I don't want coilovers but...
 

I'm looking at buying a 2013 FR-S (out of state) and I realized from the photos that it has coilovers (looks like Tein Flex Z). I was hoping for bone stock suspension - I live in Michigan with pretty bad roads and I need all the clearance I can get and partly because I'd rather not mess with the handling the manufacturer has engineered.

That said, should this be a deal breaker for me? Are the coilovers very different from stock suspension? If I hate them would it be cost prohibitive to track down and have OEM struts installed?

Any help would be AWESOME. Looking forward to finally getting into an 86.

Drive it and see if it is livable. If not, people almost give away stock suspension.

Tein Flex Z are more comfortable (and much more adjustable) than stock in my opinion. You can set them to be less stiff than stock suspension if you desire. I'd try them out. I love mine, and I have very rough roads in IN.

Am I going to lose the tail-happy nature of the FR-S?

Depends on a lot of factors, including alignment settings.

Not just with a set of coilovers. You'd need some chunky wheels to tame the tail-happiness -- So if you are on stock tires you'll be OK.

As mentioned, you can soften or stiffen the Tein Flex Z. You'd be able to reach the same spring rates as the stock, or go stiffer/softer as desired. In general, I would call the Tein Flex Z a significant upgrade (there's a reason this car doesn't come with coilovers stock... for simplicity and to save cost).

It does come with coil overs. They are just not adjustable. The OEM set up is actually very, very well done and quality parts.

If you like the car then get it. I have no experience with the tein flex z but if you’re looking for comfort on crap roads those metal top hats will not be your friend.

It sucks to swap suspension but luckily your 2013 can run 2017 shock/spring combo which is by far the softest suspension For crappy roads. You’ll gain a ton of body roll but it’s the most comfortable option with the most road clearance.

I thought the spring rates weren't adjustable. I'd read the stock FR-S spring rate is 2.3K (front) and 3.8K (rear), whereas the Flex Z's have a spring rate of 6K.

Read up a bit and form your own opinion:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81829

Correct. The spring rates aren't adjustable -- the wording of my post is misleading. The damper itself is adjustable.

I have the Flex Z's on my car and they do not ride as well as stock. They are firmer, but by no means are they harsh.

Like was said, buy it and try it. If you dont like it you can resell the Flex Z for more then buying someones stock suspension would cost

Just raise them up and soften the damping. If that's not enough then swap them out. You'd actually probably make a profit selling them and buying stock coilovers.

FWIW, I've driven through Detroit a few times maxed on Flex Z's with no issues. Granted, it wasn't the comfiest ride on Michigan roads..