FR-S/BRZ or Veloster Turbo? (Page 1/2)
Curlrup OCT 16, 03:20 PM
Looking for a reasonable fun car for my wife that we can put some miles on. So FR-S/BRZ or Veloster? She has an 07 V-^ Mustang now but would like to get something smaller. She can hardley get the clutch down with the seat all the way forward in her Mustang.
thesameguy OCT 16, 07:02 PM
Man, those are two totally different cars! An tuned-up economy hatch versus a fairly serious sports car. FWD vs. RWD. Turbo vs. high strung NA. I'd honestly say that choice would have be purely emotional, because there is almost no common ground between those cars. The Veloster has a crappier ride and worse handling but substantially better fuel economy and is tangibly roomier in the cabin and trunk. Straight line performance is similar, I guess, but the FT86 would dominate the Veloster anywhere that curves are involved. If the measure is purely commuter/grocery getter, I'd give the nod to the Veloster for its superior gadget loadout, roominess, and fuel economy, but the more performance you need in the mix the more difficult that decision becomes.

I'll disclaim up front that I love the Veloster, especially in turbo form - I've been trying to talk myself into buying one for most of 2013. But it's just not good enough to get money out of my wallet. I think the ride is typical Korean Sporty, so firm to the point of harsh without actually winning anything in actual performance. I keep hoping some tuning company will come out with a kit that fixes its ride, but so far no dice - maybe a function of it having a torsion beam suspension that nobody knows how to tune. Anyway, despite my love for the Veloster and what it represents, my $20k, right now, would go 100% to a Fiesta ST. That is a marvelous car. It trumps the Veloster Turbo in every measurable way, and gets you close to FT86 performance in the process. You give up a small amount of cargo room (but not much, and we're talking academic loss, not functional IMHO) but gain so much in terms of dynamics and handling it's almost mind blowing. You also get four real doors, which is a reasonable convenience. Personally, I think the FIesta ST hits so many bulletpoints - practicality, performance, economy - that it'd be impossible to shop for a sporty small car and it not be Top Three.
carnut122 OCT 16, 07:49 PM
Focus ST.
RWDPLZ OCT 16, 07:51 PM
Between the FR-S and the BRZ, I'd pick the BRZ because of the nicer interior and better features. Drove the FR-S manual and auto, manual was better, didn't care for the flappy paddles. Finally drove a WRX so I'm sure I want the BRZ, just want to build up a good down payment before I go over to the dealer.

Wouldn't even consider the Veloster. If you just want a sporty FWD, there are lots of better options.
thesameguy OCT 17, 12:46 PM

quote
Originally posted by carnut122:

Focus ST.



The Focus ST is bigger and faster, but the Fiesta is the better drive, hands down.
craigsfiero2007 OCT 17, 03:51 PM
I have owned a 12 Focus (Non ST) and it rides nice and has a good amount of room for a small hatchback. If you want speed, comfort, and space, get the Focus ST. If you want a nimble compact car with some space, get the Fiesta ST. I have driven both the Focus and Fiesta and the Fiesta handles better and is pretty comfortable for a compact car, but the Focus has more room. The Fiesta ST is a hot little hatch and you can build those Turbo 4cyl up some to make some crazy numbers.
Raydar OCT 21, 12:25 AM
I lust after a BRZ. All the enthusiast mags say that it's as good as a Miata, only a bit larger, and with a back seat and a roof.
We also own a Miata. Love it.
Dburger OCT 24, 04:32 PM
I vote Veloster turbo, so you'd have something that people don't appreciate (when they should).

[This message has been edited by Dburger (edited 10-24-2013).]

MyDream88GT OCT 24, 10:57 PM
My girlfriend has a new non turbo Veloster and it a fantastic car. I wouldn't go with the BRZ just for the fact the MPG sucks. Gas prices are only going to keep going up. I actually kicked around the idea of getting a turbo myself but I would rather have my Fiero finished and no car payment.

[This message has been edited by MyDream88GT (edited 10-24-2013).]

Fformula88 OCT 25, 09:44 AM
I wouldn't let fuel mileage be the deciding factor.

The EPA combined figures for the automatics of each are identical (28), and just a little less for the manual BRZ compared to the manual Veloster (25 vs 28).

Even if the Subaru got 3 mpg worse in real world driving, driving 1000 per month would mean the Subaru burned 4.3 more gallons of fuel.

I would not let that kind of mileage difference cause me to settle on the car I felt was my second choice If the lower mileage car was my first choice.