Gaiakai's Firestorm FR-S 6MT

[Gaiakai]

Finally took delivery of my very own FR-S this morning!

Long intro:

Back on 5/15 I put a deposit down on one of Carlos's Firestorm 6MTs at Findlay Scion, thinking of getting either that or the Limited LR BRZ I had on order with Rich at Irvine Subaru, whichever one got here first. I was still on the fence at the time, and was THIS close to buying an E46 M3. Bugged Carlos a couple of times asking when they were gonna get the car, but he said for some reason it was still at the port. I got excited when I saw his thread about him getting a shipment of FR-Ss, but when I called to ask he said my car wasn't in there. Then on 5/29 I was able to test drive a Raven 6AT and even though it was the 6AT, I was sold. Not finding an E46 M3 in the color/transmission I wanted helped with the decision, but still

A day after the test drive, my salesperson called and said he had a 6MT Raven that was available. I thought wth, Raven's a cool color anywho and I'm fine with any color but silver. So when I got home I got the ok from the folks (who btw actually LIKE the FR-S, as opposed to the other cars I've been looking at ), and I called my salesman at Power Toyota of Cerritos. Unfortunately the car had already been spoken for in the 2 hours that had passed since the call -> me getting home. So the Raven 6MT was sold (picked up by a member here, actually saw that thread - congrats btw), and I was bummed. So close.

The next day, Carlos calls to give me an update (8:30-ish) - car was still in shipping status and he had no idea when they were going to get it. Double bummed. BUT 2 hours later he calls again, tells me that a Firestorm 6MT similar to what I had put a deposit on had become available (someone with a deposit backed out) and asked if I wanted that. Immediately jumped on it before another 2 hours passed and someone else buys it It was exactly the same as the one I had a deposit on, same options and everything. Difference was it was there at their dealership already. And the VIN.

I then proceeded to call Rich to take my deposit back (went smoothly, he was cool) and referred someone to him to take my spot on the GB. I was hoping to drive to Vegas to pick up the car, but unfortunately could not find anyone who was willing to go. So I had to wait a few more days to get the paperwork, which arrived on Wednesday, 6/6. I reviewed and signed as fast as I could, hoping to get the paperwork to them and have the car shipped here before the week ended. But I wasn't fast enough and missed the last Fedex Express shipment (5:15PM).

So paperwork would go out Thursday, and they would get it Friday. Unfortunately there wasn't a company that would ship the car over the weekend (too short notice?), and so yesterday rolls around. Bugged Carlos for the umpteenth time to see if there was a delivery date, and YES! Car was loaded into the truck early yesterday (Monday), and I will be taking delivery the next day. Transporter called while I was typing this out, and said he would get here at 8-9am

Now that I've written all of this down, sounds like it was a pretty smooth and quick transaction from saying yes on wanting the newly available Firestorm FR-S, to today waiting for tomorrow to get the car. But. HOLY. CRAP. That was the longest week of my life so far.

But it's cool. Already made a quick Starbucks run this morning with my Mom to grab breakfast. So in love with the car!

Short intro:

Car is here! Basically making the journal for myself, would like to be able to go back in a few months/years and read all of this again. Making my own blog would have been better, but hey someone might like reading member's journals like I do lol. Won't be doing much mods at the moment, probably just cosmetic (antenna is on its way, ordering Toyota badges, etc).

Delivery video (could someone please help me embed? I tried the embedding thing that was stickied(?), pasting the link directly, couldn't get it to work. I fail.):

Taking Delivery of my 2013 Scion FR-S - YouTube

A few pics from my smartphone:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1870552...7630052146471/

I'll be taking more pics and uploading later, for now I'm gonna go drive some more

[r4m3n]

Congrats! and come out to the meet in Fullerton this Friday night!

[Lonewolf]

What an ordeal! Congrats, I see that you've cleaned her up nicely from the earlier transport photos...

[Gaiakai]

Originally Posted by r4m3n

Congrats! and come out to the meet in Fullerton this Friday night!

That's the one in this thread right?

I'd be down for that, I'll come if I can (depends on how stuff works out by the end of the week), if I can't I'll go next time

[r4m3n]

Yup! that's the one

[Napoleon]

Congratulations, great choice!

If I was not a sucker for world rally blue and amenities, I would definitely get a red FRS. GT86....if only.

[Gaiakai]

Awesome day today, having been able to spend literally the whole day in my car! Also perfect timing for the UPS man to come by, he delivered my Beat Sonic Antenna just as I was about to go inside for dinner. Installed that, and now it's dinner time

My first mod:

20120612_201439 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120612_201350 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

Also, been wanting to try this kind of shot since I saw it - first attempt so it's not quite there yet:


Hoodless by Gaiakai, on Flickr

[Calidrifter]

Your video is now available:

Taking Delivery of my 2013 Scion FR-S - YouTube

[bryan]

Talk about service. They practically delivered the car to your door.

[Gaiakai]

Originally Posted by Calidrifter

Your video is now available:

Taking Delivery of my 2013 Scion FR-S - YouTube

Thank you sir!

Originally Posted by bryan

Talk about service. They practically delivered the car to your door.

They did Used a 3rd party shipping company, but it was still pretty spectacular service.

[Drunknhero]

did you have to paid extra for that delivery lol?

[Gaiakai]

Originally Posted by Drunknhero

did you have to paid extra for that delivery lol?

I did actually. Not that much though, since NV -> CA isn't far.

[Guff]

I fixed your link in the OP.

Congrats! Enjoy it!

[Gaiakai]

Originally Posted by Guff

I fixed your link in the OP.

Congrats! Enjoy it!

Thank you!

Half excited half nervous to drive to work today - not that used to driving stick yet


EDIT: Made it safely to work today without stalling! Accidentally did a 2500RPM launch at a stoplight, but I'm still proud of myself

Parked at the office:

[Gaiakai]

Weird thing happened today. As I was leaving work today the car had trouble starting up. Cranked for about 5secs then I turned the key back to the off position. Tried again, this time cranked for about 4secs then started. Car usually only cranks about 2-3secs before starting up. Didn't run into the issue again later on when I stopped by Kmart to pick up some stuff. Hopefully it was just a fluke.

When I got home, gave the car a quick wipedown with a microfiber towel I bought at Kmart today:


20120614_195057 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120614_195117 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120614_195139 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

Looks a whole lot cleaner now.

[Gaiakai]

Got an awesome pic a few days ago, exactly 200 miles after she was delivered to my doorstep:


20120619_185135 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

Also did a few things yesterday:

1.) Raided AutoZone for a few stuff:


20120623_090507 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

2.) Proceeded to rebadge my car!

During:


20120623_071033 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

After:


20120623_081356 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120623_081411 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

Then took a break for breakfast. Will be rebadging the rear in a few minutes. Also taking off the FR-S badge.

She's in desperate need of a wash though, so I'll be doing that if I have time later before lunch. If not it'll have to be tonight.

Went to the DMV yesterday to try and register my car, I apparently need to get it smogged since it's from Nevada. Huh.

[Gaiakai]

Finally was able to do my first wash - also my plates arrived yesterday!


20120630_152656 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120630_152636 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

Still haven't gotten around to getting it tinted though...

[caliboy15]

needs JDM fogs, headlights, side marker and toyota steering wheel!

keep it up.

[Gaiakai]

Originally Posted by caliboy15

needs JDM fogs, headlights, side marker and toyota steering wheel!

keep it up.

Thanks! JDM exhaust tips are coming up next

[Gaiakai]

July 15, 2012:

Went up to GMR to finish up the break in:


DSC_0011 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120715_175300 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

July 21, 2012:

Got the car tinted at Direct Tints, Downey (highly recommended):


20120729_105928 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120729_110014 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120729_110054 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120729_110002 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

35% all around, 20% on the rear quarter windows.

And installed this when I got home


DSC_0022 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

July 28, 2012:

Picked up the JDM exhaust tips from the UPS Store at Cerritos, and dropped by Carson Toyota on the way home to see if they had any clear side markers left in stock:


20120728_124149 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

Before:


DSC_0034 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


DSC_0035 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


DSC_0037 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

During:


DSC_0041 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


DSC_0042 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


DSC_0046 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

After:


DSC_0047 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


DSC_0048 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


DSC_0049 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


DSC_0044 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


DSC_0050 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


DSC_0052 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

Size comparison (lol):


DSC_0038 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


DSC_0039 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


DSC_0040 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

July 29, 2012:

Got the clear side markers installed as soon as I woke up:

Before:


20120729_071550 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120729_071606 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

After:


20120729_075442 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120729_075453 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120729_075509 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

Comparison, USDM OEM vs JDM OEM:


20120729_073751 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120729_073756 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120729_073738 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

Pics of the parking lights on with the stock bulbs:


20120729_114901 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120729_114923 by Gaiakai, on Flickr


20120729_114836 by Gaiakai, on Flickr

They're more yellow than what shows on the pictures, but they're noticeably (and obviously) not amber like the turn signals.

Yay for the big update

[Jayde]

Looks great!!! I was thinking about getting a similar % tint for mine. Just to clarify, you did 35% on the doors and rear with 20% on the quarter windows?

I originally came here to see if you posted pics of the exhaut tips and you did! Curious, but how easy were they to change? Aren't they just held on with an allen head bolt or two and then just slide off?

[Gaiakai]

Originally Posted by Jayde

Looks great!!! I was thinking about getting a similar % tint for mine. Just to clarify, you did 35% on the doors and rear with 20% on the quarter windows?

I originally came here to see if you posted pics of the exhaut tips and you did! Curious, but how easy were they to change? Aren't they just held on with an allen head bolt or two and then just slide off?

Thanks! Yes, 35% on the doors + rear window and 20% on the quarter windows. And yes the tips were held on by two bolts, one each, and just slide off/on. Super easy install