My 86 Experience at Tokyo Dealership. Full TRD trim 86 on display

[TuxedoCartman]

Originally Posted by dori.

Dunno, I would have taken the chance to drive the car. You have a good conscience.

But, bro, YOLO, fuck it.

The sole reason I didn't? If on the off chance I got caught driving without a license here, they'd boot me out of the country and it would be a long, looooooong time before they'd let me back in (and forget about ever getting to live here again!)

Measured against that, it's worth it to wait a month or so to drive my own.

[CountChoculitis]

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

C'mon, be fair! I never said Scions (the cars) suck; I said the brand itself has a bad image. And I'll lay that 110% on the shoulders of their marketing department.

I actually always wanted one of the first generation XB's (which was the BB in Japan) but couldn't really justify it. Then I got excited when I saw the new BB's that came out in Japan, and thought, "Oh yes... I'll make up some reason why I need one of those!" ...but we ended up getting some the Corolla Rumion as the new XB. Bait and switch, Scion... bait and switch!

That's my only real complaint about their vehicles. Which I guess if I think about it, is another corporate decision, not a vehicle deficiency per se.

I agree that some of the marketing has been rather bad. But it does get a little old hearing all the shit talk people have for Scion online, and in person.. lol I rebadged my tC as a Toyota, because, it is... a Toyota. Even says so on the registration. [Make: Toyota - Model: Scion tC] But I think I'll leave the FR-S badged as a Scion, and be proud.

I <3 haters.

(or de-badge it all together... haha]

[Klinn]

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

I am kinda curious if anybody out there actually does have a favorable view of Scion, but's just too intimidated to speak up on here. Auto forums do tend to turn into echo chambers after a while.

I guess I have a favorable view of Scion.

None of their previous cars appealed to me, so I've never paid much attention to the brand and never picked up on any Scion group-hate. Hearing about the FR-S, I went into it with a neutral view of the brand, and have been pleasantly surprised.

My only concern is that, since it's intended as a lower-price brand, the manufacturer will be reluctant to offer a more expensive version with TRD supercharger etc. They may concerned about people just rejecting a higher end Scion outright.

BTW, thanks for the original post! A great read.

[crazyyankeefan]

Originally Posted by YukiHachiRoku

When society sees a bunch of old dudes rocking FR-S's they will wonder what they are missing and might drop in for a test drive to see what all the buzz is about. And then, maybe the brand can start to get a better rep once they get that feeling.

You won't see too many old dudes driving the FR-S for sure. It's just like you're not seeing too many of them driving Civic Si, are you?

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Actually in some ways it is a fair comparison. Apple insists on "monospec" products and actually frowns on you modifying them to the point where they lock it down so you can't. Scion, at least, encourages you to mod their products. I'd also debate the "top quality" aspect of Apple's products. Every Apple product I've owned has fail during the warranty period or (even worse) shortly after the end of the period.

And I know

Haha...I too have the same problem with Apple. I remember I exchange my iPhone 3g three times within the first year due to dead pixels, dead battery, you name it...

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

C'mon, be fair! I never said Scions (the cars) suck; I said the brand itself has a bad image. And I'll lay that 110% on the shoulders of their marketing department.

I actually always wanted one of the first generation XB's (which was the BB in Japan) but couldn't really justify it. Then I got excited when I saw the new BB's that came out in Japan, and thought, "Oh yes... I'll make up some reason why I need one of those!" ...but we ended up getting some the Corolla Rumion as the new XB. Bait and switch, Scion... bait and switch!

That's my only real complaint about their vehicles. Which I guess if I think about it, is another corporate decision, not a vehicle deficiency per se.

Agree. Some people are missing the point here. I'm not knocking on the car itself. As I mentioned a few times in this thread, the 86 is a great car. The only problem is the Scion brand image and why Toyota decided to badge the 86 (which is arguably the most exciting car they have come up with in recently years) with Scion in the US market, and to make bunch of nice stuff, namely TRD package, in Japan unavailable here in the US, at least for now.

Btw, why don't you get the BRZ instead? I really wonder how "different" can BRZ and FR-S feel when you actually drive them.

[crazyyankeefan]

Originally Posted by CountChoculitis

I agree that some of the marketing has been rather bad. But it does get a little old hearing all the shit talk people have for Scion online, and in person.. lol I rebadged my tC as a Toyota, because, it is... a Toyota. Even says so on the registration. [Make: Toyota - Model: Scion tC] But I think I'll leave the FR-S badged as a Scion, and be proud.

I <3 haters.

(or de-badge it all together... haha]

Haha...wait until somebody decide to rebadge his FR-S entirely to a Toyota 86, and then you might feel like a second-class citizen then. J/K

Originally Posted by Klinn

My only concern is that, since it's intended as a lower-price brand, the manufacturer will be reluctant to offer a more expensive version with TRD supercharger etc. They may concerned about people just rejecting a higher end Scion outright.

BTW, thanks for the original post! A great read.

Maybe they think a lot of people will end up heavily modifying this car with after-market parts. So why jacking up their own cost? Meanwhile, just continue to offer craps to the US car enthusiasts since perhaps Toyota thinks "US drivers are not worth some real Japanese sports spirit"?

[quik1987]

Originally Posted by ZmZMWagon

I miss Japan ........

Me too.

[Celicadude]

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

C'mon, be fair! I never said Scions (the cars) suck; I said the brand itself has a bad image. And I'll lay that 110% on the shoulders of their marketing department.

I actually always wanted one of the first generation XB's (which was the BB in Japan) but couldn't really justify it. Then I got excited when I saw the new BB's that came out in Japan, and thought, "Oh yes... I'll make up some reason why I need one of those!" ...but we ended up getting some the Corolla Rumion as the new XB. Bait and switch, Scion... bait and switch!

That's my only real complaint about their vehicles. Which I guess if I think about it, is another corporate decision, not a vehicle deficiency per se.

Totally agree. I was lucky enough to drive the 86 in baltimore for the FRS event and I absolutely love the way the car drives. I think where the problem lies is that this car was not only designed to turn around toyota's dull image but as to save Scion as a brand itself. I honestly believe if this car doesn't succeed that's it for Scion, and I fear that if Scion goes so does this car. It all boils down to whether Toyota NA/Scion wants to "Scionize" the 86, or "86" Scion (no pun intended). I for one think this car (with all available options offered a la carte) would definitely change my perception of Scion. But as of right now it appear to be the same old shitty business practices applied to an awesome car. You'd think after the second gen xB fiasco some one at Scion would have realized "waaaaaiiiiitttt our customers want the exact same cars directly from japan?.... and we dont have to do any extra work either?......and we'll probably make lots of money too? .... why arent we doing this again?". i wouldn't be surprised if someones job is riding entirely on the success of this car. And if they every come across this thread I hope they read this, and take our concerns seriously.

.......
Or we can just storm HQ and take over Scion ourselves (evil laugh) muahahahahahahahahahaa

FRS's for everyone who helps.

"Run by enthusiasts, not by committee"

[YukiHachiRoku]

Originally Posted by crazyyankeefan

You won't see too many old dudes driving the FR-S for sure. It's just like you're not seeing too many of them driving Civic Si, are you?

I beg to differ. My dad used to drive a 2007 Civic Si, had it for like 4 years which is a long time for him because he rolls his cars every 2 years. Yes, he liked it that much. I steered him into a 2011 limited Rex, now he loves that car too, which I tried to buy off of him, but he said hell no. Now I went to FR-S route, and I'm sure when I'm out of town he'll take it on joyrides probably with my mom and go get groceries and stuff.

Did you see that one thread asking about older folks driving this car? I guess you missed that one...

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by crazyyankeefan

You won't see too many old dudes driving the FR-S for sure. It's just like you're not seeing too many of them driving Civic Si, are you?...

I'm going to guess that 53 qualifies me as an "old dude". Let me say that there are two advantages to being in that category:

1. The person that has the most birthdays lives the longest, so I'm cool with being an old dude, kinda like it actually, and you can call me that when we meet, because...

2. Most "old dudes" I know could care less what other people think about who we are or what we drive. We've learned to live our lives and enjoy our choices for us, and no one else.

You're right I wouldn't drive a Civic Si, but that has nothing to do with my age! Same reason I would rock a hot hatch or a Miata. I just don't like them. But then, I never have.



By the way, I need a "rockin" icon with a reverse mohawk since that's what I wear these days! Anybody?

[ksin86]

Saw this same car today passing by a dealership on the way to Yokohama.
Same plate number.