Nicebiscuit

I don't know - quite like the two tone effect - and not that sure how well the Toyota ones will wear (although it's pleasant enough) Not that I care - if it starts to look scruffy I'll have an excuse to retrim. Want tan leather in a red sportscar... :-)

Agree. I think mine will get the same treatment - so much cleaner... I'm tempted to do my badges black, but not sure now cause the Toyota logos would look good, but the piston emblems on the side perhaps wouldn't...

Solwood. I'm fairly sure mine does something similar. Car is locked. Go to open boot to get something out - alarm goes off. It's really annoying. I see no reason alarm should ever go off if you've used the proper key/fob to open a door/boot/whatever. Seems a slightly dubious implementation. Is this another thing that gets stuck on at the docks?

It's quite a lot now for the first year... I didn't really notice as it was all rolled into the purchase price, but I was quite surprised when I saw the breakdown...

My thoughts were that £1500 would put a decent dent in a quality aftermarket retrim later if I fancied freshening the car up, and I could do it how I wanted it...

Maybe you're shrinking! [emoji1]. Or possibly the seat was set higher - it does go very low and you feel quite snug then. I'm surprised by how good all round visibility is though. Better than many bog standard family cars.

There are some detail differences with colours of dials that kind of thing, and the BRZ stereo is different (more old fashioned) I think the Toyota interior is nicer.

I was considering a custom install in the sound pipe. Perhaps the innards from a French horn, or set of bagpipes! [emoji6]

Interesting that they'll supply you direct if they are supplying TD. Explains the reluctance with the other poster. I am going to watch with interest, being another local, as I'd probably rather use them... I do remember with my friends system on a Prelude, it was a little louder than he wanted so they redid it until he was happy... Never heard anything bad

On a positive note there's more room for the kids in this. On the negative side.... Um.... Everything else. Never mind - some people actually have to own these...

Hmmm. A fairly radical and completely unintentional mod. Not sure I like this look. I think I might change it back in a couple of weeks...

I'll be interested to see the result if you go for it. I've known people use them before albeit a good few years back, and I think they have a decent reputation.

I'm just impressed that it has knee pads at all... I don't get the obsession with soft touch plastics either. I've driven expensive and cheap cars and liked the interiors on both. As long as the design is functional and durable and the bits you hold feel nice I'm not fussed. The Gt86 has a functional driver focussed interior that I find attractive. Wheel, pedals, gearshift and particularly handbrake (so often in the wrong place on RHD cars) feel great. It's missing the kind of electronic integration you'd expect now, but I prefer it that way. Want to change stations? Use the buttons on the radio. Want heat? Use the heating controls? Change the dash computer - use the buttons next to it. It's intuitive, and much less distracting than the increasing trend for navigating touch screen menus. I would quite like a 'fuel range to empty' indicator on the computer though. I miss that.

Yes - it's the running in period. Theres some debate about it on here, but if you're following the handbook - stick to 4000rpm for that period. I did. Mostly. (It is a serious test of willpower) There's no formal check at this point, but my dealership offered a courtesy check up, just to make sure it's not using more oil than it should be etc... I checked that myself, and it isn't... :-)

Enjoy it!

Things are looking up. RRG accident repair quoted (as promised) on Friday, insurers authorised on Saturday - no quibbles. Just spoken to RRG just now, and booked into the body shop for Thursday, and Enterprise hire car booked and waiting. Plus had a chat with the sales guys who's view was that I shouldn't worry about resale - it wouldn't impact their valuation. Finally - redid our insurance quotes, but this time with the accident on it. It increased the premium by.... Ten pounds :-). Can't really complain. So far it's a credit to the companies involved...

Depends how 'high speed' you mean, but 6th gear is actually quite high, so at legal motorway speeds engine noise is low and economy surprisingly good also. On the motorway road noise is the dominant factor. It's not bad for the type of car, but it's not exec car standard. There's nothing to stop you putting in extra soundproofing though. Plenty have done, usually cause they're spending £s on a fancy hifi....

Well better than your bike anyway :-D

Which is fine if you're a normal human being. But I'm a compulsive fiddler so I can't leave alone anyway... [emoji1]

Another thought might be - given that your concern is noise related, rather than anything else, if you can't get a decent long drive, perhaps someone on the forum would take you out for a decent ride in exchange for petrol and a coffee or two? I'd offer if you were in my neck of the woods...

I'm just nervous of recommending something I happen to love... Everyone's tastes are so different. I came at it from the angle of wanting something fun like an Elise or Caterham, but having to be a little sensible as I did need a 2+2. Thus the fact that it's perfectly livable as transport is a bonus. I did really like my BMW too though for totally different reasons. A real quality item and really well engineered and relaxing to drive. Just almost engineered to the point of dullness. I admired it hugely but was surprised how much I didn't miss it...

There's no doubt a BMW would be far better round town, or indeed on a motorway slog. The Subaru is out of its element. This is more fun on a B road though - or indeed an empty A road with plenty of roundabouts. It's not a BMW substitute, nor comparable with things like Audi TTs or Sciroccos. They're all probably better cars, but this is the better sportscar. Make sure that's what you want though - otherwise it probably will annoy you...

Cheers Dan. So far the insurers have been really easy to deal with and didn't have any problem with me going to Toyota to fix it - but I'll keep that offer in my back pocket - thanks.

Yes, it was [emoji1]

I really like the tan seats too. Perfect on a red car. :-)