FR-S / BRZ's ride stiffness vs Toyota Matrix XRS.
 

Hi.

Wondering if anybody who has driven the second gen Matrix XRS for any length of time has also driven an FR-S / BRZ? I've owned a 2009 Matrix XRS since the middle of 2008. (50,000 km). It has a fairly stiff ride. Mostly suspension tuning I think, and partially the 215/45-18 tires.

I know the ride on the FR-S / BRZ is fairly stiff too, I'm just wondering if anybody has a decent amount of time in both vehicles? Note that the XRS is setup stiffer than any other matrix, from what I understand.

I have taken an FR-S on a test drive, but the 5km or so you get to do on a test drive doesn't really tell you how the car will be long term. If you could rent one, I would, for a few days, to get to know how it rides over longer trips and more varied roads.

Thanks.

Unfortunately, I am kinda the opposite of you where I have test driven the 2009 Matrix XRS when I also test drove the 2009 Corolla XRS (the latter of which is what I ended up getting). Based on my limited exposure, I would say that that the Matrix tends to lean a little more in corners, but, still has a taut quality to it while the FR-S tends to stay flatter in the curves and has slightly firmer suspension (lower COG probably the reason for the lack of leaning). There is the obvious RWD vs FWD difference, but, I am just talking about the suspension setup.

My wife has a 2007 XRS so I have driven both vehicles on a daily basis for about eight weeks (picked up my FRS on 12/5).

The short answer is driving the XRS and FRS back to back makes you realize that there's a massive amount of body roll and and jello-y quality to the stock suspension in the XRS. I believe your right its technically stiffer, but the big hollow chassis and suspension setup ruin the whole thing. It isn't on the same planet if you're comparing how accurately you can place the vehicle at a specific point in a corner versus the FRS.

That said, the suspension on the XRS is WAAAAAY more forgiving and comfortable than that in the FRS. On bad quality roads in the winter, the FRS will chatter your teeth out of your head, and you'll know exactly where every seam on the pavement is. The XRS is nice and comfortable, with only really the biggest bumps getting through to you. The XRS is definately the car for long trips, my wife can't take more than 3-4 hours on roads up here in the FRS without feeling a bit sick. But really, it's the difference of sporty car vs sports car. The XRS is not a bad car by any means, but I wouldn't say they are comparable in responsiveness and info to the driver.

I had a 2005 Corolla XRS. I've driven the Matrix XRS (both 9thgen an a genten) a couple times and it seemed pretty much the same to me. That is, in the context of your thread.
The FR-S on the other hand is on another level of firm.
I had TRD springs installed a year after I got it and added 17" rims with BFG KDW2's and it still doesn't compare.

It's not horrible but it'll be a compromise if you have a lot of shitty roads.

My wife and I have an FRS and a 2009 Matrix XRS and I agree 100 percent with Xinshadow's response above!

One of the nice qualities of the twins design is the low CoG and overall suspension setup yields minimal lean in corners yet the springs are comparatively supple compared to other cars. It is comfortable for a DD.

You also have to consider the fact that the Matrix is about 300 lbs heavier than the FR-S and while the Matrix has about 10 lb ft of torque, the FR-S has more than 40 hp more. Combined with a purpose built chassis, it is definitely in a whole different league. Have no doubt IMO the FR-S is definitely an upgrade from the Matrix (except in terms of space and utility wrt having a hatch).