Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - View Single Post - Should I trade in our family loved SUV for an FR-S?

faredo · 07-29-2016, 12:46 PM

Great questionnaire, lets try to answer these as honest as i can.

Why are you considering a new car?
The FJ is finished. I cant modify it any further without leaving the original plan. Its also not very good on gas ( knew that going in ) and isnt and wont be used for what it was built for, for at least 5 years.

What is it currently costing you (financially, space, mentality) to keep your FJ?
only a spot in the garage, insurance which is cheap, and Gas/oil changes. I put MAYBE 75 miles a month on it.

What benefits do you enjoy that are important to you in the FJ?

Before having my daughter. it could be taken anywhere. secret fishing holes, remote camp sites, weekend excursions. Many times in the worst of winter im one of the few that can actually make it to work. thats always satisfying.

What do you hope to gain as benefits for owning an FR-S or BRZ?

Now that I have so little time for things like camping, fishing, and rallys. it would be nice to get back into autox. Sometimes with a little one around you need to get home or at least back to civilization pretty quick. More often than not, there is no cell service off roading.

What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you value the most each time you drive it?

Its big without being too big, we can go damn near anywhere.

What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you value just as an owner of the FJ?

Its stocked with first aid, recovery gear, air tools, remote power, emergency food rations etc. at any moment we can take off and be self sustained with the exception of fuel.

What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you dislike the most each time you drive it?

Its a little unwieldy on the interstate. emergency lane changes arent its thing. its very rare im ever on the interstate with it though.

Why did you decide to purchase the FJ in the first place?

The wife and I decided to not have children for at least 5 years. In that time we wanted something that we could enjoy the outdoors with. and we have, a lot.

What changes do you see coming in the next 5 years that could impact owning an FR-S/BRZ? (commonly answered with "new job," "more kids," "a pet", "weather")

Maybe weather if anything. but its not a huge deal, here in western Arkansas we might see a month of really bad snow, IF that. last few years have been really mild. we live in a suburb of Fort Smith and its about 20 minute commute. but like ive said before. this truck is normally not driven unless the wife and baby stay home from work. then ill take the truck and leave her the Fusion.

What lifestyle changes (ex. hobbies) do you see coming if you had gotten rid of the FJ all together, rather than replaced? How do would you feel about these changes?

With the baby, my lifestyle has already changed not unlike getting ride of the FJ already.

What lifestyle changes do you see coming if you replace the FJ with the FR-S? How would you feel about these changes?

Not many, other than being able to take the girls to local events to see Daddy dodge cones.

Realistically, how long can you see yourself owning the FR-S?

somewhere between 5-10 years

How long did you initially plan to keep the FJ?

I didn't really have a plan. Its actually been with me longer than any other vehicle by a long shot. Normally i would trade out within 2 years. many times in 1 year.

How often have you thought about getting rid of the FJ?

When it comes to cars... i have a wondering eye. Normally I would just purchase but I can no longer justify the expense. I cant sell the sadan. the wife loves it. I cant sell the van. its really not worth much and its worth more than that just to have a backup car.
really the FJ is the only option if i wanted to swap out.
So after all this.. its still clear as mud.

07-29-2016, 12:46 PM	#47
faredo Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Drives: FJ Cruiser Location: AR Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 6 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Great questionnaire, lets try to answer these as honest as i can. Why are you considering a new car? The FJ is finished. I cant modify it any further without leaving the original plan. Its also not very good on gas ( knew that going in ) and isnt and wont be used for what it was built for, for at least 5 years. What is it currently costing you (financially, space, mentality) to keep your FJ? only a spot in the garage, insurance which is cheap, and Gas/oil changes. I put MAYBE 75 miles a month on it. What benefits do you enjoy that are important to you in the FJ? Before having my daughter. it could be taken anywhere. secret fishing holes, remote camp sites, weekend excursions. Many times in the worst of winter im one of the few that can actually make it to work. thats always satisfying. What do you hope to gain as benefits for owning an FR-S or BRZ? Now that I have so little time for things like camping, fishing, and rallys. it would be nice to get back into autox. Sometimes with a little one around you need to get home or at least back to civilization pretty quick. More often than not, there is no cell service off roading. What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you value the most each time you drive it? Its big without being too big, we can go damn near anywhere. What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you value just as an owner of the FJ? Its stocked with first aid, recovery gear, air tools, remote power, emergency food rations etc. at any moment we can take off and be self sustained with the exception of fuel. What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you dislike the most each time you drive it? Its a little unwieldy on the interstate. emergency lane changes arent its thing. its very rare im ever on the interstate with it though. Why did you decide to purchase the FJ in the first place? The wife and I decided to not have children for at least 5 years. In that time we wanted something that we could enjoy the outdoors with. and we have, a lot. What changes do you see coming in the next 5 years that could impact owning an FR-S/BRZ? (commonly answered with "new job," "more kids," "a pet", "weather") Maybe weather if anything. but its not a huge deal, here in western Arkansas we might see a month of really bad snow, IF that. last few years have been really mild. we live in a suburb of Fort Smith and its about 20 minute commute. but like ive said before. this truck is normally not driven unless the wife and baby stay home from work. then ill take the truck and leave her the Fusion. What lifestyle changes (ex. hobbies) do you see coming if you had gotten rid of the FJ all together, rather than replaced? How do would you feel about these changes? With the baby, my lifestyle has already changed not unlike getting ride of the FJ already. What lifestyle changes do you see coming if you replace the FJ with the FR-S? How would you feel about these changes? Not many, other than being able to take the girls to local events to see Daddy dodge cones. Realistically, how long can you see yourself owning the FR-S? somewhere between 5-10 years How long did you initially plan to keep the FJ? I didn't really have a plan. Its actually been with me longer than any other vehicle by a long shot. Normally i would trade out within 2 years. many times in 1 year. How often have you thought about getting rid of the FJ? When it comes to cars... i have a wondering eye. Normally I would just purchase but I can no longer justify the expense. I cant sell the sadan. the wife loves it. I cant sell the van. its really not worth much and its worth more than that just to have a backup car. really the FJ is the only option if i wanted to swap out. So after all this.. its still clear as mud.