This car is nuts!!! 200 hp?!? No way.

[robwbright]

Originally Posted by Annahra

it gets about 8 mpg better gas mileage.

Gallipolis, Ohio to Cattletsburg, KY = 34.5 mpg over 64 miles in right at an hour. I was liking that. A lot.

[Annahra]

Originally Posted by robwbright

Gallipolis, Ohio to Cattletsburg, KY = 34.5 mpg over 64 miles in right at an hour. I was liking that. A lot.

Yeah. Not gonna lie--I've told friends and family I got the car because better gas mileage. Payment and insurance went up switching from the Genesis, but I actually save money every month, even with premium gas.

[Atropine]

One other thing to consider...

Go test drive a Miata...maybe even a Club Edition.

The smaller the car...the more you get that sensation of speed.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

Sorry to hear about that.

But I'm not suprised if those were abused cars either.

106 miles. Bizarre. And I'm a car person. I'll know if something is off.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Are you talking about the ticking clickity clacking or something else?

Here's a 'normal' sounding car, as in no real cause for concern:

That was car #1, before I knew about the fuel pump issue. Car #2 was worse. Doing really bizarre stuff. Not "new car" sounds, but "I need a mechanic" sounds.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by Porsche

Sometimes I have a hard time following along with you, Jen.

Explain, please.


-Porsche (who's still searching for those photos you said you uploaded, or maybe not...? I'm old and easily confused. )

I wish I could explain. The car is at Toyota in New Holland, PA. I wonder if it's worth looking at these.

I went to Chevy and might get a white Camaro and give the FRS/BRZ some time to work out its issues.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by billwot

1) is one of the major reasons I bought the car, and 2) long distance commutes, weekend trips to the beach and the mountains, it will suit me just fine.

I guess us sports/performance car junkies are just wired a little different.

Agreed. I drive 40 miles each weekday just in commuting, with generally atrocious side streets (new yorkers will think I'm a wuss compared to their side streets though), and this car is perfectly comfortable. Sure I feel ALL the imperfections of the road, but that makes the drive better knowing exactly what I'm on. I'm not jostled too hard or rattled about, though. I'm fine. Maybe could use a bit more lumbar & tailbone support in the seat, but other than that, I'm comfortable.

One is low enough to the ground to not be jostled severely like if one was higher up from the center of gravity in the car.

This is a sports car with a sport suspension. You're going to feel the road. It's a very polite suspension in that though you're going to feel the road, it's not going to beat you up over it like something like an Elise will.

Like sports cars & sports suspension in a long distance daily? This car is perfectly fine. Only like it on weekend fun drives? Find something else for a daily... Like a luxury sedan whose struts, axles & steering column are greased in novicain.

On phone I am. Therefore, if mistakes I make, Frank Oz blame you should.

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by Jen

I wish I could explain. The car is at Toyota in New Holland, PA. I wonder if it's worth looking at these.

I went to Chevy and might get a white Camaro and give the FRS/BRZ some time to work out its issues.

Well now, see, there you go again. You're throwing up roadblocks to the FR-S.

And that's okay.

My sense is that, despite how much you appreciate the FR-S, it's just not the car for you today. Not today. In a few years, maybe.

But that's just a "sense" I have based on the things you've written. What do I know?

A new car is expensive, and you don't want to let these people here talk you into buying an FR-S, and then experience buyer's remorse, wishing that instead you'd bought that Camaro that you've liked from the get go.

Jen, it SOUNDS to me as though you'd really prefer the Camaro. I don't know. I cannot know. I do not read minds.

I'm trying to help you see what this car, the FR-S, really IS. After that, it's up to YOU to decide how that may or may not fit YOUR needs. This is a distinction that appears to have been lost on some people.

An educated, balanced, and well-informed decision is your best protection against buyer's remorse.

I'm trying to help you make an INFORMED decision. In order to do that, it's necessary to consider issues beyond just the FUN aspect.

I am reminding you, just in case you've been too distracted by the FUN aspect, which is easy to do ... I'm trying to help you examine some other issues such as ride quality, noise, vibration, and harshness, the cold gearbox issue with MOST of these cars judging from the NUMEROUS threads and posts about the gearbox... I'm trying to help you understand. Better now than after you buy it.

Given your (and your husband's) outright rejection of this car based upon the loud fuel pump ticking alone, I cannot help but suspect that as you discover more serious issues, you'll come to actively dislike this car, on balance. Who knows?

Some people want to tell you what to do.

Not me. That's not my way.

I simply want to help you get a better understanding of what this car IS, what it offers, and some of the various pros and cons. The better you understand this car, the better positioned you will be to make a good purchasing decision.

YOU are the focus. Not me, nor anyone else here. Nobody else counts. Only you.

Do not buy an automobile, or even a pint of ice cream, based on MY preferences.

I would never assume that MY PREFERENCES should be YOUR preferences. I did not waste your time (and mine) telling you about what I like and why. Why would you care?

I have not wasted your time telling you what *I* think about these undeniable traits and characteristics of the FR-S. YOU need to consider these issues, and place them in the context of YOUR needs, desires, personal preferences, etc. Some of the auto magazine writers do not regard the FR-S as an ideal companion on long trips. Many people would not. In fact, MOST PEOPLE WOULD NOT. (This is one of the reasons this is a niche car.)

I'm happy with my BRZ, but why would you care about that? You're not buying me one as a gift, are you? Right, then...

You, Jen, may be one of those who would not care for this car when you discover what it's really like to live with on YOUR daily commute. YOUR personal preferences are what count here, not mine, or these other guys'.

I'm trying to help you see the big picture, assess the pros and cons of this car, and help you understand how it might fit into YOUR WORLD, not someone else's. Not my world, not these other guys' ... YOUR WORLD.

An educated, balanced, and well-informed decision is your best protection against buyer's remorse.

Good luck.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Jen

I wish I could explain. The car is at Toyota in New Holland, PA. I wonder if it's worth looking at these.

I went to Chevy and might get a white Camaro and give the FRS/BRZ some time to work out its issues.

HELLO .... Jen,... @Porsche, @Atropine and I have suggested you look at a Mazda MX5 (Miata) ...... this car is YOU .... we know .... cause we are old and wise ....

Just go pick it up ... it will make you a happy driver ....

[Boxer486]

Originally Posted by Atropine

One other thing to consider...

Go test drive a Miata...maybe even a Club Edition.

The smaller the car...the more you get that sensation of speed.

Not necessarily. The Mini is smaller than the 86 and feels more disconnected.

Miata is more sorted, a tad smaller and lighter but exhibits more body roll and has less room in the cockpit. I'd probably get one over the Camaro though.

Personally I've given up on domestics until they rediscover what Pony car means. Ford promised they would but lied to us for the latest stang.

[SciOnDrifTtSlIdeR]

these cars do feel fast yes but i come from a 1993 toyota markII, inline 6 cyl twin turbo... the frs could use more power and mine will have more power some day, handling characteristics of this car is really driver orientated you are in control even when the ass end is hanging out you still have her in your control

[regal]

Originally Posted by Porsche

Remember, too, what I wrote many days ago: This is a hard-riding, noisy car, and not well-suited for long distance commuting over poor roads. I'm not sure whether you have it in you to embrace the experience and find it to be a positive one on balance.
.

What surprises me the most about this car is how well it does on long distance interstate trips, a lot better than a Miata or s2k or about any other car that handles this well. Someone called the twins swiss army knives and I like that description.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by humfrz

HELLO .... Jen,... @Porsche, @Atropine and I have suggested you look at a Mazda MX5 (Miata) ...... this car is YOU .... we know .... cause we are old and wise ....

Just go pick it up ... it will make you a happy driver ....

Don't like miatas at all. Thanks though

Thanks everyone for all of your advice!! Especially Porsche

I wish this thing didn't have so many issues.

[Deep Six]

I think quirks is a better term to use than issues. No doubt these cars are a raw experience and lack the refinement of many similiar priced cars. This was the first 4 cylinder car I had ever owned coming from a 100% V8 history, the sounds took some getting used to. An aftermarket exhaust does wonders in changing the basic essence of the car and covering up some of the "4 banger" sound.

At the end of the day, this car will not dissapoint in the fun to drive category but that might not be enough to overcome some of the short comings. Really it comes down to personal preference. Good luck with your decision!