NC

[rbrtndrws]

Thanks for the pics! I'm not interested in the AT but I might go by Fred Anderson and take a look at the red in person.

Don't buy the car just yet!!

-Rob

[DantKR]

I def wont. Already have one lined up that I might buy and it's not that one(again not getting AT lol).

[Srslidins14]

We just recieved our black MT FRS today at Modern Toyota... will have pics up shortly...

[rbrtndrws]

Woop! Just got my FR-S. Ended up going with a silver 6spd MT. So excited (Sorry for the huge image).

[nathanR]

Just finished my test drive over at Leith Toyota/Scion. I had originally only intended to take a few pictures and get some seating and space impressions but I ended up taking it for a test drive. The car was the light silver color and (sadly) was an Automatic. My left foot kept insinctively going for the clutch pedal every time I came to a stop.

My biggest concern was the rear seat room since I have two children (11 and 8). While I feel that both of them could fit with little issue, I'm not so sure about a regularly sized adult. I positioned the front seat where I would have it if I were driving (I'm around 5' 10"ish) and then sat in the back seat directly behind the driver seat. With my heels pressed against the bottom of the rear seat, my feet still extended about half-way under the front seat, with the bottom of the top seat resting on the tops of my feet (I hope that made sense). Fortunately, there was plenty of head-room so I was able to sit very upright to make the most of the little bit of space that was available.

The car was very low to the ground. If memory serves, the ground clearance was equal to the length of my hand: middle fingertip to wrist. A heavier adult and/or someone with even slight mobility issues would have a hard time hauling themself out of the seat. My current car has similar ground clearance so it wasn't a big deal for me. Visibility wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I was expecting something similar to the Camaro. Fortunately the FRS is a greenhouse in comparison to the Camaro.

The trunk area was small (of course) and sadly the seats were not 60/40; they were all or nothing. The only option on this FRS was the Bespoke stereo and I'm not even slightly interested in it so I made no effort to play with the settings, options, etc. Sorry I can't comment on the radio and speakers.

My current daily driver is actually my wife's and my autocross car: a 1993 Nissan NX2000. I've owned an NX (various ones) pretty much constantly since 1996. Why is this important? Well, driving the same kind of car for 16 years makes you VERY familiar with how it performs. I felt as comfortable getting into and driving the FRS for the first time as I do getting into and driving the NX for the 10000th time. It just felt "right".

I wasn't really impressed with the speed. "Seat-of-the-pants" feel was similar to my 140hp NX. Maybe this can be attributed to the automatic transmission in the FRS. One thing I was not familiar with before driving the car was "Sport Mode". One of the benefits of it seemed to be that it held the transmission in the current gear when at higher RPM's for a few seconds longer before automatically downshifting. (like if you briefly took your foot of the gas, etc.)

The dealership I visited was Leith Toyota/Scion on Capital Blvd. The salesperson that helped me was Alan H. and he seemed like a pretty swell guy. Very low-key. Very low-pressure. He was appropriately knowledgeable about the FRS. I hinted initially that I wasn't interested in an automatic but he still offered to let me drive it. I had him drive it first to the half-way point and I rode shotgun. This let me check out the bells and whistles, or rather the lack of bells and whistles. (I mean that in a good way. Less is more imho). Doing it that way also gives me a chance to gauge what the salesperson will allow when it comes to my turn to drive. The only bad news I heard was that it may be up to 2 months before they get in an MT but maybe they'll get lucky. He also stated that they are scheduled to receive a white AT FRS in the near future, so if you're interested in either a light grey or white FRS with an automatic transmission, go visit.

Overall it was a great experience with the car and a great experience with Leith Toyota. I will definately return to that dealership for my eventual purchase and I'll be dealing with Alan for sure.

[MattR]

Congratulations rbrtndrws!!

Also, thanks for the write-up nathanR! Emailed my dealer here today, so hopefully I hear back with news of the FR-S arrival later today or tomorrow.

[MattR]

Just got off the phone with Toyota of Wilmington, and they just pulled theirs off the truck. Should be checking it out tonight. I'll have my girl bring her camera for some pics.

A lot of waiting about to come to an end

[rbrtndrws]

Thanks for the write-up Nathan. If you'd like to take a look at the MT FR-S let me know! I live close to Southpoint Mall in Durham.

[kwood9000]

Originally Posted by DantKR

I enjoyed it. But would not buy it. I made the mistake of having a AT Suby legacy. That's why I'm getting a new car lol. All my other cars have always been MT. Will not make that mistake again.

Unfortunately MSRP

I would be happy with MSRP.

[DantKR]

The red one sold to the guy that test drove it after me and my wife did the 2nd time lol.

[ESBjiujitsu]

someone come pick me up for a drive already hahahaha!

[MattR]

Toyota of Wilmington has an Asphalt AT model with trunk mat, mud flaps, tint, paint protection film, and the BeSpoke. 27k+, which is MSRP. There weren't any shady price increases listed. If this interests you, it's up for grabs as of last night.

Dealer experience was pretty poor. I made it clear that I wanted a Whiteout MT, but they insisted on being negative, telling me that I wouldn't get an FR-S until next year if I didn't buy this one, and continued trying to use rookie pressure tactics to sell me on it. This kind of pissed me off.


As for the car, I didn't test drive it, but I did get to look under the hood, and sit in it. It really is as bad ass as the pictures, and the exterior looks even better in person. Asphalt is a mean looking color for those interested. The driver position is perfect, and not cramped at all (I'm 5'9, 165). You sit LOW in this bad boy, which makes the excellent visibility impressive.


So all in all, I'm excited. Things calmed down at the dealership, and I'm going to email my specs to them to see what the reality is of the wait time on ordering one bare-bones. I'd rather wait a few months and get exactly what I want. I'll put up pics of the Asphalt model later.

[rbrtndrws]

Thanks for the post, Matt.

Some of the dealers around here tried really hard to convince me to buy an AT as well, telling me that they wouldn't receive a MT for a really long time. I'll keep my eyes out for MT's in the Raleigh-Durham area.

[MattR]

Some photos Sara took from our trip to the dealer yesterday.

Looking at those fog light panels on Asphalt pretty much convinced me that fog lights are needed. In my opinion, they just seem blank. Maybe I'll think differently when I see them on Whiteout.


One thing that I hadn't noticed in photos is how powerful an outline the front fenders give this car.
They look really strong looking at the car straight on.


Glorious engine bay. Plenty of breathing room to work with, and well laid out.


I can't say enough about how much I love the interior layout. The seat fabric feels quality, and the bolsters will definitely hold you in place.



Rear shot that includes BOGUS DEALER STICKER ... Definitely telling them to leave that off mine

[nathanR]

Thanks for those pics, Matt. Asphalt is my color of choice too!

edit: just had to mention that I LOOOOOOOOOVE the center console in these cars. So minimalist.

[rbrtndrws]

Thanks for the pics Matt. My FR-S has a "Mark Jacobson Toyota" sticker. I'll be removing it when I have some time .

I agree, Nathan. The center console is great!

[MattR]

Originally Posted by nathanR

Thanks for those pics, Matt. Asphalt is my color of choice too!

edit: just had to mention that I LOOOOOOOOOVE the center console in these cars. So minimalist.

After seeing Asphalt, I'd have to agree that it's an awesome color.

It looked really nice, but I'm still going to stick with my original decision of Whiteout. I haven't seen a bad color on this car.

[ESBjiujitsu]

love the pics of the Asphalt cant wait to see one in person. hope to see a whiteout for the first time in person on sat!!!!!

[MattR]

Originally Posted by rbrtndrws

Thanks for the pics Matt. My FR-S has a "Mark Jacobson Toyota" sticker. I'll be removing it when I have some time .

Hope you make it out to Wilmington this weekend to show her off

[nathanR]

[MattR]

Nice pics Nathan! This car looks better everytime I see it

[rbrtndrws]

I'm really liking silver. I know some people say it looks like a Fleet vehicle but the color is nice in person!

The less attention I get, the better!