Two reviews of the 2015 up - handling differences noted
 

Both Autoguide and Autoweek have just posted reviews of the 2015 FR-S - some journos were invited out to the Streets of Willow for a run. They were allowed to drive the '14 and '15 back to back to clarify the changes made to the handling, which they report being quite noticeable. It looks like the '15 has been tuned to be closer to the BRZ setup, giving less mid-corner oversteer and more overall neutrality, with initial understeer being more evident.

Glad I got a 2014, didn't want another under steering car like my old FWD CRX Si...

Sounds like nothing but good changes imo. Unless drifting around every corner in your subdivision was your thing.

What was the actual change? couple of bolts?

Correct, bigger bolts

They also changed the spring rates in the front and there are different shocks/struts.

This talk of "drastic" handling differences worries me. I'd be fine with slight changes, but anything more than that and I doubt I'd like it.

Personally I always felt the FR-S balance was spot on from the factory. The car was playful on the street with stock all-season Turanzas. And with stickier summer tires, the balance feels really good on the track.


Different damping as well, from what I understand.

Firmer front springs, different brand of dampers, changed bolts in the front. Sounds like they made it less driftable.

Could be they are seeing consumers moving to the Subaru more or just that they are being conservative again as Toyota usually is. Might be a better calibration for people adding FI for stability and for a fastest lap time perspective.

I still enjoy the playfulness of my ‘13 at its current power level.

On initial release of the twins I think Toyota chose the slight oversteering bias to emphasize the novelty and uniqueness in the market of a non-understeering vehicle. Now the model was due for a mid cycle refresh and this is what was settled on by committee.

I predict the original FR-S will hold a place similar to the original Mata as far as longterm desirability.

Everyone is just gunna drop it on coils anyway who gives a fuck

It is.

And isn't that the point of this car? It's supposed to be a bit loose and crazy. It was designed to be fun, and the excessive tail-happiness is part of that. I'm sure the 2015 can get faster lap times than the 2013, but is it coming at the cost of making this a more civilized, less silly car? If there's one thing I've learned from racing, it's that the fastest lap times feel the slowest.

If I want the best lap times, I'd get a Porsche or a Miata. If I want a fun everyday car that's still very competent on the track or autocross, I'll pick the FRS.

Yup. Those who are just going to use it as a street car probably couldn't care less. Those that need it for more are gonna change to coilovers anyway.

Two reviews of the 2015 up - handling differences noted
 

I actually don't know what to make of these changes. Seems like they're trying to dial out what brought us all here. IDK, some ppl will love the new and others will covet the old. Time will only tell how these model years will be regarded by enthusiasts.

What brought me here was a functional trackable street car. OEM decent handling. Relative light weight. RWD. Functional interior (fold flat seats) for going to track.

In fact I think I searched something like "4cyl rwd coupe fold flat seats" before this car was released and brought me to the concept.

Being sideways on every roundabout was not on my priority list.

95% of the owners of this car wont be able to tell the difference as the changes are mostly noticable at the limit.

Sounds like they fitted BRZ springs to the FRS. Hope both cars get the improved rear damping and chassis bolts. Hope the new bolts are an easy upgrade for older cars, probably yes.

Too many kids were probably drifting into curbs so they decided to make the ride more manageable.

Two reviews of the 2015 up - handling differences noted
 

Not on my list either as I'm in my 40's...but nice to know I can and still maintain ALL the other characteristics you mentioned.

Preach it, brother! I have said this many times also. They will "improve" the FR-S to death.

This is more probable and makes the car more manageable for the masses that are less adept behind the wheel of a drivers car...

Agreed. This is history repeating itself yet again for Toyota. The early MKII MR2 had rear suspension changes during subsequent model years because the rear end was too lively and average joe was crashing when they found the limit of the car. The MR2 Spyder got more bracing and bigger rear wheels in its third year of production for similar reasons but they were not quite as pronounced.

It was predictable that Toyota would dial the handling of the car back to make it safe for those that drive beyond their skill level. Every time they release a car that is widely praised by auto journalist and car enthusiast for its fantastic handling they find themselves having to dumb it down for the motoring public.

IIRC Honda did something similar with the s2000 right? I feel like I heard that they were a lot more tail happy with the AP1.

They were definitely more 'raw'. Not sure about tailhappy - though I wouldnt be surprised - but the ap2 pretty much only offered changes that dumbed the car down for the older crowd.

Im getting a MY 15, and i plan to enjoy the changes, huh, figure that.

hah

You enjoy driving at less than maximum opposite lock? *****!

i will not have time to feel the stock suspension, i will change it for coilover on day one.

Looks like I'll have to wait for the second gen FRS wtih the bigger displacement and/or turbo, crap.

Why? OEM will already be a large improvement over a hunday.

Any lap time comparisons between 14 & 15?


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Sounds good to me too.

Being able to charger harder into the corner is not understeer...having it push if you come into the corner too hot isn't understeer either...its the driver over driving the corner.

...and top & bottom video as well.

Just buy one of the sets of OEM BRZ suspension for sale on here. Boom, 2015 FRS.

I owned and raced both an AP1 and AP2. The change for the 86 sounds to be along the same lines. What many of u lose sight of is driving style/preference. The '15 is not faster around the track for all people. Only faster for those that it suits the driving style more. I prefer oversteer and i race. Most of u will never use the car in a 10/10's manner so u will never really notice. Basically they dumbed the car down for lesser skilled drivers.

It is not the "older" crowd that is crashing the FR-S. :D

I'm sure driving a 2015 is just as engaging, but I feel like the FRS's ability to get a little more tailhappy is what really set it apart from the BRZ. Now, I don't see any reason for someone to buy a FRS unless you despise the mustache on the BRZ.

I guess you want the car to feel more precise on the track, but for daily driving I feel like the FRS has the perfect amount of oversteer to put a smile on your face.

I do despise the brz stache. It looks like subaru forgot to paint it for god sake. On your other point; understeer does not make a car feel precise. Understeer sucks. Period. I am biased though.

If you know what you're doing it can be as tail happy as you want.

Maybe insurance companies don't appreciate tail happy driving and more stable might lower insurance price.

Holy shit you guys make it sound like there's one in every other ditch from coast to coast.

'i'm so special look at me control my wild and crazy drift machine*!'

*151 ft-lbs of torque is less than a 25 year old 4 cylinder pickup truck

Well whatever anyone thinks the facts are that Tsada saw that the car needed some suspension change. Retuned shocks, larger bolts, etc. So what's wrong with that?
Most likely buyers remorse for some who say these changes are nothing special. If the chief engineer made the changes then he did it for the customer joy of the car. Sounds like the my '15 will be an enjoyable car for me.

Buyers remorse for saying these changes are nothing special? Looks like people will get along with you just fine on this forum.