Minnesota Check In

[neutron256]

So who else here is from Minnesota?

I'm in Minneapolis, I'm set on buying either the FR-S or the BRZ. Price and features will help me make that decision once they are announced.

Availability may be a deciding factor as well. Everyone I've talked to thinks I'm crazy for wanting to buy a rear wheel drive car in MN, but as far as I'm concerned good snow tires and knowing how to drive fix that problem.

[ayau]

MN crew checking in. I'm pretty much set on the BRZ Limited, and I plan on only driving this car when there's snow.

[Chupacabra]

South Metro, I will be getting the FR-S.

On the topic of snow tires, I have a set for my tC which would be able to bolt-on except they are 15". I'm unsure if they will clear the brakes, so I will probably just buy a beater.

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by Chupacabra

South Metro, I will be getting the FR-S.

On the topic of snow tires, I have a set for my tC which would be able to bolt-on except they are 15". I'm unsure if they will clear the brakes, so I will probably just buy a beater.

I was hoping I would be able to re-use the snow tires/wheels form my CR-Z which I'll be trading in for the FR-S but that was really just a pipe dream and looks like it's not going to work.

I'll probably try and pickup a cheap set of compatable wheels on Craigslist and have sensors and Blizzaks mounted.

[Chupacabra]

Originally Posted by neutron256

I was hoping I would be able to re-use the snow tires/wheels form my CR-Z which I'll be trading in for the FR-S but that was really just a pipe dream and looks like it's not going to work.

I'll probably try and pickup a cheap set of compatable wheels on Craigslist and have sensors and Blizzaks mounted.

The CR-Z is such a trick car to own!

I would say don't bother with the wheel sensors unless you get a really good deal. Per tire, Toyota's wheel sensors are incredibly expensive ($125 each) and I'm unsure about the cost of the Subaru's.

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by Chupacabra

The CR-Z is such a trick car to own!

I would say don't bother with the wheel sensors unless you get a really good deal. Per tire, Toyota's wheel sensors are incredibly expensive ($125 each) and I'm unsure about the cost of the Subaru's.

Well it will depend on what effects not having wheel sensors has on the car. If it's just a light that comes one (the angry fishbowl as my wife described it to me once) then I don't mind not having them. If however it's like my CR-Z then I've got to get them. In the CR-Z if there is a TPMS problem (like missing sensors) then it turns on three different lights, the information display turns orange and warns you every time you start the car, and it won't let you disable traction control.

[Chupacabra]

Originally Posted by neutron256

Well it will depend on what effects not having wheel sensors has on the car. If it's just a light that comes one (the angry fishbowl as my wife described it to me once) then I don't mind not having them. If however it's like my CR-Z then I've got to get them. In the CR-Z if there is a TPMS problem (like missing sensors) then it turns on three different lights, the information display turns orange and warns you every time you start the car, and it won't let you disable traction control.

Wow...Honda overkill! The sensor on mine looks (as your wife says) like the angry fishbowl. I'd recommend just rolling without TPMS, it shouldn't affect anything else in the car.

Maybe the CR-Z does that because of the hybrid system measuring inbound energy via wheel rotation???

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by Chupacabra

Wow...Honda overkill! The sensor on mine looks (as your wife says) like the angry fishbowl. I'd recommend just rolling without TPMS, it shouldn't affect anything else in the car.

Maybe the CR-Z does that because of the hybrid system measuring inbound energy via wheel rotation???

I think it's honda in general. I know the newer Fits with traction control do the same thing.

I will be very happy if the BRZ just gives me unobtrusive warning light.

[Chupacabra]

Originally Posted by neutron256

I think it's honda in general. I know the newer Fits with traction control do the same thing.

I will be very happy if the BRZ just gives me unobtrusive warning light.

I hope so too.

So are you undecided between the BRZ and FR-S?

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by Chupacabra

I hope so too.

So are you undecided between the BRZ and FR-S?

Yeah I'm leaning towards the BRZ but I won't make up my mind until I can actually go to a dealership and buy one or at least give them a downpayment to reserve one.

I might contact one of the local dealerships. Sounds like some people have been able to do that.

[Chupacabra]

Originally Posted by neutron256

Yeah I'm leaning towards the BRZ but I won't make up my mind until I can actually go to a dealership and buy one or at least give them a downpayment to reserve one.

I might contact one of the local dealerships. Sounds like some people have been able to do that.

I went to Burnsville Toyota for mine, it's where I bought my tC from and I have always had great service there. I thought about the BRZ but like the idea of being just a smidge closer to the Toyota side of things.

Also, I don't think MN will be fair to either car long term; but it will probably be less kind to a non-AWD Subaru that commands a premium. The loyalists who normally buy Subaru will probably not understand why you bought an amazing car, whereas the Scion they won't even bother trying to discuss it.

For Subaru dealers, it's a toss-up to whomever is closest. For me, Walser Subaru in Burnsville has told me they are holding deposits for the BRZ.

[ayau]

I think I'll order my BRZ from the Brooklyn Park Subaru dealer.

I'm also currently selling my 2010 Honda Fit 5 speed if anyone is interested.

[Gates311]

Western suburbs here. Definitely looking to get one. Love this car!


Want. Can't wait for these cars #FRS #FT86 by Gates311, on Flickr

[Chupacabra]

Originally Posted by Gates311

Western suburbs here. Definitely looking to get one. Love this car!


Want. Can't wait for these cars #FRS #FT86 by Gates311, on Flickr

Welcome. Once we get ours, we can take a cruise around the cities

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by Chupacabra

Welcome. Once we get ours, we can take a cruise around the cities

Excellent idea. It will be interesting to see how common place these cars become in the Twin Cities. I'm guessing it will be at least a year before you start to see a lot of them.

I think I've decided. I'm going with the BRZ, it just seems a little more grown up to me even though there is hardly any difference between the two. Plus I think with Scion's stratagy of rolling out new models to the coasts first and then working inward it will be a while before you can get an FRS here.

I'm going to the Subaru dealership to put a down a deposit and get my name on the list today.

[neutron256]

Well I did it. I went to Bloomington Subaru and put a deposit down. I'm 7th on the list there.

[Chupacabra]

Originally Posted by neutron256

Well I did it. I went to Bloomington Subaru and put a deposit down. I'm 7th on the list there.

Huge congrats neutron! I sadly agree that Scion will stiff the Upper Midwest with the FR-S until later. Tis the disadvantage of this area vs Cali or Texas or Florida.

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by Chupacabra

Huge congrats neutron! I sadly agree that Scion will stiff the Upper Midwest with the FR-S until later. Tis the disadvantage of this area vs Cali or Texas or Florida.

Yeah I was all but set on the Subaru, and when the dealer said they were taking deposits it made up my mind for me. It will be interesting to se what color/trim I get.

[Chupacabra]

Originally Posted by neutron256

Yeah I was all but set on the Subaru, and when the dealer said they were taking deposits it made up my mind for me. It will be interesting to se what color/trim I get.

I'm pretty fortunate; #2 at Burnsville Scion. I just told them I'd prefer any color other than hot lava, but it must be manual.

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by Chupacabra

I'm pretty fortunate; #2 at Burnsville Scion. I just told them I'd prefer any color other than hot lava, but it must be manual.

To funny. I did the same thing, I said any color other then white. I'm still up in the air about transmission but I think on that I'm going to hold out for an AT. That my be to my advantage, it sounds like most of the people on the list are planing on using theirs for autocross and I can't see them getting an automatic.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by neutron256

Well I did it. I went to Bloomington Subaru and put a deposit down. I'm 7th on the list there.

What's the policy on the refund? Did they mention when to expect the cars to come in?

I haven't really decided which Subaru dealer to go to yet, but I've pretty much made up my mind and I'm going to get a BRZ Limited in Rally Blue. I'm surprised there are already 7 people on that list though considering this is MN.

[Chupacabra]

Originally Posted by neutron256

To funny. I did the same thing, I said any color other then white. I'm still up in the air about transmission but I think on that I'm going to hold out for an AT. That my be to my advantage, it sounds like most of the people on the list are planing on using theirs for autocross and I can't see them getting an automatic.

I will be autocrossing my FR-S and I know that I'll see a ton of BRZ's out there.

I've seen a Saturn Redline Sky destroy its class though because of an automatic (flappy paddles too) but because the manual transmission on the AS1 has been getting such positive publicity, I would imagine the autoxr's ahead of you will opt away from the auto. You might get your BRZ very very early.