I hope this isn't too late. I was traveling for work all last week and didn't have much time to get on.
Yes, I still have the car and I daily drive it every day all year. I think I've got around 24K miles on it now.
TLDR: We've declared this car as a "keeper". It's truly special and will live on in my garage, but will eventually see some performance mods if I get something a little more practical and roomy for a daily.
Here are my thoughts after 3+ years of ownership:
The bad first (I'll end with the positives)
- It's pretty noisy. To keep the car light, there isn't much sound deadening, so some road surface will transmit more road noise into the cockpit. HOWEVER: Killing the artificial noisemaker makes a huge improvement in both reducing noise levels and improving what you do hear. It can be triggered in software at the dealer, or you can physically remove it yourself.
- The speakers for the infotainment system are terrible. Fortunately there is a company who builds plug-and-play replacements. I may do this some day.
- It is strictly a two-seater. Don't even think about using the back seat for people. The trunk may be too small for some luggage if you are picking someone up at the airport.
- Very little interior storage. Two cupholders (which are behind your elbow in the center,, bottle holders in the doors, and the glove box. That's it.
The good
- Above all it's a BLAST to drive. Light, highly responsive, just enough power, and even in stock form has fantastic handling/cornering right off the dealer lot.
- I have done one small mod to the front suspension that allowed me to add about 1.5 degree's of front camber and I did a custom alignment that made a HUGE difference in how the car enters a corner. Highly recommend the alignment if nothing else.
- It's a very simple car. Few/no nannies to speak of, though I have heard that has changed somewhat in later model years. It is also pretty low tech. You have a basic radio with CarPlay/Android Auto, an easy to read digital dash, and "Track Mode" that dials back/disables traction/stability control. I have the upper trim so it does have heated seats...I'm not a total savage.
- Surprisingly practical. The back seat is good for carrying small items and the trunk is very usable. As a daily for driving to-from work, it is perfect. Small, easy to park, great visibility, it's the perfect commuter vehicle.
- I drive it every day to work, run errands etc. We've done Costco runs in it, hardware store runs, I've taken it fishing, hauled flowers from the garden store, etc.
- Comfortable. I really like the seats which are comfortable for multi-hour trips. The ergonomics are very good with everything in reach and easy to operate.
- On the highway at 75mph I get right around 30mpg which is better than the published numbers.
- I don't really track my gas mileage since doing autocross with it in the warmer months will ruin any trend analysis.
- Dead-on reliable. The interior is still tight and quiet, and other than one highly rare problem fixed quickly, it's been mechanically flawless.
- I had a crank-shaft position sensor go bad. It was fixed under warranty with no issues. The dealership mentioned they had never seen that sensor fail go bad on the 2.4L engine. It's used in tons of other high sales volume cars like the Assent, WRX, and Outback XT/WIlderness (with a turbo bolted on).
I really do love driving the car every day. I autocross it at least once a month between April and Oct so I get to push it to the limits (and occasionally past) and it really shines when putting it thought it's paces (it gets even better with wider, 200TW tires!
). I recently had a family wedding deep in the Ozarks of north/central Arkansas about 6 hours from home. We took my car and it easily held enough luggage from the trip and tossing it through the mountain roads was a blast. I was smiling the whole way. Even on the few Interstate stretches, it was a joy when slicing through traffic or just sailing along.
The one improvement I wouldn't mind with may be fixed in the Ts is brakes. The standard brakes have plenty of power and will hold up just fine with anything this side of a long session at a track day. My only complaint is I wish it would ramp up braking force a little quicker. As-is, it's pretty linear, but I'd like it to be a bit more immediate like it was in my BMW. That may be fixable with different pads. The bigger Brembo's in the Ts might improve things too.
