100,000 miles in an FRS changed my life

[dem00n]

This car has changed my life. These entry level sports car are incredibly important, their purpose is difficult to comprehend to anyone who hasn't owned one or driven spiritedly on an empty mountain road. They serve as an entry point to the enthusiast world. Autocross, track days, spirited driving, all these worlds open up to you with a sports car. Spare me the arguments that all of that is possible with a regular car, this is entirely true; I've seen people cut steaks with butter knives.

*TLDR, the 2nd post contains info on cars reliability, issues and current status*

May 2012, the driveway consisted of a 2001 Infiniti I30, 2012 Audi A7 and a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country wearing an awful blue. Come to 2017, it has transformed to a 1983 Porsche 944, 2014 Audi RS7 and a 2013 Scion FRS, the other two cars are completely and utterly inspired by the FRS.
I bought the car July 2012, I crashed it in August 2012. Inexperienced spirited driving is the worst type of spirited driving. Mechanical damage was minimal, cosmetic damage was okay but the emotional damage was far worse. Crashing the car was the best mistake now that I look back, it fueled me to become a better drive; a host of Auto-x and track days flooded me afterwards. I didn't want to become a good driver, I had to. I'm still not there yet, nor will I ever be able to convince myself I am.

The people I'm targeting with this thread are those who want to buy a car like and are curious about the lifestyle it can offer you. Here is a list of things I have learned thanks to this car.
1. How to work on cars - I did my first oil change on this car, I did all my first real modifications on this car. From brake pads, headers to fully swapped suspension, I've done a lot on it. This knowledge has led to other cars, thanks to this car I've had three consecutive project cars.
2. How to drive fast - This car is better to learn to drive fast than any Miata. It's simple, it's all that wheelbase baby. From my experience, the short wheelbase in a Miata isn't entirely friendly to oversteer, the FRS and BRZ are far friendlier on learning to react to understeer and catch oversteer than a Miata is (stock form). This car is amazing from the factory, you really don't need to change anything on this car in order to go to the track, save for brake pads and an oil cooler for longevity . Those shitty Michelins will teach you grip management, something I didn't understand until I switched to 200 treadwear tires.
3. Communication - The front nose will tell you when you're braking too hard, the ABS will let you know when you've messed up your braking (sometimes) and the steering talks to you unless your understeering in the rain. Plow baby plow.
4. Look around you - On the track they will teach you to look far ahead of you, past the middle point of your windshield to anticipate the next corner. Where your eyes go, hands will follow. This is correct for the most part, but you should also look around you as well or you might miss a few things, such as pot holes and years. Look ahead first, then look around, then back. This is life lesson we must always remind ourselves….


This car is gorgeous, it's just plain striking. The OEM wheels don't do justice, simpler wheels will exploit the body lines and focus the eyes elsewhere.



I have no regrets with this car. Do i regret buying the automatic? No. The manual is a better car, but the automatic is good on its own right and will keep up on the track. Heel and toe on the 944 is a special moment every time, but the turn in on the FRS with some negative camber is just as special.

Did i have a thirst for more power? Yes, the headers and a tune helped a good amount, but in the end of the day i don't want to drop $5000 on a car that has so many miles. About that engine though...

[dem00n]

What's not an issue?
The engine! Enjoy my latest oil report from Blackstone, taken from 2000 miles ago!



List of things that are an issue or have been, along with things that have broken..
1. Taillight condensation (Sealed all around with calk inside the trunk, happens once in a while)
2. Drive side passenger window switch has that delay. (50 miles to now)
3. Only lights changed were front side marker, both sides. (70k miles)
4. Oil leak on front dip stick, replaced under powertrain warranty. This leak has come back 20k miles ago, but is very slow. AZP Installs told me it's not really worth fixing again.(40k miles, back at 80k)
5. Crack seal on engine deformed, oil leakage, replaced under powertrain warranty.(40k miles, has not come back)
6. Handbrake failure (Automatic, handbrake is never used. 40k miles)
8. Front right brake caliper seized (Difficult to push down piston, replaced both sides due to deal on new OEM set. 90k miles)
Mod bonus: Weir Final Drive kit, the seals for the axles are not OEM, these both leaked and had to be replaced with OEM parts. (60k miles)


What will be an issue?
1. Rust maybe?
I live on the rust belt, right on Long Island. The front radiator support is very rusty, this piece stands out the most and soon be changed soon. The front bumper has this metal strip on the top center that is exposed when you open the hood, this piece has already rotten through completely, it crumbled into pieces when I changed it. The rear crossmember has some surface rust around the welds and other spots, this is normal but can develop into a problem in the future. Can I honestly expect this car to be rust free? No. All of this can be fixed with some rust converted and a free weekend, I think…. Suspension parts have typical rust spots.
I will take pictures when the weather is nicer.



What's next for this car? Nothing. All the mods I've wanted to do are done. All I need to do is drive, drive it hard.
If anyone is interested on the long list of modifications, let me know and I will post. Any questions, comments or concern on my grammar is kindly appreciated as well.
The car might be up for sale this summer. But due to the mods, high mileage and the spotty accident repair (Thanks Venus Auto Body for this shit work!), this will most likely be one of the cheapest FRS sold on the market.

Until then…

[FR-Sky]

I feel you bro. I have established the bonding on my car as well.
I have drove s2k, miata,,370z, but this is the only car and makes me wanna drive forever.

[swarb]

What's next?

[Yardjass]

I don't know that I'd call that list of problems at all acceptable for a Toyota/Subaru product. I hope mine does a little better as it ages.

[Teseo]

Reasson for sale it?

[VoltsFRS2013]

Extremely inspiring post and a good read for someone like me who's very new to the car scene, extremely young and just getting into driving. I hope one day I'll be able to say the things about the vehicle as you have as well.

[Shinigami301]

Originally Posted by Yardjass

I don't know that I'd call that list of problems at all acceptable for a Toyota/Subaru product. I hope mine does a little better as it ages.

I have to agree. My 2000 Celica GT-S is pushing 170k miles and has had zero issues of any kind, other than replacing a rear caliper at 150k, and hatch struts. Fluid changes, new serpentine belt at the right interval, and plugs are all the maintenance it has needed. Compression check looks like new. Sat from June to December on a battery tender with a full tank, and fired right up when the snow started flying.

That was when Toyota quality was a real thing...

[toijin]

Originally Posted by dem00n

4. Look around you - On the track they will teach you to look far ahead of you, past the middle point of your windshield to anticipate the next corner. Where your eyes go, hands will follow. This is correct for the most part, but you should also look around you as well or you might miss a few things, such as pot holes and years. Look ahead first, then look around, then back. This is life lesson we must always remind ourselves….

What an inspirational quote!

[Braces]

Great post. Having been around cars for 5 decades .... the best thing imo about the 86 is that it is mostly analog in nature. A great car for those of the new digital generation to revisit what a simple, easy to drive, proper feedback car is like.

Modern cars are heading in a direction of insulating the drivers from everything. Even the driving part lol. The 86 allows you to be more in step with the car. Not isolated. It teaches you to drive with proper feedback.

Great to hear about the results of the engine analysis.

Your next car????? Cayman or Supra maybe.

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by FR-Sky

I feel you bro. I have established the bonding on my car as well.
I have drove s2k, miata,,370z, but this is the only car and makes me wanna drive forever.

That's a great list of cars to have owned!

Originally Posted by Yardjass

I don't know that I'd call that list of problems at all acceptable for a Toyota/Subaru product. I hope mine does a little better as it ages.

I'd have to agree with you, but consider that i do a lot of driving that isn't exactly considered to be apporved under warranty, it might be fault on my end.

There is also the fact that this is a first model year car, which always have teething issues. I remember during 2012 on this forum, a new topic everyday of a new issue was a common sight, not so much in 2017.

Originally Posted by Teseo

Reasson for sale it?

It's the thirst of wanting a different automotive experience. I love owning different cars and there is so many great ones currently on the market, why just stick with one?

I might not sell it, the forum will eventually know either way. In fact, I'll most likely list the post of sale on here.

Originally Posted by VoltsFRS2013

Extremely inspiring post and a good read for someone like me who's very new to the car scene, extremely young and just getting into driving. I hope one day I'll be able to say the things about the vehicle as you have as well.

I wish i connected with more car people when i first started out. Typically you can get stuck with a scene and most people outside JDM won't wanna approach you. Anyone who loves cars in the end of the day is just like you and can potentially be a great friend who will leave you with many memories and cars to drive!

Originally Posted by toijin

What an inspirational quote!

Thank you!

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by swarb

What's next?

I don't know. Maybe the modification list will give an answer.

Powertrain:
FT86 Speed Factory UEL Catted Header
Grimmspeed Intake
Racer X Oil Cooler
Stark Transmission Cooler
Open Flash Tablet UEL tune
4.56 Final Drive from Weir
ARK DTS Catback
Midpipe with high flow cat and resonator
Oil Catch Can

Suspension/Brakes:
Bilstein B8 struts and shocks
Swift Spec R springs
Racer X LCA
Front camber bolts
stainless steel lines
Winmax W4 pads
Grimmspeed master cylinder brace


The only thing left to do is go the forced induction route or a high end coilover set.

I think i rather save up for an Alfa 4C or GT350...

Originally Posted by Braces

Great post. Having been around cars for 5 decades .... the best thing imo about the 86 is that it is mostly analog in nature. A great car for those of the new digital generation to revisit what a simple, easy to drive, proper feedback car is like.

Modern cars are heading in a direction of insulating the drivers from everything. Even the driving part lol. The 86 allows you to be more in step with the car. Not isolated. It teaches you to drive with proper feedback.

Great to hear about the results of the engine analysis.

Your next car????? Cayman or Supra maybe.

Acutally driving the car will the next big thing.

The Road & Track wooed over a BMW 230i over the M240i and M2 due to the way the car feels and feedback. A base model BMW is a more fun car than an M series car?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by dem00n

This car has changed my life. These entry level sports car are incredibly important, their purpose is difficult to comprehend to anyone who hasn't owned one or driven spiritedly on an empty mountain road. ..............

Very true......

I've had three "life changing" cars over the years.

In 1970 - a MGB

In 2006 - a MX5 Miata

In 2013 - the FR-S

Each one has boosted my interest in small, sporty, fun cars.


humfrz

[fitcious]

Originally Posted by dem00n

What's not an issue?
The engine! Enjoy my latest oil report from Blackstone, taken from 2000 miles ago!



List of things that are an issue or have been, along with things that have broken..
1. Taillight condensation (Sealed all around with calk inside the trunk, happens once in a while)
2. Drive side passenger window switch has that delay. (50 miles to now)
3. Only lights changed were front side marker, both sides. (70k miles)
4. Oil leak on front dip stick, replaced under powertrain warranty. This leak has come back 20k miles ago, but is very slow. AZP Installs told me it's not really worth fixing again.(40k miles, back at 80k)
5. Crack seal on engine deformed, oil leakage, replaced under powertrain warranty.(40k miles, has not come back)
6. Handbrake failure (Automatic, handbrake is never used. 40k miles)
8. Front right brake caliper seized (Difficult to push down piston, replaced both sides due to deal on new OEM set. 90k miles)
Mod bonus: Weir Final Drive kit, the seals for the axles are not OEM, these both leaked and had to be replaced with OEM parts. (60k miles)


What will be an issue?
1. Rust maybe?
I live on the rust belt, right on Long Island. The front radiator support is very rusty, this piece stands out the most and soon be changed soon. The front bumper has this metal strip on the top center that is exposed when you open the hood, this piece has already rotten through completely, it crumbled into pieces when I changed it. The rear crossmember has some surface rust around the welds and other spots, this is normal but can develop into a problem in the future. Can I honestly expect this car to be rust free? No. All of this can be fixed with some rust converted and a free weekend, I think…. Suspension parts have typical rust spots.
I will take pictures when the weather is nicer.



What's next for this car? Nothing. All the mods I've wanted to do are done. All I need to do is drive, drive it hard.
If anyone is interested on the long list of modifications, let me know and I will post. Any questions, comments or concern on my grammar is kindly appreciated as well.
The car might be up for sale this summer. But due to the mods, high mileage and the spotty accident repair (Thanks Venus Auto Body for this shit work!), this will most likely be one of the cheapest FRS sold on the market.

Until then…

Great news on the engine - question though:

How's the automatic tranny holding up? Any slippage or leakage of any kind? and how often/ how many times did you change the tranny fluid? and on that note, how about the diff fluid?

Thanks!