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-   -   Had to do it (https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8197)

raphymartinez 06-08-2012 03:31 PM

Had to do it
 
After much reading, watching videos and a couple of drives I had to do it.

I have the distinct advantage of being able to take a car home when i want since I work as a sales & finance manager at a Toyota/Scion dealership. So last night I decided to take a Firestorm FR-S (MT) and I just couldn't resist.
So much so that after I got home from my regular 30 minute commute, I took a shower and noticed that I had about 30 minutes before the Celtics games started so I looked out the window and saw it there kinda saying "hey, let's take a quick ride"... so I did. A few on and off ramps later (even while staying under 4k RPM's) I realized I wanted to own this car.

One thing that has surprised everyone that knows me is the color choice, this is my list of new cars over the years
*06 Scion tC
*07 Camry SE V6
*07 Lexus IS250 awd
*08 VW GTI (dsg)
*09 WRX
*10 370Z
*12 Camry SE (don't ask)

Every single one of those has been white. I never even considered another color. IDK why but on this car the white just doesn't get me excited but the red really did. Maybe it's because from what I can tell about 70% of buyers are buying white. Or maybe i'm getting old and want to look young :lol:
Whatever the reason is, I love this Firestorm FR-S

So, here it is:
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...z/21888d17.jpg

:burnrubber:

MVJ1975 06-08-2012 03:33 PM

I'm with you. The Whiteout does nothing for me. It's the very last color I'd pick.

Congrats on the car!

NYNOMAD 06-08-2012 03:34 PM

Beautifull!

bestwheelbase 06-08-2012 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raphymartinez (Post 248657)
Whatever the reason is, I love this Firestorm FR-S

At first it's just a feeling that you can't quite put a finger on. As miles rack up, you will find specific details which speak to you personally. This is the sign of a proper sports car. Initially good, and even better with ongoing development. Good on ya!

blu_ 06-08-2012 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVJ1975 (Post 248664)
I'm with you. The Whiteout does nothing for me. It's the very last color I'd pick.

Congrats on the car!

You take that back right now :S

luxmn 06-08-2012 03:40 PM

lol, congrats man, this car is for the people "young at mind", good to see you go from beige to firestorm :D

MVJ1975 06-08-2012 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blu_ (Post 248671)
You take that back right now :S

Oh, don't get me wrong, the FR-S looks fantastic in any color. It's just that the car's exotic appearance, to me, seems to call for a more exotic color. I suspect this is why I don't hate the Hot Lava on this car, when I despise orange on most cars.

raphymartinez 06-08-2012 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVJ1975 (Post 248688)
Oh, don't get me wrong, the FR-S looks fantastic in any color. It's just that the car's exotic appearance, to me, seems to call for a more exotic color. I suspect this is why I don't hate the Hot Lava on this car, when I despise orange on most cars.

I think you're right. I'm not a fan of orange or yellow cars but I think the hot lava on this car looks fantastic.

Maybe it's my "I can't afford a Ferrari so this is my Ferrari" type of thing ;)

Alex@R.A.D. 06-08-2012 04:06 PM

nice write up... hoping to get into a firestorm 86 soon :)

always had red cars, so cant say im doing anything different... but red is a bold and strong color, it can be flashy sometimes, but it can also look elegant at other times. depends on how the person is carrying it, idk how to explain it lol

ESBjiujitsu 06-08-2012 04:08 PM

she is a beauty!

Calidrifter 06-08-2012 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raphymartinez (Post 248711)
Maybe it's the "I can't afford a Ferrari so this is my Ferrari" type of thing ;)

That's exactly what I was saying to the dealer. For some reason it just pops more than any other color. I do like the way the ultra marine looks, as well.

raphymartinez 06-08-2012 04:14 PM

compared to the 370Z i can tell right away... I enjoy this one more. Less noise (the bad kind) and better "feel". That last one is hard to explain but instantly noticeable to anyone that drives it for even just 5 minutes.

clevrname 06-08-2012 04:16 PM

I traded in my Super White 12 Camry SE V6 for a 13 Firestorm 6MT lol!

Chupacabra 06-08-2012 05:11 PM

I sold my tC for this car too, MEGA UPGRADE...

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...DSC05505-1.jpg

Boosted2.0 06-08-2012 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raphymartinez (Post 248657)
After much reading, watching videos and a couple of drives I had to do it.

I have the distinct advantage of being able to take a car home when i want since I work as a sales & finance manager at a Toyota/Scion dealership. So last night I decided to take a Firestorm FR-S (MT) and I just couldn't resist.
So much so that after I got home from my regular 30 minute commute, I took a shower and noticed that I had about 30 minutes before the Celtics games started so I looked out the window and saw it there kinda saying "hey, let's take a quick ride"... so I did. A few on and off ramps later (even while staying under 4k RPM's) I realized I wanted to own this car.

One thing that has surprised everyone that knows me is the color choice, this is my list of new cars over the years
*06 Scion tC
*07 Camry SE V6
*07 Lexus IS250 awd
*08 VW GTI (dsg)
*09 WRX
*10 370Z
*12 Camry SE (don't ask)

Every single one of those has been white. I never even considered another color. IDK why but on this car the white just doesn't get me excited but the red really did. Maybe it's because from what I can tell about 70% of buyers are buying white. Or maybe i'm getting old and want to look young :lol:
Whatever the reason is, I love this Firestorm FR-S

So, here it is:
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...z/21888d17.jpg

:burnrubber:

Congrats on your purchase!

Whiteout is interesting. With untinted windows it didn't do a ton for me either. With darkly tinted windows I drooled and bought one. The extra contrast in the windows makes the car IMO. I can't wait to put some black wheels (RPF1s I imagine) on it.

thill 06-08-2012 05:15 PM

There are very few cars that I can say this... I think the twins look good in every single color.. Pretty rare... I do have a soft sport for the white with the dark tinted windows myself, but the red looks very aggressive.

NeedsmoreCowbell 06-08-2012 05:17 PM

I know exactly how you feel :) enjoy !

Tbomb 25 06-08-2012 05:29 PM

That red looks tasty...the asphalt looks very good to especially when the sun is going down...

eriktherod 06-08-2012 05:36 PM

I was in the same boat as the OP with the color. My first car was white (good ol' Buick Century hah), then I had a darker Pontiac Grand Prix, and recently a black Civic Si. I was going to do Ultramarine but the red was always a close second for me (I had seen neither in person).

There was a Firestorm Red MT at a local dealer here so I decided to "just take a look." As soon as I got there, she was out in the sun just shining. The red does pop so well, I couldn't get over it. Ironically, my initial reasoning for the red was, "that's a reserved color for the future Ferrari," but damn does it look good in it.

One thing led to another.. and I took her home that day with 20 miles on it. I've gotten so many compliments on the car and color. It truly is one of the best reds I've seen, I only hope it doesn't fade like "JDM pink".

kyolml 06-08-2012 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raphymartinez (Post 248657)
After much reading, watching videos and a couple of drives I had to do it.

I have the distinct advantage of being able to take a car home when i want since I work as a sales & finance manager at a Toyota/Scion dealership. So last night I decided to take a Firestorm FR-S (MT) and I just couldn't resist.
So much so that after I got home from my regular 30 minute commute, I took a shower and noticed that I had about 30 minutes before the Celtics games started so I looked out the window and saw it there kinda saying "hey, let's take a quick ride"... so I did. A few on and off ramps later (even while staying under 4k RPM's) I realized I wanted to own this car.

One thing that has surprised everyone that knows me is the color choice, this is my list of new cars over the years
*06 Scion tC
*07 Camry SE V6
*07 Lexus IS250 awd
*08 VW GTI (dsg)
*09 WRX
*10 370Z
*12 Camry SE (don't ask)

Every single one of those has been white. I never even considered another color. IDK why but on this car the white just doesn't get me excited but the red really did. Maybe it's because from what I can tell about 70% of buyers are buying white. Or maybe i'm getting old and want to look young :lol:
Whatever the reason is, I love this Firestorm FR-S

So, here it is:
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...z/21888d17.jpg

:burnrubber:



trading in cars every single year, you got to have a deep pocket, i envy you....or maybe you work at the dealer so what kind of discount you get on new cars?

eriktherod 06-08-2012 05:46 PM

Most of those cars have high resale value, so it's not TOO bad on depreciation. Could be leases too!

raphymartinez 06-08-2012 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyolml (Post 248870)
trading in cars every single year, you got to have a deep pocket, i envy you....or maybe you work at the dealer so what kind of discount you get on new cars?

hahaha yea working at a dealership for 9 years helps. The only lease was the Lexus (man what a boring car to drive) the rest i traded out of. I usually sold them at the dealership i work for before even buying the next car so it was no big deal. Pockets deff not deep like that ;)
That's why this is my Ferrari!

tripjammer 06-08-2012 06:09 PM

Damn you guys got me going toward red now!!!!

Dadhawk 06-08-2012 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raphymartinez (Post 248657)
...
Whatever the reason is, I love this Firestorm FR-S...

Welcome to the Firestorm family!

Rampage 06-08-2012 07:58 PM

The drug sealer succumbed to his own drug! Gratz!

Ricochet48 06-08-2012 08:21 PM

Can you explain a bit more how it 'feels' better than the 370z.

I currently drive a modified RSX-S and was debating between the FRS/BRZ and the Z. The Z has twice the torque and over 100 more hp (but obviously a bit more weight). I'm just not sure I could stand another low tq car and spend thousands modifying it to keep up with family sedans. I know everyone is going to flame that saying that anyone can go fast in a straight line, etc.; however, I'm not interested in a Mustang for that reason. I felt the Z would still have good handling while still blowing away more cars going straight.

I plan to have full coilovers, ss brake lines, rotors, pads, etc. on either as I will track it so stock suspension isn't much of an issue for me either.

Sorry to rant on, just wanted your honest assessment as you have own(ed) both.

Thanks!

raphymartinez 06-08-2012 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricochet48 (Post 249112)
Can you explain a bit more how it 'feels' better than the 370z.

I currently drive a modified RSX-S and was debating between the FRS/BRZ and the Z. The Z has twice the torque and over 100 more hp (but obviously a bit more weight). I'm just not sure I could stand another low tq car and spend thousands modifying it to keep up with family sedans. I know everyone is going to flame that saying that anyone can go fast in a straight line, etc.; however, I'm not interested in a Mustang for that reason. I felt the Z would still have good handling while still blowing away more cars going straight.

I plan to have full coilovers, ss brake lines, rotors, pads, etc. on either as I will track it so stock suspension isn't much of an issue for me either.

Sorry to rant on, just wanted your honest assessment as you have own(ed) both.

Thanks!


Ok let's see.
It's something thats tough to explain but it's just a feel of being "connected" with the car. The quick response to everything you do (steering, accelerating, breaking) it all just feels right (never feels like its too much for public roads)
Now keep in mind I don't track my cars (or haven't yet, will def give it a shot with this one) but as a daily driver the Z felt... Meh. All this power on tap and u just can't enjoy it on a day to day basis. On the track I'm sure that's a different story but I don't know that as like I said I havent tried it.
The you get inside the car. Heres another place where it "feels" different. How is it even possible that a 25k car feels that much more well made and put together that a 30 something K car? Idk but it does. It just all feels much better as far as materials and finish.
Is the 370Z a beast of a car? Yup. But in the day to day enjoyment department the FR-S has it beat all day (and so does a GTI and WRX for that matter)
Before you feel anything in the Z (adrenaline rush) you have to really be up there on speed. In the FR-S I can get a good rush at a much lower speed just taking some on ramps.
So it's just a different feel.
Maybe for you since you're going to track it regularly a Z is a better choice (if power is a main concern) But since I have to own just one to drive every day and possibly go to the track once in a while id pick the FR-S every time.
Out of that list of cars the ones that always made me smile were the WRX,GTI and now the FR-S.
The Z? Yes, one time. Playing with a F-430 on the highway going waaaaay too fast (not proud of that, got carried away)
So to me that's not worth it. To have to go that fast to really get enjoyment out of your car, then possibly lose your license and get arrested or hurt someone or yourself.
I'll stick with the "slow" car that just feels right! :happy0180:

raphymartinez 06-09-2012 03:45 PM

:w00t:
hehe
Just had a co-worker take my Firestorm out for a run by himself. He was gone for about 20 minutes, came back and ordered a raven 6MT.
(he currently owns a Miata)


I'm telling you... this thing is irresistible (if you love driving)
:burnrubber:

raphymartinez 06-10-2012 08:51 PM

Platidip FTW
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...z/48e0b832.jpg
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...z/68d2c030.jpg

ScottyP3821 06-10-2012 09:01 PM

@raphymartinez

I know how you feel, every car I have owned has been mostly black. Black cars love to display clear coat scratches and enjoy fading but after having black for so many years I now want a white FRS. I think I got so sick of worrying about clear coat scratches that I want to go to the complete opposite end of the color spectrum skipping every color in between lol

EDIT: I like all the colors of the FRS but I really dont care for the Hot lava and it only because of the interior red accents work against the car. Every other color even the Ultramarine look brilliant. My top 3 are Whiteout, Firestorm, and Raven.

Dadhawk 06-10-2012 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raphymartinez (Post 251547)
Platidip FTW

Not bad, but not my style. I think I'd want it down the trunk, or a set of rally stripes.

Good to see the plastidip matches the flat black trim. I'm comptemplating blacking out the logos and the Sharkfin I have coming.


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