I work in a "business park" where there is nothing but suits driving German this and Japanese that. My FR-S sticks out like a sore thumb.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

Get off my lawn, punk.

Or what, you going to chase me?

Do be careful and not dislocate your hip now.

















:bellyroll:

Out of curiosity, which model did you drive? The newest BMWs I've driven were both 2009 325xi models,(AWD) one auto and one manual. The manual transmission clutch made our FR-S feel sloppy; you needed to be REALLY precise with that. I preferred the balance and handling of my '93 325i (RWD) VERY much, but both of the 2009s were very responsive, nice and tight, and heads and shoulders over our SciYoBarus in fit, finish, and cabin isolation. You felt connected to the road, very much so, but not every little pebble and nick in the surface like you do in the FR-S. Calling it the "Ultimate Sailing Machine" is creative and whimsical, but way overly harsh. For the "Ultimate Sailing Machine," I refer you to the Mercedes 560SL. I have one of those, too. It handles like a really well-built '73 Olds Delta 88, but man, it's the most beautiful car in the world, and I smile every time we put the top down and hit the road. Crazy fast in a straight line, but don't try to turn... the car just keeps going straight.

Which BMW turned you off so much?

Thanks..

Barry

We have nothing further to discuss.... ;)

Just kidding around, but I just don't get why fans of the FR-S WOULDN'T dig an e36 325i or 325ci. Is it the newer BMWs that folks don't dig? My '93 engine was flippin' bullet-proof. Other than oil and filters, the only things up front I had to change in 243,000 miles were one water pump, one alternator, and one coil. That inline 6 was one of the sweetest things I've ever heard or driven.

Just my opinion. What's everyone's beef with the Bavarians? I'm curious..

Thanks.. and best..

BArry

I don't give a shit about your petty observations.

Oh, and FWIW, apropos the folks recommending that one buy the Subaru version so as not to suffer the Scion Stigma...

I did the opposite. For years I've driven nothing but older Euro cars, and loved every one of them; bought them cheap(ish), maintained and repaired them myself as much as I could, and am blessed with two wonderful mechanic close friends who've bailed me out when I got in over my head. I've had two Fiat Spiders ('71 and '74), a '93 Range Rover County LWB, Audi 80, BMW 325i, Mercedes 560SL, Mercedes ML430, Mercedes ML500, and '82 VW Rabbit convertible; the 560SL and ML500 are still in the stable here as my wife's fun and daily, respectively. I "traded in" (translation: "Gave Away") the BMW when I bought my FR-S. Loved EVERY one of those cars, and the Rover and Fiats were the only ones that were real maintenance headaches.. at least until serious age, mileage, and salt abuse took it's toll on the others.

Why the background? Well, for decades, my pragmatic father has been telling me stop messing around with those ridiculous cars and by a nice reliable Subaru; his sister loves hers, he just bought one, and everyone should buy one. My dad's a very in shape, sharp as a tack 80 year old, and I'm 55. There's no WAY I'm going to leave my adrenaline-junky, immature youth in the rear-view mirror any time soon, so the Subaru badge was out for me. Similarly, I don't exactly identify w/ the tuner set (meaning, folks who add park benches, kilobuck wheels, body kits, and fancy colored pulleys and bolts 'cause it looks so rad, dude... I have no issue with folks who are true driving hobbyists who actually track and USE their cars as they mod them for performance. That stuff, sadly, is just above my pay grade. I don't know how so many of you afford to do that stuff... hats off to ya!), so the WRX scene ain't exactly me either. I just like to drive, that's all. Always have. Always will. The Scion got me there cheaper than the Subaru, AND... it's not a Subaru! :)

Impractically yours,

Barry

Respect.

This all reminds me of another car people had image problems with back then (even now) being the Mazda Miata.

Pretty sure those tougher skinned folk that decided to buy one, for the thrills of driving, couldn't care less about what other peoples image of them driving a curtsy little convertible was. I greatly respect those enthusiasts for being true to themselves. Life is just too short to have regrets.

Trading an FRS for any non m3 e46 is probably one of the worst decisions I think anyone can make. Honestly. I worked as a mechanic for years and the few times I worked on a BMW it seemed like those cars had the most asinine shit I've ever seen. The drivetrain and suspensions honestly are overly complicated for what they do and are excessively expensive to maintain. Of the few that friends have owned or ones that I've seen honestly the fit and finish of the car does not justify the "prestige".

If you need practicality get a mini van, otherwise keep the FR-S. It's way better engineered than anything German. An FR-S is beautifully simple, cheap and reliable, you just need to figure out how to have fun with it again.

I could have told you that.

IMHO who cares about what other peeps say about Scion. Grow up dude and don't worry bout shit that others will say about your car. Life's too short to worry bout petty shit.

Strangers compliment me all the time for having a sexy sportscar. One time a dude at the gas station told me, "hey, nice wheels...what kind of sportscar is that?" and he was driving a brand new Corvette. :D

As my late grandfather once told me, "A car is never a good financial investment and it'll always be there. It depreciates so quickly so you lose money"!

You'll be losing money even on a trade in. $300.00 a month for a car payment is cheap. But if you've got money in your wallet to burn then burn it and buy your Bmerrrr..... ;) Nuff said!

The car has to fit the person. I love my 2013 BRZ, I don't care who made it I love it. Brands are just emblems, doesn't mean anything. Who cares what other say or think, if you love the car it doesn't matter. It is simply a machine with an emblem on it, just like every other car in the world. If the payments blow then do you really love the car? If not then ditch it. but if you love it then keep it. Now say you ditch it, you aren't moving and the track is still in the same place. You gonna play more in a different car? I say keep it, if you really can't stand the emblems then pry them off and call it whatever you want. But it seems like you've been through a lot of cars and I am also in my late 20's. I will drive my BRZ till the it explodes. Best car I have ever owned. Look at some mods and play with it more. Cars are cars, if you like mustangs then buy a mustang, if you like Nissans then get one. It's ultimately up to you, but you signed up here and post so that's gotta count for something. Think long and hard (**** joke) about what you really want and then go for it. No snap decisions!