word Quest.

By the way have we discussed the Mazda RX8 already here? ANy thoughts?

What do you think of the Subaru BRZ Mike?  My father's thinking of buying one.  Kind of funny that he still wants a sports car, he doesn't drive hard or fast, but he just likes how they feel.  He's got an Eagle Talon now that is croaking and is already on it's second engine. 

The BRZ seems to have a lot going for it

NA engine, which is nice if you don't like the turbo jolt, which I don't and could care less about fast acceleration.  Also gets pretty good gas mileage, above 30 I believe
Good visibility- so I hear.  most cars, even small cars like the mini have terrible visibility due to the "thick body" style that everyone is obsessed with.  The BRZ has big windows compared to other cars on the market
pretty cheap
really light
Simple good looks

It's a great drivers platform no doubt.  Guess who else wants a FRS?  Craig Uthus!!  Despite getting up there and being quite tall, he's always been into light, small cars I guess.

A couple of things to be concerned with:

1-First model year-potential bugs, new QC issues, etc.
2-Is 200hp really enough for you guys?  Drive one to make sure.  280hp coming later but seems likely turbo'd even though a Super was mentioned earlier???
3-make sure you know and understand what you  get w/ a FRS versus a BRZ.
4-mixed impressions on ride and noise.  I've read those who praised the well tuned ride and relative quiet at cruise.  Others have said they got tired of the noise for long distances.  Not sure who is wrong or if it's a matter of tuning between models, countries or road variations reacting w/ the tires depending on weather which also affects suspension.  In my old modded Corolla, you could feel the shocks react differently based on the weather and temps.
5-make sure you don't need a rear seat except to fold down.
6-I wish it was 250 lbs lighter but likely it's super strong due to Subaru crash standards.  The only car company to have all it's car models 5-star rated for 3 years in a row. 

That's about it.  It's a badass platform.  Lower CG than a Porsche Cayman  equal to a Ferrari 430.  Short overhangs, under 3k lbs.  All the performance numbers run on stock Prius tires means massive room for upgrading grip.  The only dynamic concern I have is the weight distribution but hey, it's not mid-engine so let's be real.  It would have been too expensive at the price point to move the trans to rear and would have eaten all the generous trunk space to carry four track wheels and tires.  Power is easy, any moron can add power to a car.  Braking, handling and sheer weight matter most and having the manufacturer deal with those first and foremost saves a lot of time, money, pain and sorrow. 

From an audio side, it has 3 way components w/ tweeters mids and woofer which surprised me.  Plus a nice, well conceived double din ready for a after market headunit/navi w/o need for a ridiculous kit.  The steering wheel wasn't as nice as I'd like since I've gotten used to Marv's in the CT200 which was derived from the LFA.  It is the best factory steering wheel I've used in a car under $100,000.  I wish it was on the BRZ/FRS and on my MR-S!

Myself, I'm waiting for the 280hp variant w/ the 100lbs shed or a retractable hardtop Boxster.  Both cars don't exists as yet which is good for my wallet.  One of those will be my beater to the replace my Legacy GT eventually.

What is the main difference between the BRZ and FRS? I've always wondered. Is it just Flat-4 vs. I-4?
Actually a bit surprised the BRZ isn't AWD, since I thought that was part of Subaru's brand identity or wahtever.

Nope, same engine, same mechanicals, mostly.  Interior trim like dual zone climate and switch gear and headlight/fog light package along w/ aesthetic differences.  Big difference is the suspension tuning.  FRS is stiffer in the rear designed to rotate easier, BRZ is softer and a bit more compliant/less twitchy.

Here's the odd thing most people don't know.  AWD is Subie's thing but they started w/ RWD.  The boxer engine is Subie's and Porsche's thing but Toyota's first sports car was a boxer engine FR!  The Sport 800.  So, being a joint project, it makes sense historically and demand seems to indicate it makes sense economically so far.

AWD pushes you over 3200lbs automatically and makes you compete against your own WRX/STI (the next STI will likely be a return to a 2-door coupe too), so there you go.  Both had room for lighter weight FR sports car in the line-up.