Thoughts after 10,000kms

[Slick]

So I hit 10,000 kms last week and figured I'd write about my experiences with my FRS over the last 4 months:

I have enjoyed the car since mid-June, used it as my daily driver, track whore and on a few highways trips. Family loves it and refers to it as the baby Ferrari. I used to own an AE86 and has great fun with that car, despite its measly 116hp, so I was eagerly anticipating its successor.

Coming from 2 Miatas and more recently an RX-8 and Genesis, this car had alot to live up to.


Here are some random notes.

The Positives:

• Chassis is superb and lives up to all the pre-launch hype and reviews. I took it to the track on 4 occasions and drove it like I stole it. I could use a bit less oversteer on corner exit (loose is not the fastest way around) but it is easily manageable as long as you keep your foot in it. Coming from an RX-8 and 2 Miatas, it is a true sports car.
• No idle issues at all for me, or the reported crickets. But I only use Shell91.
• Fuel consumption is excellent for a sports car. I use it for mostly city driving and average 8-9L/100kms with some aggressive driving. My 2.0T Genesis would average 10-11.
• Seats are excellent with great support and comfortable even for long trips.
• Really surprised at how good the audio quality is (Premium Stereo) and bluetooth connection has been flawless.
• Car looks great even in stock form (had a few people ask me if it was the LFA). With a great set of wheels, it will rock. And it needs a spoiler (liking the Five-Axis one).
• Love the Subaru/Toyota build quality. Car feels solid and even little items like wiper and signal stalks works in the way they should.
• Found the spare 12-volt socket hidden behind the glovebox (and wired it for constant 12V).
• Love the gear indicator and also the built-in shift light.
• May be a small car, but still holds alot of gear. Took it camping and along with my 2 kids, I packed 4 tents, 4 sleeping bags, 4 chairs, cooler, boxes of food and our luggage.
• Will be able to fit some nice wide wheels and rubber when the time comes (9" wheels and 245+ tires).
• Love the Firestorm red colour. No regrets. My next fave is the white.

The Negatives:

• Even with the stock Primacy tires, it performed commendably at the track. There are surely some gains to be had by going to a nice set of sticky tires, but the stockers arent as bad as the hype would have you believe. But am looking forward to replacing them as I do a fair amount of track days.
• Got a taillight with moisture, still trying to coordinate a replacement with the dealer.
• Paint is thin, already got a few chips on the hood.
• Yeah, the back seats are a little small but my little guy (7 yrs) still has enough room and prefers the FRS to the Genesis.
• I will miss the seat heaters from my last few cars. Maybe will retrofit something. Winter's just around the corner.
• When my upgraded stereo was installed, they just dropped in a Premium unit from another Scion (iQ I think), so it doesn't have a FRS sound setting, closest nice sound is on the TC mode. Been 4 months trying to get the proper unit from the dealer without luck. Sheesh...
• Don't like that the passenger seat keeps sliding back on me when I tilt it forward.

Here's a few pics:

• Hitting 10,000. (see what I did there?)
• Picked up from dealer with my Genesis trade in June.
• At the track.
• Camping!

[StuAU]

Track photo looks like your on the run from the cops!

[blu_]

HAH

[normancw]

Great review Andre!

Originally Posted by Slick

The Positives:

• Found the spare 12-volt socket hidden behind the glovebox (and wired it for constant 12V).
• Love the gear indicator and also the built-in shift light.

I didn't even know there was a 12v socket behind the glove box and the gear indicator!

The Negatives:

• Paint is thin, already got a few chips on the hood.

I'm glad I got paint protection film and Opti-Coat.

[Slick]

Originally Posted by normancw

Great review Andre!
I didn't even know there was a 12v socket behind the glove box and the gear indicator!

Yeah, I rewired the power to the socket to be on even with key off, mostly because my GPS track timer would require a restart every time I restarted the car. Now it just stays on all the time and automatically logs my laptimes.

Originally Posted by normancw

Great review Andre!
I'm glad I got paint protection film and Opti-Coat.

I have been thinking of doing some tasteful vinyl from the top edge of the nose all the way up to the back of the roof. It would help. too

[Slick]

Originally Posted by StuAU

Track photo looks like your on the run from the cops!

That's actually my buddy's track-only Mustang in black and white. Very fast.

[CBR600RR]

Nice!!!
that is calabogie right before the pit lane. LOVE THAT TRACK!!!!! never drove a care on it though - just my bike

[qtwre]

I hope to join you at Calabogie next year! Do you go there with a club? I was last there with the BMW Ottawa chapter.

I wanted to ask too, in your odometer photo it shows a 6. Is that a gear display option I haven't found yet or do you have a ecu flash?

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by qtwre

I wanted to ask too, in your odometer photo it shows a 6. Is that a gear display option I haven't found yet or do you have a ecu flash?

read your owner's manual

[tawheed]

10k! Awesome. I turned 5k kms on the way to work today.. Still trying to determine whether I should save it and buy a commuter for work.. That doesn't seem to make much sense though..

[qtwre]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

read your owner's manual

Lol, ok. I feel stupid. I did flip through it a while ago but don't remember seeing that option. I've been seeing it in some videos and thought it was an ecutek thing.

I'll have to look again.

[Slick]

Originally Posted by qtwre

I hope to join you at Calabogie next year! Do you go there with a club? I was last there with the BMW Ottawa chapter.

I wanted to ask too, in your odometer photo it shows a 6. Is that a gear display option I haven't found yet or do you have a ecu flash?

Long time no talk! Glad you got your FRS!

I was there this past year with MCO (Motorsport Club of Ottawa) as part of the instructor group.
We are looking to host a number of lapping days and driving schools again next year.
Calabogie is a great track and is extremely rewarding in the FRS. You need to do it.

[Pbrown]

Calabogie is a great track and is extremely rewarding in the FRS. You need to do it.[/QUOTE]

I'll second that! and I wasn't the one driving. 10700 km so far. The only negative for me is the seatbelt holders on the seats. Snaps were not a good idea.

[normancw]

Originally Posted by Slick

[LIST][*]Found the spare 12-volt socket hidden behind the glovebox (and wired it for constant 12V).[LIST]

Andre - how did you wire the socket for 12V?