Is this the car for me?

[tahdizzle]

Originally Posted by Koa

I'm not assuming anything past that it's a dumb thing to try and realistically say that one should buy the wrx over the twin and put 87 octane in it to justify the outlay costs.

YMMV. Over it.

Actually, I was challanged about the operating costs of a WRX.

OP should not get a Twin because he won't be happy with it. I stated waaaay back before all this stuff started that if you don't know after driving it, then this car is not for you.

[Koa]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

Actually, I was challanged about the operating costs of a WRX.

OP should not get a Twin because he won't be happy with it. I stated waaaay back before all this stuff started that if you don't know after driving it, then this car is not for you.

Ahh.. something we can both agree on

[Defuser]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

I stated waaaay back before all this stuff started that if you don't know after driving it, then this car is not for you.

OP this is worth thinking about. When the new Challengers first came out, I was excited. I drove one. Yeah, I didn't buy a Challenger.

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by Koa

That sticker doesn't mean anything when we are talking about the vehicle's ability to detect knock from lower octane gas and pull timing. It definitely is NOT REQUIRED.

If it was required, the dealership could be sued for doing that first fill with 87. When it IS required, the vehicle is not equipped with a knock sensor and ECU capable of pulling timing to adjust to the knock from lower octane. It's very simple.

Just because it says ONLY, doesn't mean it is magically different than the FA20DIT. Besides, the official word is that 87 octane usage is TEMPORARY. Hope this clears some things up for you.

--

Fuel:
STI
The engine is designed to operate at maximum performance
using unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 93 AKI (98
RON) or higher. If 93 AKI (98 RON) fuel is not readily available
in your area, unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 AKI
(95 RON) may be used with no detriment to engine durability or
driveability. However, you may notice a slight decrease in
maximum engine performance while using 91 AKI (95 RON)
fuel. Use of 91 AKI (95 RON) fuel will not affect your warranty
coverage.

Except STI
Use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 AKI (95
RON) or higher. If 91 AKI (95 RON) fuel is not readily available,
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI (90 RON)
may be temporarily used. For optimum engine performance and
driveability, it is recommended that you use premium grade
unleaded gasoline.

Ok, yes the engine will function without 91+ octane because of the knock sensors. So technically speaking it is not "required" to run. However, we're really arguing over semantics at that point; which is stupid. The engine is designed to be run on 91+. Scion's website and the owners' manual with both say that the engine "requires" premium.

http://www.scion.com/cars/FR-S2014/specs/

In emergency situations it is possible to run on regular, but we aren't discussing emergency situations. We are talking about a comparison of operating costs (fuel economy being one of them) between a FR-S and WRX. Opening the ridiculous "regular vs. premium" debate is pointless.

[Koa]

Originally Posted by Defuser

OP this is worth thinking about. When the new Challengers first came out, I was excited. I drove one. Yeah, I didn't buy a Challenger.

he drove one already..

I'm not so sure he'd like the '15 wrx either, but hey, he could. I wasn't impressed. Coming from a full whiteline bugeye that is pushing the limits of the td04 (~18psi) on a 5mt RA gearset and full Group N mounts, the '15 felt like a damn truck

OP GL.. I love Subaru but imho they are putting the impreza on the chopping block with their recent iterations.

RIP WRX/STI '98-'07

[Ponwh]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Bit personal a question isn't it?
He wasn't asking about buying a Mustang!

Shitty dealership: The trunk space of both cars are nearly the same.

[Ponwh]

Originally Posted by evan

Never walk into a church asking if you should be a religious man. ��

But you can ask for information and why you should convert.

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by Ponwh

The trunk space of both cars are nearly the same.

[torqdork]

@Firefighterjake, if I lived as close to Mount Desert Island, Acadia and Cadillac Mountain as you do, it would be an easy call and you could bring home a cooler full of fresh lobsters to justify it.

Others compare FR-S to similarly priced contenders and those make sense if you value function over form. The biggest intangible is the enjoyment the FR-S brings to the table. You can't put a price on the sensory rewards this car keeps on giving under almost any conditions during three of your seasons, potholes and ice excepted, but you have a truck for those times.

My hesitation for a wholehearted recommendation comes from what others said. If on the test drive it didn't give you that special tingle, maybe an overpowered grocery getter is right for you. Nothing wrong with that, we're fortunate to have so many great choices in this segment.

If you do decide on FR-S, I'd suggest looking for a leftover Monogram 6M/T (lighter and quicker than the A/T but less economical on gas), a special run of loaded 2014's that are likely being discounted now.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

Don't listen to these fanboys. They'll all tell you to get a twin so we can all say "one of us! one of us!"

15 WRX has a lower operating cost than a twin. why? because doesn't require 91 octane. You can fill up with 87, and it still gets a 21/28 rating which isn't bad.

Ok Tah turn your membership card into the Master at Arms!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Firefighterjake

TCoat . . . was hoping you might reply since reading many of your threads made me think we might be on the same wave length for what we like in vehicles. I am curious though . . . what are these easy mods you speak of to make the FR-S zippier? I was thinking the only true way to get this car zippier was a whole lot of money and forced induction . . . which was one of the reasons I was wondering if folks thought the stock version would be comparable to the Accord.

TCoat . . . Ford Mustang. My wife has liked the looks of the old-new Mustang (last reincarnation) . . . my only issue . . . I have driven a number of Ford Crown Vics at work (I know, I know, they're different), but between these and other Fords they all seem to have all kinds of power, but way, way, way too much weight . . . that and simple things like changing out a thermostat has involved ripping out the dash . . .

I am flattered!
The car is not "slow" as many would have you think even bone stock. They require some driving to wring the best out of them though. I have just a TRD catback and drop in and experience zero issues merging, passing or getting up to highway speeds in general. I plan a light tune in the spring and that should bring it up even more.Too many people are fixated on pure raw power nowadays. A simply and inexpensive drop in filter, some relatively straight forward exhaust upgrades and a tune will make the Accord seem like a snail for daily driving purposes. The guys that want the big HP and go turbo are more the racing or F&F crowd and just can't understand that many of us daily drivers still use a car as a tool not just a toy (a very fun tool however). There are people better qualified then myself to point you in the right direction for exhausts and tunes but take your pick for drop ins 'cuz they are all about the same.


The Mustang comment was just a crude joke on asking what you like to put in your "trunk" and a subtle slam at Mustang drivers as they are reputed to ummmm...like to put things in their "trunks".

[tahdizzle]

Not saying the new Rex is the end all for all cars. Just a better match imo.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

Not saying the new Rex is the end all for all cars. Just a better match imo.

You selling them now Tah???

[jaorocks1]

This car is fun because it makes daily driving more fun... I don't really mind the torque curve cause it allows me to go into 4th/5th and having some driver input rather than pressing the gas pedal harder. Stay in the 5k range when you want performance and stay in the 2.5-3.2k when you want 30mpg(Socal elevation). This car is just asking for driver input when you want to push it at speed limit safe levels and that's what I love about it.