Is the FR-S the right car for me? (I'm 16)
 

I'm currently driving a 1996 Toyota 4Runner (Manual, lifted,167,000 miles). It's my daily driver to high school. However, in the last 14,000 miles, the engine has had 2 yes 2 top engine rebuilds. It just isn't a reliable source of transportation any more. Yes, I am 16, turning 17 in a few months. I love wrenching on my 4Runner and taking it off-roading, and I will miss that. I feel driving an FR-S through the mountains can be equally as fun.

Is the FR-S practical for a daily driver and only vehicle for a 16 year old?

Well you won't have sex in it...so your parents will approve

Just don't get stupid with it.

The FR-S is practical for a daily driver, but getting the car when I was 17, your going to mess around with it ALOT. So it is a practical daily driver car depending on the driver.

It all depends on your personal level of responsibility,

Things like sports cars are usually best appreciated when you are making the payments yourself, it helps you to appreciate the car more because it is a result of your hard work.



Theology aside it is fuel efficient, attractive, and easy to drive, it should be reliable if you leave it alone.

Since I remember what it was like to be 16, I know that this isn't the answer that you want to hear but "no". The twins are not a good car for a 16 or 17 year old.

The reason I say this is because you will inevitably make a mistake or two while you are learning to drive over the next few years. I know this may be hard to envision now but when you look back, even at 21, you will consider yourself as a "kid" and immature at 16. The thing specific about the 86 is that while it is a confidence-inspiring car, it is not a forgiving car. Ask anyone who has crashed one already. If you push an 86 too hard, it will punish you for it which will result in an expensive lesson learned.

If you are bent on learning how to drive in a front-engine, rear drive car, I would recommend starting with something older, used, and significantly cheaper and get professional instruction even if you don't plan on ever racing. There are really no negatives to this and when you do upgrade your car, you will enjoy it even more.

Still, that's my point of view. I'm sure there will be others who disagree.

Best of luck to you in your decision.

Scott

With a great balancing car comes great responsibility ....

Practical for only vehicle. Yes.

I got mine when i was 17 and yes it's a great daily driver.

You will be fine, drive safe

NOPE!

Sounds like you'd enjoy a good small pickup instead, Nissan D21/Hardbody and Toyota Hilux/pickup would be my top two but a Ranger wouldn't be bad.

Much cheaper than an FRS, much slower (less trouble) and decent gas mileage with the 4 cylinder and manual, you can still wrench, incredibly reliable if maintained, incredibly useful in the next few years as you move around (college/crappy apartments) and you can continue to off road with your buddies.

Odds are you're going to screw up a car you get at 16, save your parents some cash and buy yourself a nice car when you can afford it. Just my two cents, totaled my dad's truck, bought myself a nissan a few years later and learned some responsibility along the way.

Although I am incredibly surprised a mid 90's Toyota is having engine trouble at 160k miles...

Edit: also, these trucks will be relatively light, front engine, rear wheel drive and perfectly capable of getting sideways.

That's not entirely true.

I'm leaning towards no. I'm going to go with that being young, you will drive (and please don't take this as a dig) like an idiot. You'll be riding the rear of other cars, you'll be txting, you'll be tempted to show off / go fast (especially with friends), and quite plainly you just don't have much experience. I'm willing to bet you've never had a close call, or massive f*ck up, and now you'll be in a tail-happy dorifto mobile that people in their 20's (which isn't old, but obviously they've got several years more than you behind the wheel) are wrecking.

A good deterent to crazy behavior would to have you pay for it yourself (using your allowance from your parents does not count). Nothing gives you a healthy respect for protecting a car as to when YOU are the one footing the complete bill. And insurance on this car will be nuts for you. Regardless of no experience, putting all the money you have / make into a car is cool for a month or two... and then it sets in you're broke and have 4.5+ years of payments to go.

I understand wanting a neat car, but if you were my new driver I wouldn't let you anywhere near it until it has been proven you're ready and have reasonably spare funds.

I would not let my 17 y/o drive one. Get another used car for now. You are going to have at least one accident over the next couple of years. Want that to be in an FR-S, or something cheap?

Very much this. I had an outback all through HS/College and thank god for it. You'll really hate not having the space or ability to "do things" with this car.

It'll impress girls though.

Your own priorities.

At least you have not had time to develop any of the bad tendencies that a lot of FWD drivers do that then turn around and bite them in a performance RWD car. Respect the car and learn to drive it properly and you will do fine. I would suggest you search for some of the crash threads on this forum so you can see what may happen if you screw up.

You know what else impresses girls in college?

Helping them move.

And then ensuring that their furniture is properly stress tested.

:happy0180:

I'm also looking at the Ford Focus ST...

From what I've heard, the ST is a great bang for your buck. If you're really stuck on a 2 door coupe, grab a pop-eye miata. Those things are classic, cheap, and awesome. The girls will think your car is cute too.

i dont think thats particularly fair to say about fwd since i feel that some fwd seat time is better than no seat time (also can be much better than some rwd seat time but thats neither here nor there)

at that age i can tell you that you are going to damage a car. it just happens. my advice would be miata. similar platform that will allow you to develop as a driver affordably.

I feel like the answer to most of these threads is No. This car is a good DD sports car, but it is not practical as a only car. I am 23 with a FRS. I know my car will be useless when i move next month. I bought it because i love the car and dont mind sacrificing practicality. if i bought a more pratical car, i would get a cross over or a prius. Those cars arent just any fun or sexy though

Practical = probably not. Fun = definitely.

Normally I would say "absolutely hell no" on this car for a 16 year old, but you seem to at least be conscious enough to ask the question about how practical it will be as an only car for a 16 year old. I applaud you for even asking, most 16 year olds would have jumped in the nice car and not even though twice.

However I am going to be realistic and say no. You mention off roading with friends which in this car you can't do. Also when it comes to friends, it is not a comfortable car when it comes to stuffing people in like we all did in HS. This car will probably be yours for at least the next 3-5 years which is the time you hang out and do dumb things. This car can be unforgiving and even at almost 26 I still do stupid things while driving (usually when it comes to the opposite sex). If I were you, I would get something else fun to drive and wait a few years, the car will still be here and it will be even better.

I don't think you've experienced enough driving to really appreciate it, your friends will laugh cause its not fast and it will be a waste. If you like to wrench get something to wrench on

I'm with everyone else in that the Twins, and even the ST for that matter, are to be respected for what they're so easily capable of...the speed, the manuverability, etc. The essence of these vehicles is their tendency to bring out the guttural, adrenaline pumping feeling in their pilot - a blinding feeling that can be very dangerous and deadly in the wrong hands, especially the young and inexperienced and with the on-road distractions of this day and age. If you're honest with yourself and willing to take on the responsibility of such a vehicle at your age, then by all means. However, I'm willing to bet that little good will come for you and the other people on the roads if a 16/17 year old driver is driving Twin or ST.

Everyone else has said it - I'm 27 and don't have kids and I know it's a total "Dad" answer, but you're not ready for it.

Buy another 4R or Tacoma to help with the social aspect of High School - you'll have much more fun driving and being in the backseat of either of those at your age than you ever could driving one of these.

I guess that depends on who is going to pay for it and what the next 5 years of your life are going to be like.

If someone were gifting me a car in this price range I'd be happy to choose a FR-S. It fits my sense of style both now and when I was 17. However when I was 17 I had 2 jobs just to pay for gas and fun, then didn't need a car for college nor would I want to have one after I saw what classmates went through (busted windows, stolen stereos, drive offs, keyed, etc.).

If you're about to go into a labor career...roofing, construction, CNC...you're going to have trouble parking this on a job site, getting in/out with workboots on, carrying anything bigger than a small toolbox, etc.

You sound mature for you age. How resistant to peer pressure are you? This is an awesome car for a young driver, much lime a small bike. Learn to drive this car well despite it's "limitations" (the stuff people think they need to fix) and you will be a better driver.

A Lambo would be a good car for you if you have one thing above all else: responsiblilty.

Having said that: WTF are you waiting for? Get one! It's really an awesome car.

Do you hang out with your friends a lot? I mean you can't carry your friends in this car.

I would have to say no. I mean the FRS is a GREAT car, dont get me wrong, and if this were out 5 years ago when i was 16, I would have loved to have one as well. But if you're really leaning towards the FRS, having something like an older miata, a beat up 240sx, maybe even an RX7 if you're lucky, would be a good rear wheel drive car that you could appreciate. Save your parents the money, and your respect for cars will heighten, along with your appreciation maturity, and knowledge of cars and driving.

From a safety aspect, 1000x yes. The Twins are very safe (much safer than your aging 4runner), and much, much safer than an older miata (though they do hold a special place in my heart). Same goes for the Focus ST - much safer than other options. So from that angle, I say yes.

The FRS in my opinion is not a hard car to drive. If you're used to off roading, you know how to counter steer like you would at speed in any kind of loose terrain, so you're good to go there - but you MUST respect the car.

From a practicality stand point, it may be nice to have more space like the Focus ST if you are moving away for school after you graduate. It's no fun to have your parents help you move in/out of college just because you can't carry all of your stuff. Although, if you have access to a larger vehicle, things aren't so bad.

I got my S2000 at 20 and didn't have any issues (except for having to work my tail off to get it and keep it running right, keep tires on it, etc). I could go both ways on you having one of the twins at 17. It's not a fast car by todays standards and it is very safe compared to other cars out there.

If you do get one, I suggest you seeing if you can take it to an autox or a track day to learn the car and what it's capable of so that when something pops up while driving, you may be able to call upon those skills to help you stay safe.

For instance - two weeks after I got my FRS, I was driving back from Indy in a snow storm. I was going around 65 mph when all of a sudden the rear hit some black ice and the car started to slide. Without hesitating, I was able to counter out of it and hold the slide for a good 5-6 seconds while I slowly brought the car back in line. Small example, I know, but without my track experience, I would have likely ended up in a ditch...in a two week old car.

Best of luck. I'm sure you'll find the right choice for you!

Oh its possible haha just very not comfortable.


To the OP, i bought mine at 17, and i can tell you that if you are responcible then yes this is a very good car! With the 200hp it carries, its enough to have fun and not speed like an idiot either. trust me, i had times where i wished it had more but later when i realized it, its the way it is, it really keeps you from doing stupid speeding stuff. overall, i love mine, and its an eye catcher i can tell you that, esp in highschool. the car is good on gas, sporty and nice looking, with not too much power either which will save in those highscool situations. Go for it, you'll love it!
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/data:...EBkoIECg+qgQA7

I drive a 250hp/260+ ft/lb FWD torque monster in the form of an 04' Saab 9-5 and have intentionally drifted my RWD Mazda MPV (in a parking lot) simply to feel the dynamics of "sliding" so I don't panic and know how to handle traction loss in a real world situation (and its HELPED on more than one or two occasions).

Even at 20 years old with 5+ years of driving experience (and I feel I'm a VERY capable driver) with ZERO crashes (knock on wood), I've definitely had my fair share of close calls just from trial & error or being in the wrong place at the right time. You as a VERY new driver have to get the dynamics of driving first. You need to feel what it's like to have brake fade, or hit black ice, or hydroplane, or have the ass kick out on you, or plow (understeer) into a turn, or go over hill to fast and you loose traction, etc etc... all of which take time and practice. This isn't even taking account the fact and FR-S/BR-Z aren't your most forgiving cars

Unfortunately even with me being only ~4-5 years your senior, my current self or my parents would never in a million years trust me when I was 16 (or any other 16 year old) in a FR-S/BR-Z.





I know patience is hard, but drive something slower and less error friendly first and get some driving experience before jumping into something that lulls you into hooning and leaves you very little margin for error when you do! Best of luck man!!

I'm leaning towards a yes. I drove a g35 coupe throughout the end of my teen years/college years and it was a great experience. I did some stupid things like racing and speeding back then but the FRS is a slower car; you won't want to race because you'll simply lose. Just don't be stupid on turns and it should be fine.
I don't see anything wrong with a teen driving a sports car that is slower than some minivans.

My only question is with you being 16 years old who will be paying for this car..??

Please enlighten us. :thanks:

Be prepared to be raped by your insurance. . . . . .

Let's continue this thread by saying, that your parents pay for insurance and the car it self.

I am a more mature then most when it comes to my age, however, we all have our moments at times. All of my fun is legal fun. The main reason I'm leaning towards the FR-S vs. the ST is the lack of horsepower. The ST is a very quick car, and it's stats don't compare to those of the FR-S.

Here are a couple pictures of said 4Runner for fun.

http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/...psf1df1368.jpg
http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/...ps294ff306.jpg
http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1b1b297a.jpg

To the guy that said "You take care of something more when you pay for it yourself" I agree. But let's be honest, I will make this FR-S my own. I have over $7,000 of my own money invested into this 4Runner that was "free"/gifted to me.

I'd say no. If you or your parents can afford it, I'd say sure, but the idea is just wrong. What happened to parents buying their kids civics and stuff for under 20k? Maybe wait until you get into a university or a good job (all after high school) when you actually need the car. Only 2 years. No need to impress high school friends. By that time there will probably be a faster and better revised model out.

that truck looks fun, i would keep it and probably do an engine swap.
as for getting a frs or brz i think you should wait till the 2014 models come out so you have time to think about it, who knows something else might catch your attention.

We had some nice sports cars in high school. Driving a precise tool and learning what the parameters were was great fun.
That was back in the 70's though and the cars were well used TR, MG, Austins, Alfas or Merc SL from the 50's and 60's.
Mom and Dad didn't buy us new cars. One of the teachers had a new 240Z that we all drooled over.

Sports cars per se aren't a bad thing to learn driving. I think that the NEW sports car is what is setting people off.

We all envied and hated the kid who's parents bought him a new 69 Z28. Filthy bastard :mad0259: :sm3:

Yo bro I'm in the same boat as you I daily drive a 2004 Toyota Tacoma MT... but for me I plan on waiting until I'm 18 (16 right now) so the insurance would be lower than what it would be if i got it now. I would recommend to wait until the 2014-2015 models too...... Btw some other kid got a FRS and he's a Junior. From what I was told and saw his friends jumped at his front window completely shattered it and one of his idiot *friend* ran into his headlight on *accident*... so if you could possibly wait until HS is over that would be great! I also think he was one of the first 86 people to get it because when everybody else who got the first 86 he got it around the same time too.
Anyways the decision is yours I think you should wait for the newer models and atleast until your out of High school.