[alvitdk]

Hi guys, with my car being out of warranty, well still some CPO power train until 10/2014 left, I am looking in getting into something cheaper (just in the process of building a new house ) and the Subaru/Scion keeps popping up into my mind.
Did anybody test drive it, any thoughts?

Thanks

[b1aze]

A lot of people say its the new Miata as far as handling and driving experience. It seems like a sweet ride if it works for you! Just lacking in the power department but coming from a 128i, it may not be that far off.

[Colt]

When I was toying around with the idea of getting a different car I was looking at Subaru's and getting quotes. When I put 10,000 down, @ 2.9% for 36 months they want about $472 a month. My BMW currently costs me $220 a month with the loan I have for it. Subaru just wants too much money for their cars

[vertebra]

I like the the BRZ. Only thing that is the killer is no sunroof option and it looks a little too similar to the Hyundai Genesis coupe.


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[kits135i]

I have test drove both the Scion and The Subby. I found it a bit (ok quite) boring. It seems to handle OK, but really lacks in power. If you track a lot with lots of turns and you don't like Lotus then this will be your car. I understand the car was not built for power and straight line speed. However it needs more than it has now. The Subby's quality if definitely better than the Scion and worth the little extra it cost for the name if you feel the car is right for you.

In short there was no WOW factor for me.

[MightyMouseTech]

Phenomenal handling....... just a little short on power as others have said. Probably still an improvement in power/weight over the 128.

[gregthegr8]

I am in the same boat as you, was looking for a cheaper solution to a nice, sporty coupe and there isn't much out there for a reasonable price. Best options I found were the BRZ and the newly re-designed accord v6 coupe. Both are 30K fully loaded and haven't driven either, but I went and looked at and sat in the BRZ. The BRZ LOOKS amazing, and the seats are comfortable, but a few things about that interior I just couldn't get past. The interior is really cheap. The two main offenders are that there is no center arm rest. Instead, it's an open bin that has the plastic drop in tray for the cupholders and stuff. Was incredibly ugly and uncomfortable. A lot of people have had to come up with their own solutions to put a lid on it.

The other main thing that bothered me, which is minor, is that there are no steering wheel controls for voice recognition or the radio. My trans am in 1993 had steering wheel radio controls!

Couple that with the fact that the subaru dealers act like the BRZ is a ferrari and some places are still trying to charge over MSRP, their rates aren't that good, and one place I went to wouldn't even let me drive it unless I was sure I wanted to buy it. I said, how could I know unless I drive it?! So, haven't driven it and in the end, with the great rates and deals available from BMW, I opted to order a 135is.

I think the accord v-6 coupe was really nice, seemingly pricey, but comes with a 278hp v6 that i'd much prefer over the brz engine and the interior was amazing. Granted it's front wheel drive, but a nice looking sporty coupe.

Here's a pic of the frs/brz interior to see what i'm talking about, and a nice high def video of the accord v6 coupe from the LA auto show that might help.

[MLSavage]

The next obvious question is how much will it cost you to upgrade the power?

I seriously thought about it as well but it's the same price as I paid for my 135, that made it a non-decision for me. Even after factoring in the upgrades I wanted for my E82. If the BRZ came perfect as stock it would have been tougher.

[alvitdk]

Thanks all for the reply, money wise I never financed, bought the BMW cash as a CPO. I would be able to get the BRZ limited (does have a armrest ) for invoice at 27,350.-

Power wise I thought it is about on par with the 128i, and fine for me, not tracking or so. Was also looking at the Nissan 370Z, but two seats might be too limiting.

Well, I guess I just have take a test drive if I can, I did try the Genisis and was not a fan.

[gregthegr8]

I'd be happier in a really low mileage CPO 1-series than BRZ in the end.

How is there an armrest though, that's interesting!

BRZ frustrates me cause it's such a beautiful car, but wish the interior was nicer, that clock needs to go, and needs 250 hp. I tend to not like those smaller, high revving engines, but that's just my taste. Would love to hear your thoughts after a test drive though.

[ilikebmxbikes]

+1 to subaru dealers acting like the BRZ is a ferrari. Both the FRS and BRZ are great cars that are already gaining a ton of aftermarket support. Supposedly there is a TRD supercharger in the works for the FRS. Subaru has the BRZ STI in development and to corner that area of the market, i have a feeling toyota will not factory equip a super or turbo charger.

[gregthegr8]

Ya, last time I looked at a dealer here in LA, they still had a $7,000 markup over MSRP and on principle I would NEVER do that and defeats the entire purpose of that car. It's laughable. I drive up in a $60,000 S5 to look at their $30,000 car and won't even let me test drive it? Thanks, but no thanks. Was seriously mind boggling and very off-putting.

My issue with the BRZ STi, if and when it comes out is it'll be even closer in price to a 135i, and looks like they're putting a very ricey-looking 3 foot tall spoiler on it as well.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Scion does not mark up their cars. i think the scion dealer wanted 24,500 for the frs they had on the showroom in sf.

[gregthegr8]

Same experience here. The scions weren't being marked up and their dealers were much better to deal with.

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

Scion does not mark up their cars. i think the scion dealer wanted 24,500 for the frs they had on the showroom in sf.

[Judge]

As previously mentioned a turbo version is expected in the near future which isn’t surprising since EVERY review of the FRS/BRZ is on the lines of “This is the greatest car ever, if only it had a little more power..."

[drufe]

Good timing on this post. My lease on my 135 is coming up at the end of this year and I was doing a lot of research on what my next car would be. The BRZ/FRS kept coming up as it has been hyped a lot in the media and I definitely like the look of it as well as many of the aftermarket goodies they already have for them. I actually drove to a local dealer here a few weekends ago with the idea of trading in my 135i for a BRZ. If they would have offered me a decent deal on the trade-in, I probably would have gone for it. Thank God, they low-balled me and kept trying to convince me that the BRZ was an Enzo. When I test drove it, the salesman kept giving me this wry smile and asking me how awesome this car is and I finally leveled with him and said this is one of the most underwhelming driving experiences I've ever had. The lack of power was just way too much. I'm not kidding when I say my wife's Kia SUV would hang with it from a red light. The handling was good but you'd want some aftermarket suspension bits to get it great. As mentioned above the lack of technology/interior goodies was really off-putting to me. I mean, no freaking arm rest?? I just couldn't give up so much that I have with my 135 and move backwards with the BRZ. I would have regretted it every time I sat behind the wheel. Leaving that dealership, my mind was so at ease having decided to go ahead and buy my 135 at the end of the lease and keep it for many more years. I've since invested $3-4k in some cosmetic and suspension improvements to make it new again to me (wasn't really necessary but keeps it fresh) and this car just puts a huge smile on my face every time I drive it even after 2+ years (that's an eternity to me with how quickly I go through cars).

The BRZ/FRS could be a great car but it needs more power, so if they actually do come out with an STI version or turbo/super-charged FRS, that could change things some but that will come with a higher sticker price and they seem to be able to continue selling them above MSRP, so at the end of the day, I don't think the ROI is there when comparing it to the 1'er.

[MightyMouseTech]

FBM Turbo Kit:

This should do the trick..

[the1andonly]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Phenomenal handling....... just a little short on power as others have said. Probably still an improvement in power/weight over the 128.

How can you say that...you drive a 135? Totally disagree...I own a manual 128i and drove a manual BRZ...the power of the BMW destroys the BRZ...stock the BRZ sounds better...handling is a wash

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

How can you say that...you drive a 135? Totally disagree...I own a manual 128i and drove a manual BRZ...the power of the BMW destroys the BRZ...stock the BRZ sounds better...handling is a wash

Interesting. They are both rated at 200 hp, but the FRS/BRZ is much lighter. You do have to rev the hell out of the flat four to get that power though. A lot less low end torque. May be why the BMW feels faster??!?

[gregthegr8]

The 128i is 230hp, not 200, so has more, though weighs a lil more, but is also a v6 vs flat 4.

[08LMB135i]

Cheap interiors, seating position does not go low enough for us tall people, back seat is not suitable for anyone over the age of 3, trunk is tiny, underpowered, but the trade off is its cheapish.

[the1andonly]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

The 128i is 230hp, not 200, so has more, though weighs a lil more, but is also a v6 vs flat 4.

128 has an inline 6, BRZ has a boxer 4 setup