Impressions after my first 50 miles
 

I picked up my asphalt FR-S last night and drove about 50 miles. I still have a lot to learn about the car, but had some quick observations.

1. I'm in love. I bought this after 22 years of Miata ownership. I still have my forth one, but I have a feeling the FR-S keys will be the ones I grab most often. This is a proper handling car that responds very well to driver imputs. Trail-brake/trail-throttle and the car tightens it's line like it should.

2. It is under-tired. When I read they put the "Prius" tires on this car, I thought it actually made sense for enjoyable street driving. But, it's far too easy to get those things howling. *

3. It's also easy to get the electronic nannies to kick in. For folks new to this kind of car, they should think twice about turning them off until they have learned what they are doing. What I like about the car in #1 is probably what put that other car into a pole. Take a driving school if you can.

4. This is not a small car. I've seen the photo comparisons that indicate that it is, but compared to Miata's and other cars I've had, it just isn't that small.

5. The seats are pretty tight. They fit me great, but those inclined to "win" at all-you-can-eat buffets may have an issue.

6. It grabs a lot of attention. I'm amazed how many people react to the car.

7. The MT is really good. It could be I like it because it's similar in feel to the Miata, but I was knocking off smooth downshifts right away. I do need to get use to having a 6th gear.

8. I can't believe I own a SCION. That'll take a long time to get used to. At least the title will say Toyota.

* I may need to retract #2. The tires are getting better with a little wear.

They get stickier after you break them in. Gotta rub off the outer layer then they're not bad at all.

That said, mine are dismounted now ;)

Yeah, the tires are seriously noisy. I've moved Enkei RPF1 Type IIs and Hankook RS3s up near the top of my "to buy" list.

Well... the RS3's are a lot noisier.

Good! Gotta wake the neighbors up somehow. :bellyroll:

Your right. I'm at 200 miles an they have gotten better.

Cool. When I first got mine it was like they had put tire shine on the tread :)

This IS a small car.....

Just because you have owned one of the smallest cars on the market, doesn't take away from it's natural state.

I don't know if it's small so much as so much smaller than everything else. For instance, the FR-S is roughly the same size as my old Prelude, which used to be a similar size to the Accords and Civics...

I took this picture next to the 2-door Accord when i was car shopping...

http://www.sonrider.net/external_pho...mpare_size.jpg

its small for a modern car. everything keeps growing and growing! just look at that new accord vs a 80's or even 90's accord.

i must be driving like an old man cause my tires arent noisy at all... i wish they were wider and 18's but that will come much later i think

The FR-S has almost identical length and height to my old MX-3. The MX-3 was small, even for 90's cars.

Thanks for the insight.

I think the FR-S is a step in the right direction. It's lighter than a lot of modern cars, and I like it not being miata small.

But to each his own. I'm excited to see what the aftermarket brings.

I can think of a few other ways too. ;)