Why Scion FR-S Sales Have Plunged

[TOMIMOTO]

I didn't read through everything, but I was gun-ho cash in hand ready to buy a BRZ/FRS back when it was just an idea.

When it came out, it just never was what I was looking for. If thy made a true BRZ STI with a turbo/more power and put it in the $34-40k range, one would be in my garage right now.

I already have a slow car that handles better than a BRZ/FRS. I don't need another slow fun car.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by TOMIMOTO

I didn't read through everything, but I was gun-ho cash in hand ready to buy a BRZ/FRS back when it was just an idea.

When it came out, it just never was what I was looking for. If thy made a true BRZ STI with a turbo/more power and put it in the $34-40k range, one would be in my garage right now.

I already have a slow car that handles better than a BRZ/FRS. I don't need another slow fun car.

But for every person in your position there are probably two that did buy that would not have with more power and a higher price tag.
Even if it is a one to one ratio then the number of sales would not be impacted.

[LucidMomentum]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

But for every person in your position there are probably two that did buy that would not have with more power and a higher price tag.
Even if it is a one to one ratio then the number of sales would not be impacted.

Also you can easily make one with more power for 34-40k. It just takes some work.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by LucidMomentum

Also you can easily make one with more power for 34-40k. It just takes some work.

Yep, this was Toyota's plan and statement all along!

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by TOMIMOTO

I already have a slow car that handles better than a BRZ/FRS. I don't need another slow fun car.

Interesting, I thought all Impreza's had nearly terminal understeer, even a tuned up 2.5RS struggled to exceed 0.8 g on the skidpad back in the day, sure an improvement today with better tires but unlikely to be massive unless you go to non-street tires...

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...o-specs-page-4

[NOHOME]

Originally Posted by TOMIMOTO

I didn't read through everything, but I was gun-ho cash in hand ready to buy a BRZ/FRS back when it was just an idea.

When it came out, it just never was what I was looking for. If thy made a true BRZ STI with a turbo/more power and put it in the $34-40k range, one would be in my garage right now.

I already have a slow car that handles better than a BRZ/FRS. I don't need another slow fun car.

Without being rude...please clarify...

Why are you even here with 251 post when you don't like the car?

[Quentin]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

But for every person in your position there are probably two that did buy that would not have with more power and a higher price tag.
Even if it is a one to one ratio then the number of sales would not be impacted.

I'd be one that wouldn't be in a twin at that price regardless of power. At $25k, I tolerate stuffing my kid in the back when it is just the two of us. At $40k, I'm looking at 328i, IS350, etc. I can't justify the impracticable nature of the car at that high of price tag when there are so many quality sedans in that range. Heck, that is used V8 M3 money. More realistically, I'd find myself in a GTI or WRX.

(To the person that would say that the twins would still be offered in base FA20, until Subaru gets more capacity, the twins are supply constrained with the hot selling Forester, WRX, and XV coming down the same line.)

[tahdizzle]

I'll be that guy.

If you bought a twin because you needed something to take your kid around in. You bought the wrong car period.
If you are a soccer dad, be a soccer dad. Don't turn your nose up at a sports car because you can't fit your kid in it.

You are absolutely right. People looking to spend 50k on a car, probably didn't cross shop with a 25-30k car. Definitely not for a family car.

The ONLY reason the twins have a back seat is for insurance purposes. Because of the target market, insurance costs needed to be low.

However; people shopping for a sports car. Did cross shop the twin with many other sports car. Potentially ones that were beyond the 50k price tag.

Those guys wanted a track car, a weekend toy. Granted a twin doesn't have the performance #s of those more expensive cars, but the driving feel is there w/o the 50K+ price tag.

[Xinshadow]

Originally Posted by Quentin

I'd be one that wouldn't be in a twin at that price regardless of power. At $25k, I tolerate stuffing my kid in the back when it is just the two of us. At $40k, I'm looking at 328i, IS350, etc. I can't justify the impracticable nature of the car at that high of price tag when there are so many quality sedans in that range. Heck, that is used V8 M3 money. More realistically, I'd find myself in a GTI or WRX.

(To the person that would say that the twins would still be offered in base FA20, until Subaru gets more capacity, the twins are supply constrained with the hot selling Forester, WRX, and XV coming down the same line.)

Same boat here. I bought my FRS 12/12 with the intention( like many of us I'm guessing) of DDing it for a couple years, then having it as a dedicated summer/track toy. We'll be shopping around for a WRX for the Mrs. come spring, and then I'll drive her old XRS in the winters and keep the FRS out of the snow.

The old adage is don't track your car if you can't afford to roll it off a cliff and walk away. Its a lot easier to justify spending 25k on a car with a three year loan, doing the bolt on stuff, paying it up and then really going wild on mods (built engine and supercharger for me!) than buying a 35-40k car on a five year loan and stuffing it while you're still two years deep in payments.

[NOHOME]

When people bitch about this car, they all come across as a bunch of bitchy spouses:

All they do is find stuff that the car does not do and complain. Never does it occur to look at what it does do well and be grateful.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by NOHOME

When people bitch about this car, they all come across as a bunch of bitchy spouses:

All they do is find stuff that the car does not do and complain. Never does it occur to look at what it does do well and be grateful.

Oh sure they do!
It usually goes something like this tough: Love my car the handling is great and everybody looks at it BUT...
Or
Not complaining and guess ok BUT...

[EAGLE5]

I am that guy.

I bought the FR-S because it is a sports car I could take to the track while still transporting the kids in our daily lives. I did cross shop with more expensive cars, including the 911 (though not a new one). I drove my kids 5 days a week in the FR-S.

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

I'll be that guy.

If you bought a twin because you needed something to take your kid around in. You bought the wrong car period.
If you are a soccer dad, be a soccer dad. Don't turn your nose up at a sports car because you can't fit your kid in it.

You are absolutely right. People looking to spend 50k on a car, probably didn't cross shop with a 25-30k car. Definitely not for a family car.

The ONLY reason the twins have a back seat is for insurance purposes. Because of the target market, insurance costs needed to be low.

However; people shopping for a sports car. Did cross shop the twin with many other sports car. Potentially ones that were beyond the 50k price tag.

Those guys wanted a track car, a weekend toy. Granted a twin doesn't have the performance #s of those more expensive cars, but the driving feel is there w/o the 50K+ price tag.

[tahdizzle]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

I am that guy.

I bought the FR-S because it is a sports car I could take to the track while still transporting the kids in our daily lives. I did cross shop with more expensive cars, including the 911 (though not a new one). I drove my kids 5 days a week in the FR-S.

^^^^

This guy gets it.

[NOHOME]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Oh sure they do!
It usually goes something like this tough: Love my car the handling is great and everybody looks at it BUT...
Or
Not complaining and guess ok BUT...

It is so true and I am as guilty as the next person. The Twins are for some reason fated to be "damned with faint praise".

When people approach me to ask about the car, I have never blurted out "It is fucking Awesome"; for some reason it goes " I really enjoy it BUT" .

This car has been an interesting study in the psyche of the automotive enthusiast.

It was no fun this morning as you can imagine with the freezing rain covering the car.