Slick's FR-S Firestorm MT w/pics
 

Well, after spending the better part of the last year online waiting on release info, then ordering and waiting for delivery, it was nice to be finally driving the car including some track time at a recent club day.

So a quick review and pics.

Car looks great in person. Looks of course are subjective, but I really like the looks of the FR-S more than the BRZ.
It could use a slight drop, but sits nice, not high like a stock Miata.

Overall impression of fit and fitment is excellent. Other than some rail dust that was removed during detailing, paint quality is nice. Needs a little duckbill spoiler on the back to complete the look, IMO (loving the FiveAD).

Seats are very firm and supportive with great bolstering for the track. Both smaller guys like me (6' and 170 lbs) like them and larger guys too (my boss/friend came up to Calabogie trackday with me and he is 280 lbs, 6'-1" and was very comfy.

Gauges are great, rev counter in the middle with a built-in shift light and beeper (set the rpm to what you want). Digital speedo within the tach is nice, but the analog speedo on the left is pretty useless (1/4 sweep goes from 0-140 kmh). Big fuel and temp gauges on right side. Nice feature is you can enable the gear indicator even with a manual transmission car, so it always shows what gear you're in.

Steering is so nice and precise, it goes where you want, when you want. I found myself turning in too early at the track expecting some delay in turn-in, but none. And the steering ratio is great, even for city driving as I can keep a 3&9 position turning onto city streets.

Power is relative, it does not "lack" any power, but it could always use a bit more. Has 200hp, and with the lighter weight, the car moves briskly. Faster methinks than a stock NC Miata. I could hit 170kmh at end of the back straight (could do 190 in my RX-8), but had to back off a bit early due to some brake fade from stock pads.

Engine has a nice tone, different for me, but a nice boxer rumble. Not loud, but very audible. Definite power dip at 3500-4000rpms, but after that it pulls quite well to redline. Enough torque from 2000rpms for daily driving without lugging the engine too much.

Handling is just excellent, with a bit of push on entry and the back end wants to come out while powering out of a corner. Drift machine if you really push it. The Michelin Prius tires aren't quite as crap as you would think, and with 240 treadwear, they stood up to some abuse. But with some nice cheater tires on the corners, will sharpen up the handling even more.

Daily driving is great, easy to drive around town and zip around on-off ramps. Fuel consumption is great. Averaged 7.5/100 today on trip to Toronto with some traffic and a bit of city driving. On the trackday, I used about 50L for the whole day, went out in every red session and some yellows and left with 1/4 tank which got me all the way back home (1,1/4 hrs).

My boss' quote: "There is no way that Porsche can compete with this car for the $$. Just so well engineered." This coming from a guy with a Boxster, 911 and CMP Mustang.

A big win for Toyota Subaru!

Some pics!

• Arriving on the truck.
• Sleeping in the dealer basement until pickup.
• Comparing to my Genesis Coupe.
• Some trackday photos.
• Detailing after track day.

Congratulations! Great color choice :thumbsup:

Nice ride, the red actually looks really good in person. I only saw it once on the street. Congrats and enjoy your new car =)

can you post up the picture that you have as your avatar? looks awesome it would be a great wallpaper

Here are some images that I have used for my avatars.

If you look closely, you'll realize they are GT5 screenshots, so not actually my car. Taken from my 6'-59" Nordschleife lap.

Congrats, good to see one @ the track the way it's meant to be driven!

What wheels are you running ?

Phatfux Ballzy 18x9 +35 offset

Love 'em! Just under 19 lbs, and stance is awesome with a bit of drop (1" on Eibach ProKit).

I was thinking f same springs. How mch are te whites?

The wheels?
Under $200 each, great value.

Yeah, do they come in white?

Don't think so, but easily painted. One guy got his set painted in red. I may go that way, would look nice red on red.

See the thread for these wheels here:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13611

Red powdercoated set:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=195

Hey, thanks for posting all the info. Do you have any side shots showing the poke or flushness of your setup?

I am looking at running some 18x9 +35 wheels wrapped with 235/45/18's with a 1" drop and crash bolts up front. Just worried it's going to look goofy and not what I intended.

THANKS!

Here are a few pics below:

Hopefully you meant 245/35R18 which is a great size for this wheel. 235/45 will be too tall.

The next 2 are before a 1" drop.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...418_125014.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/IMAG0444.jpg


After drop.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...417_131200.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...005_145006.jpg


Another angle. Camping at the racetrack.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...718_103349.jpg