My thoughts on my Ultramarine FR-S

[CoRi J]

So I just recently picked up an Ultramarine Scion FR-S. I traded in my 2011 Dodge Challenger SE (V6 with 305hp/268 torque pentastar motor)-http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...5/SAM_1666.jpg
. The Challenger was an awesome car and I had it for a year. Great MPG's and pretty good power for a v6 model. The problem I was having was that it was automatic and I was getting bored with it when I thought it truly was a keeper. I think if my Challenger was stick then I wouldn't have traded it in. I was going to be trading my car in later in the year for an R/T or SRT8 but I decided to check out the local Toyota dealership (Toyota of Melbourne) to see what the Scion FR-S looked like in person since there was one there in almost 100 mile radius of me.

I originally wanted the FR-S before I got the Challenger but I couldn't hold out any longer since my Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V was barely running and just couldn't be fixed by Nissan. So when I arrived at the dealership one of the sales associates (Sean M.) introduced himself to me and was more than glad to show me the car. I fell in love with the look of the FR-S when I saw it. I felt like I saw a remake of a mini Supra. My love for imports came back in a quick second and I asked him for a quote. Well I got better news than the quote and they had told me I was approved and could get a good deal on the trade in. Everything was within my price range and I decide to seal the deal on it instead of just looking at the car.it was sad to see the Challenger go but I'm really happy for this car because I got approved for it on my own without any cosigners or bad stuff for a better than expected deal I thought it'd be.

So I've been driving this car for about 3 days now and I have to say it's a really good coupe to drive around. Definitely half the weight of the Challenger. Not as powerful but this thing handles like a champ compared to the Challenger. I feel more confident handling corners and turns more precise with the FR-S because it sits lower and is a smaller car. The torque is lovely on it and I can't wait to do some times at the 1/4 mile with it in the future! The car pretty much has all the bells and whistles on it that I could look for minus the fact it doesn't have push to start or keyless entry BUT those are luxuries to me not deal breakers. I think I can handle using a key again just fine lol. I just gotta get use to driving manual again since I drive an automatic for a year.

The riding quality makes me feel like I'm almost in a go kart but it's smooth and the seats feel comfortable while giving that sense of being in a track car. Now I just need a helmet lol. In a rating of 10 being awesome I give this car a 10 out of 10 for bringing my spirit back to the import world. Can't wait to see where I go with this car in the future!

[Zgrinch]

Sweet looking Challenger! You made a good choice.

[zoomzoomers]

Congrats on the new FRS!

[Sport-Tech]

Interesting to hear your experience - thanks.

[Big T]

It does have keyless entry. I think you're referring to a smart key.

[CoRi J]

Originally Posted by Big T

It does have keyless entry. I think you're referring to a smart key.

Yes sorry that's what I had meant. Thanks.

[CoRi J]

Couldn't resist night time pix

[CoRi J]

So today has been exactly one month since I've had my car. My thoughts now? I haven't broken it in enough yet and I'm still at about 700+ miles..I know...what are you thinking?! lol...

I've been so busy with driving to and from work...BUT! I love how I can drive to and from work and around town for almost 2 and a half weeks before I really have to fill up my tank. Plus it is costing about a 3rd of what it cost to fill up my Challenger.

I'm starting to learn how easy this car is to get it tail happy or keep up the RPM's. I have been trying small slides in empty lots off and on without the nannies on so I can learn the feel of the stability on this car. I can't wait to get out on a road course and check out the performance on this car. I'm going to the drag strip out here in Orlando next Friday so hopefully I'll have some vids or pics of my runs.

I have one mod on the car so far which is the Beat Sonic Antenna and it's working great plus looking great!


I'm also doing an order for some Rota Grids 18x8.5 and 18x9.5, hyper black so hopefully I'll have some new wheels to drive around on daily by next month and keep my stock wheels for the track days.

~ Source of pic from http://www.i-club.com/forums/hawaii-...5-38-a-195328/

I'll keep this journal updated though with my time with this car
I'm really loving the new car!

[CoRi J]

Got my new wheels on. Kind of gives it the aggressive look like you'd see on 350/370z. I wasn't sure of it at first but I actually like the look of it. Minus the rear tire though. I was supposed to get a 245/40 at tires plus and when I got their they only had 245/45's that were ordered for me. I'm not upset about it because I still got a good deal plus it's just more safety for the wheel. I will be going with a lower profile tire later down the road though.

Love/Hate (not too much)..thanks for viewing


Rota Grids 18x8.5 +44 (Front) / 225/40r18 - 46lbs
18x9.5 +38 (Rear) / 245/45r18 - 53lbs
(Stock wheel and tire weight is 41lbs, so these are definitely daily drivers and not for performance)

[bestwheelbase]

Really changes the look!

Ultramarine is beautiful.

What tires are they? How does the car feel with this new wheel/tire package compared to stock?

[CoRi J]

Originally Posted by bestwheelbase

Really changes the look!

Ultramarine is beautiful.

What tires are they? How does the car feel with this new wheel/tire package compared to stock?

Thanks! The tires are Primewell PZ900's 225/40 for the front and 245/45 for the back. It did change the difference of how it feels. I lost alittle acceleration due to the fact the wheel set is heavier so I'm keeping my 17s and put performance tires on those whenever I am able to do a track day.

[jurjurson]

I love ur color choice on ur wheels!!!!

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by CoRi J

I'm keeping my 17s and put performance tires on those whenever I am able to do a track day.

Cool. Are you going to try the stock tires first? Reviews say they're not the most grippy, but perhaps they will be good for learning the balance of the car.

[CoRi J]

Originally Posted by jurjurson

I love ur color choice on ur wheels!!!!

Thanks!

[CoRi J]

Originally Posted by bestwheelbase

Cool. Are you going to try the stock tires first? Reviews say they're not the most grippy, but perhaps they will be good for learning the balance of the car.

I'm 50/50 on that. I've been doing some research since I've never done a track day before. I was thinking about getting some performance tires that would have more grip to them.

When I was doing some 1/4 times with the stock 17s I was getting alot of wheel spin on my launches so I think grippier tires will be more sensible.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by CoRi J

I'm 50/50 on that. I've been doing some research since I've never done a track day before. I was thinking about getting some performance tires that would have more grip to them.

When I was doing some 1/4 times with the stock 17s I was getting alot of wheel spin on my launches so I think grippier tires will be more sensible.

Maybe some of the more experienced track guys like @Dave-ROR and @FRSpdDmn can chime in. They've been discussing this very topic in threads like this one where World Challenge driver Mike Skeen took an FRS around VIR and gave feedback on the stock setup.

Though a more grippy tire may allow for faster lap times, it could be that the stock tires are better for a novice first learning the balance of the car. Initially your focus is not the fastest lap time -- rather it is to be smooth and learn how to drive around a track safely, and also to get a feel for the car.

Cliff's Notes: Not-the-grippiest tires can be fun and educational.

Hopefully others will chime in.

[CoRi J]

Originally Posted by bestwheelbase

Maybe some of the more experienced track guys like @Dave-ROR and @FRSpdDmn can chime in. They've been discussing this very topic in threads like this one where World Challenge driver Mike Skeen took an FRS around VIR and gave feedback on the stock setup.

Though a more grippy tire may allow for faster lap times, it could be that the stock tires are better for a novice first learning the balance of the car. Initially your focus is not the fastest lap time -- rather it is to be smooth and learn how to drive around a track safely, and also to get a feel for the car.

Cliff's Notes: Not-the-grippiest tires can be fun and educational.

Hopefully others will chime in.

Thanks for the advice! Maybe it'll be a good idea to try that out first since I don't know my driving technique yet. But I'll look through those threads also to get more info on that. I appreciate the info

[jurjurson]

What's next. Keep us posted. This is one of the best journals!

[CoRi J]

Originally Posted by jurjurson

What's next. Keep us posted. This is one of the best journals!

I appreciate the views!! I'm planning on getting coilovers, Greddy Evo3 exhaust, possibly a new downpipe if needed and a pulley from Perrin. Depending on how much money I get from school I'm going to be doing a few mods over time with this car. Hopefully I can get a track day in as well. Once I get my new school/work schedule then I think I'll be able to do some weekend runs and get some clips of that posted on here

[CoRi J]

I didn't know if it would be a good idea to put hyperlinks under my signature for blog sites but two of my friend's like photography and took some photos of my car for their sites.

My friend did a small interview with me and featured my car on her page
http://idreamofspeed.blogspot.com/20...cion-fr-s.html

One of my local friends that likes doing photography and has been keeping up with my car. Some of the photos I post on here usually are provided by him.
http://asianbaconnation.deviantart.com/

interesting blog name lol I know but I figured I'd give them alittle sharing credit where I visit the most online.

[CoRi J]

Had another photoshoot today with one of my best friends getting into photography.

[CoRi J]