Can't say it much better than that.
I'll add that this car is really good in the snow. Get a good set of dedicated winter tires and leave the nannies on. I've been through 4 winters on the North shore of Lake Ontario, and when it snows, it snows big. There have been times on my way into work where I was pushing snow with the front bumper and the little car just kept moving forward (albeit rather slowly).

I've learned through this process that buying a car (especially if you are a car guy without children) is very emotional. I was thinking of other more 'practical' cars like a WRX or FiST, but in the end I knew if I bought one of those cars my heart would still be calling out for a FRS. You've just gotta go with what you want.

And as other people have pointed out, those criticisms do not really pan out. You obviously know the limitations of this car, like if you have to carry a lot of people or cargo you probably wouldn't even be considering it. And as for the whole 'unprofessional' thing, that's bullshit. Would you want to drive a grey Altima to work to blend in? No one actually cares about what you drive to the office unless it's a cool car. Instead people may see your car and think that you actually have some personality.

Old farts still have fun at age 69. Getting into and out of my FRS is exercise.

I personally don't understand the "professional" comment, that for me is the weirdest of all the comments you seem to have gotten. I really don't think any CUV/SUV is "professional" nor is any mainstream car, so why would a mainstream sports car be any different?

I wear a suit and tie often when I drive this car...chances are they're more likely to think I'm a professional than some guy they see with a T-shirt and jeans getting out of a BMW. Heck I don't think I'm the only one driving this car with business attire.

You're only 74?

I think this may help...


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/...71_634x622.jpg

After the Bollie I had to take the Porsche.

To pissed to walk darling...:lol:

Life is too short to live by others' opinions.....buy what you like and drive it, and enjoy it :D

I have had a lot of cars and the FT86 is pretty good in comparison, my son has one and we have one. There has to be a reason this car keeps making the best enthusiast cars under $30k list......

I bought the car when I was single, but the only things my GF doesn't like about it is the wind/road noise on the highway and that the ride is on the stiff side. We take weekend trips in it a lot though. It holds plenty of cargo especially with the rear seats folded down.

She liked everything else about it though and loves when we drive quick on mountain roads, and doesn't mind the mod addiction. She will even help me install some of them :)

Only when you say dumb shit and nobody is safe from that (including myself if I catch something dumb I said)

The only person that said anything about my car is my wife. She remains convinced I will get run over by a truck.

Not practical? If you are a house painter by trade they are correct. If you need to move yourself and some light stuff around then what is not practical about it.
Not professional? Don't understand how you can get more professional looking. BMW maybe? I am a senior manager in one of the largest automotive parts manufactures in the world and park with others of similar professional levels everyday. My car does not look out of place with theirs.
Can't drive in the snow? All I can say to that one is bullshit.
Too old? That is the funniest of all. I bet over a third of this forum are far older than 26. Some of us two or even three time that actually.

All that said as easy as it is for people to say "do your own thing and fuck everybody else." The OP is the one that has to live with them and is the only one that can decide if he wants to listen or if it will create more issues than it is worth.

Tbh he is only moving from an auto to a manual really. How much attention can you seek?

Two of my kids are at school age. I drive them to/from school with my FR-S. This week our neighbors daughter came with us and there were three kids in my FR-S. You should have seen how the other parents were looking at us at school. I do shopping, also take the kids to Taekwondo classes. It is a great family car, :) that is my family. And the looks I get are priceless. Yesterday, I was driving down the road alone, one sport motorcycle rider gave thumbs up for my FR-S. Don't let others impose their boring norms on you, live your life in full the way you want it. My FR-S fits my life perfectly.

And, if you know how to control it, actually much BETTER than any FWD car. Good snow tires are not optional, they are mandatory.

...And that last sentence just won my "Favorite Forum Statement" of all-time. Wiser words could not have been spoken.

Age doesn't matter. The car is extremely practical (unless you mod it a lot and mess up the gas mileage... then your bang for the buck in terms of practicality goes way down).. you can fit a ton of stuff in it, it's relatively cheap to purchase if you go for one that's a year or two old w/30K- 50K on it (why get a new one? Never understood that.. but that's just me), and can get over 40mpg on the highway and low 30s around town. WAY more practical (and mature?) than an overpriced SUV with capabilities that most folks never use any way or a "luxury" sedan.

Of course, my opinion is assuming a few things..

1. You are using your own money, and only your own money.
2. You are not taking out a loan that will impact a significant amount of your income stream, or that would leave you in a difficult financial position should your current job status or life in general change unexpectedly.

Buying a new car is not practical. It may feel good, but it is not practical financially. Only you know your own personal practicality to warm/fuzzy-feeling-outta-life ratio.

Just to put out a slightly dissenting thought... a lot of times, the people that are making life suggestions to you are the ones that love you and care about you; the ones that DON'T care about you probably coudln't care less about what you do. It's not ALWAYS a bad idea to at least listen to your family and loved ones. The advice may not be what you want to hear, and may not always even be good advice, but it's usually given out of caring for you. Be grateful that they care, let them know you appreciate the caring, and THEN explain your reasoning logically and kindly to them. You may be able to bring them around.. if you're right, that is.. ;)

Good luck. It IS a great, practical car, drives GREAT in the winter. I'm a 56-year-old working musician who lives right in the lake effect snow belt near Syracuse, NY. I use the car to haul my keyboards and other gear to gigs all winter long, and have never even REMOTELY had trouble getting to a gig.. even when other band members have gone off the road in their SUVs. Like Humfrz said... it's HOW you drive.

Wrong. If you don't listen to and value a loved one's opinions, why would they want to keep YOU in THEIR life?!?!?

I guess, if you really mean "tells," as in makes an ultimatum or DEMANDS, then you have a point. In the context of the original poster's situation, he/she has family and friends giving opinions about his/her car purchase. They may not be what he/she wants to hear, but a little listening never hurt anyone. I do agree that no one should be forced to do something they feel is wrong.