Monogram vs Stock
 

Hey guys I am wondering what people think about the Monogram FRS vs the Base FRS. Since they are both pure price I assume there won't be any discounts so just wanted to see what people thought about the price comparison. This will be from a point of view of someone who does NOT mind DIY aftermarket modifications.

Base 6MT: 25,255
Monogram 6MT: 28,155
Delta: 2900

Main addons from the the monogram:
1) Heated Leather-trimmed seats with Alcantra (Front only)
2) BeSpoke with Navigation
3) Smart Key with Push Button
4) HID Headlamps/Daytime running Lights
5) Dual Zone Climate Control
6) Frameless Mirror
7) Spoiler
8) Rear Cetner Armwrest

Do you think these additions are worth the additional 2900? In the aftermarket world you can add:
1) Add keyless entry (600)
2) Frameless mirror (120)
3) Aftermarket Winjet or Spec D Headlights (600)
4) Dual Climate Control Console (??)
5) Leather seats with Alcantra Inserts (??)

So the ones I could put a dollar amouhnt adds up for about 1240. Obviously Leather Seats may run a good 1000+ and Dual Climate Control is essentially un-addable.

I went the base version since the Monogram was not out yet but I justify it (don't know if I'm just being delusional though) is this way.
These are the mods that I feel are the most useful, for around 2900 dollars I could get, have gotten, or plan to get
1) FRONT armrest (useful than rear...): 70 (Aftermarket)
2) Winjet or Spec-D headlights (600)
3) Frameless Mirror (120)
4) OEM Audio+ Sound System Reference series which is boss btw (1200)
5) Catback Exhaust (350). I got mine cheap.
6) JDM clear corners (70)
7) Rear back-camera (100)
8) Open Flash Tablet Tune (or ECUtek): 500
Totaling 3010

From someone who does not mind modding their cars and can DIY, or even someone who leaves it stock, what do you guys think I'm curious? Yes I lose out on leather seats and I lose out on a cooler center console with HVAC, but are those worth the difference? Personally I don't think so but I'm curious what others think. Discuss.

Monogram at this point is for those not wanting to source all the bits. Minus the HVAC all the other little things are available now easily and beyond. Mines a 2013 and my interior is far beyond what the Monogram is but of course that's cost and time do all that. Personally modding this car bit by bit IMO is at least half the fun, that's one of the main attractions (for me) is how easily this car can be individualized to the owner.

Yeah I feel the same way. I've actually run into a wall where I want to mod my car more but don't have the money and/or there's no more mods lol. The one thing I do wish is I had the center console on the monogram.

In your list you missed the heated side mirrors on the Monogram. You could add them yourself but it would take a lot of work. It would require running electrical wires to the mirrors which could be a real PITA.

I think the Monogram is a great choice for those who want the extra features right off the lot. While many can be added later, it takes time to do so and you will need the cash to add them up front rather than have it added to the car loan.

If you are a DIY type of person who enjoys modding as a hobby then the stock version may be a better match for you.

Either way you're going to end up with a great car! :D

Honestly the key-less with push button was worth it alone for my Monogram... My last Nissan had it, and once I heard that the Monogram had it I was sold ;)

Agree completely! I haven't pushed a button on my key fob for months. Love it.

OEM monogram headlights are way nicer than aftermarket options imo.

Sure you could buy a base frs and upgrade, but the oem fit and finish you get with the monogram is worth the premium (to me anyways). I don't really see the point in buying a brand new car if it's not close to what you want without a lot of mods right off the bat.

You missed the bespoke head unit price on there of $1198 and the spoiler $399 regardless of you liking them or not it is an extra added value of the monogram. I had the same debate when I was purchasing. The conclusion I came to was that I would be happy with a base FRS but I am absolutely in love with the monogram.

To me the bespoke head unit the leather seats were things that I really liked and made the increase in price worth it. Things I didn't know I would love so much were the HIDs, dual climate, keyless entry + push to start. The frameless mirror does look cool but was no sort of deal breaker either way. I mean shit, dual climate? Never going without that again, I am a toasty critter most days and needs me some cold, the woman on the other hand, needs the heats. Boom.

So the TL;DR absolutely worth the difference especially once the added features I was unaccustomed to were truly utilized.

MSRP of the Monogram headlights are running around $1000...
The HID's for our cars (D4S bulbs) run about $500...
Bespoke navi runs about $1000...
Real keyless entry & push to start (no button pressing needed) not even an allowed option from Scion...and also a PITA to install...ever find a good DIY?...$$$
Leather...$$
Heated seats $
Frameles mirror $120 (useless imo if you add a broadway)
Heated side mirrors PITA and may be useful to some and useless to others (i.e. in socal)
Spoiler...$300...
Dual zone climate...is there even a DIY for this?

Also, Scion Pure Price is only for CURRENT MY. Monogram is 2014 so they're starting to add incentives. My local dealership is taking $1000 off ALL 2014's. Wait until the 2015's and RS1.0 come out and they'll probably slap a 1.9% APR on it.

Monogram is a no brainer when compared to the base imo...push to start/keyless entry ftmfw. I'm glad Scion doesn't add it as a DIO. Makes it worth so much more when reselling.

Lol beat me to it! I'm the same though. Keyless entry, leather, push to start, dual climate, and solid navi sold me....but for me, frameless mirror, rear armrest(who the hell sits back there anyway), heated seats, heated side mirrors, spoiler...all moot to me in Socal.

Keep in mind OP...any aftermarket navi/leather/push to start/keyless entry may not fit like OEM. Deal breaker for some OCD owners. But if you're not OCD about your car, I envy you.

The monogram features is what pushed me to get the FR-S. Seats, front headlights, HIDs, and climate control were worth the $5k difference between the BRZ Limited.

If price is not an issue and you can afford it the Monogram is definitely a no brainer.

Monogram it.

I do like the monogram don't get me wrong. In terms of bespoke, people are selling theirs for as low as 300 and in general it isn't a popular option on forums. Keyless can be added for 600 with EasyGo solution for diyers. In all honesty I do love the headlights though lol. There have been some great aftermarket ones coming out though.

To bring it back to the original point though, I feel like it's the same question of buying a brz limited vs FRS back when it came out. Can someone provide more value for themselves with the money saved than with the extra package which may contain things useless to him.

I'm actually super ocd about my car, weekly car washes, opticoated, fixed every rattle etc. Also a socal so heated seats and mirrors were moot for my garaged car. But then I agree with your last point so I didn't mod navi leather and push button lol.

Another important factor to consider is how long you plan on keeping the car. The fact that the monogram is limited releases will greatly help your car's resale value in the future.

If the extra creature comfort features are important to you, you'll get more bang for your buck with a BRZ Limited. You can get one for $1k UNDER invoice, which will save you a few grand compared to Scion Pure Pricing unless you the front bumper and spoiler are that important to you.

Back when I was in the market, I would've preferred an FR-S, but couldn't get leather seats and heated mirrors, so I jumped on a Limited. Now that I have more of a choice between the 10 Series, Monogram, and Limited, I'm glad that I went with a Limited because it's still cheaper than Scion's offerings the the exact same extras.

DANG! That is all it takes for you to justify a $3000 difference? Balla!!

Love the monogram. If I wanted all the extras, I would probably be pretty bummed with buying a base model, but thankfully, the extras aren't needed/necessary for what I have planned for the car and would probably be removed for the most part, or overlooked. It would literally be me spending $3k for a push start.

Look at what you want OP. If you want a little more luxury, I think the monogram is a GREAT idea if all the perks are something you will use. If you plan on tracking the car or just don't care about anything other than the push start, it might be worth the normal key and saving $3k.

Either way, I can't wait to see what you decide on. :cheers:

If I knew the Monogram existed when I bought my 14 I prob would have gone for it, but I am in no way sad I didn't get it.

Those are all extras I for the most part don't really care about, expect the headlights. If I had some of them I'm sure they would be nice but none of those things are things I plan to mod on my car beyond headlights and spoiler.

My buddy has push to start in his Charger, and I personally hate it ha. I love the feeling of turning my key to bring my baby to life :)

Got mine just the way I wanted, base whiteout. I'm more performance minded and all the bells and whistles add weight and more things to break. And I hate leather seats if the car has sat in the sun! Just my 2 cents and to each their own...


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The difference in weight between the two models is less than 25lbs...

So this plus my muffler delete saved 50lbs, awesome!


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You should take out the passenger seat too, that should really cut down on your lap times. :D

Actually not on this car but thanx. You get cheap HP by going on a diet which does help in the right hands on a track. Did remove the rear seat in a car I used to AutoX and was Regional Champ that year I believe. But then again could have been the motorcycle battery I was also using to save weight...😉


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I've owned both models, and the base model feels cheap and incomplete compared to a Monogram.

Don't see road racing cars equipped with leather seats - let alone heated.

So it goes right back to what purpose will your 86 serve.

comfort?
luxury?
budget?
spirited DD?
full blown RR?

At the end of the day, they're both stylish and fun as hell.

Totally a matter of opinion. I can promise you, I have never gotten a comment of how my car is "cheap and incomplete." Usually it's "that car looks bad ass!" followed by a worried look right before I hit a turn :burnrubber:

I like the Monogram but would prefer the BRZ for the extra goodies. I like the BRZ rear spoiler and headlights better. So, I would have bought the BRZ limited if I didn't get a Toyota employee discount through my bro and new grad discount after just finishing grad school. Equaling about $2500 in savings off the MSRP for my FRS. That was a no brainer for me. The Monogram was not out then. I probably would have got the Monogram yet would have had them remove the spoiler.

I like the turn key option as well. Keep us posted on your purchase. Cheers!

OP asked for our opinions. The base FRS has a low quality interior with crappy headlights. If you had owned both models you would know that the base FRS is cheap and incomplete compared to a Monogram.

I still get a kick out of "Dual Zone" climate control in a phone booth.

The Center HVAC is listed apparently now as a part in Toyotas index. It's only a matter of time where one can purchase that anyhow "if you wanted the Center HVAC and push start". Me don't care one day I may and when I do it'll be a part a person could buy as all the wiring etc is all in place and the interior of this car is super easy to take apart I've had mine all down to metal last winter.

Unfortunately this is very market based. Where I live the twins sold like hotcakes and getting a BRZ limited for anything under MSRP was out of the question. If I could have gotten it for 2k under I would have jumped ship but Scion was offering me 1000 off for new grad discount so it just made sense when the 3k gap became a 4k gap.

I actually already have a base. I bought it with the same new grad discount lol. I just recently went to visit the Scion dealer and saw the monogram and the price and was wondering if I'm missing out on something. All said and done I think I am content with my purchase. The only real thing that bugs me is the central console which looks better on the monogram. I'm considering ways to replace that or make it look more appealing.

It's unneeded if you mostly drive by yourself. If you drive with the wife it most definitely is needed. I like it a good 2-3 degrees cooler and the dual controls keep everyone happy. It's not about the size of the area to be heated or cooled it's about whether the vents on your side of the car are on or off.

The push button wasn't the only thing... Having the dual climate makes the girlfriend happy, Im always hot and shes always cold.... anything that makes the girlfriend happy I am a fan of :word:

Exactly !


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HAHAHA!! I hear you on that! My wife is the same way! My AC is pretty much on all year round. She gets in my car and starts changing everything. Stereo down, AC off, seats moved. LOL! There is a reason why we don't drive my car much together ;)

Maybe we're old school but if she's cold and I'm hot she just turns the vent off or away. But I suppose I can see the benefit in making one 2 degrees colder or hotter.

lol, tried that. she can still "feel the air"

Monogram maybe too expensive but 10 serious is some options but alot cheaper
 

Monogram might come with useless things that you can buy such as rest arm, and heated seats if you don't need them.. But I think it is worth it for some other things so I got my self something in the middle and saved myself money.

I went to buy a base model, but I bought a 10th serious originally 29K I got it for 27K that was left at the lot (brand new) and I got it for $2000 off and a little discounts too that came with everything including a 2014 pioneer bespoke, Led running lights and fog lights that usually don't come with 10th edition but somehow it was there and the newer bespoke not old one.....Didn't come with the arm rest, rear spoiler, and heated seats and leather. which I can live without. The interior look way better with the push start, full touch screen and the climate control , trust me.

If you live in a cold area, you need heated mirrors.
If you want to buy the other things, they will not fit right and might cost you more than just getting it from the dealer.

Headlights with Led Running Lights $500 (Not OEM) no installation.

Push Button $350 - $400 (Not OEM) Shitty looking.

Automatic Climate control Harnesses ONLY $450 (not OEM ) no shipping, no installation and you need to buy the unit from the dealer,, At least higher hundreds not sure? maybe $800

Also you get all the circus illuminated lights in dash and badges (not big fan but its nice) and Silver seatbelts.

Your talking about installing things you want and getting rid of things and selling them on eBay and lose money.. And probably buy shity quality stuff for a lot of money.

You will be spending over 3K without labor and wasting your time shopping and installing.

I am with Aftermarket Radio no doubt, Spoiler, even headlights, fog lights, but if the OEM look good to you go for it, and only replace your radio and rims, you can sell you told rims and radio to many scion, Toyota owners who will love to have them.

Tell me the below pictures don't look better than base??
Peace out

For the money Monogram is the way to go if you actually want those extras. Personally I didn't want any of them and am very happy with the plain base unit.