FR-S vs. Used Sports Car Market
 

So, I always read about people trying to find the FR-S's niche in the current sports car market, but, I was wondering, how will it fare against comparably priced second hand sports cars? Stay with me for a moment.

[[[WARNING: PURE SPECULATION INSIDE]]]

Now, I suspect the FR-S will fall in between, and this is a rather large margin, 19.9k-27k. The former being, of course, the standard model, and the latter being the fully equipped version. Now, for this money, there are a slew of other sports cars you could buy. So, how will the 86 successor compare?

So, again, let's practice some more speculation. Suppose the car weighs in between 2,400 and 2,700 pounds. Further, let's say the direct injected boxer motor will put out in between 200-240 BHP.

[Note: All of these margins are purposefully wide to encompass all probable] data]

For that money, you could also get second hand versions of these cars:

[Tentative list here, folks]
[Most data fetched from wikipedia]
[All used car prices are from KBB, besides the Lotus Elise, and are quoted, with the exception of the Mark IV Supra, for an average of 60,000 miles]

Evo 8 2,910–3,109 lb 276 BHP/ 273 LB/FT 16,295 ['03 Model]
Evo 9 2,888–3,285 lb 287 BHP/ 279 LB/FT 20,650 ['06 IX Model]
STi ~3,300 LB ~300 BHP / ~300LB/FT 23,540 ['07 Model]
MKIV Supra 3,417 lb 320 BHP/ 315 LB/FT 21, 340 ['94 Model. 100,xxx miles]
Lotus Elise 02-07 1,896 lb ~120BHP/~120LB/FT 22,xxx-29,xxx['05 Model][NADAGUIDE]
C5 Z06 3,115 lb 405BHP/400LB/FT 22,020 ['03 Model]
S2000 ~2800 LBS 240BHP/153LB/FT 15,345 ['03 Model]

Of course, there are other candidates, too. E46 M3, 350z, Mustang GT/Cobra, etc.

So, with all of that said, do you think it's viable to compare a new sports car to similarly priced second hand sports cars? If so, how do you think the FR-S stacks up?

Well do you want second hand or new? That's the number one question.....
I won't settle for a second hand car, I know how I treat my cars, and wouldn't like to buy a high maintenance flogged out second hand sports car.

I think maybe you misunderstood the thread a little. EDIT: I guess I misunderstood a little. Haha.. I just saw your edit. I am not in the market to get another second hand sports car, and, while I might get a FR-S, it's a little beside the point. The point is, however, to discuss the decision of buying a new FR-S or looking at a comparatively priced used sports car. Why would you get one over another?

It seems like the typical market for the car, at least those on forums, are at least a little mechanically inclined. So, replacing parts and performing maintenance on a used car shouldn't be an issue.

Personally, I don't really mind buying a used sports car. I mean, I bought my STI used. It only had 27,000 miles, but I have no idea what the car was doing during that period. It could have been autoxing for 5000 of them for all I know. However, the compression checked out, the car hadn't been in an accident, and, overall, everything was exceptionally clean.

If you plan to modify a used car, you shouldn't have to worry about previous owners abusing certain components. I.E powertrain, suspension

Light weight FR sports car that isn't convertible is something I'm looking for and that list you listed don't have it. Elise is light weight... but it's not FR. Love Supra... but haven't seen $22k, where I live.

Note:
S2k doesn't weight 2600 lbs, it weight 2809~2864 lbs

Then you're missing: GC, Rx7, Rx8, 3000GT, GTO, Mustang, Camaro, G35, M3, Z3, Z4, 944, 911, Boxster and no end lists

Ehh, I sort of got lazy and guessed on the s2k's weight. Hahah.. I'll make sure to edit the original post.

I was wary of the S2000 being a convertible, too, until I drove one. They're really exceptional cars. The revised 2.2 litre motor makes up for the torqueless F20C.

Is engine orientation [F/R/M] really that important to you? I guess I've never really thought of it that way, but I have a slight bias towards mid/rear engine cars.

This is a strange thread.

That's depends on were you live. S2k owner in Japan really hating F22 due to loosing that 9k rev.

Yes, it is important. It's like saying 2.5i & STI are same thing

Ok, looking at it from your point of view, I think it will fair good. Toyota does not have a sports car available. This is it. There is no drift cars available on the showroom floor. I think second hand direct competitor is the 240sx in your country, all the others indirectly (same cost performance cars).

I think the biggest competitor on the showroom floor right now is the 370Z. I'm sure there's going to be heaps of comparisons between these two!

I would get the FR-S. It's a completely new car, not to mention Toyota's first sports car in a while.

As long as the production version doesn't turn out to be a complete disaster regarding weight and price, I think it will be a better buy than a used car from that list.

Well, actually, the list isn't all encompassing, but I think the concept can be conveyed without creating a list of ALL used sports cars. : /

Quote:

Originally Posted by tree fingers (Post 55118) Of course, there are other candidates, too. E46 M3, 350z, Mustang GT/Cobra, etc.

You've misunderstood me. I'm asking about the driving experience of FR vs. MR/RR, and why you prefer FR to MR or RR.

I can understand variance in opinion. I don't want this thread to turn into an AP1 v AP2 debate, so I won't say anymore. Hahah

Why? Because it doesn't propagate "insider information" that's actually just copy/pasted from a motor-trend article? Hahah...

Why are you here? Are you a troll??? Don't feed the troll!!!

You've got the be kidding. :sigh:

This is the kind of discussion I was looking for!

As long as they keep the weight down, this car has the potential to be a proper sports car. : ] If I was in the market to get a used sports car vs. new FR-S, it would certainly be a difficult decision.

I think he's posting a legitimate topic for discussion. It's not like we have much more to talk about. I, personally, would prefer the new Scion/Subaru to a used sports car. The only way I'd go the comparable used car route would be if it were a car I absolutely loved, I personally knew the previous owner babied the car, and the price/condition of the car was too good to pass up. Tough standards, which is why I think I'll most probably end up going new.

Edit: Of course, this is all based on the hopes that the FR-S remains lightweight, cheap, and fun.