thoughts on waiting for the 2014 models?
 

the main reason i want to wait is the fact that this is a brand new car with no previous reputation on reliability. with a brand new run there will have to be kinks early on in the manufacturing. a late model 2013 model should be a bit better than the ones produced at the start. small issues are typically addressed as the year goes on to my knowledge. if the 2014 model has some nice extras (mainly keyless entry with push button start) i would go with one of those.

i love my current car which is a lightly modified (intake, exhaust, factory performance suspension) 2007 civic si, so i'm not in a huge rush to get out of it. but the frs is very exciting and i like that it has a lot of what makes the si fun. (handling, high reving)

If you can wait then don't rush.

I agree no reason to rush, im waiting to just see what other factory options get released in the next year. I really want an SC on from the factory!!!!! :burnrubber: I enjoy my current car too but will enjoy the brz/frs more in the future just not yet!

availability also seems limited now. the largest volume toyota dealer here is only getting in 2 a month and for the forseably future all they have coming in are automatics. which i won't even consider. it seems like it will be hard to get a good deal on them since they are so limited at the moment.

The only main reason I jumped for the 2013 is that I was afraid they would get a slight price increase due to the substantial initial demand. I don't think it would be much, but it wouldn't surprise me if there was a 800-1000 MSRP change between the 2013 and 2014.

Expect about 7-10% price increase due dollar:yen exchange calibration, probably November '12.

don't the prices typically come down when the next model year is anounced?

They will come down on the 2012 model if they have large quantities in stock. Other wise if they're still selling at MSRP within days there will be no price reduction.

I just picked up my Ultramarine on Thursday. But my thinking is; if the 2014 model has upgraded performance or better features I might just have to trade up.
I'm thinking that the 2013 are going to hold their resale value pretty well because it will be a while before the supply has caught up with demand.

I don't see any upgraded performance or better features anytime soon. If they do anything with the 2014, it'd be on slight improvements to prevent new recalls/issues that may or may not be here on the 2013. There may be more accessories, but for me, I am more for the blank slate. I want to make this a car of my own, not something just anyone can order.

If you are willing to wait for more accessories, that you may or may not like, and slight improvements, if any, then go for it. For now, its just a guessing game. Next years model may only come in just an extra color, if that much for all we know.

I honestly just don't feel like waiting if everything I want, is right here on the 2013. A cheep, lightweight, minimum accessories kinda car.

Considering this car has been in development for 3 years now, I'm willing to bet they've done enough testing to get the kinks ironed out. I'm thinking it will be a solid car with almost no issues.

I got a condensating passenger tail light :mad0260:

I work for a Toyota/Scion Dealer, so my service rep took pics of it and called Scion of America. They are sending a rep out today, already ordered me a new one.

Its easy to say now, but one guy on the forum already has water in his taillight. As far as I can remember, Mazda never made it a recall, or improved them for years on the RX8 (I may be wrong here so correct me if so). Point is, it could have just been a coincident with the FRS/BRZ, but if it is a recurring problem, it may become a recall or not something they bother with for years as well.

As I just finish posting about it, he beats me to it... hahaha

I have been burned twice by buying first year models of a new car. A 1999 VW Jetta VR6 that spent almost as much time at dealers than it did in my driveway, and a 2002 Nissan Altima SE. The Altima had numerous recalls and, although it did not have nearly as many issues as the Jetta and the Nissan dealer really had good customer service, it seemed they were still ironing out the kinks with the car.

That said Toyota and Subaru are both known for having solid cars, so I would be a little less concerned buying these brands vs a VW or Dodge/Chrysler.

I wouldn't worry about the reliability. This car has been undergoing testing and development for a long time, and Toyota has been hitting all of their new models out of the park for a few years now. Hell, the 2011 tC had probably 1/100th the number of issues that the previous generation did.

Plus if there is a problem Toyota has their EDER (Early Detection Early Resolution) process really well dialed in now. Every single product defect discovered during the launch of a new model gets immediate engineering attention, even one off issues.

Who knows maybe they will do what Honda did to the S2000? (Forums are filled with opinions and speculation) Hondas AP1's had a 2.0L engine and bumped it up to 2.2L engine for the AP2's that came out a few years later. (I believe it was between 2003 - 2004).

Holding out to 2014: Maybe Hyundai will come out with a new GC, Updated FR-s and BRZ or purchase a used s2000 and have a lot of cash left over. I hate the video with the S2000 drag racing the BRZ, if both cars were built to go around corners I want to see a real race. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9_hZqvY5RM"]Drag race : Subaru BRZ VS Honda S2000 (Motorsport) - YouTube[/ame]

My only guess will be that 2014 will probably add:
- Turn Signals on the mirrors removing the bumper Sidemarker
- Steering mounted controls

Just my guess.

Well we know Subaru has already come out and said they will offer a more powerful version of the car (STI), just don't know when. I would not be surprised if it was released sometime next year, but that might be too soon. Would love to have the STI version with steering wheel audio and Bluetooth controls.

I couldn't wait. This car feels like a Porsche inside. The ****pit alone is a huge improvement over all previous Scion models. And the car handles so well! Rear wheel drive and an extremely low center of gravity. What's not to love about it. I just went out during lunch and did not slow down for the freeway on ramp. It seems like the harder you push it the more it digs into the turns. I haven't broken the front or rear loose yet.

One thing you will notice driving this car is that you approach cars in front of you very fast. You'll spend a lot of time waiting for people to get around a turn, on-ramp, etc. It's like everyone else is driving slow. This car inspires confidence and you don't really need to brake much before a turn.

Might as well wait for the 2015 models. Waiting is a never-ending game.

Exactly. There's always a reason to put it off. If you like the car now and are happy with the features it has now, then buy the car.

I'm with you on this. I'm always wondering why people are slowing down for turns. I have a feeling I will be eating through tires quickly.

This bugged me in my tC. It absolutely annoys me now. You do not need to come to a complete stop to make a right turn. GO FASTER!:mad0260:

2014 will add push start and better seating materials and HIDS. Oh and the bespoke will probably be standard in the 2014 model.

I feel the same way when I drive my Golf......it's not the car it's just people in general don't know how to take turns. If you had an s2000, RX8, MS3, Civic Si, GTi, Porsche, etc. I doubt you'd have these issues...

OP, I think I read somewhere that Toy/Sub would be doing improvements on the FRS/BRZ on a yearly basis much like Nissan had done with the GT-R. Can someone confirm?

From what I understand they are going to do special editions or options that are only available for that model year. The next year they will have something else new or unique. Although they didn't specify exactly what is going to be unique each year. Could just be one year colors.

I know next year is the 10 year anniversary of Scion and my Scion rep mentioned a Signature Series of each model, I'm sure the FR-S will be included. Also, I'm pretty sure the FR-S will get a release series eventually.

I'm waiting till next year. Not becaus I want to but because my pre order likely won't come in till then. Man, the wait sucks.

Anybody know when the 2014 model will be available?

I think there is a good chance we will see these "improvements" for 2014. The lack of push button start and HID's are the most frequent complaints I've seen with the 2013 FR-S. Maybe a couple of different colors and a different style of wheels. And many more cosmetic/electrical/performance options.

While you are waiting I will be...

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/...egap/photo.jpg

There's always going to be a next better thing with everything. Cars, jobs, whatever. If you always wait for the best one, you'll never get anything!

Actually a more likely addition is the backup camera. From what I recall (unless the bill isn't passed), a backup camera is now required in all 2014 model cars. Most likely, the price will go up.

Buy it when it is comfortable and sensible for you to do so. We'll all be here, and waiting! :D You just will miss out 1 year of fun with all of us who jumped in to have this one more year in our lifetime.

Apparently Mazda has taken notice of the 86 nipping at the heels if the MX-5 and are now asking fans over at Jalopnik (http://jalopnik.com/5915837/mazda-re...ders/gallery/1) what they woud like to see in the next model. Several have cited the 86 as the new benchmark. I wonder if Nissan will get on board and bring back the Silvia.

Could this be the catalyst for a resurgence in affordable "driver's" car that we have speculated about?

Sounds interesting, where did you hear this? I would also expect a nice bump in the MSRP if this is the case.

i hope they make the anouncement well before they are available. if the msrp is bumped up i will probably go with the 2013 model.

Nissan already stated that they had dropped that project. Im sure if the sales are better they, MAY, bring back the S chassis. But you have to remember this: going into model year 2013 Toyota had 0 (zero) sports cars. Nissan has 2, technically 3 sports cars (Maxima, Z, and GT-R) so adding a sport compact to the mix would definitely affect the bottom line.

This all might change if the FR-S and BRZ do really well. The main issues will be that people will be underwhelmed by the power. Especially when you can get a mustang for the same price and the soon to be released Focus ST will also be a main competitor that is turbocharged from factory.

The great equalizer will be gas prices, as the Mustang and possibly the turbo on the focus might eat more gas than the FR-S.

As far as waiting for 2014 I'm sure they might have some of the "upgrades" on the RS for the car which might show up early next year.

Im in the same boat as i dont usually buy cars in their first model years, i do my research, join a forum, know what initial owners learn about the cars, identify issues/problems if any then if im satisfied ill buy the following year. The good thing is in that span of time you know more about the car more than ever before.

Im waiting for 2 competitors to show up too, the lesser price Veloster Turbo with it funky design and high mpg and the upcoming Ford Focus ST which is priced like the Scion FRS manual.

i bet the HIDs and an upgraded interior will pobably be improved in the 2014 MY for the FRS.

for now ill wait and see how the aftermarket respond to this car.