'd say this might be a cool deal for you.

Though I think if anything I'd just get the FM sc kit for your NC, which you already have.....If you go the brz/frs direction

I would imagine the rotrex results in virtually the same powerband as stock, but with more power everywhere. $5k is a lot of dough, but you can find clean BRZ's used for just over $20k or you can buy a new one for under $25k. You're still under $30k all in, which is pretty awesome given the performance you'd get.

I'd assume this also fixes the horrible flat spot in the stock BRZ powerband between 3500 and 5k rpm.

It's too bad you are far enough away that it wouldn't be worth it to buy a ticket, fly out and drive home.

I know you already said you don't want to drop 5-7k into your NC, but now I'm wondering why, if you're considering a very similar car with what would have very similar mod options. Except you already own the car, and it has a better suspension.

It would probably be smarter, but I just don't have the kind of attachment to the NC necessary to drop that kind of coin on it.

One part of it is wanting to do the occasional HPDE and the NC not having a good solution without going hardtop.

True. But if I can do it, so can the dealer near you if they want to :)

I'm suspecting they aren't selling too well out here.

One dealer still has a White "blue" edition. I'm going to go test drive one this weekend and see what I think.

This conversation spurred me to jump in an STi and go for a ride.

It was a 2012 with 7k miles on it. You know, it went pretty good, and the way it pulls through hairpin turns at WOT in 2nd gear feels like magic. But 40k? Ah, no. Feels cheap inside. That's just a LOT of money. I'd rather have a 135i (new) or 335i used, or a lightly used Porsche.

All of those cars are cooler, but don't forget about german car maint costs ;)

No more 1 series, M235i is the equivalent......starts at $44k IIRC.

And I've owned enough BMWs and been around them enough to know I wouldn't want a modern one unless it was a lease. Otherwise I'd be tempted by an 04-06 E46 M3.

OK that's it, you're going to make me do it.

2002 Honda S2000 roadster w/ turbo, 8.8" diff, upgraded trans

BAM.

Lol.

I'm just screwing around until Buddy actually goes and drives something to figure out what he wants.