It's been a great run guys. Want your feedback.
 

UPDATE: Parts are now up for sale. Interior, Exterior, engine, and misc. parts will be posted.

Hi Guys, I've had my Lava FRS since August. Some of you know I was one of the first few people to report idle issues and stalling. My car has spent about 40 days in shop for everything from bad cam gears to leaking weather seals since I bought it. I've put about $2000 of aftermarket and OEM parts into it, but it's time to part ways.

My stack of about 12 Scion Service records seems to have no bearing on the status of my car. After HPFP replacements, body work, new tail lights, and major engine repair, I still get idle drops when hitting the gas, water in my tail lights, and screaming crickets under my hood that get worse with every tank.

I've had some older project cars, but this wasn't supposed to be my project car. I wanted this to be my keeper, my reliant ride, but it's just not so. I'll be the first to admit, the stresses of this car are just not something I want to keep dealing with.

I've begun the arbitration process with Washington State to get my money back. I'll say that this is one of the best car forums I've seen, and I'll really miss this community.

TLDR: Car is making me nuts and I'll be selling all the fancy bits I've collected for it on here in the coming weeks.

My question for some of you Subaru guys is about the WRX. I've lurked some forums and it sounds like there are some common oil issues with the boxer engines in the impreza. Also the fact that I've had such a bad experience with a car made by subaru. Can you give me any reason to trust Subaru at this point? Also, any feedback about the Focus ST? Lets keep it mellow I'm not trying to start any wars, just want a practical/fun sporty car and those are on my radar. :thanks:

You're scaring me a little. I'm taking delivery of my BRZ soon and i hope my car won't be like what you had.

The Focus ST is a great car. I test drove it on an Autocross track in Foxboro MA back in the summer. I would say that is a great alternative to the FR-S. Sorry you've had such bad luck with her.

Unfortunately, there will always be "that car out there" I've seen complete duds at every model working at ford.. I have over 10k miles and maybe when it's cold might get a slight idle dip.. Other then that no issues yet that are the cars fault, I made it loud and buzzy with the greddy evo 3, a guy backed into it, it has some scratches, otherwise the car runs great gets 38 mpg on the highway and about 32-33 in the city..

As for the op, I can't imagine how aggravating this can be, I've seen it before.. Good luck with your next car, stop by and let us know what you go with

Bummer your FR-S has been a lemon. :(

How about the FR-S's little brother, the Miata Club PRHT? The Miata is reliable as hell and a blast to drive. The Focus ST will feel like a boat compared to the FR-S, not to mention the front-drive buzz-kill.

Best of luck with arbitration.

Sorry to hear about the troubles you went through :/

Good luck!
 

Good luck with the arbitration. Hope you get some satisfaction.

Too bad that you seem to have fallen victim to "1st year release... blues."
Hopefully the things you brought to their attention benefited later production runs. If so.. "Thanks" for your diligence in making them own up to the myriad of issues.

What fancy parts do you have mr fancy pants?

its tough if you want another car with similar driving dynamics as the FRS, your only real option is the Mazda MX5/Miata at this point. However, if you are ok with FWD (Im not, but some people are) then the Focus ST or Hyundai Veloster Turbo are both great.
If you need that FR fix, then the Genesis may be worth a look, but its not nearly as agile or tight as the FRS, though the turbo model has A LOT more power.

Genpu MazdaSpeed3's are a great value for the car if your looking to buy new. check out genwon if you wanna buy used. Just as good as the ST and a solid aftermarket. Also one of the best forums on the interwebz.... mazdaspeedforums.org Give it a look.

Still waiting for an offer back from Toyota Corp, but here is a preview off the top of my head:

-Auto-dimming OEM BRZ mirror with digital compass
-86 logo Grimmspeed oil cap
-HKS high flow air filter, only in the car for 1 week, put back into the box
-Lloyds all weather floor mats custom for the FRS/BRZ
-Never installed lightweight Alternator pulley a friend in Japan sent me
-Custom matching stitched arm rest
-Custom fit windshield shade bought from a Scion dealership
-86 logo console plaque (goes in that little hollow below the shifter)
-Hot Lava touch up paint (color code H8R)
-Tamiya GT86 model, not assembled new in box, also have the limited ed. orange paint from Tamiya

I'll go and see what else I forgot when I get more details probably closer to the end of the month. I'll make a new thread in the classifieds and update this thread with a link.

Back when I had my STI, some folks on the STI forums were having issues with piston ringlands cracking on the EJ257 engine caused by detonation, but from what I understand, that was mostly an STI issue and less common on WRXs (which have a lower CR). Might want to look into that to be safe. Otherwise, the STIs were pretty reliable and I'd expect the WRXs were as well. Fun car, sloppier and heavier than you would be used to in your FR-S, but a lot more power and torque.

You also might want to try a Mini Cooper S. I can't speak towards its reliability, but I had a lot of fun throwing it around corners in my test-drive. Also really liked the Mustang GT, which local dealers were selling well under $30k last summer.

Thanks, I suppose I should have asked on the BRZ side of the general forum about the WRX feedback. Are there any rules against linking people to this thread from there? I'm guessing some BRZ owners probably don't come by here often.

I've had my FR-S for about six weeks and have not had any of the issues/problems you have had, it's been great. I love it, mine was made in 11/12.

I picked up a '13WRX two weeks ago, love the power, comfort, room and visibility. If my wife and I are doing something or I need room for passengers I take the WRX, otherwise I'm smiling in the FR-S.

Sorry to hear it, will be keeping an eye out for some of these parts though. Good luck with the next car and the arbitration process!

Is there a "lemon law" in Washington? Hopefully you can get your money back and it wasn't a total waste.

Yes thankfully I've far exceeded the minimum requirements for the lemon law. I've heard tell that most Auto manufacturers will just fold the deck and settle when it's this dire. So I'm crossing my fingers for a fast finish.

The MX5 was a contender in my mind for a bit, but the lady of the house + snow + passengers has made me willing to accept 4-doors, FWD or AWD. I test drove a Lancer Evo over the weekend and it was cool/powerful but it had that dual clutch so it was a little less engaging to drive. Not to mention about $7k out of my price comfort zone. As for the Speed3, I've got 3 friends with 3's and Protege's so I'm trying to avoid joining the club :lol:

Too Much Celebration Sake on the Assembly Line, Good luck hope everything works out

What about a Golf R? AWD, fun, same price range as a wrx (???dont quote me on that) and although people always hear bad things about them, a well maintained VW, makes for a great VW.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

ST forums are a mess compared to this one, trying to find some info about failures or common issues with the new international Focus platform. Considering it runs the same platform as the mazda 3/Volvo c30 I'm guessing the only thing to worry about would be the Ford Econoboost engine's reliability. I've heard there are a lot of happy RS owners UK side. :iono:

The only other car I seriously checked out that hasn't been mentioned is the Fiat Abarth, best sounding 4 cyl. I've ever heard and loads of fun but you'll have to live with the inherent limitations of the platform (small, not designed for sportiness, FWD, very little space for wrenching), but with MOPAR support I have a hunch the mods will be much heavier duty than what we'll get from TRD or STI.

Yeah it's a Fiat, but if your considering a GTI, Mini, Focus/Fiesta/Mazda2/3 it should be test driven at least. Better mpg and stowing space than an FRS/BRZ and just about the same amount of passenger space, similar amenities and if you find an agreeable dealer significantly cheaper.

Even though I'm sometimes thought to be a pessimist (a well informed optimist) I have an unusual thought. Based on the theory that lightening won't strike twice you might find faster satisfaction in an arrangement where your present car is taken as an even trade for a new replacement. Of course if you're totally going in a different direction that wouldn't work.

I've entertained the thought, but my legal status with 30 days in the shop gives me a choice of replacement or repurchase. At this point I'm a but wary of the '13 model. I see that many people here have had great success with their purchase, but there are also a few hundred who are having some really common issues that I'm betting won't be there in '14. I'll keep the idea in mind, but it's a last resort. :)

My previous car was a Mazdaspeed3 (2nd gen) and I had about 7k into it with aftermarket bits. There is nothing bad I could say about the car other than the styling is not everyone's cup of tea.

okay, i had a 1st gen WRX, and i LOVED that car. only issues that i actually had with it was transmission that was more fragile than it should have been (or i just didn't know what i was doing with manual). it was definately one of the more fun cars i've had.

my mom currently has a cooper s, and the only issues that she's had with it is the roof (convertable).

I can understand your hesitation to get another FRS, but it seems to me like only the really early adopters got all the problems. In my experience, any FRS made after summer of 2012 is problem-free.

That said, a WRX might be better for your lifestyle. I was considering one before I settled on the FRS. It's much more reasonable for your "reliable, every-day car" category.


PS: Is the armrest for the center console? If so, how much? And how much for the air filter?

Yes it goes in the center console. I was thinking $75 shipped unless I'm grossly out of line, I paid about $100 in October.

Air filter I think around $30, I'll make a dedicated thread in the classifieds later and give you all the heads up/link.

sorry to hear that

prices on the items?

I'll make a classifieds thread asap and let you all know. :)

Perhaps you could look at an interim low cost solution until a refresh or 2014 becomes available.
Not sure of your situation would allow you to put something like that on hold while you drive something that would get you through a season or so.
Then sell it off when you're ready.

I'm also keeping that option on the table. I think it would drive the family a little nuts to see the same car back for round 2 next year though hahah! :bellyroll:

I have a 2012 WRX and love it. I chose it over the FRS. I miss the FR layout but the WRX delivers so much in its own ways. Now a days, there are even less reasons to get the STI over the WRX. To the wheels, there's only a 20hp difference and the wrx weighs about 100lbs less than the sti.

The only issue I had was the intercooler to throttle body hose come loose, which is a common issue due to the crap design of the coupler. It happened driving from AZ to OK and I had no tools to fix it and was in the middle of nowhere. Kept going for the last 400 miles and had no issue. Fixed it when I got home.

Other than that, the car has been awesome and it is well worth the money it costs. Such small changes can make such a huge difference.

EDIT: we just had snow here during Christmas and it was funny to see lifted trucks and SUVs limping down the road while I cruised by them without any issues whatsoever.

Heheh yeah, but sometimes things are worth revisiting.
Maybe a different color? LOL

It's a bummer you got a car filled with problems. There are only a few, but they are out there.

Still confused, I've had my car 20000 miles and had no problems :/, maybe its the service techs at your dealership suck...

Not sure, they seem pretty OK. One of them I went to high school with, so he's made sure to take care of me in all my warranty visits. He does give me a good eye-roll every time I pull up to his service bay though. "What is it this time?" kinda look lol.

To be honest, I never really liked the idea of Toyota techs fixing what's essentially a Subaru, but that's not in my hands I guess..:iono:

I know your going to think i'm nuts, but lately there is a craze for Acura NSX's, why not pick one up? Timeless car, or you could get a low mileage latest gen RX-7 or RX-8 which is the cloest IMO to the FRS besides the MX-5.

Sorry about your lemon, hopefully you enjoy your next car a lot better.

Doesn't sound too crazy, I'm diggin the NSX idea though that might be tough to find around here. As for the Rotary, I've had an 80's RX-7 and I'm afraid I'm too lazy to feed them oil so often lol.

Sorry to hear about your issues. I'm sure it would drive me crazy, esp paying mid to upper 20's for a brand new car.

Don't mean to piss off the Subaru fan bois but the fact that it's being built in a Subaru factory is one of my reasons why I'm waiting.