So instead of creating another thread and filling up the forum, I thought I'd post here. I also just got back from the dealership. However, totally different experience from OP's OP :P
As I said I would, I drove with my brother to the local dealership to take the FRS out for a spin. Instead of sending me a new-ish guy, the head of local Scion section came out and greeted me. Said he has been with Toyota/Scion for 12 years. Right off the bat, he asked if I already knew what the car was about. I said, "more or less, don't know everything but I've been obsessed for the past 3 months." He replied, "awesome, lets just take the car out and go!"
Since I don't know how to drive an MT yet, I asked for the auto. He first hopped in the driver's seat while I sat in passenger's and my poor brother had to sit cramped up in the back. At the first turn, he took that thing hard (about 25-30) and I thought, "what?!?!" Then at the next turn, he did the same thing and slid the back wheels out. At this point, I had to sit back in the seat so I wouldn't slide around. He kept doing it for a few more corners until we came to a shoulder and pulled over. Mind you, these were 90 degree-ish corners.
He smiled, got out, and we switched. First impressions after getting comfy was that it seemed like a cockpit of a fighter jet. Sorta cramped but everything was perfect. Then again, I daily my slushbox Corolla so it was an instant upgrade. Videos and pictures doesn't do the interior justice, or the full car for that matter. The dash was smaller than I thought, but was still within vision. I do agree with everyone that says the analog speedometer is not needed as I stared at the digital speedo the most.
Moving on, I pulled back onto the road and attempted to get acclimated to the pedals. Hit the brake pedal and instant stoppage. He then directed me to a street/area that was straight out of Initial D. Long straight with lots and lots of curves. Since it wasn't my car, I didn't attempt to push it
much with the curves but I had some fun. There was one hairpin that I went in about 35-40 when speed warning said 10. I can see why people say the car can/does give you a lot of confidence.
After that side street action, he directed me to the on-ramp of the highway. It has a big U-turn before getting onto the main so I took it again at higher speeds than I would've in the slushbox. Right after merging, he says "floor it." Before I realized it, I'm going 75mph. It was about 5 minutes of fun until we decided to head back to the dealership.
Every person we passed on the street suddenly came down with rubber neck syndrome. The entire time from when I started driving to when we got back, I was probably grinning ear to ear.
All in all, it was an awesome experience. The sales guy wasn't pushy at all, just talked to me like a person. The car its self, videos and comments really does not do it justice at all. Turn the steering wheel, instant reaction. WOT, I'm happy. Looks, I'm drooling. I just don't know what else to say except I wish I had another hour with it.
To end this, I think I may break my original plan and get the car earlier (probably end of summer). I'd have to see if I want to do a 3-year finance deal or 2; depends on how much I put down. Got a few months to decide. Talked with my parents about financial plans and such since I'm doing this all with my own money.
/endcirclejerkpost
