The e-steering
 

I grew up driving RWD muscle cars, but in 1989 my mother bought a BMW M3. She is a driver's driver and saw a good design, still has it lets me drive it once in a while and nothing built since is quite like it. I mean the cars handling and performance is so natural and balanced, you just plain enjoy driving it. I took it on a 500 mile trip and just walked out refreshed, most cars I have to lay down for a few hours after a long drive.

I sort of gave up on the dream of owning a light rwd LSD manual sports car. I owned a 93 civic with the doublewishbone suspension that sort of helped the FWD shortcomings, it responded to the road well enough but the new civics suck..

A few years ago I bought a Yaris, put a TRD suspension on it. Not bad but the damn steering, I intuitively rely on the feedback of the cars steering design (prefer non PS.) This car reminds me of driving a remote car you are so detached from the steering feedback.

The Scion dealer just called and a FR_S came in stock, my biggest hold up is the electronic steering, is it better than toyotas Yaris? Can a car truly be a sports car with electronic sterring?

Educate me.

I can't speak on your behalf - my background is very limited.
But I have driven cars where it feels like I'm trying to steer a Boat - super rubbery and nearly no connection to the wheels to the road.
This car feels really good and does it at the exact time .. but honestly just go test the car out - there is no reason not to try.
I've been looking for a car since 2008 roughly and never found anything I liked until now.

Thanks I suck at test drives, get nervous with it and its a short period. Wanted to here from some folks who have driven it for a while.

No one will be able to educate you better than your own behind seated comfortably inside a GT86.

If your local dealer has one available for test drive, I would rather you call them asap and arrange for a ride. If you genuinely show interest , they would let you drive around far longer than you're assuming. I had mine test driven for a good 30-40minutes before we headed back to the showroom. Result of which; the sales guy got a client in me.


With the past experiences you described in the OP, only yourself will be the better judge against them whilst driving an FR-S around.

Cheers
~Imti

Steering feels fine to me. Better than my Miata or WRX.

My wife's TL on the other hand is garbage. (I think it's under recall) as in parking situations, lock to lock it loses power halfway. On road steering in the TL is too vague and overpowered.

Back to the FRS - had no one told me it was electronic assist, I wouldn't know. Feels very good but try to see for yourself if you like it.

The latest Porsche 911 (991) is using electric steering. I'm sure it will be fine.

The steering is very very good but, as others said, only you can compare it to your experience.

Test drive it.

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Until now! The FR-S/BRZ is pretty much a new E30 M3, for a lot less $$$. Now THAT'S *progress*, to me.
BMW E30 fans agree: http://www.bmwblog.com/2012/01/24/op...r-is-a-toyota/

http://www.babez.de/honda/s2000-2007...2007-titel.jpg

(that's an unqualified "yes")

The S2000's steering has been criticized for lacking feel, but in my experience it's one of the better feeling power assists I've used. I think that if people weren't aware that the assist was electric, there wouldn't be anything like as much criticism. I've driven an FR-S, power steering is quite good imo. Fear not, but of course test-drive one.

I think the FRS steering has great feel and doesn't drive like an electronic steer. I also have a Lexus IS 250 with e steer and it totally lacks feel.

All I can say is... Yaris D;?

The steering isn't as firm as my e36 M3, but it's every bit as direct. I was worried about the eps as well, but now I wouldn't be able to tell if I didn't already know.

The steering is nothing like RWD muscle cars that we grew up with...thank heaven. If this thing steered like a 1971 Chevelle SS LS6 with a 454...I wouldn't have bought it.

Like others have said...if you're looking for something specific, or a particular steering feel...nothing is going to replace testing it out yourself. Feelings are rather subjective, what works for one may not work for another. I like it...but I can pretty much adapt to anything...going from a Jeep Wrangler, to an MG Midget to a Dodge HD2500 to the FR-S.

The steering is fantastic. I've been driving my WRX the past few days, and I HATE THAT CAR NOW. The FR-S just feels so good, so responsive. When the electronics kick in it throws me off a little cause it sounds like the wheel I have for GT5 on my PS3 lol, but it works great. My WRX now feels floaty to me, lifeless.