Monogram vs Stock
 

Hey guys I am wondering what people think about the Monogram FRS vs the Base FRS. Since they are both pure price I assume there won't be any discounts so just wanted to see what people thought about the price comparison. This will be from a point of view of someone who does NOT mind DIY aftermarket modifications.

Base 6MT: 25,255
Monogram 6MT: 28,155
Delta: 2900

Main addons from the the monogram:
1) Heated Leather-trimmed seats with Alcantra (Front only)
2) BeSpoke with Navigation
3) Smart Key with Push Button
4) HID Headlamps/Daytime running Lights
5) Dual Zone Climate Control
6) Frameless Mirror
7) Spoiler
8) Rear Cetner Armwrest

Do you think these additions are worth the additional 2900? In the aftermarket world you can add:
1) Add keyless entry (600)
2) Frameless mirror (120)
3) Aftermarket Winjet or Spec D Headlights (600)
4) Dual Climate Control Console (??)
5) Leather seats with Alcantra Inserts (??)

So the ones I could put a dollar amouhnt adds up for about 1240. Obviously Leather Seats may run a good 1000+ and Dual Climate Control is essentially un-addable.

I went the base version since the Monogram was not out yet but I justify it (don't know if I'm just being delusional though) is this way.
These are the mods that I feel are the most useful, for around 2900 dollars I could get, have gotten, or plan to get
1) FRONT armrest (useful than rear...): 70 (Aftermarket)
2) Winjet or Spec-D headlights (600)
3) Frameless Mirror (120)
4) OEM Audio+ Sound System Reference series which is boss btw (1200)
5) Catback Exhaust (350). I got mine cheap.
6) JDM clear corners (70)
7) Rear back-camera (100)
8) Open Flash Tablet Tune (or ECUtek): 500
Totaling 3010

From someone who does not mind modding their cars and can DIY, or even someone who leaves it stock, what do you guys think I'm curious? Yes I lose out on leather seats and I lose out on a cooler center console with HVAC, but are those worth the difference? Personally I don't think so but I'm curious what others think. Discuss.

Monogram at this point is for those not wanting to source all the bits. Minus the HVAC all the other little things are available now easily and beyond. Mines a 2013 and my interior is far beyond what the Monogram is but of course that's cost and time do all that. Personally modding this car bit by bit IMO is at least half the fun, that's one of the main attractions (for me) is how easily this car can be individualized to the owner.

Yeah I feel the same way. I've actually run into a wall where I want to mod my car more but don't have the money and/or there's no more mods lol. The one thing I do wish is I had the center console on the monogram.

In your list you missed the heated side mirrors on the Monogram. You could add them yourself but it would take a lot of work. It would require running electrical wires to the mirrors which could be a real PITA.

I think the Monogram is a great choice for those who want the extra features right off the lot. While many can be added later, it takes time to do so and you will need the cash to add them up front rather than have it added to the car loan.

If you are a DIY type of person who enjoys modding as a hobby then the stock version may be a better match for you.

Either way you're going to end up with a great car! :D

Honestly the key-less with push button was worth it alone for my Monogram... My last Nissan had it, and once I heard that the Monogram had it I was sold ;)

Agree completely! I haven't pushed a button on my key fob for months. Love it.

OEM monogram headlights are way nicer than aftermarket options imo.

Sure you could buy a base frs and upgrade, but the oem fit and finish you get with the monogram is worth the premium (to me anyways). I don't really see the point in buying a brand new car if it's not close to what you want without a lot of mods right off the bat.

You missed the bespoke head unit price on there of $1198 and the spoiler $399 regardless of you liking them or not it is an extra added value of the monogram. I had the same debate when I was purchasing. The conclusion I came to was that I would be happy with a base FRS but I am absolutely in love with the monogram.

To me the bespoke head unit the leather seats were things that I really liked and made the increase in price worth it. Things I didn't know I would love so much were the HIDs, dual climate, keyless entry + push to start. The frameless mirror does look cool but was no sort of deal breaker either way. I mean shit, dual climate? Never going without that again, I am a toasty critter most days and needs me some cold, the woman on the other hand, needs the heats. Boom.

So the TL;DR absolutely worth the difference especially once the added features I was unaccustomed to were truly utilized.

MSRP of the Monogram headlights are running around $1000...
The HID's for our cars (D4S bulbs) run about $500...
Bespoke navi runs about $1000...
Real keyless entry & push to start (no button pressing needed) not even an allowed option from Scion...and also a PITA to install...ever find a good DIY?...$$$
Leather...$$
Heated seats $
Frameles mirror $120 (useless imo if you add a broadway)
Heated side mirrors PITA and may be useful to some and useless to others (i.e. in socal)
Spoiler...$300...
Dual zone climate...is there even a DIY for this?

Also, Scion Pure Price is only for CURRENT MY. Monogram is 2014 so they're starting to add incentives. My local dealership is taking $1000 off ALL 2014's. Wait until the 2015's and RS1.0 come out and they'll probably slap a 1.9% APR on it.

Monogram is a no brainer when compared to the base imo...push to start/keyless entry ftmfw. I'm glad Scion doesn't add it as a DIO. Makes it worth so much more when reselling.

Lol beat me to it! I'm the same though. Keyless entry, leather, push to start, dual climate, and solid navi sold me....but for me, frameless mirror, rear armrest(who the hell sits back there anyway), heated seats, heated side mirrors, spoiler...all moot to me in Socal.

Keep in mind OP...any aftermarket navi/leather/push to start/keyless entry may not fit like OEM. Deal breaker for some OCD owners. But if you're not OCD about your car, I envy you.

The monogram features is what pushed me to get the FR-S. Seats, front headlights, HIDs, and climate control were worth the $5k difference between the BRZ Limited.

If price is not an issue and you can afford it the Monogram is definitely a no brainer.

Monogram it.

I do like the monogram don't get me wrong. In terms of bespoke, people are selling theirs for as low as 300 and in general it isn't a popular option on forums. Keyless can be added for 600 with EasyGo solution for diyers. In all honesty I do love the headlights though lol. There have been some great aftermarket ones coming out though.

To bring it back to the original point though, I feel like it's the same question of buying a brz limited vs FRS back when it came out. Can someone provide more value for themselves with the money saved than with the extra package which may contain things useless to him.