Is the FR-S/BRZ for Me? (Newbie)
 

Hi all! My name is Mack. I'm 26 years old and I live in Cary, NC. While I currently drive a 2008 Mazda6 (5spd, I4) I am looking into getting a new car next year. Naturally, considering myself somewhat of a car enthusiast, I have been VERY interested in the FR-S/BRZ. I have a few questions for you guys in relation to whether or not this is the cars for me...

I kind of lucked into a great deal on my current car. I was originally looking for a Mazda3 when this popped up and I couldn't say no. I'm at the point in my life career now though where I want to buy a car that I truly love. For as much as Mazda's are hyped for their driving experience I rather quickly became bored of my Mazda6. The idea is that if I got one of the twins I would not get bored with it (hopefully).

Pros:
RWD!! I've never owned a RWD car so this is a HUGE bonus for me.
Basically this is a reliable, affordable sports car that is practical enough to be driven daily. I'm sure y'all know all of the plusses to owning this car so I won't go too far in depth.

Cons:
Space. I don't have kids but I do have an adult pitbull and am planning on adopting another in the near future. You guys (girls) with pets weigh in: Can I realistically tote around two adult pits in my car?
Other cons are road noise and most practicality related issues.


My other considerations for my next car are the new Mazda3 and the new Golf diesel. My worry there is that like my current car I will eventually become bored of those cars (fwd, not sporty enough etc) and be paying on something I don't want anymore. I'm not one to trade a car in every two years so I am trying to make the correct decision the first go round here.

Sorry if this has all been a bit scatter brained :eyebulge:. I'm kind of driving myself crazy trying to make the right decision! I hope you guys who have experience with the car can weigh in on it for me. Thanks!

-Mack

You will love the car. Now I can't say about the pet, because I don't have pets. But the car will put a smile on your face everytime you drive. No comparison to a Mazda 6.

Have you driven a BRZ/FR-S? Honestly, wait until the new Mustang, Golf, Mazda Speed3, etc are out and then drive them along with the Genesis Coupe, Focus ST, etc. I suspect a test drive will answer your questions. If you put the backseats down in the FRZ, there is a good amount of space in the back, but not sure if it is enough for 1-2 large dogs.

That said, so far, IMHO there is not another pure drivers car out there (new) in the sub $30K range that can touch the BRZ/FR-FRS. You would have to go used to find something superior, or you would have to spend a lot more.

New Golf is getting good reviews in Europe and the new Mustang could be interesting since they are reducing weight and improving the suspension. New Mazdaspeed 3 should also be out. For practicality, a hatchback would be hard to beat, but at the same time, I would be reluctant to buy a first model year VW anything again...

It is a good time to be an enthusiast :)

What are you looking for in a car? Start with a list, prioritize it, and post it here. This will help us determine if it is the right car for you.

Two camps. One thinks this car is the bomb despite some issues, every one of which gets beaten to death here. The other hates this car for the very same issues. Up to you. Two pit bulls will tear up the interior of this car in short order.

Yeah the two adult pit bulls is the reason I'd steer you to another car, probably a hatchback. If you're worried about getting bored, go with the Focus ST. That should keep you entertained.

Definitely agree here. I have a 30lb Beagle and I bought the car planning to throw him in the back all the time. But it is so small and such a pain for him to get back there that I almost never take him in my car. The plastic in the car also scratches super super super super easily so I worry about his claws. I think the Focus ST is a perfect fit for someone looking for performance but also practicality.

(Anyone else agree about the plastic in the car? I can lightly run my fingernail across is and it will scratch permanently)

Two big dogs... forget it! Not in the FRS. I'd be looking at another car for sure. I'd go for a wagon type to be honest. The new 2014 Mazda3 is looking incredibly hot. I'd scoop one of those if I was in your position. Or if you're looking used, an STi hatchback is great for your needs. Good space.

Thanks for the responses!

Honestly my main priorities are a fun to drive car that I will not get bored of after a year or two. I'd put that at the top of the list. Practicality and comfort also rate pretty high but if forced to chose I would chose fun. I hate to be an elitist but I also value RWD over FWD. I know that the golf & 3 are supposed to be good cars to drive, but I just can't see staying excited with them year after year. Is there any comparison?

I actually did get the chance to test drive an FR-S but I'm going to have to go again soon. The car salesman came with me and spent the entire ride talking about financing and then trying to show me how to work the radio. Needless to say I had some difficulty focusing haha. From what I can recall, I LOVED the steering and the car didn't feel wanting in terms of power. I didn't get a chance to fling it around any corners, unfortunately. I drove it on the highway briefly and it felt a bit jittery but not uncomfortable. I'd love to find a dealership that'll let me take one out on my own for 10 minutes and evaluate without a salesman breathing down my neck the entire time!

I don't think that's gonna happen. Due to the nature of the car, there has to be a sales person present at the time of the test drive. I know that's what the policy was when I went for one. I can see why though...

But my salesman was the bomb and he actually took me to an empty parking lot to hoon around in haha. Great guy and I knew right away after that test drive that I needed to have this car.

Crap, this is disheartening. Zoey is just shy of 50lbs and I was figuring I could sit her in the front and throw her brother in the back :(. I don't drive everywhere with my dogs (in fact I try to minimize it in case of an accident) but I do take her to the dog park and various trails fairly frequently. Practicality be damned!!

A good portion of the jitter (if you mean side to side jitter) comes from those 215 stock tires -- especially if you drive anywhere with those little rain/snow grooves in the freeway. Going up to 225 or going stickier rubber helps a ton with that. Your up-down jitter comes from that slightly stiffer suspension you're not quite used to after driving the Mazda 6. You'll hardly notice it after a month or two of ownership.

I'm with everyone else: a hatch (especially the Focus ST) seems like the right choice for you even though our RWD is attractive for sure. The dogs won't be comfortable in the FR-S/BRZ. They may not even fit at all :)

Good luck!




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Why can't someone just make a damn RWD affordable hatchback? Is that too much to ask?? /sarcasm

Well if it makes a difference, it won't be the only car of the household. My bf has a Nissan Altima so that's always there for the long trips with both dogs and everything.

Mack,

My previous car was a 6th gen Celica GT (FWD). I've had my FR-S for almost a full month now and I must say that I'm still in awe every time I walk out to my car. The car is honestly a neck breaker - I was driving back from lunch today and got a "sweet car, dude" in the parking lot.

I love the RWD feel, and the low COG provides unbelievable handling. My car's completely stock for now, and I get giddy at the thought of how it'll be once my mods arrive.

Everyone's right - those dogs will not like you for getting the car. If necessary, short trips only.

Overall, I have no regrets about this purchase. Can't find a better sub $30k IMO. Great car - looks, performance, handle, feel, smell, taste. I don't see myself getting bored with this car for a long long time.

Well, it sounds like a FR-S/BRZ would be a good car for you ...... if you leave your dogs at home......;)

humfrz

:thumbup:

Definitely sounds like a good car for you then

I have a 65 lb Bull Terrier and a very leggy Boxer and both fit in the back seat without issue. You just need a hammock for the back seat to keep it clean.

http://www.callingalldogs.com/Produc...atCover300.jpg

Niiice. That gives me hope :D

Yes and no.

If money were no option, I would drive something else. It is my favorite car I have owned out of 30+ cars.

I have two adult American red nose pit bulls. They ride in my honda ridgeline. My chihuahua rides in the FR-S. The interior in the FRS gets dog hair embedded into it. Even if you are super anal like me.

I fold the rear seats up in my truck fold when my big dogs go with me.

The car, at least for me, is a perfect balance of affordability, sexiness, and practicality. :w00t:

Great to see such helpful responses. FT86Club rocks!
@mpdescha let's see pictures of your dog, so we can get a better idea for how comfy they might be. :coolpics:

Honestly if you are going to constantly put people in the back of you car, it is annoying and will be really uncomfrotable for whoever sits in the back. Go for it if you want a very fun car to drive to work everyday.

my Sonny weighs 92 lbs, he fits fine, I dont get all these people telling you 2 dogs wont fit... See this picture if you dont believe me, hes pretty lanky too. I guess for long road trips two dogs would be tight if they dont like to sit upright, but my dog cant stop windsurfing haha so I guess it depends on the dogs as well
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps3ba272e3.jpg

If you're not 100% sure i'd say NO.

:p

I don't see a problem. I guess it depends on your dog. Some dogs just can't get comfortable in ANY car. I think it has more to do with their temperament than it does with the accommodations.

Worst-case scenario you can always pull a Turner and Hooch. Kidding!

If you have to ask us if the FR-S is right for you then it's not OP....:slap:


If you go test drive the FR-S and like it then buy one and get a old beater car for your dog trips problem solved.:D

This isn't really something we can answer. Your dogs would fit, but not be able to lay down with both back there.

As far as the issues, it depends. Will random clunks bother you? Crickets? Cheap-ish interior and thin paint?

To me I don't care or notice half the stuff people complain about. I had to get a taillight replaced, boo hoo. Had to get the ECU swapped, took forever, and oh well. It happens. The car is slow (coming from 300+ hp car), but I don't mind the least. Some do. I love cars enough and this car in particular that I know problems happen, but they are not the end of the world for me if my car isn't perfect. Only you can judge that for yourself.

Next year? Need to carry dogs around? The only car? Next-gen WRX.
Should be announced soon, with deliveries early next year.

Here's my take: BRZ/FR-S are very fun in the dry/slightly damp conditions. But OEM tires are inadequate, crappy and kinda dangerous in the really wet conditions. Not even talking about snow. But, if you upgrade the tires the car will lose character at street speeds and gonna be less fun to daily-drive. You're gonna have to be breaking speed limits severely just to get a hair loose. So I would not recommend the car as the only car/daily driver in places where it actually rains. Add to that the requirement to haul dogs around and you get the point.

So I'd look into the new WRX, or get some regular hatchbach and buy a used Miata for the change to satisfy your RWD craving.

Can I get one of those in black?

I really wish someone would come up with some neat dog hair-catcher/seat cover for our cars that also covers the sides. :sigh:

It's twice as much fun in the rain.

Then, suddely, a guardrail.

In a word...no

Looks like you would be the right candidate for the BRZ/FRS.

I get what you are saying about the Mazda 6. I just sold my BMW 328i that I got 5 years ago when I got out of college. While the 328i was a fun car (RWD, 6 sec 0-60) I eventually got bored of it. Great car nonetheless.

Hence I decided to instead trading it for the new generation F30 335i, I decided to get myself 2 cars. The BRZ as my toy and the new 2013 Accord Sport as my DD.

So I understand where you are coming from, I got my Accord in July and I'm already freaking bored of it. Great practical all around car, but it's soulless (just like its entire segment).

If you can't afford to keep your Mazda6 for DD, then I recommend getting the FRS, that way 2 years from now you won't feel like you are paying something you want to get rid off, which is what happens with the D segment sedans.

Regarding the dog, a pitbull should be fine in the back seats. Now, if you decide to get a 100 pound German Shepherd male like I did, then that's a different story.

+1 to this.

Yeah, I didn't think about it, but if you are going for having only one car, then the WRX is by far the best option. That means you will have to put up with your Mazda6 one more year though (at least).

The 2015 WRX pre-production model is supposed to debut this November in the LA show. If it looks anything remotely close to the concept, then I'd wait for it.

And 4x funner than that in the snow!

I'd be afraid of the dogs scratching the back of the seats/plastic. I have an 85 pound black lab and he's all over my 07 Impreza. I'd skip on the FRS/BRZ if you plan on driving your pups around.

I have 53 lb dog in car all the time. It's not as easy as opening a 4 door but it's not a big deal. Also she can get in and out of trunk which it kind of funny.

Plenty of room in back for her with seats down. It's a bit more loud/rattled back there with seat down but it doesn't seem to bother me

Obviously a hot hatch will be most convienient. 2 big Pitts might be pushing it.

Good luck

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