7 performance cars less than $30,000, part four: Subaru BRZ

The game changer for sportscars

If Mazda produced a coupe version of the MX-5 Miata, we'd imagine it being similar to what Subaru has created with the BRZ. The two cars share the a philosophy based on rear-wheel drive, low weight and affordability—an ethos that has helped the little Mazda thrill drop-top enthusiasts and club racers for more than two decades. Expect the BRZ (and its Scion FR-S cousin) to follow a similar path and become a staple at road courses all over America.

Why? Because after two days of track testing, Autoweek editors walked away in agreement that the Subaru was the most driver-focused car of the seven-car bunch. The feedback and response through the steering wheel, tight chassis and sensational fade-free brakes entertained us lap after lap.

The 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder uses port and direct injection to produce 200 hp. Unfortunately, Subaru could only provide an automatic model for our test. On the plus side, the auto offers a decent paddle-shift mode with rev-matching for downshifts. And in speed tests, it helped return a respectable 7.21 seconds to 60 mph and covered the quarter-mile in 15.65 seconds.

Where the engine shines is at the top end of the rev range. Staying in the power is easier with the six-speed manual that we've experienced on previous drives of the BRZ, making the auto box maddening at times. We definitely recommend the three-pedal BRZ if you're shopping one.

Is more power needed? No. Would it be welcome? Absolutely. But when a car is designed from the start to have a low curb weight and a low center of gravity like the BRZ, having adequate power is all you need to make it fun.

Through the track's winding infield, cranking the well-weighted steering wheel loaded up the suspension, and the BRZ held a tight line. Changing directions happened quickly, with little body roll. If you want to kick the rear out, turn off all of traction aids and goose the throttle. There's enough grunt to rotate the back around.

The package is completed with a simple cabin, supportive seats and a comfortable driving position. And for weekend racers, Subaru says there's room to haul a set of wheels and a small toolbox with the rear seats folded down to give the coupe a practicality argument.

Simply put, the BRZ is the affordable, fun-to-drive, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe that's been missing from the market for so long. With only 6,000 coming to the United States during the first year, we predict demand easily eclipsing supply.

2013 Subaru BRZ Limited