First 1,000 Mile Review. Hope it helps potential buyers.
 

So I just passed the 1K mark this weekend on a small trip to Pleasantville, NY to give my car a good scrub down (yes, the nearest coin operated car wash is 25 miles away) and while driving I thought about my car, the FR-S/BRZ community and the switch I recently made from driving a Saab 9-3 to a Scion FR-S.

First, I absolutely love this car. Every single review I watched on youtube talked about how "numbers disappear" when driving this car. And you know what? It's true. My 08 9-3 was tuned to 320hp and the turbo sang at high boost. Do I miss that? Of course. But I've never been happier in a car than I am with this car. There's a small push at low RPMs in this car that is reminiscent of light boost kicking in, minus the jerky torque. Would I love some 6th gear torque so no downshifting is required? Sure, but sometimes it's nice to hear the engine growl.

Second, the FR-S/BRZ community reminds me of the Saab community. Small, helpful and infatuated with our cars. I've read posts on the site here and rarely ever see anyone trolling or replying harshly to posters, even posters who ask the same question 100 times.

Third, many have commented on the styling of this car and that it is too toned down or not pretty enough for a brand new sports car. To me, this is false. While passing the car wash, my girlfriend said "Wow, everyone just stood up and looked at your car as it passed by." When we stopped for some lunch a guy walked up to me and said "I was just noticing your car. The color reminds me of my old corvette." And we talked for a good 5 to 10 minutes about the car. This car gets noticed. Period.

Lastly, despite this car being a sports car, it has a comfortableness to its ride that won't beat you up on long drives. The road noise is quieter than I imagined, the seats are great and it engages you ever mile you drive. of course, this is the FR-S. I don't know how the BRZ feels on long drives.

To all those deciding on whether or not they should buy this car I have some quick advice. It's no hot hatch. If you need trunk space, look elsewhere; otherwise, this car is perfect for whatever you do. Long drivers. Short trips. Track events.

Buy this car and don't think twice, unless you are considering the BRZ. Then you might have to think twice.

I agree with most all of it.

In my reviews and videos, so many people want to slit my throat because I am candid about the downfalls of the car.

I HATE the fact the neutered the styling.

After seeing all the concepts for so long...
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....1303324359.jpg
and this:
http://facecarsx.com/wp-content/uplo...Right-View.jpg

To see the final version so neutered was hard to stomach for me. Actually if I stare at those pictures and then look at the production model it's almost painful.

The people who have never see the car before usually like it because it's edgy TODAY. And that's my problem with the styling, it was scaled back due to cost, but it was at the expense of the long term, appeal. I know it's all subjective.

It's these things the car nuts complain about.

Pleasantville is the next town over from me. Let me know the next time you're in the area.

If this car had cost more then I wouldn't have bought it, so I'm glad. :)

True, but cars never turn out to be the same as their concepts. Now, if this car looked like that and cost 35k (with more power), then that's something else entirely!

The only disappointment for me in terms of styling is the interior. The show car's interior was phenomenal.

Will do. I usually go up once or twice a month to wash her down.

I agree, it is a rare car that makes it unchanged from concept to production and while it had some great styling queues, I think some of it was over the top. The only things that would have been great if it had the GT86 fog lights and spoiler. They aren't crucial, but, I think they would have made an improvement.

The TRD spoiler or the spoiler that's also on the BRZ because I can do without that. The foglights and LEDs would have been nice though.

Saab2FRS: I know what you mean about similarity between the Saab club and the ft86 club. I survived many years driving a 1972 Saab 99 thanks to support from the Saab club. Only difference is, the Saab was a love-hate relationship and the FR-S is just love.

I think that the FR-S is similar to the Acura RSX in that the car can go either way with or without a spoiler and I am still not sure if I would put one on, but, the option isn't even available without going aftermarket.

Tbh I hated the concepts. The final product looks much better to me. If it was as boxy as the original, I wouldn't have gotten it because it was so ugly. But hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder I suppose.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._FT-86_005.JPG

Interesting but I still don't understand why people expect production designs to be anything close to a concept. I've never personally seen a concept for any car that looks anything remotely similar to the production vehicle. I would have to say the opposite here, the styling turned out really well and it turns heads.

Not sure what the reviewers are really talking about when they say its styling is dull. Maybe because they're comparing it to the designs of the high end scale which I have heard before as well... "If it looked more like an Aston Martin I'd be sold on it." It's an economy sports car lets not forget that. Blows away the Miata's, Genesis, Camaro even the Mustangs IMO because it's original and the lines flow.

Just my 2cents, as you said it's subjective i suppose.

Haha, that describes it perfectly.

This might be what it looks like in 10 years when it's more expensive.

I wonder how long this joint venture will last. My thought is that at some point Toyota and Subaru are going to want to develop the car to be 100% their own.