First 1,000 Mile Review. Hope it helps potential buyers.

[Saab2Frs]

Actually, the biggest problem with the car is that it came with a license plate holder drilled into the front bumper! I have an NC plate and didn't need the front holder, but, of course, damn dealerships drill them in anyway. Anyone have ideas about what I can do short of getting it fixed at a body shop, which will cost $$$. I was thinking of being cheap and doing an "86" plate.

[Capstan]

Originally Posted by Saab2Frs

Actually, the biggest problem with the car is that it came with a license plate holder drilled into the front bumper! I have an NC plate and didn't need the front holder, but, of course, damn dealerships drill them in anyway.

The salesman where I bought mine made a special point to ask me if I wanted the front drilled for a plate so I had the opportunity to decline and installed a Perrin offset plate instead. Its something potential buyers should consider paying attention to for sure.

I have a BRZ with all the options, yes it was $5k more than the base FRS but there are many little features that make it worth the money I think. The interior lights come on when I walk up to it, and I never have to take my keys out of my pocket to open, lock it, get into the trunk, or start it. Nav display and upgraded sound with satellite, HD radio, and bluetooth phone integration. Spiffy running and fog lights, bright headlights but not blinding other drivers. Garage door opener integrated with the rear view mirror. These may not be particularly special things for some people but I hadn't owned anything at this level before. I expect it will all be standard tech for cars in a few years.

I was deeply skeptical about the car when I put in my order (6 month wait) and was prepared to reject it when it came in. I asked for and received a "take it home and bring it back tomorrow" test drive. I put 100 miles on it that day so it wasn't even feasible to take it back, lol. Smallish trunk but I have packed this thing full of groceries, camping gear, you would be surprised what it will hold. It ain't no Miata trunk.

Its a super good car if you enjoy a fine driving vehicle that's relatively affordable, and will carry you and one pretty girl around in style. On the other hand if you are bloating an SUV down the road with your cellphone to your ear all the time and think that's the high life like most of the people on the road with me, this ain't it for you.

[Saab2Frs]

Capstan, I wish the dealership had offered me the option for the front license plate. I didn't notice until the other day that that holder has 4 nuts in it, not two. I was upset to find that, because I planned to just remove it, paint of the bolts and be done with it, but then I saw two more nuts. Wtf man? It should always be an option to have a bolted license plate holder. They do have kits out there which have 0 bolts. It ruins the car.

[chutrain]

I made it a point that the car had no holes when I picked it up. You can pick up some plugs at the hardware store, or there are plate bars that a few aftermarket companies sell.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by Chad

Interesting but I still don't understand why people expect production designs to be anything close to a concept. I've never personally seen a concept for any car that looks anything remotely similar to the production vehicle. I would have to say the opposite here, the styling turned out really well and it turns heads.

Not sure what the reviewers are really talking about when they say its styling is dull. Maybe because they're comparing it to the designs of the high end scale which I have heard before as well...
Just my 2cents, as you said it's subjective i suppose.

I have to say I am not here being a **** and arguing just chatting.
In terms of concept cars, most other cars get one concept usually no one pays attention to it. This car had I believe 3-4 different concepts, and they dragged it out for so long.

So I was expecting A LOT more, when the final production model landed, so much of the car screamed low rent. It does look very budget oriented, when you get up close and namely inside it's even more clear. (Tail lights, plastics, bumpers, sheet metal)

So as mentioned this has a few pros and cons. I totally ruled out the car when it launched because I wanted something more, S2000/Elise and was willing to pay. However, after dealing with having a few sports cars that rotted in the garage in the winter, I did not want that anymore.

So I looked at the price and said screw it, I will drive it year around, it's cheap and everything comes apart on the car like a children's toy so its easy to work on.

(I know this is not a cheap car for some of the younger crowd, no offense and for others its kind of a dream car. But its almost compact car cheap.)

[Chad]

Fair enough I see where you're coming from now. For me it's a dream car because it looks good and most importantly RWD low center of gravity proper sports car that's affordable for me right now. Hopefully the rumored Toyota Supra will be more up your alley. I would agree with you on the Elise, my ultimate dream car or a Porsche 911. I was ecstatic when reviewers were saying that the handling characteristics were close to the Elise (not quite as much feedback though) and that the gearbox was up there with Porsche's.

Originally Posted by Dezoris

I have to say I am not here being a **** and arguing just chatting.

In terms of concept cars, most other cars get one concept usually no one pays attention to it. This car had I believe 3-4 different concepts, and they dragged it out for so long.

So I was expecting A LOT more, when the final production model landed, so much of the car screamed low rent. It does look very budget oriented, when you get up close and namely inside it's even more clear. (Tail lights, plastics, bumpers, sheet metal)

So as mentioned this has a few pros and cons. I totally ruled out the car when it launched because I wanted something more, S2000/Elise and was willing to pay. However, after dealing with having a few sports cars that rotted in the garage in the winter, I did not want that anymore.

So I looked at the price and said screw it, I will drive it year around, it's cheap and everything comes apart on the car like a children's toy so its easy to work on.

(I know this is not a cheap car for some of the younger crowd, no offense and for others its kind of a dream car. But its almost compact car cheap.)

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by Chad

Fair enough I see where you're coming from now. For me it's a dream car because it looks good and most importantly RWD low center of gravity proper sports car that's affordable for me right now. Hopefully the rumored Toyota Supra will be more up your alley. I would agree with you on the Elise, my ultimate dream car or a Porsche 911. I was ecstatic when reviewers were saying that the handling characteristics were close to the Elise (not quite as much feedback though) and that the gearbox was up there with Porsche's.

Having just sold an Exige, I can tell you as much as I bag on the FR-S, I enjoy driving it much more than the Lotus. I could give a large list why, however it comes down to a few things. The FR-S is livable, easy to work on and carries many of the traits that makes the Elise/Exige fun without the worry of high labor costs, parts availability, expensive after market, and body work that will bankrupt you if you damage anything.

I just wish Toyota/Subaru bumped up the quality a bit. Like you said maybe we will get that in the Supra/MR2.

BTW thanks for the review.