WOW. A lot of responses that really surprise me. I guess there's some truth to the statement that growing old isn't for wimps. I'm 78. I drive a Miata and if things go as I plan I'll have one of the Toyobaru twins in a day or two. My wife is only 73 and agrees with my choice.

I'm 25 and I find it is hard to get in and out of my FR-S, but thats the price you pay to drive a sports car.

you're probably sitting too close to the steering wheel?

That's sooooo low.
I think the sure way to find out is to bring your mother to a dealer and have her try sitting down in it.
Also, if you're planning to keep your Miata, then I'd say you have more to lose than gain by replacing your Yaris with FR-S/BRZ.

I don't understand what it matters how close I sit to the steering wheel? Its hard to get out mostly because its so low to the ground. Im 5'11 and keep the seat pretty far back but I telescope the wheel all the way towards the back.

But in race mode I always scoot the seat forward and the seat back into the investment banker position. So my face is close as possible to the windshield So I can see more of the road.

I'm the same height, got no problems/difficulties .. same positioning from the sounds of it.
maybe your technique getting in? :X
I was suggested trying butt first sideways then rotating into the car, found it to be pretty simple.

I don't see how that is possible since the 86 has only 4.5 inches of ground clearance to begin with unless you're draggin' parts!

That said, I can tell you that FatherInLawHawk who has some mobility issues cannot get in and out of my FR-S. Since they live near us and we often do things together that is one (of several) reasons we recently purchased the '04 Suburban shown in my Owner's Journal.

You have to be pretty limber to get in and out of the 86 regardless of age.

My parents are 60 with no mobility issues, but it's a huge effort for them to get in and out. I'm 29 and quite athletic, I have no issue getting out when it's parked outside, but inside my small garage it still takes me 2-3 seconds to climb out (although it's probably because I'm anal about not getting the trim dirty with my shoe).

Well this is only a guess. Maybe my lowered Miata is about the same height. But its low enough that I am looking up at most lowered Civics. :)

-- J

Responding to everyone who is talking about getting and out of the FR-S. I am 6'2.5" tall and the 1990 Miata I have now (had it for only a few weeks) is technically too small for me. But there is juuuuuust enough leg room for me to safely drive the car. I agree that you need to be limber to get in and out of a low sports/sporty car. With the Miata I swing out my left leg, rotate my body, right leg out and stand up. I do the same thing in reverse with the top up. With the top down, I just grab the window brow with my left hand, the seat with my right, and lower myself down, right leg under the wheel and foomp, in the seat, pull door closed, start car, drive away. haha.

Thanks again for all the feedback. Sounds like the FR-S is NOT going to be a good fit for carting my mom around on a regular basis, but thankfully it's not too often and she still has the Corolla. I think I will just drive her around in her own car when she is not feeling up to getting in and out of the FR-S.

-- Jason

Bravo, sir!

I just went for a ride in my friends FRS...man its bumpier than my m3 lol.

I can't imagine it's any harder than the TRD struts/springs/swaybar in my Yaris. And certainly not at hard as the Tokeko HP's and Tenabe spring combo I had on that before. Like riding on bump stops.

So, I was talking with a friend of mine, he (as some of you have suggested) said the BEST thing to do, if I have to have 2 cars is keep the Yaris, even if it delays the FR-S, it DOES make the most sense. I am not counting on it, but if I get a bonus at the end of the year I will have plenty for a down payment.

Another question: If I order the FR-S in say January, and it takes 2 months to show up and I have saved up more of a down payment, can I renegotiate the auto loan? Or do they not even bother with that until after the car is delivered to the dealer?

-- Jason

I am fairly certain this is SOP but I did not sign any financing arrangements until delivery of the vehicle, which makes sense since you are not in possession of the car so why would you be forced to pay for it ahead of time? Also, rates can change significantly enough in this environment.