Just sharing my own comments and .2¢ for those, newbies like myself, looking at getting a BRZ/FR-S, but not knowing how to make up their mind regarding whether if it's for them or if it's the right vehicle. Hope this is in right spot
.
Disclaimer: I'm a few days from signing the contract on mine, just waiting for 4 dealers to fight each other out and see who offers me the best deal here in central CA, then i'll have mine sitting and purring in my garage.
Since 2004 hit or so, I've dreamed about the new AE86. Coming from a Toyota family....or more like a family whose owned over 75%+ of the mainstream models since 1989, I was excited about a concept car!
When the FR-S unveiled in Tokyo? (ref) I was excited as well! I started saving up, but unfortunately for me, I was diagnosed with a medical issue in my blood so I barely cut even in spending my saved up cash, then school cut in and I drove a old Corolla throughout college until I switched into a 22re pickup (which I still drive the hell out of! 323k and running strong!). Soon enough, I graduated. Now that I have my bills under control and debts (plus credit!), I made up my mind to get me my dream car (after the original ae86 I had. Also owned a beater R32 I accidentally came across, but that's for a different day)
Ok, so getting back on topic. I'll answer many newbie questions in portions for those interested in buying one or thinking of it...or which to chose!
I. Why choose a FR-S/BRZ?
How about this. Instead of telling you why choose one, I tell you why not choose it?
1) Don't get it if you want to be the Fast and the Speedy with a stock car. (911 post 2004, can sometimes be found for $20ish or less)
2) It is not for getting 'em girls (get a 'vette or 1971 911 Carrera) This is a testosterone magnet.
3) Not for Sunday driving! This car screams in orgasms to be driven daily! It's a driver! (Can be, but you'll want to drive it everywhere! Even 6 feet in reverse to check your mail)
4) Not entirely for mpg. Get a Corolla or Civic (44mpg Hwy! vs up to 36mpg @ 60mph in 6th gear cruise control)
5) Don't get it if you want it to be the new family wagon! (Sits 2 legless midgets in back). My legs ached after 10min of sitting in rear. 5'8, 200lbs. My sis on the other hand said its fine @ 60lbs, 4'3 or so.
6) Cant afford around $130+ in CA for your insurance if financing! Can be cheaper if you aren't in your 20's or have a clean record. I've seen in threads here it can be as bad as $260!
7) Can't afford $4-7 extra on premium gas. Sure, buying cheapo won't hurt it... but if you do it everyday....well sooner or later you'll have something...CPU, sensor..etc... and you cant really haggle gas prices with the attendants. (Although one time, I complained and b!tched and moaned and the owner, who happened to be at the local Chevron, offered me a 3-5% discount whenever I pump over $30)
II. Which is better manual or auto?
1) Auto is better if you just want a car to look nice, but don't know a word of driving manual and only you know you'd feel more comfy in a auto because you've always driven auto. If I may add, it's a good car to learn manual on, so don't let that scare you! Clutch/Stick is soft, feels good on grip, has short shift gearing and you feel you are driving in a over-sized go-kart at the local fair!
2) If you live in like LA/SF or a crazy area with lots of stopping or hills, I recommend you a auto. Why? Well...wear and tear for clutch can be $2500 if you are not mechanic savvy/tool savvy or know where to get the best tools. My girl paid $3000 or so for her new clutch last year on her 2013 model because she knew no better!
3) Otherwise, I personally recommend manual. The clutch is so soft on all 8 different FR-S and two BRZ's I've driven!
What made me choose manual? Well, I took into consideration the above, then test drove them. In fact, I've been test driving them (once in the track) since mid 2013. Manual I've always loved and enjoyed...except when I was 17, trying to impress my then girlfriend in my 1984 Celica and reverse creeped into a unattended police vehicle in a steep hill... yeah... lets just say I lost my virginity to myself that day when I noticed I had let go of my clutch too quick and I rolled back... Cop let me go though laughing at me when I told him I had lost my virginity to myself.
III. FR-S or BRZ?
I always laugh at this...
1) It's (BRZ) 95% the
same as a FR-S. Let me break it down in my opinion.
Break-down of how I see it:
BRZ/FR-S are 95% the same, 4% being cosmetic and if something 1% electrical/suspense/in question/mystery.
Let me tell you. The biggest difference will be the dealers you go to and the damn Sub/Toy badges.
2) Choose what calls out to you. No matter what you choose, go with what your heart calls out for. Ride both as passenger, drive both, put your ear (no homo) on the hood and whisper simple nothingness into it. I prefer Scion.
3) If you are specifically choosing one for badges... well, you know...you can go on e-bay and buy em decals..badges etc.. for like $10-howevermuchyouwannaspendonyourcartogiveitattitude
4) Check out where you get best deals! For me its Scion right now because dealer is offering for
me:
a) lifetime engine and transmission warranty
b) 2 first years FREE oil changes
c) huge discounts! (over $4k)
d) and moreee.... (free BeSpoke, spoiler and been haggling for TRD exhaust)
Just shop around....take a month if thats what it takes! haggle hustle haggle hustle
IV. Price ranges...new and used
1) Expect to pay $25k-32k for all options+ if you buy brand new
2) Look for certified! Certified pre-owned they do a 85%+ good job in checking for problems and sell with warranty. You can view some through the Scion official website. This is how I'm doing most of my haggling... well, getting proof of other dealers offering better deals than them. DO NOT LET THEM PRESSURE YOU. It can get abusive at times with them calling, e-mailing and even TEXTING!
Example of good deals in CA:
2014 Scion FR-S, white out, 3.6k miles (YES 3,600), $20,980+ my college grad discount, I work for county/teaching so get other discount, then dealer offering discount of like $600... TRD exhaust in haggling process, has BeSpoke, Spoiler, haggling arm rest too (lol)
2013 Scion FR-S 10 Series, most options, 17k, $18.5k, silver/blue
2014 BRZ, 26k, blue with most options, $19k flat.
For all these new, ...well add $3k-7k. These prior 2015 cars can still be found as 'NEW.' Just look around. Less than 20 miles on some.
Lastly.... please, seriously test drive it first... ask the dealer for a 15min drive... 6/8 said yes to me. Others claimed they were busy...yeah right.
Anyways, hope this helps. I'm tired so hope most made sense.
Will post pics of my vehicle when I get it, hoping before this Wednesday. I gave them a time frame of two weeks because two dealers claimed their 'managers/dealer owner,' was on a small vacation.
P.S. Anyone around 93940-93927, let me know if you'd like a test drive. Just wait till I get my car. All I ask is a full gas tank and I'll let you take my FR-S for a spin.
Cheers.
~Sky