Talk me out of regretting my FRS purchase
 

Alright guys,
for some reason, the passed couple of days I've been regretting purchasing my FRS.



Here's my back story:
I'm 24 years old, and drove a 2001 Dodge Intrepid from the time I was 19 up until August 2015. My engine shit the bed, and I wasn't in the best financial situation, so I had to wait and save for a car. Last year, I went through some shitty decisions that affected my credit score (dropped to a womping 550). Last month I decided for ha, ha's to go to my local Toyota dealership and see what was there. Before I knew it I was approved for a loan for an FRS ($17k, with 17k miles). They had to search long and far to find a lender willing to accept me because of my score. I applied to my credit union only to get denied, as well.

Anyway, I'm starting to regret getting the FRS because
1. I live in New England and AWD would've been nice





Not sure why but it's really eating at me. Sorta wished I had gotten a WRX, but then again a WRX with 17k miles would come with a $23k plus price tag. If I spent $17k on a WRX it would probably have close to 80k miles.

well...should have do more research before doing anything.
frs 200hp / 151 tor ,,didnt you know before you buy this car?

Just keep it for now until you get better credit score i guess.

Not sure why I added the lack of power comment, I took that out. I guess really the only thing I regret is not getting something AWD

Not gonna do it!
If you had got the WRX you would probably be on the WRX forum saying "I think I should have got the FRS".
The Grass is Always Greener syndrome is a real thing.

Just get winter tires. It's really not bad. It's way cheaper than taking a hit on that loan in a trade.

Not to kick a guy while he's down but should've done more research on what the car is about.

Btw, I hear from our brothers and sisters up north in Canadia that they do just fine in the snow. With some awesome snow tires and careful driving, they are perfectly happy.

ouch, are you paying around $400/mth for that? well, at this point you already purchased the car so you really only have two options:

- keep the car and continue to make payments without being late, and itll help improve your credit score.
- sell the car and try to recoup as much of the purchase price (plus all fees/taxes, etc. that you paid and got baked into the total loan amount) and then pay off the remaining balance if possible
or if the above isn't possible because you dont have cash to pay off the balance after selling, you trade the car in for a cheaper car but with the rollover of the extra depreciation, you'll probably end up paying almost the same amount for a lesser car anyway so might as well keep the frs.

1. Get real winter tires.

2. When the weather starts to clear put the summer tires back on and head to your local mountain road.

3. Come back and tell us how you're feeling then.

ya, u gotta fix ur score first before u put uself deeper into shit hole......

While you are @ it, make sure u take the car out for tight bend & twisty mountain road. only @ those places it comes alive. Unless you are into modding/tracking & etc... then it's a good platform.

Seems to me you'd have buyer's remorse regardless unless you were in a more stable financial situation or purchased an all year round utility vehicle.

1) no you talk yourself out. You're a big boy, no? Stand by your choices. Be ready for your consequences and learn that for every choice their is a reason, result or impulse.

2) Talk to dealer about trading in.

3) A FR-S looks nicer than all the awd sport cars around its price range IMHO><<<<< IMHO IMHO

4) Bet there's not many around your area eh? There's 3 here where I live and we never see each other. Mine is the cleanest hehe

5) Get the WRX. Just do it.

6) Drive it some more, it'll settle in....hopefully eventually.

You're still young. Let it be a learning circumstance. Learn from it.

No snow this year (really NONE) so the old stock photo will have to do.


Oh and point of clarification: I am slightly north of OP but waaaaay south of you there Steve.

Should have waited for the Toyota version.

Kidding aside, wait until the snow clears. Do they have twisty roads in England? Drive on those.

New England




http://www.theamericanroadtripcompan...-Road-copy.jpg

If I lived in snow country I would probably buy a truck.


Wait, I have a truck. But its only a two-wheel drive truck. But its a Toyota. So I'm good. And it doesn't snow here. Decisions, son. start making some good ones.

Yup. You made the wrong choice and now you hate yourself. JK.

But really you just need snow tires because even if you had AWD, it wouldn't matter if you can't put traction to the ground. OR you really wished you have bought a WRX.

You'll be fine with the FRS.

Probably.

Worst case, drive it around for a year, make payments and sell it/trade it in. A year of keeping on top of finances will go a long way for credit scores. Plus, who knows, maybe you'll fall in love with the car.

You really know nothing about snow driving. Trucks are JUNK in the snow, especially compared to FWD cars and AWD cars.

Fuck! I read that right the first time too, but forgot to put the "New" in New England. :bonk:

I don't think there is a straight country road anyplace in that area. Prime FRS territory.

Why does everyone seem to think snow = AWD?

AWD doesn't help you stop. AWD gives you a false sense of confidence.

Get good winter rubber and enjoy the snow. I did that a lot when I had my IS300.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2682365718

Yes, but AWD definitely helps you go in the snow. It also isn't prone to oversteering in corners in the snow.

You're not wrong about the stopping though. That's purely on having good snow tires.

for other reasons i was looking to trade my frs last year. extactly as you stated, it would put me in a lesser vehicle but paying the same amount i'd be paying for the frs. i said eff it. just keep the scion and pay it off. at least i'd have an frs when all said and done and not some econobox with a slushbox.

the only trade i was really pushing for was for a first year lexus ct200h as i would be retaining lots of value with that car because it was originally a lot more expensive when new and luxurious. the numbers still didn't work right so here i am still driving the frs. no regrets though. just a changing lifestyle which will require me to get a larger vehicle (planning for children). either way, i'd be losing my shirt with the frs so it stays indefinitely. yes, i will be hauling babies with it too. the passenger seat will be removed.

AWD with winter tires can be better than RWD in deep snow yes.
AWD in light snow or ice really has no advantage over RWD.
AWD without snow tires is worse that RWD with them in all conditions (this is proven).
All season tires are not winter tires even on AWD.
Cars are not prone to oversteer in the winter the drivers are. Smooth inputs and gentle throttle control will make your RWD just as manageable as any AWD.
The mythos that RWD is hard to handle in the snow comes from people that think they are something weird and wonderful and not the way that cars were propelled for 60 years before FWD/AWD came along.

Well what were your reasons for buying an FR-S in the first place? It's got some definite advantages over a WRX (I used to have an STI myself), but if those aren't things you appreciate then you probably bought the wrong car.

I live in Quincy area and survived last years shit show no problem with a nice set of snow tires. Snow banks were the only problem but I think they were so high only mac trucks could see over them.

Trust me...you will love your car in the summer and will not regret your decision. Just get some winter tires and throw some salt bags in the trunk and you will be good for the winter.

I am just going to add another vote for winter tires. I love driving in the winter :D

Man New England area is the best place to own a frs!!! You have the best roads/scenery in the country imo!

Few things (coming from someone who has owned both and switches cars with the seasons):

1) The WRX is no question better in the snow with proper tires. If you get snow tires or AWD tires it will handle significantly better in the winter than the FRS would with matching tires. With that said I think most if not all WRXs come with summer tires (at least the 15/16s do), therefore you would need to buy new tires or else it handles like shit in snow. Additionally the FRS with proper snow tires handles surprisingly well in light to moderate snow.

2) Both cars have their overall pros and cons as does any car. I would say the WRX is a quick, well balanced, car but it lacks that "sports car" feeling. The car is quiet, very smooth driving, and looks more sedan like than sports car. The FRS looks fantastic, handles well, but lacks grunt. The upside is you feel like you're actually in a sports car not a supped up sedan. So, if you're looking for a "sports car" i'd keep the FRS and just get some proper tires for winter. If you want an excellent all around car that works wonders as a DD while simultaneously allowing you to "Hoon" around then I'd get the WRX.

3) Financially though...If you're looking to trade your car in, and since you're financing like others said you would have to get a cheaper and likely "lesser" car. With this in mind there are several cars I would never buy used, and the WRX is one of them. WRX owners are typically ass holes who are in high school or college and literally beat the fuck out of their cars. They bolt on countless shitty mods, run ridiculous amounts of boost, and tear the car to pieces, then when they decide to sell they part it out return it to stock and sell it or trade it in. Then comes a prospective buyer assuming they're buying a "stock" car which is more likely than not only five miles away from throwing a rod or spinning a bearing.

In short keep the FRS and get snow tires or trade it in for an older AWD car that is less prone to abuse. Hint- avoid EVOs, WRXs, DSMs, VR4's, or any other AWD turbo tuner car.

This pic makes my heart bleed

Not as bad as you think. If your car is in good shape you can probably get out of it free. I didno research on the car. It's looks captivated me and when I drove it I was done. I buy what I like not based on many different opinions. No doubt I can sale mine today and make a few dollars because I pretty much stole it. You are suffering buyers remorse. It will pass and summer will come and you'll love your car. That being said I think you should have bought an older different car till your credit is fixed. You sunk in more debt. Can't believe you got a loan with a 500 score. Keep paying for it and build your credit.

OP. Your young. You've got plenty of time for other cars. Enjoy the car that you have. Trust me .... I've had all kinds of cars, but the FRS ranks as one of my favorite cars to drive.

Sounds like you got a good price. Get the winter tires. Drive the car. Enjoy the car. Then in a few years when your credit score is better .... than consider something else.

I had the same regret after purchasing my (2015 Ultramarine / Automatic) I got mine brand new 25 miles on it. After a week of purchasing the car I started having second thoughts like big time, I got to the point where I wanted to trade the car in and just throw all the money away for a Nissan 370z. But then I started to just drive the car like you normally would to your sports car, I understand its 200hp, RWD and all that bad sh*t everybody say about the FRS/BRZ so I started looking at the bigger picture if I give up on this car (Which I really wanted when it first came out) just days after getting it even if I trade it in for a 370z or Camaro or whatever sports car I can afford I still would not be content because WE ALL WANT SOMETHING MORE and MORE All the time.

To make the long story short, Enjoy it and you'll be amaze what this car can do specially when you have to turn without hitting your breaks its fuc*ing crazy shit!

If you want power to the car its available but you have to save for that. Oh by the way I live in OHIO and winter here is shitty most people suggest getting a dedicated snow tires but me being me stubborn I went with Michelin PREMIER A/S been through 4-8 inches so far with the tires and not once I had a problem.

Enjoy it, because if you trade it in for something else so will only realize the value of this car once its gone and YOU can't go back again. In the end its all up to you but if you are worried about snow and lack of power those are easy fix. Read around the forum there are people out here willing to help. Good luck!

Sports cars attract bored middle-aged women who will take you out to dinner and pay for it, freeing up valuable funds for car payments.

WRXes attract 14-year-old dads who need a ride to the vape store, which will cost you extra gas money needed for car payments.

Choose wisely.

Hey man I am the same age, still in school and I live in cold snowy Canada. Here is my opinion.
Don't care about what anyone says, if you're happy then thats what matters. I have a FRS with winter tires and I have no problems with it. Every time I get into the car I smile. It truly is a great car!

26, in grad school and drive 14 Monogram. Dedicated snows are the way to go and the easiest and cheapest route is to buy the old 02-04? WRX rims. Often times you will find them on craigslist for a low price and more often than not they will have snow tires already on. Use your judgement if the tires on the wheels needs replacing.

I got my FR-S right after I got a raise at my first career-level job. I had some pretty serious buyer's remorse for a few weeks. I don't know what got me over it, but as time passed, I just fell in love with it. Also, the two biggest jumps in my credit score have come from each time I've had cars to make payments for. Seriously, after a year of making payments on the loan for my other car, my credit jumped 150 points. Pay more than your monthly payment, pay on time, and it will be fantastic for your credit. Focus on getting right side up on your loan before any serious mod bugs hit you, which they WILL. I've got about 4 grand worth of changes in mind for May, when I'll no longer be upside down on this thing.

Buyer's remorse is natural. It's evidence of having a financial conscience, which will only serve you well when it comes time to make a bigger purchase.

You sound like waffling and making manic bad financial moves is a pattern for you. Often, when stuck at the bottom of a hole, the best move is to stop digging.

You can't buy your way out of this. Why not tough it out and use this as the first step to making long term decisions and sticking with them? Every time you feel like doing a manic purchase, look at the car remind yourself of the consequences.

With a set of snow tires on all four corners, the car is capable of doing its job year round just fine. (Except for the windows, the windows suck in cold weather).

I'm dying to know the interest rate for the loan on the car. I know I'm not the only one...haha.