West coast trip report …..
 

Hello Folks,

My wife and I just returned from our first trip in our FR-S. We drove about 2,500 miles, down the westcoast on 101/Route 1, from Seattle, WA to Southern California and back up to WAon I-5. This was a good mix of curvyroads and interstate driving.

First, a bit about us. We are older (wife – 60 some; me – a tad over 70). For the last 7 years, our summer trips (totaling88,000 miles) were in a 2 seat roadster, 2006 MX-5 (Mazda-Miata).

Generally we found the FR-S a good touring car, with a fewminor modifications. I added an armrest for the center console that we couldshare and put a cork in the mouth of the sound generator. Also, I had a XM radio receiver installed.

The A/C worked very well, with outside temperatures above100 degrees F. The cabin air filter came in handy while driving throughsouthern Oregon (which was on fire). TheOEM tires (Michelins) rode well and were stable on both the dry and wet roads.

Using the “back seat” for stuff and the trunk for luggage,we had plenty of storage space (compared to the MX-5). Having a spare tire was a plus, although wedidn’t have to use it. The cabin wasquiet (compared to our top down roadster). The seats were comfortable, however, we stop a lot.

Although we heard several hard “strikes” against thewindshield, it didn’t suffer any chips. Amazingly enough, we haven’t received and rock chips in the paint (witha bit over 5,000 miles).

In the first 5,000 miles, the car used about a quart of oil.

Our fuel mileage was between 32 and 33 mpg. I drove as fast I my wife would let me on thecoast roads and 5-9 mph over the speed limit on the freeways.

In summary, we found the FR-S to be a fun, comfortable,touring car …. :)

If you have taken some longer trips in your FR-S, what hasyour experience been …??
humfrz

Sounds like you had fun. I drove my wife from Orlando to San Jose in her tC a few months ago since she got a new job (I will be moving there at the end of next week) and I happened to Time Lapse the trip with my GoPro https://vimeo.com/69311541.

I was planning on driving my FR-S there as well but my wife didn't want to wait any longer than necessary and insisted on me putting the car on a hauler and flying out instead. I was kinda looking forward to the trip and putting 3,200 miles on the clock but as the saying goes, "A happy wife is a happy life."

Instead, I take it for a hundred or so miles at a time around Central Florida when I can and I really enjoy the drive. I am looking forward to the Pacific Coast Highway and some nice mountainous twisties instead of flat and boring Florida. Then I will have the struggle of deciding between the FR-S or the motorcycle :iono:

You're lucky... I have not had any hard strikes against my windshield with rock, yet there's already 3 or 4 small pits on the glass.

I had the dealer note the damage but it's not going to be covered under anything.

-alex

Got a small chip low on the passenger side on my own CA trip.
Had it drilled and filled a couple weeks ago on my own dime. Not expensive.

I watched the video - WOW, you drive FAST (just joking).

I lived down in San Jose for about 10 years, back in the 60s, before it was silconizied.

Route 1, yep I've driven much of it on a motorcycle (GW) and a roadster (MX-5) and our FR-S. All are fun! If the coast is clear (of fog) and it's not on a weekend or during the vacation season (read traffic), the motorcycle is good. All the rest of the time, the FR-S would be more "comfortable" ... ;)

Have fun in the mountains!

humfrz

My wish is to drive down from Astoria to San Diego taking the 101 and 1 with the FRS. Yes, someday....just you wait....

Sounds like you had fun. I've driven down the coast from SF to San Diego and it was a beautiful drive despite doing it in some random rental.

Planning my first long trip in my FR-S: Michigan to Deal's Gap, NC. Looking forward to trying it out on The Dragon.

Check out the nor-cal drive thread. We often get up early on a Saturday morning to beat the cyclists and take off on a drive for a few hours. There are definitely some roads around here that you're going to like.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29572

Thanks for sharing, sounds like a fun trip. Not much to see here in the midwest, so I envy the views some of you guys get out west.

Yep, bring that BRZ out for some fresh air ...... ;)

humfrz

... until you hit PCH between Oxnard and Dana Point (LA/Orange County). Then you'll hate traffic like the rest of us.

-alex

Oh yes, a PS to my trip report.

I didn't see one other FR-S on the whole trip ....http://www.runemasterstudios.com/gra...mages/skep.gif

What do you make of that .... ??

While on the freeway on the way back, a BRZ did come up behind me in the other lane (hammer lane). I thought it was a newer Miata, because of the "grin & mustache" looking grill. So, I didn't challenge him, although the road was clear in front of us.

Those Miata folks have enough of a self esteem problem without being out distanced by a Scion ..... :D

humfrz

When you get to North Cal try Hwy 36 and 96. Not to be missed.
I did them both in one day, but I was hammered by the time I got to Ashland.

did a NC->DC->CT->NC trip over the summer. great car for long drives, except for the seats. my back was KILLING me after the CT->NC drive. probably because I'm a little....squishy. not quite too big for the stock seats, but i'm close. which sucks,

You might try this inexpensive, easy, seat cushion (pictured in my old MX-5).

Cut a piece of 5/8" closed cell foam (the kind packpackers use to sleep on) to fit the botton center of the seat (black pillow case cover is optional). Cut it a little "long" which will help support your legs. The foam will cushion your tail bone and give you just enough "lift" to bring your butt a bit above the side bolsters.

This has worked for me for over 90,000 miles, in bolstered seats .... ;)

humfrz

she's great for DD (i deliver pizzas in her, so i'm driving for 4-8 hours daily), it's just when i'm sitting in the seat for extended amounts of time (3+ hours) that it starts getting bad. Next road trip i take, i've got some travel pillows that i'm gonna be putting on the seat

I certainly will! Unfortunately, the car probably won't arrive until mid to late September. But when she does get there, I will certainly hook up with you guys for some runs.

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