Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - View Single Post - WRX -> FR-S?

kai-wun · 04-30-2014, 03:57 PM

Hey,

Currently drive a 2013 WRX 5dr SWP. The hatch is super practical, the AWD is definitely nice in low traction, and the power/torque is awesome (I came from a Civic ...)

However, the fuel economy is .... worse than I thought. Not even driving it aggressively, I can only manage a 12.5-13L/100km. It didn't really matter since I didn't use to drive far (the first year I've only put on 15k km on it) but pretty soon I will need to do a 80km/day commute.

The other day there was a Scion dealership so I popped in to test drive an FR-S 6MT.

My thoughts as follows:
-The seats were great. Comfier than the WRX's.
-The blindspot visibility is kinda sucky. Not fair to compare to a 5dr hatch.
-Gearbox felt AWESOME. In comparison, WRX feels rubbery and super long throws (a short shift kit is typically recommended)
-The lack of power/torque was surprisingly OK. It was obviously slower but not painfully such. I went WOT on an onramp and it FELT like I was going much faster (much closer to the ground). So that's good.
-FR-S is a lot louder, engine didn't feel as smooth, a lot more NVH. Not that I mind, but I was surprised how much quieter/smoother the WRX felt.

So if I decide to move forward with this, I'll gain:

-fun to drive-ness, the WRX was much faster but not as exciting/precise
-fuel economy: if I can squeeze 9L/100km out of the FR-S; I can potentially save $75-100/mo in fuel costs. That's significant!
-should be a lower monthly payment

I'll lose:

-speed/power: not a huge deal ... With the WRX, I get to 140km/hr way too easily, and that's a huge fine. Not worth the fear. And it's not like the FR-S is slow by any means.
-AWD. Hm. How does the FR-S do in the snow with good winter tires? How about an incline?
-Practicality. I rarely carry more than one other passenger. I rarely utilize the entire hatch space, though it's nice to know it's there. I suppose I can always borrow my parent's SUV if I ever needed the space ...

Decisions decisions ... I'd love to have both, but don't have the budget nor the space for that.

Would love your thoughts. Has anyone come from a turbocharged AWD hatch and never looked back?

04-30-2014, 03:57 PM	#1
kai-wun Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: 2013 Subaru WRX 5dr SWP Location: Toronto Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	WRX -> FR-S? Hey, Currently drive a 2013 WRX 5dr SWP. The hatch is super practical, the AWD is definitely nice in low traction, and the power/torque is awesome (I came from a Civic ...) However, the fuel economy is .... worse than I thought. Not even driving it aggressively, I can only manage a 12.5-13L/100km. It didn't really matter since I didn't use to drive far (the first year I've only put on 15k km on it) but pretty soon I will need to do a 80km/day commute. The other day there was a Scion dealership so I popped in to test drive an FR-S 6MT. My thoughts as follows: -The seats were great. Comfier than the WRX's. -The blindspot visibility is kinda sucky. Not fair to compare to a 5dr hatch. -Gearbox felt AWESOME. In comparison, WRX feels rubbery and super long throws (a short shift kit is typically recommended) -The lack of power/torque was surprisingly OK. It was obviously slower but not painfully such. I went WOT on an onramp and it FELT like I was going much faster (much closer to the ground). So that's good. -FR-S is a lot louder, engine didn't feel as smooth, a lot more NVH. Not that I mind, but I was surprised how much quieter/smoother the WRX felt. So if I decide to move forward with this, I'll gain: -fun to drive-ness, the WRX was much faster but not as exciting/precise -fuel economy: if I can squeeze 9L/100km out of the FR-S; I can potentially save $75-100/mo in fuel costs. That's significant! -should be a lower monthly payment I'll lose: -speed/power: not a huge deal ... With the WRX, I get to 140km/hr way too easily, and that's a huge fine. Not worth the fear. And it's not like the FR-S is slow by any means. -AWD. Hm. How does the FR-S do in the snow with good winter tires? How about an incline? -Practicality. I rarely carry more than one other passenger. I rarely utilize the entire hatch space, though it's nice to know it's there. I suppose I can always borrow my parent's SUV if I ever needed the space ... Decisions decisions ... I'd love to have both, but don't have the budget nor the space for that. Would love your thoughts. Has anyone come from a turbocharged AWD hatch and never looked back?