Cdrsfrg new Asphalt FR-S 6MT
 

A few months ago, I started talking to my wife about rebuilding my 2000 Subaru Impreza RS2.5. The clutch was slipping and the left rear break was shot. Rust was starting to come through around the rear wheel wells and a number of other little things where starting to go wrong. I figured 4-5K would fix her up nicely. She has been an absolute blast to drive.

While talking with a client’s husband, who races a Mazda, he suggested I look into the new Subaru BRZ that would be coming out shortly. So, around May 19th I started researching the BRZ. Liking everything I read about the BRZ/FR-S, I asked my wife what she thought about me buying a new car. When I told her what I was looking at she thought, “oh sure, you want to buy an expensive sports car.” I explained that yes I wanted to buy a sports car and it would cost about what she paid two years ago for her Forrester, and they would not be in showrooms for another month she seemed a little better with it.

I went to Subaru of Newton, NJ and met a sales rep. We sat and talked about the BRZ and when he thought one would be delivered to the dealership. After giving him all my contact info I started the wait.

On June 4th I got the phone call. A Premium BRZ 6AT was at the dealership. When would I like to come look at it. I of course said tomorrow as soon as my wife is home from work we’ll be there. The next day my wife said she really didn’t want to go, it was going to be my car anyway. So off I went.

When I arrived at the dealership the sales rep was waiting and the car was parked in front. I said, “OK let’s take her for a spin.” That is when things went a little sour. The sales rep informed me I could look at it, sit in it, look at the lights come on and go off, even start the engine, but I could not drive the car. “Why not? I asked.” “We are not going to let anyone drive the car, we want to keep the mileage at a minimum.” I indicated that I would not buy the car unless I could drive it first. Then the sales rep said they were planning to sell the car with a 3-5k premium. “Kind of like a Vet,” he said. I said, “forget it, I’m not paying more than the sticker price, have a nice day,” and left.

The rep called me while I was driving home to let me know that the manager said he would sell a BRZ to me for the sticker price if I ordered one. I had fully intended to order a car while I was there. I didn’t want an automatic trans to begin with. I instead went home and called the Toyota dealer, right down the road, and asked if they had a FR-S 6MT on the lot that I could test drive.

What a totally different experience. I was forwarded to Betsy in sales. She said they did indeed have an FR-S 6MT on the lot and when would I like to drive it. I said, “I’ll be there in 30 min.” When I got there Betsy had the keys in her hand, we went for a short drive, and I bought the car when we got back. The Subi was traded in and I was out the door with my brand new Asphalt FR-S 6MT in a matter of a couple of hours.

I am having great fun as the car is. The only upgrades I see in the near future are a throatier HKS exhaust system, different brake pads, and stainless steel brake lines.

The FR-S already handles way better than my Impreza RS, which did very well in Auto-X and HPDE at Lime Rock.

Congrats! Im glad to hear it worked out for you.

Betsy should call the Subaru dealer and thank them for selling you a scion. I wish these dealers would learn.:sigh:

It's amazing how quickly a bad dealer can sour you on a car brand.

What is funny is that both dealerships are owned by the same company.