FR-S Driving impressions
 

Some of us have had a chance to drive FR-S... just curious of people's impressions so far...

Really, who?

Chris Harris liked it, he said buy one.

Some Toyota associates have driven them, but I haven't had the opportunity to. What's it like Guaruja?

Guess I'm jumping the gun a bit in asking this - since not many have had the chance.

I've driven both manual and auto - and I was shocked by how fun the auto actually is! Didn't push it hard because I didn't want to risk the car.

Was also very impressed by how nice the interior feels! Soft touch panels on the door, etc. - and even the "last inch auto up" on the windows. Not sure what that's called - like other sports cars - when you close the door, the windows automatically seal / move up an extra inch! haha

My order is in - still debating - Silver or Asphalt... :)

I'd be interested in hearing about the auto!

How does the shifter work? Did you put it in sport mode? Manual Mode? Details! :thanks:

Can you do a burnout, or at least squeak the tires in the auto? (without a neutral drop, which is a no no)

Didn't try...

the need to put a burnout button on the autos :bonk:

if such a thing is even possible

I really liked the auto actually! Almost made me question my choice of going w/ a MT (I have some knee issues).

Did drive it in Sport, and Manual also. VERY quick transmission! I've driven probably few thousand miles on IS-F, and yes, you can see the transmission comes from that car in some ways...

Sport mode is fun - the VSC does let the tail go out a bit - then catches you just before you really get into trouble. I haven't had that big of a smile driving a car in a while - and I've driven quite a few (Ferraris, Astons, etc.)...

How was the shifter in the manual, pretty smooth or notchy?

+1...does it have a notchy 1-2 shift?

Honestly don't remember... drove the manual quite a while ago - and only for maybe 5 minutes tops. Was one of only 2 cars here - so as you can imagine - was being ridiculously careful w/ it!

BURNOUTS!!!! :burnrubber:

Seems that would be more suited for a Mustang/Charger/Camaro rather than a tiny 2L car.

i'm also curious. the s2000's were known to have a notchy 2nd gear.

edit: oops, didn't see your reply to his question.

....yes there is nothing like the joy of destroying Prius Tires with an Automatic FRS

/Sarcasm

But thank you for your review, I'm actually very surprised and happy to hear that the Automatic is so nice. Nothing wrong with getting an good Auto as I always tell people.

i don't think i've read a single bad review of the 86/frs/brz yet.

this thing must put a smile on everyone's faces. makes me want this car even more!

I want to know if the engine was smoother than a inline 4? If it is what would you compare the smoothness of the engine to? I hate the stressed feeling of an engine and bad vibrations. And also I am glad that the auto is getting positive reviews.

of course the AT will be special. Subaru/Toyota have had their best engineers working on this car. Even in automatic, this is still designed to be a sports car

Have you driven a 370z? Which do you prefer as to overall car. I know the cars are in a different class, and the z is more powerful, but also heavier. Just curious to know which you enjoy driving better, because that is what I care about :D

lol is that even a decision? take the 370z all day long i've driven a 370z hard at Sebring and when i drive this car frs/brz if i dont feel the same excitement because the lack of power then Nissan will have a happy customer

Which is my conundrum, exactly why I asked. OP seems to have an eclectic driving palette, wanted to know his opinions on the 370s enjoyability while driving compared to the FR-S. Not HP, not weight, not specs, I want to know which he had more fun driving :]

I was driving an Asphalt Manual FRS down the highway and got to do a couple burnouts and drifts.

Then I woke up......

It's not that bad! :bellyroll:

It begins...

Realistically though, he can brake torque it and chirp the tires easily. I assume any hard throttle input around peak torque, on the stock tires at stock power levels while turning, will initiate a loss of traction.

Cars, the British magazine, was complaining last month that it was a little tail happy. Other than that I haven't seen anything but positive reviews. It's important to remember that no one has really had a chance to really review this car yet, just 20 minutes drives on a track. The track is not the real world, and that's where 99% of us will drive these cars 99% of the time.

Brett

BINGO!!!!

I test drove an auto GLI when the latest model first came out. Those autos are considered by many to be one of the best in the world. I was fairly impressed until I was doing some 'spirited driving'. During an increasing radius turn, as I was starting to lean into the throttle just past the apex, the tranny down shifted and the whole car walked about a foot to the right from the interruption in torque. This threw off my line completely as I was only gonna end up about 6 inches from the meridian with the line I was on... And scared the hell out of the sales person in the passenger seat. I must say, I wasn't impressed either.


/rant

I remember reading a review of the FT-86 auto that stated it held gears through corners to avoid situations exactly like that -- I wouldn't be considering an auto if I hadn't read that.

Read that as well. No upshift if you're in manual mode, or whatever the nomenclature is for manual control of the trans.

I've driven a 370Z at a track... it's a nice car - but I'm not a huge fan of it. Hated the manual on that car. And also we overheated the diff... Def. not as fun / raw as the 350Z was.

Z def. has way more power / torque... like the reviews say - FR will require you to be a better driver. To be able to carry speed & momentum through corners - and not rely purely on huge power numbers. If you want power, and "driving for dummies" - get an Evo!