I drove a BRZ, Fiesta ST and a 135i yesterday.

"MylesD" (mylesd)
02/09/2014 at 19:24 • Filed to: 135, 128, Brz, fiesta, st

Yes, it was a great time. I'll be quick - it's my first post!

The BRZ was a letdown and a half. All of the reports on underwhelming power are spot on. All I can say about first gear is that it ends abruptly. The back seat? What back seat?

The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and clean 2011 with 48k. The guy didn't really let me have any fun, but it seemed spacious after driving the BRZ. That clutch, that shifter! I'm still looking to drive the 128i.

The best of the day was the Fiesta ST. I was seriously impressed, same goes for my friend and the brand new sales woman. The interior is nicely done, though the screen and UI is funky. Most impressive was how damn quick and tight this thing felt.

I'll probably still be looking at a 128i in the end, but the Fiesta is a serious choice if you can dig the whole Ford thing.

DISCUSSION (25)

GeorgeyBoy > MylesD
02/09/2014 at 20:53

I'm looking for a 128i/135i. Why your choice of a 128i?

AM3R > MylesD
02/09/2014 at 20:58

Ah after buying my E90 I got to have some fun in a 135i while the dealer was washing my car. Fun time!

BeholdTheCamaro > MylesD
02/09/2014 at 20:58

I'm not surprised that the BRZ was a flop. It's one of the most overrated cars around. You can get a far better car for the exact same price if you get a Focus ST or a Camaro or pretty much anything sporty for that price that's not a BRZ.

MylesD > GeorgeyBoy
02/09/2014 at 21:00

I'd scoop up a 135 if I found the right deal, don't get me wrong.

The 128 makes more sense for me now. Lower price, classic understated look, easier on upkeep and potential repairs. Of course, a wealthier me wouldn't be as concerned.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > MylesD
02/09/2014 at 21:05

Umm, I am 6' at about 225 and I fit in the back seat of an FRS. Power wise, sure it isn't a supercar, but it is more than anybody in the age group it is aimed at really needs.

MylesD > BeholdTheCamaro
02/09/2014 at 21:07

After driving it, I'd have to agree. I tried to drive a Focus ST, but it would have taken them a while to move it.

MylesD > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
02/09/2014 at 21:12

I didn't actually sit in them, but from the front they seemed pretty tight. Hey, if they work for you then I guess they can do the trick.

BeholdTheCamaro > MylesD
02/09/2014 at 21:18

I have a friend who insists that the BRZ is a better car than my V6 Camaro. I want him to rent a BRZ for a day and take it to the track for a grudge match, but he has always refused for some reason.

MylesD > AM3R
02/09/2014 at 21:19

It is, it is.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > MylesD
02/09/2014 at 21:21

This Selden motors place is popping up all around me, and they've got some good stuff.

Just out of curiosity (and assuming you did your test driving there), how about this:

http://www.seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/showro…

AM3R > MylesD
02/09/2014 at 21:22

I really want to try out a 128i M sport. Inline 6 goodness!!!

MylesD > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
02/09/2014 at 21:27

It's where I drove the 135. It's pretty close to my office, so I've had the chance to gawk at their lot for a while. They were pretty easy going, definitely worth going to see.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > MylesD
02/09/2014 at 21:35

Don't get me wrong, it wouldn't be ideal for long distance travels, but short distances aren't that bad as long as the person up front isn't an ass.

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
02/09/2014 at 21:35

I am 6' even and 190, and I have driven an FR-S, and been in the back of one. I fit fine.

I really didn't feel like it was that down on power. It felt faster then our old car, a Sentra SE-R Spec V. I feel like it would be an autocross weapon with the right tires.

And I think it would be a great learning car for people to get comfortable with the Oppo.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW!
02/09/2014 at 21:42

Exactly, it is an enthusiast car, not a race car. It's plenty quick. It's crazy quick compared to what I drive.

Casper > MylesD
02/09/2014 at 22:06

My personal take:
I like the Fiesta ST, but it only FEELS faster than other cars (The BRZ is a decent bit faster for the Fiesta being almost the same power but FWD and most of the 1 series are as fast or faster). The lack of power was actually why I dislike both the BRZ and Fiesta in stock trim, but I think the BRZ has much more upgrade potential simply because it has a better drive layout. I love the stock setup on the Fiesta as far as how playful it is, it gives it a good overall feel.

The 1 series is a different beast. There are so many levels and options I have never really got a single opinion. I personally just like BMW craftsmanship. The fact that some configurations are a bit sluggish doesn't bother me a whole lot because they are RWD... now when they go FWD like they have said they are it would immediately remove them from my interest list.

4x4Pilgrim > MylesD
02/10/2014 at 00:10

I've considered all of these as candidates to be the second car. Mind if I ask why the Fiesta ST and not the Focus ST? I definitely understand the cost/service benefit of the NA 128i.

nafsucof > Casper
02/10/2014 at 01:49

How is the brz a decent bit faster than the st? They are both do a 15.0 1/4 mile at 93mph. If you are going up hill or with a headwind you'll win in the st. Splitting hairs but I wouldn't say either one is faster than the other. If you put a $300 tune on both the st would pull ahead a bit though.

MylesD > 4x4Pilgrim
02/10/2014 at 07:52

It was just what they had on the lot. I hadn't actually really considered the Fiesta ST anyway, but figured I'd take advantage of driving it while I was there.

MylesD > 4x4Pilgrim
02/10/2014 at 07:52

It was just what they had on the lot. I hadn't actually really considered the Fiesta ST anyway, but figured I'd take advantage of driving it while I was there.

Casper > nafsucof
02/10/2014 at 12:31

ST: 0-60 in 7.1 and 1/4 in 15.1

BRZ: 0-60 in 6.4 and 1/4 in 14.9

That's 2 tenths in the quarter and over 1/2 a second to 60. The only reason the gap isn't wider is because of how tall the gearing is for fuel economy on the top gears of the BRZ and the tires are extremely low friction. The ST comes with Potenza RE05As out of the box. Neither cars are fast, but the BRZ is quicker on worse tires, which makes sense given the RWD.

Also, BRZ/FR-S have been seen to pull almost 200HP at the wheels with intake, exhaust, and tune. That's a huge gain for a little NA 4 cylinder. Both cars gain very well with general tuning and improvements.

fchowd0311 > BeholdTheCamaro
04/07/2017 at 07:20

Different driving experiences dude. BRZ is going to drive more like a go kart with it’s lower center of gravity and half a ton less mass being carried around. Also quicker ratio steering, better shifter. Cameron would win on a track because of more power and much larger and grippier tires. On a technical track, the BRZ could probably beat a V6 Camaro especially with tires that aren’t meant for skids. The BRZ does have the better chassis.

fchowd0311 > MylesD
04/07/2017 at 07:22

That’s weird. The BRZ and 128i have similar acceleration numbers? Did you rev out the BRZ motor? You actually need to downshift in that car and can’t succumb to lazy shifting since all the lower and torque is past 7000 RPM. You probably just need to learn how to drive.

MylesD > fchowd0311
04/07/2017 at 12:28

Huh...Why are you trolling a post from over 3 years ago and defending something that is almost universally agreed upon - the BRZ/FRS/86 lacks powers. More importantly, it FEELS that way. Also, I said I test drove a 135 and not a 128.

fchowd0311 > MylesD
05/12/2017 at 01:27

Dude, the 135 has a open diff and weighs more. It’s also much more expensive than a 86/BRZ so hope it has more performance/power.