-ABS? even my old SW20 has that and at least it wont work like ****e too.
-You can turn off the T/C in the 86, so that point is moot.
- Almost 150 kW is not gutless for the weight 
-It's very neutral and balanced already so why would you want to change that.
- It's not a 4 seater, its a 2 +2.
 
Although I agree that 40k or so isn't affordable for the average person to afford and modify.
 

-ABS? even my old SW20 has that and at least it wont work like ****e too.
AW11 doesn't have any ABS and I like it that way. Each perfect braking point or wheel lock up is a result of my own efforts and skills, not a computer.
-You can turn off the T/C in the 86, so that point is moot.
You have a right foot and a throttle pedal, that's all the traction control you need :D
-It's very neutral and balanced already so why would you want to change that.
Simply because I want the car to handle the way I want it to, to suit my driving style and work how I feel most comfortable. Not the 1 size fits all settings you get from a factory design. If this was the case, why would anyone modify a car???
- It's not a 4 seater, its a 2 +2.
Last time I checked, 2 + 2 still = 4 . If they are any thing like the seats in most sports cars (Silvia, Skyline, Supra, 300ZX) they are about as useful as tits on a bull. You might as well not have them and add a little more space for the driver and passenger, or shorten the car and remove some weight

I think they have done well keeping the weight down in a modern car, with all the extra safety requirements new cars have.  I don't think you can really compare this new car to one ~20 yrs old, its a completely different beast with different design requirements, and the 86 will be more reliable, economical, superior NVH, comfort etc.
 
Its interesting that over 20 yrs ago, the sw20 was low $40k, the AW11 mid $30k.
 
In this day and age of heavily controlled speed limits, outright power is not readily usable and accessible.  If the car will be responsive, handle well and provide great feedback it will be a hoot to drive, regardless of speed.  Just drive an old mini and see how much fun it is (and its not very fast at all).
 
I would say there will be a huge range of after market goodies for these new cars, especially being both a Subaru and Toyota, it should be a decent volume car.
 
Its also interesting Subaru have broken their AWD mantra (which came about mid 90s) with this car.
 
If it succeeds, it will hopefully spur on other interesting cars, which will be a good change for Toyota, who have not sold anything mildly interesting locally for many years.
 
I wonder if we could get the WA branch of the club back up to speed, and they can invite the club to their local release, like they did with the Spider at the local racetrack.  That was a fun day!
 
Cheers

Ive been following the car since concept. Definitely going to purchase one. Every single car review raved about this car which is quite rare these days considering the competition
 
Big tuner names have already got their hands on the 86/Brz in preparation for the mid year release.
 
HKS apparently have a Rotrex super charger already in development so should be interesting! Toyota = supercharger and Subara = turbo

-110 kW is not  THAT bad. A stock JDM SW20 gen2 TURBO only puts down about 120 RWkW (yes I dyno'd mine in the past) - Its obvious that 98 fuel and 20+ years of engine wear take their toll....you still gotta drop ~10k into the engine bay to get a "warmed up SW20".
 
-Who cares about the MX5? its still essentially a hairdressers car. 
 
-New Impreza WRX price FROM $44,248, so its more.
 
 
 

- "we" might talk power at wheels, but all cars are listed as power at the flywheel, so 147kw is more relevant to comparisons
- mx5 is a different category of car, 2 seat convertable... no-one in the market for the 86 will really compare it to an mx5 and vice-versa. I see your point about light weight though. Unfortunately light weight is also more expensive in manufacturing costs.
 - WRX might be slightly dearer (yet we still don't know the final price of the 86), but the bang for buck will see it more favourable than the 86 on power and functionality. As does golf GTi. Styling is all personal though.
 
The 86 is coming in at a time of overcrowding in the car market as it is, yet it fits a different category than most being RWD. Enthusiasts can rave all they like about RWD, but the average punter doesn't even understand what the acronym stands for, let alone cares about it when they go driving! For the sake of Toyota, and exciting cars for the future rather than tricked up shopping trolleys, I hope this is very successful.

Yeh I agree it should be a good hit. 4 seater and boot size and front engine for practicality and ergonomics. Plus it fills in a p plater gap for more selection (for the rich kids). Decent fuel and great 2010 decade pioneering on the looks.
 
My SW Baby might be old but they are proven to be quite solid and with a bit of work on the suspension and tyres I reckon she can hold her own against the newcomer   (we'll see)

MRTurbo
A WRX isn't a proper sports car...it was originally designed as a compact 4 door sedan with a 4wd system and turbo slapped on.
sports car
n. 
An automobile equipped for racing, especially an aerodynamically shaped one-passenger or two-passenger vehicle having a low center of gravity and steering and suspension designed for precise control at high speeds.

i think you crossed the line here, that rules out any modern rally homoligation car since the 80's as not being a true "sports car" along with many other cars sold commercially as "sports" cars.
 
what does "equipped for racing", encompass? 4 wheels brakes and a steering wheel? you can race any car.
 
so much speculation surrounding the 86, and so much hype. which is generally a bad thing. hype talks it up to much and then it fails to meet expectations. now everyone buying one thinks it makes them a "driving enthusiast/race car driver"