Lola - F1point4's Asphalt FR-S 6MT
 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/7...9c7e7888_c.jpg
ReBadge - FRdashS by VictorN07, on Flickr


Latest Picture
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2819/9...44126f3b_c.jpg
20130806-PianoShoot-002-Edit by VictorN07, on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/9...271da252_c.jpg
20130806-PianoShoot-014-Edit by VictorN07, on Flickr








Update:
More thoughts - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...44&postcount=7
First Clutch Dance - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...88&postcount=9
Tach Sweep Demo - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=10
3M Clear Bra Install - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=11
Idle Issues? Tensioner Vid - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...7&postcount=12
Beatsonic Sharkfin Review - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=14
First (Unscheduled :() Service Visit - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...8&postcount=18
Detailing Stuff came in! - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...7&postcount=19
Wash and Seal complete - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...3&postcount=20
GrimmSpeed Number Plate Relocator Review with Tow Hook Cover Cutout! - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=22
Broken in! - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...3&postcount=27
Had a bad Day - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...3&postcount=29
In as a Scion out as a Toyota - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...1&postcount=34
First Oil Change Observations - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=38
JDM Side Marker Install and DIY - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=45
JDM Rear View Mirror Install and DIY - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...5&postcount=48
Dash cam install and DIY - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=49
I need to slow down. Flossy Knob - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...5&postcount=50
Sullivan Racing Products pedals - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...9&postcount=51
Grip, Lots of Grip - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17987
Mud Gaurds look good? Yes - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...1&postcount=56
More handling - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...759#post482759

Finally got around to updating this post
Wonderful Perrin Exhaust - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19503
Whiteline Positive Shift Kit DIY! - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19782
Perrin Rear Shifter Bushing DIY! - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19767
Leica - Best Photoshoot yet - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=75
First attempt at flash photography - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=88
86 Brake lines, fluid, and speed bleeders DIY - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20311
FT-86 Speed Factory Strut tower brace Review - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20863
The strut tower brace DIY! - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20862
I'm silly - hood prop DIY! - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20912
My favorite cover photo - Whiteline Rear Crossmember Insert Mount Bushings - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20920
Stock vs low ride height - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=95
Grimmspeed master cylinder brace - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=96

There is a ton more after this


Everything happened so fast, I'm still dazed by everything. Two days ago (6/7) Mike Calvert Scion in Houston called me saying my order was going to be here in June! Then yesterday they called me to say the car was on the property!! I was so thrilled as this ends months of waiting, but then I was stressed out because I had to go get all my paperwork/finances in order. It was cool they honored my request to put on tint before signing the paperwork. Took delivery today! (6/9) Seeing the colour in person is something else. It just looks bloody amazing. The buying process went very smooth, and I appreciated the balloons; I ended up being the first FR-S sold by this dealer. Here's what I ended up with.

2013 Scion FR-S
Asphalt 6MT
Bespoke and the carpeted trunk tray
Darkest Legal Tint in Texas

Here are some photos (full set in link)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/victorn...7629898548514/

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7...17d940d2_z.jpg
IMG_0301 by VictorN07, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7...1b78b6c0_z.jpg
IMG_0283 by VictorN07, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7...e404895e_z.jpg
IMG_0287 by VictorN07, on Flickr


I will admit, I've never autocrossed/road raced/street raced or even driven a manual gearbox car. My history of cars included Accords and Corollas. I regularly do spirited driving in my family autoboxes, but all the bodyroll, understeer, and bouncy suspension left me wanting. I want to experience proper driving in a proper car, but not spend tons of money. Also wanted to back up my talk when I tell people I love motoring. Thanks Toyota/Subaru for filling the hole in my motoring desires.

Today I put about 100 miles on the car, and driven through some of the same streets I normally drive quickly through. My goodness the FR-S just feels balanced and composed where my last Accord just wants to oversteer into a tree. There's just so much more communication between the road and myself. Brakes feel tight and grabby. Break-in be damned; I'm trying to be good, but stuff happens as I'm still figuring out manual gearbox.

I'm basically learning how to drive all over again, but I'm doing it proper and with a huge grin on my face.

Some random thoughts
- Bespoke iPhone app is rubbish, You can do navigation, however you can't type in an address. You can point on the map where you want to go or select a POI. We'll see when that app udpate comes.
+ Bespoke head unit is quite nice. Clean looking interface. Much more responsive than the BRZ interface. Advanced sound processing. Supports external amplifers (Has 3 pair RCA on the back). Sounds good for a factory system. Other often non-standard features...HD radio, Pandora, Bluetooth etc. Also came with a standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable and the iPod connectivity cable
- We tried plugging in an HTC EVO 4G LTE into the USB jack and we couldn't get the Pandora to work. Didn't try mass USB Storage playback.
- Total lack of closed storage. The Scion zipper binder with the manuals and first aid takes up the whole glove box. I tried to put my notebooks, pens, sunglasses, gate remotes in a bag but the bag won't fit behind the passenger seat when its set to a reasonable position
+ I love that it has the Toyota beep when you lock it rather than the Honda honk. Much more stealth
+ Asphalt looks amazing but it looks nearly black in a night setting. I thought the Dark Grey on the Honda's were good, but Asphalt/DGM is orgasmic. The legal dark tint in Texas matches this color brilliantly. The headlamps also contrast this color remarkably.
+ The long slot next to the 2 cup slots can hold a HTC EVO 4G LTE laying sideways pretty well
- The Bespoke Ipod USB/3.5mm cable is rather thick, long, and gets in the way.
- The leatherette plastic door jam piece scratches easily. Watch your feet as you get in the car
- I don't think you can take the seat belt straps off the seats
+ I thought the seats were all fabric but mine have leatherette siding and backing
+ I'm calling it a two seater. Not going to try to cram 3-4 people in my car.
+ Factory seats are amazing. I'm a big guy and I love the way the seats hug me. I won't plan on switching out with aftermarket
- I don't think the doors auto lock when you start driving.
- I HATE the noise the car makes when you leave the keys in the ignition and open the door, or when you leave the lights on. It's like a Red warning noise from hell.
+ I'm glad the dealer did not drill holes for the license plate bracket and they did not apply any dealer decals. They did give me the bracket but it'll go in my closet. haha
+ I put a bunch of loose items in my trunk and nothing shifted around when I drove. love it.
+ LOVE that the dealer put on a tint compliance sticker on my car to keep the cops off my back.
+ Parking the FR-S is so much easier than the 09 Accord.
+ love all the looks I'm getting as I am driving around. :)



I love to contribute to this community, as I learned so much from you guys. Best effort on any requests/questions. Currently I plan on making a Bespoke walkthrough similar to the BRZ nav one I did a while back. I also want to do a proper shoot with my DSLR.

Thank for your views on the Bespoke unit as I am STILL on the fence about it...

accord oversteering??

Great color choice.

I think you mean understeering, F1point4.

Car looks great!

Gratz man. nice car!:w00t:

Thanks everyone for the best wishes. I'm having a blast driving this car.

I was poking around and trying some of the things the other members were doing. Mr. PERRIN said there was an alternate way to prop up the hood. Found it. Nice touch Subaru for putting in rubber flaps that fold up when you prop up the bonnet cover this way.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/7...88277a15_z.jpg
HoodAlt by VictorN07, on Flickr
More Detailed pictures on my Flickr page.


More observations
- When i pull the seatbelt while it is under the strap, sometimes the strap comes un-buttoned. Very annoying.
+ Putting a towel in the seat to keep a sweaty me from stinking up the place works wonderfully and doesn't detract from the support the seats give
- The buttons on the bespoke head unit are capacitive buttons, with no texture for feel. Like a phone, I have to look away to see what I'm doing.
+ I let my friend drive my car. I love what the car can do when an experienced manual gearbox driver takes the helm.
+ I just realized there are pockets behind both front seats. Lol
- I miss being able to remotely roll down the windows. Can't vent hot air while I'm loading groceries.

kudos for going the manual without having had one before!

Plenty of firsts today...

+ Whoo!!! Did my first clutch dance. The 99 going south merged into one lane due to construction and I had to wade through bumper to bumper. No stalls and I think* I didn't hurt the clutch any. Call it a success
+ During my dance, a driver next to me honked at me for a chat. He loved the car and he thought it was a Ferrari at first. This is full of win.
+ Though I still had 1/4 tank I went in for a fill-up. I was too distracted by the awesome to get exact figures but I got about 29mpg. The dash computer said i was averaging a little over 28mpg. Keep in mind this includes much gearbox practice in parking lots and garages.

+ Using my mobile through Bespoke's bluetooth was pretty good. The unit has tons of safety measures and basically limits you to speed dial and call history while in motion. It DOES pull in your call history from your mobile. awesome.

+ Noise cancelling in the car is great. The person I called could only hear the wind noise as I was cruising in 6th.

- I strongly dislike steepish hill starts.


Are there any surefire tells that I'm not operating the gearbox properly? Starting from a stop in first, right when the clutch grabs the flywheel, I hear a quiet sputter/flutter noise. It's only for a short moment and goes away when I apply throttle. Only does this starting from a stop.

Is that clutch slip or is that the fabled boxer rumble?

Recorded this today.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foFOOf7KsKA"]Scion FR-S Tach Sweep.mp4 - YouTube[/ame]

Took Lola to get the 3M Clear Bra installed today.

For those in Houston Area, Steve Perez and Matt @ http://invisishield.com/ does fantastic work. Everything is reasonably priced and ended up being much cheaper than the Scion package.

I got:
+ Front Bumper ( FR-S 2 piece template)
+ 1/3 of Hood and Fenders ( FR-S 3 piece template)
+ Door Cups ( Corolla template )
+ Mirrors ( FR-S 2 piece template )
+ Rear Fender Flare ( hand cut ) - The rear fenders flare out a little so they are susceptible to rock/bug damage


I can take closeup pictures of the work upon request.

First time on a lift!
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/7...3597beb6_z.jpg
3M Before by VictorN07, on Flickr

This is the coverage on the front. The front corner where the headlight goes into the bumper is not covered. ( I didn't get a finished picture)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7...a3b695df_z.jpg
3M Front Visible by VictorN07, on Flickr

Here is the finished rear fender. There wasn't a template so it was hand cut. The top of the film lines up with the top of the tire when its on a lift. Its damn hard to see. Closeups on my Flickr set
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7104/7...7339c314_z.jpg
3M Full Rear Fender by VictorN07, on Flickr

Rear Fender Coverage
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/7...b0d396fd_z.jpg
3M Rear Fender Visible by VictorN07, on Flickr


First Grocery Run. Very practical
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7094/7...225f6186_z.jpg
FirstMarket by VictorN07, on Flickr

Keeping a close eye on Lola. Sometimes she chirps while idling, and the engine RPM dips low while in neutral gear and braking to a stop. Discussion in these threads

Chirpy High pitch Idle noise
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8678

Idle Dips
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8285

Also made a video of the tensioner shaking its tailfeather. Unsure if its an issue, probably not.
Recorded with a Panasonic Lumix GF-1 mounted on a CF tripod.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZC_XsJuZ20"]FR-S BRZ Belt Tensioner.mp4 - YouTube[/ame]

Thanks for sharing the pics and videos. Looks like you got a mod list going =)

Are you getting the TRD USA exhaust? How much is that worth?

Just installed the Beatsonic Sharkfin Antenna. Pretty easy install. It works just as well as the factory antenna. The paint on it looks very good as well, but I'd say its a tad darker than the Asphalt on my car. Full pictures in my flickr set. Wish it wasn't so damn bright outside so my camera could meter better.

Package. Beatsonic opened it and packed the inside with Styrofoam. Nice
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/7...b7f801da_z.jpg
BeatSonic - 1 - Package by VictorN07, on Flickr

Contents and Instructions. Seems pretty easy
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/7...56784bbb_z.jpg
BeatSonic - 2- Contents by VictorN07, on Flickr

Comparison
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8022/7...2e7e286b_z.jpg
BeatSonic - 4 - Comparison by VictorN07, on Flickr

Installation and Test. The screwdriver in the trunk came in handy
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7...4c90d64e_z.jpg
BeatSonic - 7 - Installation by VictorN07, on Flickr

Installed
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7...9f837a90_z.jpg
BeatSonic - 9 - Finish Closeup by VictorN07, on Flickr

Profile Shot. Looks great
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7...dd758ff4_z.jpg
BeatSonic - 13 - Profile by VictorN07, on Flickr

Closeup.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5312/7...9d0aff17_z.jpg
BeatSonic - 15 - Rear Closeup by VictorN07, on Flickr