What to do now? My car is getting repurchased by Toyota.
 

OK, long story short, my FRS has been at the dealer for the last 3 months due to engine failure that the dealer cannot seem to fix. :mad0260: Toyota is offering to repurchase my car and I will be getting a check for ~$6,700. So I have a few options on what to do.

I have an MT with a couple little mods and really like it a lot. I test drove the AT for giggles and was pleasantly surprised with the TCM logic in Sport mode and I think I might just get an AT instead this time around. So here are the options I'm considering:

Option 1: Get another Hot Lava FRS and end up with a lower payment and/or a couple extra mods (TRD Cat-back and TRD Intake).

Option 2: Get a 10 Series with slightly higher payments than I'm currently making (I financed $25,010 and my payments are ~$373/month). I'm loving the extra features of the 10 series, but I'm not a fan of the color. I know I could get it wrapped, but I have no idea how much that costs and may not be able to afford it any time soon.

Option 3: Use the cash to buy a beater to drive for a year or so and pay off all my debt (credit cards + student loan = ~$8k). Then hope that the 2015 model year of the FRS is substantially better (most of the features of the 10 series with a little more power and hopefully fewer issues) and put a big chunk of money down on that. I like my cars to be exciting colors like yellow or orange and I would be pissed if Scion doesn't offer the 2015 in a cool color.

Pay off debt ASAP!

What happens if you get a 2015 with a lot of bugs? Will be a different engine once again if it really is getting some type of bump. I doubt it's gonna be a simple fa25 (2.5 Liters). Keep that in mind plus if the engine changes too much the aftermarket will have to catch up.

Could get a decent SI for around low 20's if you don't mind used and want to save a little.

Ultimately nobody here knows your preferences and/or situation. But I know If it was me id be itching to get back into one, especially seein as you can start from new again, get more mods, and have a cheaper payment. But that's just me.

Only you can ultimately decide, but I voted for option 3. Get everything paid off first, and then decide if you still want to get into a ZN6/ZC6. 2015's coming up - there may or may not be a significant upgrade, but either way there are a couple of new interesting cars on their way. I'm looking at the new Mustang personally.

3.

#2 get the 10 Series..!! :party0030:

Tell Toyota to help you out with the extra cost for your time spent on the other FR-S


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Payoff the debt. In a couple of years the competition will have released some new models and you will have better choice (Mustang GT, Gencoupe, Miata, MazdaSpeed3, etc).

If I decide to go the beater route, do I get a POS beater for $1k or less (use the balance to pay down the debt faster), something mediocre for $5k, or something half way decent for $10k with ultra low payments? Regardless of what I get, it has to have back seats and decent gas mileage.

Option 1

If you don't like the color.. Don't do the 10 series
You're always going to have debt or some kind of bills.. So why not
Enjoy it while you can.. In the color you like, all here and now..

Would it be a **** move to threaten Toyota saying that you don't know if you really want an FR-S any more (which seems to be true in your situation).
Then wait and see if they compensate you any more to try and keep you as a customer?

It's always harder to keep an existing customer than to obtain a new one!

Just my 0.02

Option 3. At least for a while and pay back loans. This could be a blessing in disguise. Then pick up another twin once your loans are settled.

Well, if you even bothered to mention #3 then you must not miss the car that much. Pay off your debt and save up for something better. There's a bazillion new or updated cars around the corner, and that'll just help negotiate price on these cars. You could buy a pretty decent beater for $6700

I totally missed the part on the credit card debt. What APR are you paying that at???? KILL THAT WITH FIRE!

Option 3...

Pay Off Debt
 

That's the best thing you can do. It will help your credit as well so when you go to purchase the 2015 model year, your payments should be lower with better credit, etc.

Also, paying off your debt is always GOOD.

Quite the contrary, I absolutely love the FR-S. It's just that the issues I've experienced (failed engine and Toyota's inability to properly repair it) have put a sour taste in my mouth. Add the crickets and myriad other minor issues and it is quite depressing, in fact. The handling is outstanding, the looks are amazing and it is an absolute pleasure to drive. The aftermarket support for this platform is also incredible so there is a lot that can be done to take this car to even higher levels of performance.

I'll be honest, the only reason for even considering Option 3 is so that I would ultimately have more mod money down the road. I'd just have to be careful on my choice of beater because if I get something that's too close to what an FR-S represents, I'll probably end up modding it. lol Yeah, I've got an addiction.

I've got 0% APR on my credit card right now, and my student loan is at 2.4% or so. My credit is already at 740 and while it will certainly get better with paid off loans and credit cards, it won't make that much difference in the APR of a car loan.

I cringe at credit card debt so I say pay that off.

Plus the new Mustang and Miata will be out by that point. And the new WRX, if that looks anything like the concept.....*drool*

I actually really wanted a 2011 Mustang (in blaze yellow) and love the old Mazdaspeed Miata (especially the '05 in orange). The interior on the Mustang blows goats though and the ultra close ratio 6 speed in the Mazdaspeed Miata makes keeping the revs reasonable around town virtually impossible (redline limited to 126mph). Who knows, maybe Nissan will pull their heads out of their asses and ditch the POS Juke in favor of bringing out a new S16 Silvia. I still can't believe Nissan thinks that the Juke is competition to the FRS.

Sounds like the debt isn't critical.. If your like me and don't mind a little debt and nice things, go for it buddy. What's your gut telling you?

Also, considered a brz? The limited has more features than the 10, minus the glowy badges and shifter, with more colours.

Did they even try to put a new engine in your frs? Pay off half your debt with the check and put the other half down payment on another frs.

Well, the debt isn't unmanageable right now and even with a $400/month car payment, I can have it all paid off within a couple years. It would just be nice to be able to afford to go to more track days instead of putting money towards the debt.

Well, I chose the FR-S over the BRZ because I like the way the FRS looks and Scion offers a cool color: Hot Lava. That and all the Subaru dealers in SoCal are marking up the BRZ over MSRP. Sorry, I'm not going to pay extra "just because". Maybe that's changed, but considering that Subaru is more likely to deny engine warranty because you put lowering springs on the car (yup, seen it happen to other people) I just don't want to take that chance or deal with that kind of asinine bullshit.

Let's see, they've put 2 new short blocks in it, replaced all four cams, both cam towers, timing chain guides and now they're going to put another cylinder head on the driver side. A factory assembled long block is not available so they can't do that. The car has been at the dealer for 3, going on 4 months and they have no f'ing clue what is wrong with it. Their diagnostic skills suck balls so they just keep throwing parts at it hoping it will work. It's probably something simple and stupid that they are overlooking. Like a chain tensioner or an AVCS solenoid after the #2 rod bearing gave up the ghost at 8,300 miles.

Hmm...I like your idea about paying off half the debt. In fact, I could pay off all the credit card debt that way and just have my student loan left. That would free up a fair amount of income for other things.

This would be a no brainer for me. I would simply choose #3.

Listen to everyone saying option 3. Buy a cheap 240 or something and focus on paying down your debt.

As others have said, you'll get better payments when you come back and you'll have more options.

As an accountant, debt makes me cringe. Those of you saying stuff like "you'll always have debt" are approaching life with the wrong attitude.

The only debt you ever really NEED to have is a mortgage. Try to get to a point where you have little or no debt and you'll be richer than more than half of America.

Good luck!


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I know Option #3 is the smart choice but if you are living comfortably and can afford the car payments, why would you deny yourself of something fun?

I vote for #1 BUT put the extra money towards whichever debt has the highest interest (your credit/loan debt I assume)

I took care of all of my credit card debt, but I still have student loans. Now that I read this thread I kind of wish I had stuck with the car that was already paid off and started paying off my student loans ($40k) rather than getting a new car. Now my goal is to pay off my BRZ ASAP and then start working towards my loans. Honestly though, it's better to do it the other way around. Pay off your debt first, then you'll have more options for cars in the future.

I think option 3 but getting something that would be fun that's RWD.

3 here as well

I cant believe you would go from a mt to an at... no offense to the at owners here because it is a great at but seriously??? the mt is so damn fun unless you have sort of knee injury dont get an at... and the 10 series is a sham. Why would you want higher payments for a color that seemingly you hate, FYI it costs about as much to wrap a car as to paint it(a few grand), and the extra "goodies" on the 10 series are all a waste of money except for the jdm style headlights. I seriously cant believe people want led lights on their badges, lol gross. I know there are tons of 10 series owners here and no offense to them, but its just not for everyone.
whatever you do good luck

I'm hoping that $6700 is your cash in hand, after the lien/loan is taken care of, otherwise if I had the dealer offer me only $6700 total for a still financed car still under drivetrain warranty i would be FURIOUS. They just want to get rid of you, I would hold their feet to the fire and force them to hand you a functioning FR-S, either with a check for the replacement cost, or replacing every damn part on the car.

have you gone up the chain with scion/toyota on this? I would start calling numbers and complaining to everyone until I found someone that would hand me another car.

Option 3...I like the 10 series but don't like the color either.. if not buy the brz limited for options and colors than the 10 series

Pay off debt!

Hands down...pay off your debt. There may be a reason you are in this situation. Better things may be a result of paying off your debt :thumbsup:

Pay off your debt man. Trust me, it is something you want to do ASAP. This might be a sign from the universe that you need to take care of that debt first.

Debt can get you in a lot of trouble and honestly, the peace of mind of having no debt (besides of course your loan) will be a greater win in the long run then adding MORE to that debt and still having to pay it off down the road ON TOP of having to pay off car payments.

Just saying, I made sure I paid off all my debt before I financed my Asphalt. I was actually going to just buy it outright but I decided to finance so that I could build my credit back up, which of course was damaged from a near perfect score to a rather lacking score, from all the damn DEBT I was in.

So, point to be made is, sometimes the right decision won't be the one you want, but in the long run you will thank yourself for it.

Besides, look on the bright side. You can pay off your debt, save up some money and buy a newer generation of the car, with all the kinks worked out and probably a better powerhouse, and have some money for mods.

lol

Always pay of your debt as soon as possible, then have fun with your money when you have it.

Pay off your debt. Get a beater, but something fun to drive/track (Miata, 240, etc) if it's your thing.

IMO, the "10 series" is just overpriced gimmick. 2015 or 2018 models they will probably release the same Silver Ignition paint color, and you won't be as "special" anymore. Look at what they did to the red tC.

Getting out of debt is generally the smarter thing to do, and waiting to see what 2015 has to offer will more than likely yield more options. Is leasing an option?

If I owned a FRS and had a chance to sell it for a chance at money to pay off my debt, I'd jump on that in a heartbeat. You can always buy another car, and if you get a beater for now, these things are probably going to be about 15-16 grand in another couple years.

YOU ARE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT!!I recently gave a subpar survey on my local dealership on the "pushy sales tactics" question and received a call from the Chicago regional manager literally 20 minutes later. Scion re-invented its name by releasing the FR-S. This forum has more weight than many think. If you have a shitty experience with Scion NOT giving into your demands on a defective car, what does that do for their customer service reputation? Literally, its completely up to what makes you the happiest. Personally, I love my FR-S and wouldn't trade it for anything aside from a car worth substantially more than mine. If they won't work with you, I would threaten to take the $6700 and put it down on a Mustang, Camaro, or Challenger(even if you don't want any of these). I work in sales and lying is pretty standard in our business. Beat them up for as much as you can possibly get away with. Tell them you want a stock FR-S (lava) for substantially under sticker price. If they tell you its a "set price" or some bullshit, tell them to pound sand and walk out. If they don't call you as soon as you leave and adhere to your demands, then you know they didn't want your business anyway. However, I am fairly certain after a circumstance such as yours, that they will likely do (within moderate discretion) anything you want. Whether that be a Lava stock FR-S way under sticker or a series 10 for cheap. I was in a similar situation before I bought my FR-S. I was close to having my school loan debt and other debt paid off. That is the "responsible" route, but what is fun about that? Have fun while your young enough to enjoy the FR-S. I certainly can't imagine getting in and out of a small, low sports car when I'm 50+....