My little test drive
 

So I got a tip from NWIguy that there was an FR-S at the Team Toyota dealership today so I went and checked it out. Sure enough it was there and there was a lady in the passenger seat as I pulled up next to it.

She looked like a bratty ass teen that was looking for a 'cute' first car. I had thought it was a present for her since it had balloons tied to the mirrors, so I got out of my car with a little bit of disgust. Then she proceeds to get out of the vehicle, and sure enough, she is just a worker at the dealer. She asks if there was anything I needed, and I asked for a test drive. Bout 7-8 minutes later I was in the car and ready to go. Before we went inside to get me 'ready' for the drive (i.e. checking my license and whatnot), I started the car to allow it to warm up before we took off.

I get in the car, buckle up, adjust the seat and mirrors, gave her a little rev, put it in gear, and began to... stall the damn thing. Ugh! Start it back up, and drive to the exit (a very steep incline to get onto the main road). I see my gap, ease off the clutch (which is a very very firm pedal I might add, compared to at least any other manual I've driven) and stalled it again. I look at her, and I admit that damn that was embarrassing. Start it up again, and just kinda get on it. Little wheel chirp, rev to 4500, then a shift. Holy cow is the throw short! Very precise and crisp I might add.

I grip the wheel with two hands; very small wheel with a perfect grip diameter. Love that. Then the next thing I notice is the crisp and admittedly awesome engine note. Very aggressive and full of grunt. My first time experiencing a boxer engine so for some this may be no surprise, but for me it was totally new.

Took it around the block, trying to take in as much as I could about the car. The ride, even over rough surfaces, was spectacular. The brakes were fantastic with plenty of feel and no pedal softness. overtaking was easy and predictable.

There really isn't much I can say about the car that everyone else already has said, but I just thought I'd share my little experience with one. And here were a few quick snaps I took after the drive.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/7...c3e4b294_b.jpg
FR-S by Daulton G. Photography, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7099/7...8f69c707_b.jpg
FR-S by Daulton G. Photography, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/7...8ddbc61a_b.jpg
FR-S by Daulton G. Photography, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7...db48d272_b.jpg
FR-S by Daulton G. Photography, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/7...eef96734_b.jpg
FR-S by Daulton G. Photography, on Flickr

Haha, love the story! Reminds me of my recent trip to Darlington, SC for the race there (work-related): A co-worker was riding with me in my Si and we were in line to the track parking lot. Two quite attractive girls (who might have been drunk already) were cheering at us and asking for me to rev, so I gave them what they wanted. The line started to move, so I go to coast along, and stall. Start her back up.. we start to coast some more uphill, I stall AGAIN. I hadn't stalled in probably 6-7 months and now twice?! That's what I get for trying to baby it... I don't think those girls were impressed anymore and my co-worker called me out. :(

So did ya buy it?

Try not to be so judgmental of people...geez.

I test drove a frs today and I noticed the back end came out so easily

Agreed.

After the tires are scrubbed in it's much less.

I'm usually not judgemental at all, but for some reason that was just my initial thought. The lady was actually really cool :)

And no I didn't buy it. I have a while before I make any new car purchase :(

well, after driving it, I would say it's really close to the RX-7 in terms of feel when turn, but definitely lower (feel more inline with FD), so you are not far off, because I had a 89 S5 NA back in the day.