Grateful Dave's New FR-S and Maiden Voyage
 

I picked up my Asphalt AT FR-S from Longo Scion today. My day started out by having salesman David Gentry pick me up at my house because I couldn't get a ride. David was more than happy to pick me up and I live 30 miles from Longo. Once there, we picked up the car in the upstairs parking garage. The car had 8 miles on it only. We went for a test drive and it drove good, the AT works great. I had already test drove a MT FR-S and I liked it but I chose the AT. It was good to test drive the MT but I preorder the AT. I had some doubts, but after driving the AT, it was fine. I have a previous broken left leg and I have a MT Tacoma 4x4 but when I'm tired my shifts aren't the best. So I chose the AT even though the MT is a sports car purists' choice for a transmission. Also the better gas milage with the AT for a Daily Driver sealed the deal. But I still had doubts. After completing the paper work and Longo gave me a good rate. David went over the car with me then I was on my way. :w00t:
Since Longo is in El Monte, that is very close to Azuza Canyon, I decided that my Maiden Voyage would to drive up Azuza Cyn to Chrystal Lake then drive to Mount Baldy via Glendora Mountain and Ridge roads. I have driven these roads before in different cars & trucks and they are very twisty. So I'm familiar with them. I had so much fun driving these roads with my new FR-S. The AT worked Awesome!. I drove the roads in manual and in manual sport. The paddle shifters worked amazingly, down shifting and up shifting like a manual transmission. I tried to stay in the <4000rpm as best I could but a couple of times I went over. The handling of the car is superb. I was taking corners with a lot of speed and the car just hugged the road. No matter how fast I took a corner it just tracked perfect with very slight oversteer but in complete control. No leaning.:thumbsup: The chassis alone is worth the sticker price.
The car performed perfectly. The AT was the right choice for me. No doubts anymore. I have enough power to drive any mountain road no matter how steep. I can't wait until it is broken in, so I can power up the steeper hills with more than 4000 rpms. I drove over 150 miles and most of it was twisty mountain roads.
The FR-S is a great car period. To all the doubters and haters, until you drive this car on mountain roads, you will not understand this car. Just remember, you drive a car, not a spec sheet. :bonk:
I just want to say thank you to David Gentry and Jeff Chang at Longo Scion for all your help. :bow: You guys are the best!:thanks:
Here are some pics from my maiden voyage:party0030:

I looked at your pics before reading your post and I knew immediately where
the pics were taken...I have driven those same roads many times before and they are a blast :burnrubber::thumbsup:

Awesome location! Uhh let's go have a meet there!

Agreed, great car and Jeff is the best salesman I have ever dealt with.

Congrats and welcome to the asphalt owners club.

:thanks: M&M Hwy9. You're referring to Route 9 out of Santa Cruz? I've driven part of the route on my way to Big Basin Redwoods some years ago. When I drive up to Santa Cruz via Hwy 1, to visit my friend, we will get together liked we talked about and drive Route 9.
Tonight, I drove my first night run on Santiago Cyn Road to Cooks Corner in the OC. It was a blast. The head lights and high beams worked well. The AT was awesome. I drove sport manual and sport drive modes. The FR-S drives like a champ. No matter hard you take corners, it handles them no problem like a real sports car.:thumbup:

thanks
 

Yes on hwy9, its that one, and yes, it is a real sports car.