2017 Mustang GT Premium or New 2024 Subaru BRZ

General Discussion
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I got a lot of good info in a Mustang GT Premium or Shelby GT350 thread, so I decided to ask for some advice and opinions on either a low mileage '17 Mustang GT Premium (37k miles) or a new '24 Subaru BRZ.

I am hoping I can get the BRZ below invoice due to a '24 still being on the lot in December.

The Mustang, well it is used and it may have problems that won’t surface until after owning it for a little while. If I go with the Mustang, it will mean a trip to a body shop before purchase to check for any frame or body damage, or bondo work.

The Mustang, wow, 435 HP, a 0-60 of 4.3 to 4.5 seconds with a manual and if the speed limiter is removed a top speed of 183 mph (and that would DEFINITELY by on the track, and track ONLY). The car is loud, very attractive and handles good, but I would not feel as comfortable on hairpins or roads with sharp curves as I would the Subaru. The back seat situation however favors the Mustang over the Subaru.

The '24 Subaru BRZ is new, so no trips to the body shop are needed. However, even with it being new, I could end up with a lemon, although that is unlikely with a Subaru. I get 2.4 liter 4 cyclinder pushing at 228 hp 184 pounds of torque. 0-60 of 5.7 to 6.0 with a manual top speed 140 mph with limiter - and given the HP and torque, even if the limiter is removed I might get 145 to 148 mph. While the Mustang has a big power advantage, the BRZ handles amazingly well, takes sharp curves really good. Subaru built the 2.4 liter heavy duty and rugged knowing that many people will add turbo or super chargers to them. For me, I would add Works level 2 turbo, adding 90 hp and 90 pounds of torque - they are compliant with passing smog tests. 318 hp 284 lbs torque for that Subaru and wow, it’s going to significantly reduce 0-60 time and give a boost to top speed.

While it may appear I am sold on the BRZ, the '17 Mustang GT Premium is still strong contender.

So, what are your thoughts? Also, while I really like the GT Premium, it is just not going to be able handle the tight curves like a BRZ, if I am wrong about this, please let me know. I am seriously undecided between these 2 cars.

As always thank you for any and all replies

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Well, first of all, it’s much more fun to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car in normal traffic.

Second, all this talk about “top speed of 183 mph” on the Mustang, or “145 to 148 mph” on the BRZ misses the point–even if the car can go that fast, can it handle safely at those speeds? Are the brakes and tires suitable for those speeds? Are you capable of staying in control of your vehicle at those speeds?

Third, modern vehicles store a lot of data, which is inaccessible without the factory scan tool, and cannot be erased without hacking the PCM. If you use the vehicle for racing, this will be permanently stored in the PCM, and if there should be any issues which you think would be covered by the factory warranty, you will likely see the claim denied due to racing.

Personally, if I wanted a sports car, I’d look for something like a classic 1990s Dodge Shadow, Toyota Celica, Honda Prelude, Ford Probe, Chevrolet Beretta, Saturn SC2, etc. These kind of cars are fun to drive, and even though they can’t go faster than maybe 110 mph, they feel fast, and look good doing it!

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That is a lot of talk for a calculated 5.8 psi pf boost…

Why not buy an older real WRX STI with proven performance??

Another thing to worry about is insurance rates…

Mustangman and FoDaddy (I am sure a few more) are your track guys and both have/had mustangs and I am sure seen the Subie’s run on the track also…

Me, I would go and hang out at the track you plan on being your home track a few times or much more and watch how well/bad they handle in the twistys and straights… and then go talk to the drivers (don’t bug them) or at least hang out close and hear what they have to say in the pits… You can learn a lot keeping your mouth shut and just paying attention to what is going on, like problems they are having… Try to find vehicles that will be at your level, not much use hanging with a $250K+ pro race car when you will be driving a $25K car…

As far as top speed, that doesn’t matter, if racing cones in a large parking lot… It will be hard to hit top speed at some (alot?) tracks… You will have to have what at least a mile or two straight to hit 180 mph and then a slow down amount before cornering???
With a 27.3" tire if OEM is 235/50R18 and I am guessing a 3.31:1 rear gear, and trans in a 1.0:1 ratio gear (whatever gear that is) you will have to be turning 6000 rpms to hit 147mph on a good day with 100% efficient engine, zero slip and zero aero drag (if I figured it right)…

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You can say bye-bye to your engine and transmission warranty coverage if you modify a new car with a turbocharger.

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You could probably buy an old short bed anything truck, junk yard LS swap it, whatever trans, 9" rear, cheap turbo kicking 1200HP with a good suspension, tires and roll cage, who cares about the paint and loads a head money wise, kick some butt and have a blast with it…

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The Mustang… ain’t no way you will see 183 mph at any racetrack in a stock Mustang. Sebring has a looong back straight and I only see 138 mph before I have to climb all over the brakes to make the turn at the end.

Mustangs consume a lot of expensive parts as a track car. A full, set of track brake pads is $450. Similar for a good set of rotors. Good track capable tires are $300…each! Both wear pretty fast. And they consume a lot of fuel at the track. 7 mpg. I have to re-fuel at the lunch break.

The BRZ is a great track car and perfect to learn without a turbo. Brakes and tires last longer and are cheaper.

As @bcohen2010 posted… it is fun to drive a slow car fast. And as I posted, the best track car is paid for and out of warranty.

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If you want to race it, get something past the warranty. If you like the BRZ look at the Toyota 86, they are the same car.

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… or the Scion FR-S. All are identical, except for the logo.

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Don’t like subie boxer motors. They are fragile.

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Thank you, all of you for the info and time you put into the replies. Much appreciated. If I get the the Subaru which is most likely, I am gonna wait until the 5 year/60k are up before adding the Turbo.

Regardless of what car I get hopefully I will be able to post a pic of it here.

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You’d never see that kind of speed on a track. Certainly not a road course, and even on a huge superspeedway like Talladega you’d never see it either. The real world top speed of a stock S550 Mustang GT is around 163 MPH. For context, the 2024 Dark Horse with the A10 mind you, only got up to 146 MPH on VIR’s grand course during the C&D Lightning Lap test. Likewise, the 2022 BRZ (mechanically similar to the 2024) managed 127 MPH in the same test. Most aren’t as long or as fast (peak speeds) as VIR). Hypothetical numbers are fun, but outside of Nardo, or the Silver State Classic you’ll never see them.

As for which car you should buy, it’s 100% personal preference. I daily a FBO S550 Mustang GT. But my 1974 Triumph TR6 is a more fun and interesting car to drive to me. It’s much slower, but requires more TLC and you feel everything. I wouldn’t want to use it a primary means of conveyance, as it’s not exactly reliable, not very comfortable, lacks most modern amenities, and the odds of actually making it to your destination are never a given . But it’s a car that provides a driving experience that you can’t get with modern vehicles. With that said, I wouldn’t track the TR6, but I would, and have tracked the Mustang. In your case the BRZ is probably going to be the more engaging car to drive. It’s always fun to drive a slower car fast. As for the FA24 being “heavy duty” and rugged. It’s reputed to be more temperamental than old EJ25 found on the older STi’s. Particularly when it comes to adding forced induction to the N/A variant (FA24D). Though adding another 90 HP probably is doable and won’t compromise reliability drastically.

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I’m with all the rest …

  1. While any modern “Performance” car (and most of the other modern cars) has much higher HP “on paper”, you’ll never be able to use it on the road legally, safely or sanely on the road.
  2. Further, a “Sports Car” like the BRZ, etc. provide a much more engaging road experience. Instead of being “cocooned” and cosseted you’ll actually be able to “feel” the road and “drive” the car instead of simply being a passenger.
  3. And as far as “Track Days” goes, modifying and campaigning something like a Miata or MGB at SCCA events will provide all the excitement you could ever want without draining your wallet.

And a nod to FoDaddy, had a TR6 too and loved it. On weekends on a country road it was like slipping into my “sports car suit”, just me and the road. .