This is typically a very busy time of year for me, and possibly for that reason… I have almost completely stopped missing the AE86. I have gotten a tonne of emails and even phone calls offering condolences… while they haven’t comforted me much, they have left me thoroughly embarrassed. I am so fickle. Truthfully, the prospect of the ZN6 (FRS/BRZ) is so intriguing to me, that when I think about AE86 my mind often quickly moves past it to Boxer engines, IRS, fresh new paint and the more definable and practical everyday experience that would come with a fresh platform.
That said… I have a huge stack of cash in my wallet, the FRS is at least two months away (mine is probably more like 6) and since I have no reason to go to the garage, I spend a lot of time browsing online for alternative ways to fill it. I’m looking at everything: MA60’s, WRX and STI, IS300, DC2 Type R, built EG’s, 4×4’s, EVO 9’s, Neon’s, Echo’s, BMW’s… even a LADA.
If I can’t hang on to my dream car though… how could I hang on to any of those for a meaningful amount of time? The one part of me that wants an AE86, wants to restore one to showroom like spec. That seems like a serious feat… and stock AE86’s are kind of gross. I think a naturally aspirated GC sedan could hold my attention for a while being small, simple, very modifiable and practical. Every turbocharged Subaru seems to disgust me except for BC Legacy’s… but they are as hard to find as a clean AE86. And then there are Honda’s… very appealing, and if you haven’t noticed, also very cheap now that the generic enthusiast has realized RWD or AWD alternatives. FWD actually doesn’t turn me off… what turns me off is that there are still a few gold flaked, fiberglassed and neoned examples from 10 years ago on the road and one day one of them might pull up beside me and want to be my friend.
Bling!
My Levin now runs. I’m going to come and do a big fat donut in your barn. And clear out the rest of your hachi crap.
But in a sombre, loving manner.
6 months is worth the wait in my opinion, if it is the car that you really want. Why settle for anything else? Or anything less?
But since you’ve mentioned GC, not sure if you’ve seen this http://cscc.speedracer.ca/forums/index.php?topic=11196.0
Might be a good fun winter car while the FRS is parked in the winter months. 😉 😉 😉
Buy an old Miata and join the hairdresser side 🙂 I bought Johnny’s old Miata, and my first event turned out to be surprisingly fun. They might be low on power, but the purity and connection to the car and road is peerless. I might be selling my S2000 — the simplicity of a Miata is compelling. Oh, and it’s cheap!
Murray, Quentin is as tall as Chris Bosh (6’9″)! As much fun and as simple as a Miata might be, fitting comfortably in it would be Q’s problem 🙂
It appears that the FRS is priced less than the BRZ from this one posted on WSC http://www.westernsubaruclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=28297.0 Do you know what sort of standard equipment is offered on the FRS? That’s a q for Q? 🙂
Regardless of the pricing… I think Toyota guys will buy the FRS and Subaru guys will go with the BRZ. Now I wonder about those car guys who are fan of neither makes, where would they swing?
Both ways Ian!!
Most will think the subie is the more sporting model, Subaru has made much more of a sports image than Toyota in the recent past. The fr-s will be thought of as the Old people sports car, like a Miata?
Paul has a time machine, but he’s shy to admit it.
The FRS is pretty bare bones, but the BRZ comes standard with HID’s and NAV for about $2000 more standard, and then the “Sport Tech Package” (I think that’s what they are calling it) adds another $3000 with fog lights, push start and a few other meaningless bits. I’ll go FRS for sure now that I’ve seen pricing, although I like the look of the BRZ a little more.
But… Celica buyer flaked today. Nonsense. I won’t say anything bad… but I am pissed.
And I’m not 6’9″ now… although I once was. I amaze my doctor. I’ve lost about 7 cm since getting married. 198cm yeah! Still not MIATA territory.
How did you go from a Chris Bosh height to a Kobe Bryant? Your build is very much like Chris Bosh though. 🙂
To a short arse like me… you’re almost a 7 footer. 😛
aye. Maybe it was too much helmet on roof action? Maybe smashing faces on door frames in Japan learned my body? The actuality is probably that I lift too much heavy shit at work and my spine is compressing. Eventually I’ll be in a wheel chair… which is fine because I don’t drive anyways. My real hobby is surfing porn.