Having owned both an RX-8 and BRZ, I was wondering what are people's opinions when it comes to the chassis of these 2 platforms. Any of you guys driven/owned both and if so, what are your thoughts? The BRZ/86 is lighter, but the RX-8 feels more planted imo. I'm definitely biased towards the rotary when it comes to powertrain tho lol. On the other hand, aftermarket support is way more extensive on the BRZ/86 platform, which is something I wish the RX-8 had more of. Oh, and please don't feel limited to comparing stock vs stock. There's always room for improvement no matter the platform, which is something to take into consideration as well.

 

Have not owned an 86 but met plenty on the track. Very capable cars. Don't need to do much to it, just good tires and away you go. A little underpowered, but so is the 8.

 

I drove a buddy's FRS that he'd modified with a few bolt on's. Of course I felt more torque than my RX-8 in the lower half of the RPM band, but top half of either car made me favor the 8. Didn't get to do any tight maneuvers to see how it handled, but it felt planted. Like Loki said, there's plenty of them at races, whether its a track day or an autox event.

I think if you're looking for a project car that involves bolt on modifications, you'll probably be happier with the results from a FRS/BRZ.

 

stock for stock I would take the 8 over the brz.
BRZ shifting is very sloppy
long term track build I would take the brz.(better aftermarket support)
8 still feels like the better all arounder if MPG are taken out of the equation

 

 

If I get a chance, I should try one out.

As said, BRZ/86's support is great and costs less to run. They have that torque dip stock but a header will fix that right up.

These smaller and lighter cars are better for AutoX where horsepower isn't worth too much.

I know a guy who is a really good driver that kicked butt in his BRZ and all he did was tires. He was supposedly beating some supercars on the track(though you do have to consider that most supercar owners would drive more reserved to protect their cars). The engine eventually gave out, however, and he donated it to a performance driving school. They put another engine in it and got it running again. He now drives a GT4 which is an even more capable car, but also, that's not something everyone can afford.

 

If any of you have taken a look at the upcoming 2022 BRZ, they're increasing displacement to 2.4L which has mostly gotten rid of the torque dip. Chassis rigidity is supposedly significantly increased as well. However, I think the styling on both the BRZ & 86 has continually gotten worse. Imo, the original BRZ (pre-'17 refresh) looks the best, too bad I totaled mine...

 

I geek pretty hard over Revolution's 86. No Rx8 in video but FEED FD is present. Make sure you turn on the subtitles.

Enjoy!


ps- I can't stand either of those channels posted. North American social media = vomit in mouth.

 

If only someone would go and build a 3-rotor BRZ lol...

 

I've driven the FRS/AE86 a few years ago. It's a good small RWD car that is quite fun by itself. However comparing to an RX8, the Toybaru's engine was down right thrashy and lazy. It doesn't like to rev at all. Handling was good and bests many coupes however it does not have the subtlety of the longer wheelbase RX8. When flogged hard especially on undulating roads, it gets a bit grumpy where as the RX8 simply soaks them up and continued to ask for more. Mazda did it very right with the RX8's chassis design. Very difficult to replicate unless you're in the triple figure price range, even so there's not alot that can match the civil driving manners combo with apex to apex fluidity of the RX8.

 

Completely agree - I drove the BRZ and others and agree the RX-8 was a better driving car. Bought the RX-8.

 

I mean, not a lot of cars are rev happy if you use RX-8's standards...

Again, I think you are probably experiencing the infamous torque dip the Toyobaru is known for stock. I talked to a guy with a mostly stock 86 yesterday at the track and he mentioned that he had to fight to keep the RPM above 4500 RPM, or he would dip into the torque dip rev range.

With that in mind, there is less RPM range you can work with in a BRZ, only 4500 to 7500 RPM, versus RX-8's 4000ish to 9000 RPM.

 

As the second gen specs have been released I’m really interested to see how it compares to the rx8.