How to try before I buy - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

mirin_gains · 06-13-2016, 04:28 PM

Hey guys, I've been lurking for a while, and I'm hopefully looking to buy soon.

I recently test drove a BRZ, and I loved driving it, but some questions about practicality came up. I don't really carry too much in my car, except laundry, gym bag and groceries. But I do frequently ride with another person and all these other items in the car too. Basically I need to make sure this car can be my daily driver. Down the road I plan on having another car but that won't be for a couple years. My family has never owned small cars so I don't have any experience with this.

Anyways I heard toyota does a 24 hour test drive, but I have a feeling they wouldn't do that for an FRS.

I've looked on touro and there are no FRS/BRZ.

What would my options be? Is it too much to ask a current owner to rent their car, with safety measures like dash cam and cash deposit or something?

turtlefeeder · 06-13-2016, 07:39 PM

All that is mention would fit the car including +1 passenger. As for rent, could get messy because trust issues lol maybe put out post witch car 24hr under contract and get the contact motor notified by a law office. Terms negotiable, maybe? Than again, gotta find someone willing :sweat:

dexter_5000 · 06-14-2016, 07:48 AM

pretty sure you'd be fine with all those things in the back. i mean we can fit 4 17" wheels with tires in the back when you fold down the back seat.

shiumai · 06-14-2016, 09:26 AM

Here's a good 'what will fit in the BRZ' thread:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7130

mirin_gains · 06-14-2016, 09:40 AM

Idk how to do the thank thing for you guys, but that was helpful. I guess I could also get a roof rack if I really need extra space too.

Coming from a 2011 4 door civic I think I'd probably be able to carry the same 'magnitude' of stuff right? Its not like I can fit a washing machine in my civic anyways, so it wouldn't be downgrading from a truck to a 2 seater..

Right guys??? I can make this work??

Songha · 06-14-2016, 01:00 PM

The dealership that sold me my FR-S gave me a two day free test drive w/ a $500 deposit. Brought the car to me from Putnam, CT to Warwick, RI. I obviously kept the car and the $500 deposit went towards the car. I'm assuming you may be able to find a place that does something similiar.

jawn · 06-14-2016, 01:03 PM

A lot of people daily their cars. The trunk is of a reasonable size, and the back seats fold down. It's totally doable.

jvincent · 06-14-2016, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirin_gains

I don't really carry too much in my car, except laundry, gym bag and groceries.

I daily my FRS and with the seats up and my extra large size trunk cargo thingy I can easily fit groceries for the family (4) in the trunk.

With the seats folded down you can fit a ton of stuff. I've had an adult sized bicycle (front wheel needs to come off), two golf bags and luggage for a weekend road trip, 4 wheels, etc.

Ben_G · 06-14-2016, 01:18 PM

Plenty of space for what you're talking about (assuming it's a week of laundry per person, not a month).

I daily the car with a kid, about to add a second child seat behind me. The BRZ was also our IKEA/Costco car for a while when our Echo hatchback was full of car seats.

BRZ trunk is big enough to fit a Baby Jogger City Select two seat stroller (which is a pretty big) and two backpacks, no problem, so you should be more than fine.

mirin_gains · 06-14-2016, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiumai

Here's a good 'what will fit in the BRZ' thread:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7130

cool I was looking for a thread like that

Quote:

Originally Posted by Songha

The dealership that sold me my FR-S gave me a two day free test drive w/ a $500 deposit. Brought the car to me from Putnam, CT to Warwick, RI. I obviously kept the car and the $500 deposit went towards the car. I'm assuming you may be able to find a place that does something similiar.

was it a refundable deposit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_G

Plenty of space for what you're talking about (assuming it's a week of laundry per person, not a month).

I daily the car with a kid, about to add a second child seat behind me. The BRZ was also our IKEA/Costco car for a while when our Echo hatchback was full of car seats.

BRZ trunk is big enough to fit a Baby Jogger City Select two seat stroller (which is a pretty big) and two backpacks, no problem, so you should be more than fine.

its about 1-2 weeks for 2 people so could equal a month total lol, but after looking at that trunk thread looks promising

Songha · 06-14-2016, 03:29 PM

Yeah, it was refundable. I could have gotten it back if I didn't want the car, I just fell in love with driving it.

Boofneenee · 06-15-2016, 06:49 AM

You would be amazed to learn how much stuff you can fit in thay little car. 1 person and the back seat down and you can p ack multiple suitcases, bags, groceries and such. I've traveled to many places with my wife using this. Ar. It's been my DD for 2 years. Having said that, I'm moving on to a 2016 camaro

ZionsWrath · 06-15-2016, 06:57 AM

There are some sites that people can rent out their personal cars. I seen new vettes on there, may be able to find a twin.

My cousin rented a beetle for his wife to try.

gravitylover · 06-15-2016, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Songha

The dealership that sold me my FR-S gave me a two day free test drive w/ a $500 deposit. Brought the car to me from Putnam, CT to Warwick, RI. I obviously kept the car and the $500 deposit went towards the car. I'm assuming you may be able to find a place that does something similiar.

You guys live fairly close to each other so maybe mirin should go to that same dealer, can't be more than an hour or two away.

I am a sales rep and fill every cubic inch of the car when I go on the road. I use different size bags so they fit well and don't slide around or bounce and I put a bike or two on a hitch rack as well. Even with a significant load I still get between 29-32mpg.

06-13-2016, 04:28 PM	#1
mirin_gains Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Drives: 2011 civic Location: MA Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	How to try before I buy Hey guys, I've been lurking for a while, and I'm hopefully looking to buy soon. I recently test drove a BRZ, and I loved driving it, but some questions about practicality came up. I don't really carry too much in my car, except laundry, gym bag and groceries. But I do frequently ride with another person and all these other items in the car too. Basically I need to make sure this car can be my daily driver. Down the road I plan on having another car but that won't be for a couple years. My family has never owned small cars so I don't have any experience with this. Anyways I heard toyota does a 24 hour test drive, but I have a feeling they wouldn't do that for an FRS. I've looked on touro and there are no FRS/BRZ. What would my options be? Is it too much to ask a current owner to rent their car, with safety measures like dash cam and cash deposit or something?

06-14-2016, 09:26 AM	#4
shiumai Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 DGM BRZ, 2020 C8 Corvette Location: USofA! Posts: 1,760 Thanks: 963 Thanked 1,893 Times in 787 Posts Mentioned: 41 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Here's a good 'what will fit in the BRZ' thread: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7130 __________________ My DGM BRZ vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OL9OhxexAA My car journal thread: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43402

06-14-2016, 09:40 AM	#5
mirin_gains Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Drives: 2011 civic Location: MA Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Idk how to do the thank thing for you guys, but that was helpful. I guess I could also get a roof rack if I really need extra space too. Coming from a 2011 4 door civic I think I'd probably be able to carry the same 'magnitude' of stuff right? Its not like I can fit a washing machine in my civic anyways, so it wouldn't be downgrading from a truck to a 2 seater.. Right guys??? I can make this work?? Last edited by mirin_gains; 06-22-2016 at 12:06 PM.

06-15-2016, 06:49 AM	#12
Boofneenee Go-Kart Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: Toyota Scion FRS Location: Yup Posts: 800 Thanks: 576 Thanked 309 Times in 188 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You would be amazed to learn how much stuff you can fit in thay little car. 1 person and the back seat down and you can p ack multiple suitcases, bags, groceries and such. I've traveled to many places with my wife using this. Ar. It's been my DD for 2 years. Having said that, I'm moving on to a 2016 camaro __________________ FRS Current mods: K&N air filter, OFT, OFH, berk high flow cat front pipe, Q300 exhaust, lighter wheels

06-15-2016, 06:57 AM	#13
ZionsWrath Thanks Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: BRZ Location: NY Posts: 4,163 Thanks: 5,989 Thanked 3,100 Times in 1,498 Posts Mentioned: 38 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	There are some sites that people can rent out their personal cars. I seen new vettes on there, may be able to find a twin. My cousin rented a beetle for his wife to try. __________________

06-13-2016, 07:39 PM	#2
turtlefeeder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Drives: UltraMFrS Location: OC Posts: 701 Thanks: 204 Thanked 135 Times in 100 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	All that is mention would fit the car including +1 passenger. As for rent, could get messy because trust issues lol maybe put out post witch car 24hr under contract and get the contact motor notified by a law office. Terms negotiable, maybe? Than again, gotta find someone willing :sweat:

06-14-2016, 07:48 AM	#3
dexter_5000 Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Drives: brz limited Location: new hampshire Posts: 15 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	pretty sure you'd be fine with all those things in the back. i mean we can fit 4 17" wheels with tires in the back when you fold down the back seat.

06-14-2016, 01:00 PM	#6
Songha Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Location: Warwick, RI Posts: 109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 55 Times in 33 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The dealership that sold me my FR-S gave me a two day free test drive w/ a $500 deposit. Brought the car to me from Putnam, CT to Warwick, RI. I obviously kept the car and the $500 deposit went towards the car. I'm assuming you may be able to find a place that does something similiar.

06-14-2016, 01:03 PM	#7
jawn Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Drives: 2015 CWP BRZ Limited Location: NOVA Posts: 2,800 Thanks: 1,801 Thanked 3,946 Times in 1,757 Posts Mentioned: 105 Post(s) Tagged: 7 Thread(s)	A lot of people daily their cars. The trunk is of a reasonable size, and the back seats fold down. It's totally doable.

06-14-2016, 01:18 PM	#9
Ben_G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Blue BRZ Location: Canada Posts: 506 Thanks: 108 Thanked 127 Times in 75 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Plenty of space for what you're talking about (assuming it's a week of laundry per person, not a month). I daily the car with a kid, about to add a second child seat behind me. The BRZ was also our IKEA/Costco car for a while when our Echo hatchback was full of car seats. BRZ trunk is big enough to fit a Baby Jogger City Select two seat stroller (which is a pretty big) and two backpacks, no problem, so you should be more than fine.

06-14-2016, 03:29 PM	#11
Songha Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Location: Warwick, RI Posts: 109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 55 Times in 33 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Yeah, it was refundable. I could have gotten it back if I didn't want the car, I just fell in love with driving it.

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