I really dan't believe how many of you seem to say that my expectations are too high.. I've had other new cars before, and none with as many ''little'' things as my FR-S... rattles and all, as I said before, not a big deal.. But I really don't think it's too much to expect that my brand new car doesn't turn it self off when I drive it.

For the record, the car has not stalled again, but idle is still rough.

And I understand what some of you are saying about the crickets, that it doesn't affect performance and whatnot, but it does affect the overal driving experience IMHO... I mean really, sounding like an old tempo with a squeeky belt doesn't screem sports car experience...

Just 2 cents:

You bought a entry level sports car, designed in a entirely new platform and its first edition.

Your Matrix was designed for no other purpose than being reliable cheap transportation. Hence, it's reliability. You wouldn't be complaining in the Matrix forums (if there was such a thing) about the cornering performance of the car, would you?

Different cars are designed for different purposes. If you were looking for reliability, gas savings, pleasant ride, quiet cabin and no engine noises/rattles in a sub $25k sports car ON ITS FIRST YEAR of launch, they you my friend....did not make a smart choice.

The rough idle/stalling issue alone would send me straight back to dealer--it sounds dangerous and they oughta be able to diagnose it.

IMO all the others are just annoyances. Crickets seem to come and go (mine got quiet at 8K miles and have stayed that way the last month or so, but they'll probably come back). Clutch chatter (sounding like "loose marbles" when clutch is engaged) has been mentioned on many other threads--search for "marbles".

As many said before, this car broke new ground in a lot of ways in order to give the driver a pure driving experience--a direct connection between driver and road--at low cost. If that experience doesn't outweigh the nuisances then it's not the right car for you.

The first gen Matrix XR-S - soul of the Celica GT-S mated to a 5 door wagon... IIRC it's not a bad performer...

I think the consistent thing I read on this site points to false expectations. A lemon is one thing and regardless price I agree. But all too often are complaints where it's obvious people were expecting the benefits and luxuries of a 45-60k worth car in a sub 30k car. They simply bought the wrong car. When you purchase a car of any kind now days under 30 grand that's considered a cheap car overall in scheme of things and I fully knew what I was getting into and no complaints.

It's all about the big picture I guess. Moving into other cars within the 10 grand range is not enough to be blown away by comparisons really you gotta enter 45grand and up to start feeling really special.

Rattles ? Use dyno mat, read what others have done mines quiet and took under 200 bones of proper material and some tweaks and elbow grease. Not to much to it...

I don't think his expectations are exactly high - This car has a shit ton of rattles and pops which could of been fixed pretty easily from the factory, hell my 1999 Mazda Protege that rusted itself to death had less rattles. I know with a bit of time an effort most people will be able to get rid of them but it can really ruin the experience for some. Crickets are livable but make the car sound like an old beater with a loose accessory belt, not exactly good for the car and the brands image. The DI and rough idle issues are unacceptable and I hope Toyota / Subaru fixes it soon. Everyone I know who owns an FRS currently has or had the rough idle (myself included) and from what I see on these forums rough idle doesn't exactly seem to be an isolated incident.

All the money that could have gone into fine-tuning the body work, rattles, and luxury features were instead spent on chassis design, suspension, and engine. I, for one, am thankful for that. There are plenty of refined, slow, lumpy options in the market already.

If you want luxury get a camry. For 25k this is an amazing car. It allows you to get full use of it at any speed and when I see a corner I can speed up instead of slowing down :). And plus this interior has alot more than my 2009 TC so its a win win for me

Exactly, it seems to be that this car is bringing a lot of "first sports car owners".

They come from D class sedans, daily drivers, Grand tourers, etc, and all of the sudden they get surprised....that this car doesn't have a class A noise cancelling cabin, or that the plastic is cheap inside, therefore it rattles....

Take the idiot that started this thread for example, he is here comparing the reliability of his Matrix to this car....That's like going to a mustang GT-500 forum and saying :

"omg you guyz I'm sooooo fed up with this GT-500, it's like....my 10 year old camry getz better gas mileage than this car....lololol suckz lolol"

And the other complains I hear come from people that are expecting a Cayman S quality inside and out. Guess where the other $48k of the price of a Porsche Cayman are going in buddy?

Again, it's like those ghetto fat ladies that eat on fast food restaurants and demand to be attended as if they were on a fine dining.

Lady you are paying $10 bucks for your meal, you are lucky the guy serving you has pants on.

Everyone here is comparing the FR-S to other cars built by Toyota, but keep in mind the twins are built by Subaru!

I feel that if Toyota had build the twins, or at least the FR-S' there wouldn't be as many issues.

Here are the numbers to prove it.

According to J.D. Power 2013 Vehicle Dependability Survey
Problems per 100 vehicles (2010)
Toyota - 112
Subaru - 132

Source: http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoram...192544256.html

I once met a guy who back when he lived in the UK, he owned a Lancia delta Integrale 16v. If you know anything about Lancias, you know this is one of the most sought after cars.

He said the car rattled like no tomorrow, plastic, barley any foam between panels to help with road noise, etc.

But it was fucking perfect.

I don't think its the cars fault, no. I think it's up to owner and what he can tolerate.

Sell the car, go buy a 3 series.

I love that car...would love to have one. I have 2 rc cars with that body as well.

My BRZ does not have a single rattle. The only issue I have is the occasional cricket... Honestly, I have been very happy with the quality.

I don't think there is any need to defend yourself about the things you care about. At the end of the day it is your money and the experience that this money is getting you. This car really is the rattliest, squeekiest, quirkiest new car that i have ever driven. (I drive lots of new cars due to the nature of my work..)

I also don't see the need to defend the FRS for its quirks. MOST of us have the first model year car and im sure all of us baught this car with different expectations, needs, and wants.

That being said, I take corners hard, I red line frequently, and I enjoy the ride. I love my FRS. It has almost all the issues OP has except for the stalling issue (Luck of the draw, i guess). But the car does what I wanted it to do, and what I expected it to do.

Fix the problems you can fix and make the best of it man. Most of your issues really are just bad luck. This could have happened to any car, for anyone.