[135iMike]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

I hadn't seen ANY on the roads at all until today. Then I came across both twins:



Beautiful cars in person. Didn't spot either of the owners anywhere, but if I did I would have liked to chat.

I want to test drive one. With an LSD and good feel to driving it, I would take that over all-out power anyway. If you're looking for that, then I know a kid in a '90s civic hatchback with a 1000 hp turbo engine that can kick your car's ass anyway. It's not always about brute strength. I'm sure a turbo version will come out soon, but aftermarket kits are already in the works. But think of the miata.. or even an s2k. The point was never power for those cars either. Just because other manufacturers are having a ridiculous horsepower war now, doesn't mean everyone that doesn't play loses.

Where is this? Look like NY plates

[135iMike]

My buddy just got his after waiting 2 months. It looks a nicer in person than in photos. It could use a 2 inch drop!

Took a few super quick cell phone pics with my 1.

[elbles]

Nice pics. Know what you mean about the drop, it's definitely got the typical Japanese wheel gap... but you drop that thing two inches, and you'll be scraping everywhere. Completely stock, I think I'd scrape leaving my driveway, and going into the parking lot at work.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by elbles

Nice pics. Know what you mean about the drop, it's definitely got the typical Japanese wheel gap... but you drop that thing two inches, and you'll be scraping everywhere. Completely stock, I think I'd scrape leaving my driveway, and going into the parking lot at work.

That front air dam doesn't look like it'll last very long as it is without extreme care around curbs.

[Nugget]

Where does this sit price wise in the US?
I think it is cheaper in Australia than most of the world.
for comparison
the base 86 is $30k
a 135i starts at $75k

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by Nugget

Where does this sit price wise in the US?
I think it is cheaper in Australia than most of the world.
for comparison
the base 86 is $30k
a 135i starts at $75k

It's supposed to price out here in the mid to upper twenties, possibly $30K+ with options, so not too different from down under. Sounds like you chaps are getting hosed on the 135i though.

[Nugget]

We get hosed on all cars, it was surprising that the 86 was that cheap!

[135iMike]

Originally Posted by Nugget

Where does this sit price wise in the US?
I think it is cheaper in Australia than most of the world.
for comparison
the base 86 is $30k
a 135i starts at $75k

My buddy just got his BRZ Premium at MSRP for 30k all said and done. I think it was like ~28k.

Some people HAVE paid a grand or 2 over MSRP to get them asap.

[kensington]

Before my 135i I had a supercharged Miata. It handled like a dream, but no matter how good a car handles 200hp and low torque gets boring after awhile.

[Colt]

they are slick looking cars

[NYC6]

Another underpowered, Japanese little 'sporty' car. No interest at all.

[Phillipe]

I had a deposit on one and would have gotten it over my 135 if 1) it had arrived a month earlier than it did 2) I didn't get such a great deal on the 135.

People have already made aftermarket turbo kits that are putting the engine at 430whp running E85, which is crazy on a 2800lb car.

[BroDoze]

Up here at 6,200ft, N/A is just not an option. FI rules up here. I've owned 7 Subarus and want to love this car, but imagine taking a 30% hit on its power. You're talking a gutless turd. Can't do it. If they do an FI model, I might be first in line...

[matmanx1]

Originally Posted by Phillipe

I had a deposit on one and would have gotten it over my 135 if 1) it had arrived a month earlier than it did 2) I didn't get such a great deal on the 135.

People have already made aftermarket turbo kits that are putting the engine at 430whp running E85, which is crazy on a 2800lb car.

Hey Phillipe, I see your location is Atlanta. Did you get your 135i from a dealer in the area? So far, I've only checked Global Imports but they definitely aren't the only game in town. And grats on your 135!

[py0413]

Because later they have a reason to sell a turbo/STi version for more $$$?

[XYR03]

I got mine about a couple of months ago and it truly is a fun car. It's lacking in power but you can keep your speed going around twisties with the handling of the car. I drove it everyday for a week and felt that the car is alittle too invovled to be a DD and the suspension might be slightly firm for an everyday car. The interior is cheap and its exactly what you can expect from a $20k car. I'm just glad that toyota brought back the 86 and they made a very balanced car. The market desperatly needed a sports car around that price range and I'm glad toyota grew some balls to actually put one out there during this MPG race.

[CAPSGOD]

Originally Posted by NYC6

Another underpowered, Japanese little 'sporty' car. No interest at all.

I can see this car's appeal in areas like Japan & Europe, where the only open roads are very narrow with sharp bends. Definitely a boring ride on the wide straight highways of America. Even the backroads in the US are wider & have more progressive turns.

[NemesisX]

For people complaining about power, you can get a $900 flash with regular pump gas (+15 whp) or E85 (+30 whp) along with a $6k turbo and hit low 11s.

Scion FR-S Base MSRP = $24,200

BMW 135i Base MSRP = $39,300

BMW 335i Base MSRP = $45,100

You're giving up (interior) luxury for the superior handling that comes with a 2600 lb curb weight car, and a reliable (albeit expensive) aftermarket turbo option has already been shown to be viable.