Got a call from a Toyota Rep this morning...
 

So Im at work, doing what I usually do, when i recieve a call on my cell from an unknown number. I answer it & its a Toyota Rep asking for me. She asked me if I was still interested in purchasing a 2013 FR-S. I told her yes, under certain conditions... If the FR-S comes equipped with options like a BRZ Limited for no more $2,500 over the base (HID's, Foglights, Push Start, Navi Radio, Suede/Leather & Heated Seats). I explained to her, being that the vehicle would be my daily driver so having those amenities for my convience and comfort the BRZ would be great. Especially that its the same engine, body styling, chassis & etc. She agreed that for all those options for the extra price it is worth it. I also stated if she can reach back to me & guarentee that the FR-S will be able to recieve these items within this year I will hold out. I also stated I refuse to get the vehicle stock and pay for the items & labor to put in at a later time(Even though I can do it myself). When Toyota should have given us those options like the 86 in Japan to begin with. All in one shot deal for me...:burnrubber:

She also asked me bout my experience with the sales associate. I did a quick laugh & told her that they need to get their salemen up to date with the product they plan on selling to others. The saleman just showed me the website, that Im sure all of us have been on mutliple times a day. She told me I have a good knowledge of the FR-S/BRZ. I said, Yes I do... I am currently a Scion owner & have been a member of the FT86Club for a while. The members & I share news, info & experience on the vehicle. She appreciated my feedback and looks forward to speaking to me again. Her final words were, " I will pass this information along. I will make sure we can do whatever we can to get you the vehicle you want in the Scion family." :w00t:

Im gonna do whatever it takes to continue to reach out to Toyota to get us our GT-L version in the States! :happy0180:

At least Toyota/Scion seems to care and are proactive with their customers. Subaru can't figure out what they're doing. :(

I'll chalk this up as, "Things that will never happen."

You never know my friend... They might come out with the TRD version very soon or a Release Series with what the people want... Doesnt hurt to try, right?

I certainly appreciate you trying. Unfortunately, I've already got my BRZ incoming...

Yeah... I got myself placed on the BRZ Limited list right now. Waiting for a call from my Subaru dealer.

that was exactly what i was thinking! i wanted an frs with foglights and stuff.. so im gonna wait a few months and see what happens before i buy one..

I'm in the same boat. I'll give them a year to offer a quality Nav/Satellite radio with Android support and HID/LED headlamps.

Well yeah, I was thinking release series, but even then they're not going to cannibalize BRZs sales.

So we'd might see in a year or two a RS FRS (in a Limited color) with push button start and maybe HIDs (kinda like the tC) but it would be MORE than a BRZ Premium.

I don't think Toyota under Scion wants to be in the business of selling $30,000 cars.

Sure it doesn't hurt to try, but if you want a GT86, best bet is to make one yourself.

+1! and hopefully some good TRD goodies

:bellyroll:

I am thinking the first release series for the FR-S will go like this...

TRD Exhaust
TRD lowering springs
5 Axis Body kit
Some special paint color
Push button start\with proximity
HIDS with LEDs
Bespoke standard (it will be perfected by then)

$27995

+1

I'm not trying to be a jerk here, really i'm not. But the OP is totally in the wrong. There's no way you will be seeing an FR-S with BRZ toys. If you do, you'll probably be spending more money then what the BRZ is worth. So why even bother with Toyota/Scion. It's not their fault or issue.

I'm going to guess they will be telling you they can't help you. You're asking for stuff that was never advertised to be part of this car. So why would they bend over backwards to help you make a BRZ out of an FR-S? Especially since the next guy (like me) won't care for those options.

In the end, there is too much demand right now for both cars. If demand was really low and they needed a sale, then maybe they would try and help you. But as it stands, I doubt they'll do anything for you.

If I was the OP, i'd be looking into buying a BRZ. If you can't wait, then buy the FR-S and think about buying BRZ parts to modify.

bneale

It would be great if this came into the market, but I really think we're all shit out of luck.

If these exact options were available the pricing will unfortunately be indicative of market value.
TRD Exhause - $1,000
TRD Springs - $500 - $1,000
5 Axis, 5 piece kit - $3,000 - $3,500
Special Color - $250 +
Push Button - $500
HID - $1,000
Bespoke - maybe they're nice and throw it in for free...

Best guess, US list - $31,000 - $32,000

I just don't see them selling a comparable product to the BRZ as far as trim goes for less money.

If anyone's looking for the options just buy a BRZ and put some coil overs or at least new springs in it - if the only difference is truly the spring rates then there's the least expensive, fastest and easiest solution :(

everything save for the 5 axis kit, I prefer the TRD one more than anything

It's too risky to put at those options in the first year of the fr-s. It's much safer to get a price that caters to the majority of Scion buyers for their first year.

After they take a look at the first year sales figures and customer feedback then they can go ahead and consider other trims for the FR-S provided there's enough people where they feel confident they will make a good profit over the cost to produce the car.

I don't see why you can't get the BRZ. I mean, isn't it kind of weird getting a car with a Toyota/Scion badge that is made by Subaru?

The Subaru/Toyota partnership probably won't last and Toyota will probably go to Porsche to make their boxer engines and Subaru has already made a better direct-inject for the FA20 than the one made by Toyota in the BRZ which will be the new turbo FA20 Turbo for the next WRX generation.

Don't forget that Scion likes to market to that "crowd" aka tuners, youngins, etc. Subaru likes to keep it classy, I guess. They could at least make some tv commercials instead of putting only youtube videos up where ONLY enthusiasts/nerds like us will see 'em (by purposely searching for it). No wonder no one knows about these cars. :( :(

First off, If they would make an FR-S RS... It wouldnt just have those two things and they wouldnt price it anywhere over $27,900.

You maybe right with these options... Minus the 5Axis Kit. Plus different wheels, 18 probably.

Yeah I can modify it to my liking, in the end it wouldnt be worth it & Like I stated above I am on the list for a BRZ limited at the moment. I guarantee when they see what people are looking for & more BRZ Limited sales. Toyota will change their outlook & also realize people will pay the extra $2k-2.5k for those extras!

I agree with everything above... Im probably getting the BRZ Limited DGM.

HOLY CRAP DUDE YOU ARE THE MAN!!!! I'm hoping Scion takes your concerns seriously. Hopefully they treat this car like they did the ISF. Lexus reps took their customers concerns seriously and tweaked the car every year to address their customer's concerns. Rear headrest blocked visibility out the back, lexus made it so they could be folded down. People complained the suspension was too harsh, lexus upgraded it to make the ride more comfortable. I really hope they take the same approach for us and this car. I forgot where I read this but I do remember someone at toyota saying they would make constant improvements to the car. However, I guess our concern is being able to have access to what everyone else is getting.

I like the options of the BRZ, I don't like the scion brand, yet I am buying a frs. Why? $1000 college rebate. That will off set the cost to do the modifications myself and switch to Toyota branding. I know my situation is odd, but I can't be the only one.

I told Scion if they didn't get me a trim with a muffin dispenser and an officially licensed My Little Pony paint job then I'd walk. They asked how soon could I take delivery. Get on my level.

Every single Scion out there since 2004 has an Release Series "RS" (xA, xB and tC).......you can bank on an FR-S RS series late this year or early next year!

This is exactly why I'm waiting to purchase :happyanim:

And if for some crazy @$$ reason they don't, I'll slap a Five Axis kit w/rims on, wait for HKS to build a S/C'er and make my own RS "like" series!

Toyota has been pretty good about listening to its enthusiasts on this car already. I mean, when this car was in production they polled tons of people asking what they want most in a sports car. This is the product we asked for! When they were originally discussing this car between '07-09, I did just want a basic, bare-bones sports car with roll-down windows, manual steering, and no creature comforts. My tastes have since changed, and so I'm upset that I can't remain a Toyota die-hard and get a Toyota 86 GT-Limited, but at the same time I've always enjoyed Subarus so it's not the end of the world.

I hope they read the forums & do surveys to make adjustments for the daily driving enthusiasts who want those options that the GT-Limited has. I do think a lot of people do like the FR-S, I like it too dont get me wrong. I just feel Subaru did the right thing by offering two models to the public.

I think I know who she gonna give that info to...

Anyways, good read. First, I did post bout options & accessories stuff to get member's feedback. Often time, I do talk w SCION reps (not some local dealers), so read everyone's feedback & tell them what we like & don't like, what we want & don't want... lists goes on & on. Secondly, yes, SCION staff do read site... that include Toyota staffs from Japan. Lastly, RS will come... but they didn't say when.

I really want to know how this turns out. I made this same request of my local dealership and even gave them pictures showing the difference between the Toyota and Scion versions. They replied back saying those options cannot be ordered as they are not for the North American market.

I'm sure you're out of luck but if you are not, I want all the documentation you can give me so I can march right back into my dealership and flip them the finger and say give me, now.

Edit: I asked for all the options in the GT 86 Limited including Toyota badges and made it clear I did not want to see "Scion" anywhere on the vehicle. Right down to the Nav unit and manual. (specified EU versions so they'd be in english at least.)

You might be seeing some of the options offered for the GT86 eventually, as far as badges u hve to do that urself. Their not gonna gonna give u a jap nav unit or manuals either.

I've ordered Toyota badges directly from GM for a Toyota Cavalier conversion. Also, that's the one thing the guy at the dealership said he could get me, no problems, was the badges. Nav unit and manual was a bit of a stretch but I wanted to see what I could get out of them.

LED HIDs, the coloured Leather/alcantara Seats(front and rear), steering wheel, shift knob, e-brake, auto-dimming rear view mirror, push start, and a few other goodies I'd have to double check on though, I was told no go.

Edit: I've been waiting seven years since Toyota cut all of it's sports cars for another to come around. I'm already pissed off the car is a Scion, instead of a Toyota as it should be. I really, really do not want to wait around for a possible "eventually" release of options that should be on the car already, that may never happen.

Edit2: Here's the email I sent to my Toyota dealership:

Hey (Toyota Product Advisor),

This is (Saber_TRD), I was in earlier today asking about the possibility of ordering a FR-S and the parts from the Toyota 86 to convert it to the car it should be. Here is the email as requested with list of parts, I've also included images of both versions to show the differences where possible. Some of these images took some tracking down, hence taking so long to send the email.:

Exterior:
-LED HID Headlamps
Toyota: http://autoc-one.jp/toyota/86/joycar...hoto/0007.html
Scion (Halogen): http://alrphotography.zenfolio.com/p...0697#h1eeceff7

-Fog lights:
Toyota: http://autoc-one.jp/toyota/86/joycar...hoto/0007.html
Scion(non-existant): http://alrphotography.zenfolio.com/p...0697#h1eeceff7

-Heated side rear-view mirrors.

-86mm exhaust (confirmed via engineer interview, could not find interview, was a while ago.):
Toyota: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...0&d=1331045965
Scion: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...3&d=1322712639

-Badging:
Toyota Front: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...3&d=1331045965
Toyota Back: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...9&d=1331045965
Scion Front: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...4&d=1333574880
Scion Back: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...0&d=1333574916

Wheel center cap logos:
Toyota: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...8&d=1331044002
Scion: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...7&d=1333574880

-Nur Spec Aero Kit (Not even sure if this is even available in Japan yet, haven't seen much on it other than a few showing up at different Toyota events. Would also like to point out Left Hand Drive on the blue one.)
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2750
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3638
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3780
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...?t=3078&page=4 (3rd post from the bottom, the two blue ones are the actual car, the white and grey images are photoshops)

Interior:
-Steering Wheel:
Toyota GT-86 Limited: http://toyota.jp/86/001_p_001/grade/...ardetail01.jpg
Close up of regular 86 Steering wheel, not Limited just to show 86 logo: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...6&d=1331046123
Scion: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1322712818
Blue stitching(Is this available or was that scrapped? Would prefer blue colour key on entire interior to the red, same deal as my current Celica.): http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...6&d=1325178158

-Colour keyed leather/alcantara interior (steering wheel, Shift knob, seats front and back, door handle inserts, door sill, e-brake, possibly more) :
Toyota: http://toyota.jp/86/001_p_001/grade/...ardetail01.jpg
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...0&d=1331044395
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1331044395
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...2&d=1331044395
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...3&d=1331044395
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...4&d=1331044395

Scion (cloth): http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...7&d=1322712790
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...8&d=1322712790
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...0&d=1322712818
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1322712818

Side note: I've seen in various pictures and heard in rumors the following: Scion has no red stitching on the E-Brake. Although I've seen pictures both with and without. Would prefer the one with coloured stitching.

Another note: Colour stitching is missing from the Scion speaker area on the door where it is there on the Toyota speaker area.
Toyota: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...0&d=1331044395
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...3&d=1331046123
Scion: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...0&d=1322712818
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...2&d=1333575026

-Center console controls behind shifter controls and in front of cup holders (also seen in pictures on the above note, controls on doors appear different as well, what are they for, why the difference?):
Toyota: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1331044395
Scion (appears to be left in as a coin holder instead): http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...3&d=1333575026

Another note: have seen center console buttons, below shifter and in front of cup holders and in front of the coin holder/button space, they are either black plastic or pained silver to match the shifter housing. Have seen both on Scion images and Silver only on Toyota, gun for the silver. (Yes, I'm that picky.)

-Rear view mirror:
Toyota (supposedly auto-dimming): http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/4063/ft86int.jpg
Scion: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...7&d=1322712790

-Heated seats.

-Dual digital climate control with push start and Nav unit:
Toyota (Ignore bottom half of image as it is the Subaru BRZ, top half is the Toyota. Likely will need EU Nav unit for english, unless Japanese has english setting.): http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1322679009
Scion(no dual digital climate control with push start): http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1322712818
Scion Nav unit: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...3&d=1333575098

-Floor Mats. (May need to go with LHD EU version as RHD JP version may not fit right)
Toyota (somewhat hard to see but has 86 logo on side of mat): http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...5&d=1331046123
Scion (has FR-S logo in place of 86 logo): http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...3&d=1333575111



So that's my list of parts that would be needed for a conversion as well as some questions about differences I can barely see. I warned you there are a lot of them lol. There may be even more that I'm not aware of, as I said, all I have to go off of are images and what various engineers/developers of the car have said in interviews. I'd need a parts lists provided by Toyota and Scion of each vehicle, specifically one of differences which I'm sure the factory has or how would they tell what to put in each vehicle? (Hint to get a hold of that if possible)

Things I have not been able to confirm but suspect may be different:
-Door sills. Likely have Scion written on them instead of Toyota 86 - want Toyota if this is the case. The GT86 Limited appears to have a colour keyed sill insert, seen in pictures above.
-Car manual/wallet cover - Likely the manual of the car will be a Scion english version with a Scion cover/wallet. Likely a Toyota wallet/cover for the manual will exist, EU should have an english version. My Celica came with a manual cover/wallet if an example is needed, again not sure if the 86 even has one so may not need to worry. Manual booklet will still be necessary. I did say I didn't want to see Scion anywhere on the vehicle.



I realize this is huge, but hey, if Toyota had done it right in the first place and not gone Scion, we wouldn't be doing this. Thanks for whatever info you can get me.

----End of sent email----

Saber_TRD: Do you know what I'd do if I got that e-mail? I'd simply e-mail back saying that we have to consider the market and what will provide the necessities for the market for the most affordable price when we spec a car and apologize that we cannot give you your vast list of requirements. Your e-mail comes across as you being impossible to please, so why should Toyota bother trying?

The 5 Axis kit is less than $2000 painted.

While I agree to being somewhat disappointed (comparatively) in the offering, telling someone flat out that they screwed up is not likely to make any friends or influence people.

I suppose out of context, without having heard the conversation I had with them at the dealership, the email can come across that way. I warned him before I sent it that I'd be sending a long list to see what could be done. Quite frankly though, it's all that is available on the Japanese GT 86 Limited. Nothing more, nothing less. All things already made by Toyota. Some things were more questions of differences and what they were more than an actual want for the part. Such as various controls.

If you are referring to me and my email, note I said Toyota and not him. When I spoke with him at the dealership, he and another Toyota "Product Advisor" aka: sales men/women, said they had been asking Toyota for a sports car to sell for years and agreed this car should not have gone to Scion. Granted, they may have just been saying that to appease me, but they knew I wasn't blaming them. They told me I was not the first and won't be the last to make the same complaint. I even witnessed someone talking to the Scion sales rep there registering the same complaint and wanting the Toyota, not the Scion.

That's not true. The 2011 tC did not have a release series.

The nice thing is all those options have already been designed, produced, and available on the assembly line. Wouldn't take much to put a push start in the FRS from the factory. Unfortunately I could see Scion doing a special version with say HIDs, fogs, and push start - along with TRD suspension, and other bits - and put a $5k charge on the package.

Also - those features are available now in the BRZ. I wouldn't expect to see them on an FRS until the next model year - so you're waiting a while at best.

The release series FR-s wont show up untill the new york auto show next year. Thats the show scion brings the release series out at. I have a release series trd 5.0 tc. 2009 tcs started to hit summer of 2008 and the RS5 didnt hit untill April of 2009. Just look up the press releases of any of the release series.

That's a 2012, not a 2011. I repeat my earlier statement: The 2011 tC did not have a release series.