Test drove an FR-S, loved it but...

[FRiSson]

Originally Posted by ryude

The car is amazing, it can cut corners so precisely that I really don't think you will find a car in the same price range that offers that much handling capability.

BUT, here is the problem I face as far as do I buy it.

The car is just too easy to drive. Yes, I said it's too easy. It feels like a beginner car, there is no skill needed at all. Also, I didn't feel connected with the car. My inputs were not communicated in a way that made me feel like I could control the car the way I wanted. It just seemed like the car "knew" what to do and no matter what I did, that's what the car did. 40% throttle and 100% throttle feel exactly the same, I need to be able to modulate the power in a corner and not feel like I have no clue what it's doing.

There's my rant, but I still really loved the car other than that. I'm still on the fence about whether I should get it, because I do believe it has serious potential. I was just hoping for more of an old school sports car with lots of connection and that's not what I experienced at all.

/flame suit on

You're a lot like the guy who has sex for the first time and thinks to himself - "Well now I know what that's all about."

[Hix]

Well coming from the other side going in to this car as a huge downgrade from my E92 M3 I was prepared for the worst... That changed after driving it for a while. This car feels more in tune with me and is more fun to drive. Yes I miss magnetic ride, novillo leather, and 414hp but sometimes numbers are not what makes a car.

The cornering is precise and responsive, the brakes feel good (maybe a bit high on fade but pads will help that), the acceleration feels much faster than it is, the grip is playful but extremely controllable, and this all ties together to make a fun little car.

[Justin.b]

I do enjoy being more relaxed when driving the FR-S. It's almost sensory overload sometimes in the Miata.

That's why I'm a bit hesitant to do any mods to the FR-S. As it is now, I have two fun to drive cars with slightly different characters. Modifying the FR-S like the Miata is just going to give me two cars that require quite a bit of attention to drive.

If you love the FR-S, ~$3000 for good coilovers, sways and tires could certainly transform it into a more aggressive-handling machine. My only concern is that this may raise the limits to a point not safe to approach on public roads - which is why I had sold the 240sx for the Miata in the first place.

-Justin

[Turbowned]

Did you drive with all the nannies on?

I will say that today's cars are 10x more capable and drama-free compared to sports cars of the 80's. I can take a brand new Corolla base model around a corner at the same speed as my MR2 with zero drama, where the MR2 just feels like you're going much faster even if you aren't. On the highway in a new car, 80 feels like 50, whereas 80 in the MR2 feels closer to 100!

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by ryude

The car is amazing, it can cut corners so precisely that I really don't think you will find a car in the same price range that offers that much handling capability.

BUT, here is the problem I face as far as do I buy it.

The car is just too easy to drive. Yes, I said it's too easy. It feels like a beginner car, there is no skill needed at all. Also, I didn't feel connected with the car. My inputs were not communicated in a way that made me feel like I could control the car the way I wanted. It just seemed like the car "knew" what to do and no matter what I did, that's what the car did. 40% throttle and 100% throttle feel exactly the same, I need to be able to modulate the power in a corner and not feel like I have no clue what it's doing.

There's my rant, but I still really loved the car other than that. I'm still on the fence about whether I should get it, because I do believe it has serious potential. I was just hoping for more of an old school sports car with lots of connection and that's not what I experienced at all.

/flame suit on

I noticed you drive a GTI (I do too) where 100% power mid-corner will result in tire squeel/scrub and understeer, and you can feel the body roll over. It's not pretty, but at least it's a form of feedback. Were you looking for that kind of response from the FR-S?

I think the grip of the FR-S might be too high relative to the power to get that kind of response on the street. Certainly doable on the track or autocross though.

[pyro530]

If you want a car that doesn't know what your trying to do. Get a Genesis Coupe.

[BlaineWasHere]

I sold my MKV GTI (which I see OP you drive a GTI) and the FRS is a billion times more communicative through the steering and throttle than the GTI. The GTI now seems like a dump truck with a 24:1 steering ratio and half a day throttle response.

[ABQautoxer]

I somewhat agree with original poster. This is an easy car to drive near the limit. I'm a somewhat experienced driver (lots of autocrosses and track days) but dont do a whole lot of at limit driving on the street. But when I do, I realize how easy it is to push it. My 99 and 90 miatas just had a lot more chassis movement, roll, etc so you had a lot of rollercoaster thrills the BRZ doesn't give. I'm glad not to have it but I see where someone who is expecting that would find it a bit boring. This doesn't IMO make the BRZ less fun to drive, in fact I prefer it, but that doesn't mean everyone else would like it better. I think the trick for the OP might be to drive an MX5, maybe a Genesis Coupe Rspec/Track and see which they would prefer. If you find you enjoy one of those more, then that would maybe better explain your disappointment with the 86s.

[empower-auto]

Originally Posted by ryude

The car is amazing, it can cut corners so precisely that I really don't think you will find a car in the same price range that offers that much handling capability.

BUT, here is the problem I face as far as do I buy it.

The car is just too easy to drive. Yes, I said it's too easy. It feels like a beginner car, there is no skill needed at all. Also, I didn't feel connected with the car. My inputs were not communicated in a way that made me feel like I could control the car the way I wanted. It just seemed like the car "knew" what to do and no matter what I did, that's what the car did. 40% throttle and 100% throttle feel exactly the same, I need to be able to modulate the power in a corner and not feel like I have no clue what it's doing.

There's my rant, but I still really loved the car other than that. I'm still on the fence about whether I should get it, because I do believe it has serious potential. I was just hoping for more of an old school sports car with lots of connection and that's not what I experienced at all.

/flame suit on

Found a solution to your problem. Took me 4 seconds:

Drive Faster

[SupraLove]

Originally Posted by ryude

I test drove a MT. I guess the biggest problem is that for me the Miata felt much more like a driver's car. It's just my opinion and I'm not a professional driver so take it with a grain of salt. I am merely expressing my opinion and wanted to know if what I experienced was indicative of the real FR-S.

You've been spoiled by your MX-5... Really, I don't think there's a SINGLE CAR in this day and age that even remotely comes close to the amount of driving enjoyment you get from that little roadster. And yes, that includes the FR-S too. It comes close, but it's far from surpassing the MX-5's direct connected road feel. The FR-S isn't meant to beat the Miata – it's supposed to be its companion. And even though the FR-S is a great car, the 240, FD, S14, NA, and a few others still surpass it to this day. The FR-S is the spark. Innovation is the solution. As soon as other Japanese manufacturers jump on to the bandwagon, we'll be the happiest souls on Planet Earth. Just you wait.

/tldr

[ryude]

Way too many people here are taking my posts as bashing the FR-S, that's not what I am doing at all. It's a great car, just not for me. I've driven a lot of cars over the years (I turn 28 soon), and I guess I'm just used to the older simpler RWD cars.

If you want to see me as someone who can't understand the car, then so be it. I was just trying to give an unbiased opinion about the car I thought would be my next dream car.

[ABQautoxer]

You are on a forum for this car and for some, this is their only car and take things very personally.

It's fine if its not for you of course, but maybe test drive it again if you can. I was a lot more impressed the second time I drove one...the 3rd test drive even more impressed than the first two.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by pyro530

If you want a car that doesn't know what your trying to do. Get a Genisis Coupe.

That sounds like pure BS.

[Foobar]

Originally Posted by ryude

Way too many people here are taking my posts as bashing the FR-S, that's not what I am doing at all. It's a great car, just not for me. I've driven a lot of cars over the years (I turn 28 soon), and I guess I'm just used to the older simpler RWD cars.

If you want to see me as someone who can't understand the car, then so be it. I was just trying to give an unbiased opinion about the car I thought would be my next dream car.

Hey man, I didn't see many people bashing anyone in this thread - I thought your OP and the responses were pretty civil, and I could relate to everything said on both sides of this issue (well except for the comment about the GC, I happen to drive my wife's 2013 2.0T on occasion and I have no complaints.)

It's all good - nobody can change your mind and I don't think any of us intend to. That said, give yourself some more time behind the wheel of this car - for some people, it had to grow on them before they fully appreciated the experience. For some of us, it happened on the first test drive. The car isn't perfect for everyone, of course, but everyone can connect to it at some level to appreciate it for what it is.

Good luck!