How long do yo plan on keeping your FR-S
 

The world is divided between used car buyers and new car buyers. I missed out on a lot of good new cars in the 90's. It wasn't that I couldn't afford a new car I just was always a used car buyer. I know a guy who bought a new 94 Supra on his 23rd b-day, still owns it to this day (smart man.)


I broke y new car Cherry a few years ago with clash for clunkers.
The FR-S is my second new car, I've owned it a year now. I am certain I want to keep it for life, its just an all round great car if it doesn't suffer the Subaru engine issues that plagued the brand since 1996.

I know this forum is full of new car "people" and it sounds crazy to plan on never selling a car, but I've daily driven cars with over 300k miles that were reliable as anything.

With OBDIII and increasing environmental regs, I personally doubt we will ever see an '86 with a significantly more powerful stock engine than the 200 hp FA20. Toyota usually looks 10 years further than other auto makers and the hand writing is on the wall, the muscle cars and turbo hatchbacks are on their way out. Regulations will force smaller engines, less weight, less carbon footprint over horsepower.


Anyone else planning on a long ownership of the 86 ?

This is my first new car purchase (I'm 27, 26 when I bought the car). I bought this car so I could get more serious with racing and develop myself better as a driver while retaining a one car lifestyle. I rent in a very dense area and I just flat out don't have a place to put a second car right now.

I know that as the car gets more "racecar" mods it will be more harsh to drive daily, so at some point when I get to that point I'll pay off the balance on the loan and retire the FR-S to racecar/weekend duty and get a nice German sedan for daily duty, hopefully something with A LOT more power/torque than my FR-S!!!!

But yes, I bought the FR-S to be a slow racecar build and then keep it as such!

EDIT: I just saw your poll and I already have 32K miles on my car, so even if I do sell it, it's pretty safe to say it'll be near 100K miles.

The FR-S is my daily (well except winter time) commuter, so it'll be getting worn out faster than I'd like. I've had it since January and it has 9000 on it right now. I typically only keep vehicles 3-4 years because I'm just super impulsive. That being said, I hope they never bring out an STi version of the BRZ. I'd hop on that quick. My jeep has 74K on it right now, so my luck, they'll both wear out at the same time.

I'll keep it until I start having costly problems out of it.

For me I plan on keeping it for a long time. I thought it being the car I hold onto forever and it just might be that car. One car I would have forever is when they make the new gt3 into a gt3 rs. But then I wouldn't have as much fun with it as the FRS. I would turn into one of the those DB Porsche owners that has quick detail every where I go and god forbid it gets a door ding. I would flip out, but anyway back on topic.

I plan on running the wheels off the FRS for the first few years auotcross, track days, road trips to far off lands, etc. Then I'll take the whole car down and rework the body cleaning it up for weekend duty. After owning mine for almost a year there is nothing on the market in its price range that I'd rather have.

Turbo hatchbacks are out due to environmental regs? on what planet? bmw just went from a na v8 to a twin turbo straight 6 for the m3 because of environmental regs. Turbo hatches are here to stay my friend, small, efficient, plenty of storage space, and great in a city. There's a reason they're so popular over in europe, and they're catching on in the US too. Ford announced they're bringing all the focus models stateside for the first time, not leaving the good ones in europe and giving us underpowered soulless cars.

More hp, push to start, digital ac controls, and maybe leather. So around 15 or 16 I will get another new frs. That's if I'm in the same or better financially.

This car is a keeper:burnrubber:

Your poll is missing at least one option and that is: till the 2014's come out.

I've said a number of times 'so many cars, so little time'. Since I have less time than any one else on this forum (estimating) I have to get in as many cars as I can. If the 2014 FR-S has just a few of the small improvements I'm hoping for I will probably trade up. If it doesn't there are a few cars I might like to give a try. Or, who knows, I'll keep my present FR-S. At least I'll be giving consideration to others.
:burnrubber:

she's a keeper - simple as that...

I used to be a ALL new car buyer I had an 06 WRX (I should've never sold)
then a new Cube then a new 370Z then a new forte koup.
I have the bad habit of changing cars every year so I decided to stop wasting the money more than usual by getting BARELY used cars.
I bought my GTI with 7k miles on it FULLY loaded for less money than a brand new BASE model would cost.

I just saw an FRS with 6k miles for $21,500 at a dealer, I was on my way to get it but it was sold.
I'll probably never buy a new car again, I'll let the idiots that buy the car the brand new car and get rid of them after 2k miles take the hit!
This way I can keep my bad habit going without losing.

I've been driving a 2003 Toyota Matrix for 10 years. It has 92k miles and zero problems.

Before that, I had a used 1991 BMW 850i (bought in 1999). Everytime something broke it cost me $1000. I finally got to the point where I was just almost as glad to say "I had an 850" to "I have an 850". I'm just not a huge car guy, to justify spending money like that.

I've been quite happy with the Matrix, but good looking sports cars catch my eye. The FR-S/BRZ is the first one that I've considering acquiring in terms of value and performance for the dollar. If my wife wasn't fearing investing in the 100k+ maintenance on the Matrix, I probably wouldn't be buying next month.

That's a long way of saying I could see myself driving this Limited Edition FR-S for another 10 years at least.

Yep, we are in an era similar to the late sixties where horsepower and torque were plentiful but just like back then the muscle cars were really just family sedan chassis's with a big powerful engines. Back then at least the pony cars had a fairly lighter weight chassis but those cars still didn't handle all that great. The last decade has been similar but the pony cars (mustang, Camaro, challenger, genesis) weigh more than a 4 door 69 impala. Then we have a few hot hatch's but again the chassis is really based on an econo box and you just can't undo that.

This car is unique in having a ground up new chassis designed sports car. It has plenty power for daily driving relatively speaking looking at he last 50 years of the auto industry. The number one reason for buying this car is summed up in this picture:

http://www.toyota.com.au/static/imag...is-940x529.jpg




Number two the torsen RWD differential.

The number three reason is the AISIN 6 speed manual tranny.


The biggest question that only time will tell is if the DI FA20 will turn out to have Wankel reliability. I think we are safe from having to pull the engine at 80k to replace headgaskets (the turbo guys are proving that.) There is the di injector concern but the D4-S technology is over 4 years mature so I'm not too worried about it

This car handles and drives a lot like the classic 944 Porsche and beyond "super cars" there isn't much better, the 86 is a keeper as long as the engine is as tough as the old Subaru boxers.

First new car and hopefully my last. I'll keep it until it goes beyond repair unless the engine proves to be unreliable, in which case I'll probably either go 911 or rotary which sounds silly but I figure if I'm going to be worrying about a motor anyway it might as well be a cool one.

Edit: I also strongly believe this will usher in the last era of "true" sports cars. I know it's been said in previous generations but this time I think it's it, with hybrids becoming the norm, electric motors and self driving cars literally around the corner in the next decade (I saw 3 Tesla's on my way to work this morning) this generation (next ~8 years or so) is probably the last in terms of power + fun = sports car for the masses. Can't wait to see the new Miata :thumbsup:

I'll keep it until honda or toyota releases something better. C'mon updated hardtop S2k or new supra! :) If those things never come, I'll keep her forever.

Well lets talk hot hatches. The BMW is not a hot hatch, its a RWD sports car with a hatch completely different animal than what I'm referring to and its going to cost $50k. Any performance BMW or Audi coming up are for the wealthiest of the wealthy.

What was the first true hot hatch?: the 80's GTI, weighed little more than 2k pounds, now they weigh over 3k lbs and don't handle near as well. Then of course the EG civic was the classic hatch, had double wishbone suspension weighed 2300 lbs, with koni suspension was the most neutral fwd I've ever driven, and now the Civic is? And the Fit is ?

Notice neither Toyota nor Honda are throwing turbos in their hatch's. They realize its not a lucrative or long term market worth investing in. Let's face it they generally plan further out than the other automakers, rather than chasing a quick one or two year buck. Of course hatches are a long term deal, but only if they return to lightweight design, throwing turbos at bloated brick chassis's won't work long term.

My list of cars since 2007 (In order):

1993 Honda Civic EX Coupe
2004 Explorer XLT
2009 Honda Civic Si Sedan
2011 Hyundai Sonata SE Trim
2011 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T (Yep took a beating on this trade)
2013 Ford Escape SE (Now my wifes due to my next purchase)
2013 Scion FRS

So if you look at my recent history chances are I will not have my FRS for very long. However, I haven't loved a car like I do this one. The closest one to it was my Si. I think for me if they bump up the engine it's history. I would love to keep it but I just know myself and I'm sure another "want" will come along. :thumbsup:

Fiat Abarth: ~2,500 lbs, 160 hp, MOPAR tuning in the future
Fiesta ST: ~2,560 lbs, 179 hp

Both are development platforms for high tech engines: MultiAir and EcoBoost. Japanese and German manufacturers have been going "beige" for a long time, no surprise they're not making a "true" hot hatch. The most exciting new car under $50k from either region in the past decade has been the 86.

I voted for around 60k miles. About 6 years with the car-which will be the longest I've ever owned a vehicle. I enjoy my fr-s and it's nice but I know that eventually, I want something else out of a car. Eventually I'll want one car that can do everything and do it with luxuriously and fast at the same time. Upcoming F80 M3 with I6TT 450hp sounds like a winner. M3s are always amazing to drive and I've wanted one for years.

At most, I could MAYBE see myself owning it longer as a dedicated track/weekend toy but I seriously doubt it.

My point was that high end performance cars like an m3 are shifting to forced induction, turbos are here to stay. A small displacement turboed engine is more efficient, and still fun to drive. And besides the yaris, what hatch did toyota ever make? yeah the golf has gotten fat, but the focus st is starting the new wave, along with the fiat 500, and as much as it kills me to say even the smart fourTwo. And just because Honda has gotten away from putting anything resembling high performance into their cars, doesn't mean there is no market for performance vehicles.

Those sound "nice", but after driving an 80's GTI and an EG Civic with Koni suspension it would be tough to match the handling of those cars. The Honda it was obvious the double wishbone really did something to make FWD fun with a good after market strut/spring package (stock it sucked). The GTI I honestly don't know how but the Germans nailed the suspension geometry, however I suspect with more HP it would have had too much torque steer.

That the issue with a FWD, after a certain amount of power, they just don't handle well.

I can't wait till we get the TRD/Bilstein struts for the twins. As much as I enjoy driving the car its really not neutral. With the Koni'd Civic as it reached its limits on a turn all four tires would literally slide and inch or two in perfect balance.

I don't get that with the FR-S, it seems to have an initial understeer then an oversteer. I'm sure the KW coil-over guys have it setup perfectly neutral if they want but it will be nice when there is a less expensive strut/spring package that is neutral.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/take-abarth

It's fair to say it doesn't "live up to the past" (500 lbs is a heavy cross to bear) but to say Hot Hatches are going away is kind of like saying internal combustion wasn't going anywhere in the early 1900's when the market was dominated by electric cars. These are the best hot hatches we've had in the past 20 years.

I can wax philosophical but I'll spare everyone, hot hatches are only getting better at the moment, if the market isn't there they'll die like the last "generation" of good hatches in the late 80's. As mentioned before small displacement turbo's are the trend at the moment and for the next couple years.

Haven't read the other post, but I feel this car has the same "feel" as my first car which was a '94 Integra. I always regretted letting that car go because it was so much fun and rewarding to drive, all while being economical and somewhat practical. This car will be with me till it dies, and unless it gets completely destroyed in that death, I hope to keep bringing her back! If I won the lottery tomorrow I could see me tuning my current one to my liking, and then buying one of the convertables for my "cruiser" and be completely happy.

Love this car. Planning to keep it for a long time, unless Toyo/Subaru comes out with a TRD/STI version, in which case I'd upgrade.

I'll be holding on to mine for probably about 10 years or so until I can pay for something different in cash (probably a high end porsche, Aston ect...), unless kids throw a wrench in the equation. It's reliable (so far), looks great and gets great gas mileage. The sad part is that she won't get modded much. I already know this won't be a "forever" car so I don't want to dump a ton of money in her.

Pole should be years, not miles. Some people are at 36k miles (or really close to it) already! :happy0180:

Wise words! :thumbup: This is my first and last new car, mainly for the reasons you stated. Such a waste of money when I could have had the EXACT same car for $4k less than what I paid for mine. I will be keeping this one a long while, but I will not be buying another new car.

When honda makes the next itr style car i will buy it, but they have ignored the huge market here so for now ill enjoy a car from a company that actually listens to what people what.

I got kids man. Check out the smile on her face. She isn't throwing a wrench, she's enjoying it. :party0030:

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps1a0beb6e.jpg

In fact when my wife asks her how daddies car sounds she replies "vroom vroom!" I'm sure my boy will love it too. He's 6 months old. We have a new Escape to be the family vehicle.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps025a1f8d.jpg

I think I read your post wrong. Yeah no Porsche in my future until we get out of daycare. My god daycare. Talk about bringing a tear to my eye. So freaking expensive.

nice thread OP I enjoyed reading the replies.

The FRS is an in-between car for me until used C7 Vettes hit the used car market...I sold my C6 and bought this car a few months after because my commuter car (Chevy Volt) was boring me to death. That was the plan but...So far I'm regretting selling my C6 and looking to sell my FRS soon to get back into a used C6 because as fun as this car is it doesn't come close compared to my C6...

I am a huge vette fan and I owned a c6. As much as I loved the vette they take a lot to track prep and the purist always frown on you for trying to make one a race car. I'm not ruling another vette out in my future but I think a used viper might beat it out for me.

Sent from my Q10

You need the option of..

Until Nissan releases the new 240

Which rumor has it will be the 260 with a 2.6 250 HP I4 and 6 speed mt with LSD

But alas.. Just rumors ;)

Yeah I've just been doing the math and the cost to get the FRS to the performance feel (not level) of my C6 I would be in used C6 GS or 06/07 Z06 range. I'd prefer a Viper too but insurance on a Vette 1/2 of the Viper...insurance on the Vette is the same as my FRS and I expect the FRS to cost more to insure in a year...I haven't decided so we'll see :happy0180:

I cannot see myself ever getting rid of my FR-S... plan to keep it the rest of my life. I've been driving for over 18 years and have bought 5 vehicles in that time (including the FR-S), still own the '98 Tacoma I bought 12 years ago too... FR-S is definitely the most fun and best handling car I've ever had. I've had 2 cars setup for track, a '90 Integra RS (~2300lbs on 15x8 wheels with 225/45-15 DOT-R rubber, 8lb racing flywheel, and CoG lowered and weight distribution pushed more forwards with some custom fabrication mods - rotated the rear end around nicely) and a '98 Camaro RS (lightened to 3200lbs, koni sport dampers, 275/40-17 DOT-R tires mounted on 17x9.5 Z06 replica wheels all around, Hotchkis massive hollow ARB set, and rear suspension reworked with tubular arms and spherical bearings) - a stock FR-S other than sticky stock sized tires on lighter 17x8 wheels is better than both. I've never modded the motors in any vehicle I've owned, Intake and exhaust only to help with breathing. 90 RS might have had the best motor response and power delivery (would out-do the Camaro at the drag strip) and the Camaro the most impressive steady state cornering and braking (massive discs with track pads had fade free instant deceleration...lap after lap) but the FR-S is a whole package that just works unlike anything else I've driven...

lol, cute kid! I fully plan on trying to keep the car for awhile. We have two, two door cars. When we have a kid, we'll need to get at least one four door, so we shall see.

And I do want a porsche asap! Always been one of my favorite cars. :party0030:

Thanks for posting this picture of the chassis. I had never seen it. It really is a thing of beauty.

I think this light but stiff RWD chassis is what makes this car special and worth the $25k. Overtime the aftermarket will continue to improve power and suspension of any sporty car, but the chassis is what sets this car apart. Its a world class chassis. A keeper.

I honestly have no idea how long I plan to keep this car. I normally keep sports cars for 5 years at most. I want to keep it at least until it's paid off and then figure it out from there. I will probably have dumped about $20k in modifications into it by that time, so chances are I'll want to keep it at that point!

I'm probably just going with a tune, catless header, the bigger radiator, and hopefully the rumored TRD Bilstein spring/strut. Really more than satisfied with the stock power other than the dip.

Its really obvious that this car was designed around German classics like the E30, 944S, and Cayman. But I'm not drinking the kool-aide going around that maintaining this engine will be much cheaper than maintaining a Porsche engine.

This high revving DI boxer is very much a foreign exotic power-plant. It will be very expensive to do simple things like valve work and head gaskets with this engine. But overall I guess the engine was the right choice, gives near MR balance and the low center of gravity without the quirky handling of a RR layout.

I too have a limited amount of time left (also estimating but considering my past lifestyle choices it may be less than my estimate) so I already have more cars than I really need including American muscle as well as a roadster for sunny days. I consider my FR-S as one more very special ride that I can enjoy in the time I have left. How long will I keep it? I really have no idea. For me, it's more complicated than just the car. I may never buy another new car in my lifetime or I may buy several depending on how long I live and what comes out and when. For now I'm very happy with what I have.

I'm one of the few who chose the 36K in the poll. Not because I might dump the FR-S early but because I don't have to daily drive anymore (nine years of retirement has been wonderful). I just don't see the miles adding up that quickly, especially when I split my pleasure driving with two other cars.

I agree this has been an enjoyable thread to read through and many of the posts are well thought out and from the heart. Very uplifting in many ways so thanks to all. ;)