[kai-wun]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. Great feedback, awesome community. Think I'm gonna enjoy my time here!

Originally Posted by bedabi

Traded in a 2004 lightly modded WRX for my 2013 BRZ. I'll admit some buyer's remorse this past, harsh winter. But overall I have no regrets. I also pay slightly lower insurance premiums.

Awesome! Yeah, I don't expect winter to be as drama-free as I had I had with my WRX, but hey - I'm up for a challenge! Insurance premiums are slightly lower with the FR-S with me too!

Originally Posted by BlueDubbinTDI

I'd trade ya

Haha thanks but the car's not mine. TDI ... now that's something else to consider! HPFP scares though...

Originally Posted by J_kennington

Not quite as new as your wrx. But I came from my 90 eclipse awd hatch. As fun as the car was, I honestly have more fun in the frs. After building every piece I could on the eclipse, it's too much power for normal street driving. So, I retired to 95% track and 5% street. Only thing I miss in dailying the eclipse is the sound of the turbo and bov.

DSM! That thing must’ve been a beast. Well my WRX is very close to stock (just stage1 tune), so it’s nowhere as close as the monster you drove. But it’s great to hear how the 86 is more fun!

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I switched from an STI hatch. In my opinion, if you don't need the practicality of the WRX, you'll have more fun in the FR-S.

Lightweight + RWD =

Great to hear! This is exactly the thing I wanna hear. Light weight and RWD is exactly what feels like makes it more fun. The WRX was “drama-free”. You mash the pedal, it goes like a bat out of hell. But it’s surprisingly quiet (not compared to a luxo brand, but way less “raw” than the FR-S).

Originally Posted by gramicci101

There are definitely times when having my WRX hatch again would be useful. I need to get a new rolling garbage bin from Lowe's. It's only about five miles away, but there's no way I can fit it in my car. I'm going to have to rent one of their trucks to drive a garbage can for five miles.

If I had my choice, I'd have my twin and a Tacoma. Best of both worlds.

I'd love to keep both the WRX and FR-S. FR-S summer car, WRX winter car and cargo/people hauler. But I don't have the budget/space for that.

Eventually I’m thinking my gf can pick up an SUV for her ride. Until then I can always borrow my parent’s SUV. Luckily I don’t use the hatch space THAT often.

Originally Posted by MokSpeed

You can weigh your needs better than any of us. I feel like if you'll be dealing with snow and harsh driving conditions often, then stick with the WRX. A little bit of fun every now and then isn't worth daily headaches and inconveniences.

I originally got the WRX (over the FR-S/GTI) because my previous Civic sucked in the snow. But I’m willing to bet it’s the crappy Falken “performance” winter tires. The FR-S will have LSD and also electronic assists like traction control which my Civic didn't. Toronto only really has 4-5 bad snow storms each winter, and they’re generally plowed pretty quickly. I think I’m gonna weigh fun to drive-ness and fuel economy 85% of the year over the 4-5x/year I get stuck.

Originally Posted by Adam Anthony

Well, I live in Chicago where we had one of the worst winters for snow in its history. I drove the FR-S all winter with snow tires on it (GOOD ONES mind you) and never once had an issue. I drove from Iowa City to Chicago (3 1/2 hours - 4 hrs) through a snow storm and didn't have a single issue. I would say that I am very very impressed with snow handling with snow tires. It does act as a snow plow on occasion (i.e. when there is 12 inches of snow on the ground) but I still had no issue getting through it. Oh, also, I wasn't going on many inclines and those I did, I don't recall having an issue.

Great! Definitely will be investing in quality snow tires. I actually wonder if my set from the WRX will suffice. Same bolt pattern, just a bit more sidewall than it should be (205/60R16). Gives it a bit more ground clearance as long as it fits!

I’m actually excited to take on the challenge that’s snow driving in a lightweight RWD car.

Originally Posted by Rustyspoon

I slapped a set of wrg3 (nokian all weather tire) on it and have had zero issues with a northern alberta winter. And I can get 6 l/100 doing 80km/hour. Average is closer to 8 with a mix of city/highway and some spirited driving. With some creative packing its amazing what fits in the car when your alone.

Edit: the nannies make this car so easy to drive in bad weather its not even funny. no wonder so many crash when they disable them, false sense of driving ability!

Wow, if you’re OK with it in N.Alberta weather, I’ll be fine in mild Toronto! And 8L/100km is great! This car sounds better and better. Yeah, I don't think I'd take off the electronic nannies. I never once turned them off on the WRX.

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Sounds like the only downside for you would be winter driving, budget for good snow tires on a cheap set of wheels seems to be the way to go.

The Toyobaru is surprisingly practical for storage with the rear seat folded down, takes me about five minutes to load up my roadbike and a traveling stuff for the weekend. Only downside is fitting four people is a pain, definitely possible but you need patient friends.

I always budget for good tires and separate set of wheels for winter. Glad to hear it’s practical for storage! And I don’t have friends, bhahaha…. 99% of the time it’s just the gf and I. If people wanna ride in my car, they damn well be patient enough to stuff in the back seats lmao.

Originally Posted by gramicci101

That actually works better by folding the seat down as well. You can stack them in the back like firewood.

Originally Posted by djmm

Fuel shouldn't be that high. Was it a brand new car? I'm still breaking in the car, currently at around 900k but fuel averages around 10ish L /100km. for city driving.

But I don't rev the shit of the car though as I still have to maintain less than 4000 rpm.

Getting in and out of the car is a pain especially if you try to be careful not to kick and dirty the lower door panel. But the reward is super low seating of course.

My WRX? It has 15 000km on it right now. I’ve tracked every single KM driven using fuelly: http://www.fuelly.com/driver/daftkow/wrx/ OK, it’s actually 12.1L/100km … but that’s still pretty brutal. Especially since I don't hit boost often.

10L/100km is surprisingly bad for the FR-S ....

Originally Posted by Havsie

I don't know what those fuel economy numbers are in Freedom Units, but a FR-S isn't going to be significantly better than a WRX when it comes to fuel economy. You'll definitely save a few bucks, but I don't know if it's worth the depreciation/trade in hit with your WRX. My last tank averaged 28mpg (or whatever that is in metric) which is nothing spectacular.

You'll have to consider that into your "savings" as well. If you lose 3000 bucks on your WRX to save a few dollars each month, you'll need to drive your FR-S for 50 years to break even.

I apologize I offended you with my socialist units.

12L/100km is 19.6mpg. If I manage 26-28mpg with the FR-S, that means a significant savings monthly in fuel costs, considering I will be driving 80km - sorry, 50miles DAILY.

As for the depreciation, I don’t have to worry because I’m only leasing the WRX (looking to get someone to take over the lease) and will plan to lease the FR-S. So right away I’ll be better off, especially since the monthly payments of the FR-S will be lower.

Originally Posted by jeepmor

Have you done the cost of ownership math? I'm guessing you did not.

Car payment - lease vs buy
Insurance - each car
Fuel economy - your commute or miles per month avg at today's gas prices
Service - oil, filters, tire rotation, etc.

Excel is your friend.

Why do you guess that? Saving on monthly costs/cashflow is the main reason I started looking at the new car. I’m currently leasing the WRX, and I plan on leasing the FR-S. Yes yes I know leasing is more expensive (in the big picture) but I am willing to pay the premium to only have to pay the depreciation. I’m not sure whether I want to keep the car long term - so I’d rather have the peace of mind. Anyway, it’s a personal choice that I’ve thought about long and hard.

Lease payment: $450 (WRX) vs $375-400 (FR-S)
Insurance: $250 (WRX) vs $230 (FR-S)
FE: 12L/100km (WRX) vs 9L/100km (FR-S). I drive 80km/day * 20 workdays/mo = 1600km/mo. 1600km/mo * (savings of) 3L/100km = 48L/mo. 91oct is about $1.5/L around these parts so that’s $72/mo of savings. If I can squeeze 8L/100km on the FR-S that nets a savings of $96/mo.

Obviously these are quite optimistic numbers. Worst case scenario I’ll be “the same”. I’ll be losing a but though, because the WRX is more expensive here in Canada than the FR-S. Best case scenario, I’d save ~$150/mo, which is small but significant.

The obviously financially responsible thing to do is to get out of the WRX's lease and stuff myself in something like a Honda Fit/Toyota Yaris. But RWD fun to drive-ness! lmao.

Thanks again for all the feedback, much appreciated!