Why I chose the FR-S - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

stranger things · 04-26-2017, 02:07 PM

Hi all,

I’m the proud new owner of a ’13 Argento FR-S. Just wanted to share why I chose this car. Will try to keep it short.

I wanted what you might call a “pure” sports car, something affordable, fun, and reliable. It had to be small, light, RWD, and manual transmission. It did not need to have a ton of power. I narrowed it down to the Miata, S2000, and FR-S/BRZ twins.

The S2000 is essentially reaching unicorn status, so I couldn’t find anything that had both a reasonable price and reasonable mileage. The Miata is a great choice because they’re a dime a dozen, so I test-drove one NB and two NCs. While fun cars, there were some issues like water damage and small holes in the top. This is obviously a risk/downside of convertibles.

As I continued searching, I came across an FR-S at a Toyota dealer. I test-drove it and liked how it felt more aggressive than the Miata, and no worries about leaks, rips, etc. The shifts were more crisp in the FR-S, and overall the car just felt more tight. It also includes a powertrain warranty. I came back w/ my wife and got her seal of approval, although she was leaning towards the Miata. And the rest is history.

Planning to keep it stock, except for possibly a K&N drop-in filter and eventually new tires to replace the Firestone FR740s the dealer threw on. The main “mod” is for me to become a better driver, as it’s been a couple years since I had a manual car. Looking forward to the journey.

StraightOuttaCanadaEh · 04-26-2017, 03:08 PM

Ah congrats. When I was narrowing my choices down, it was between the BRZ and the 86. But rumours of insurance being higher for the BRZ, plus the fact that I had to wait a couple of days before it came in and I could test drive it, meant I went for the 86. In the end, I didn't test drive that one either but it came in the next day, in the colour that I wanted and 5000 km later I'm happier by the day and keep wasting money on upgrades. Welcome to the club and enjoy your new ride!

Is Always Angry · 04-26-2017, 06:56 PM

I looked for S2000s for a while too. I always thought those were some bad ass cars and still wouldn't mind owning one. I had the same issue of just finding one that hadn't been abused and was within my budget. At least around here, people give the S2000 the "civic treatment" which for me ruins what the car is about - being great for just driving it!

Eventually I gave up looking for an S2000. Plus, I had been following the development and release of the 86 since I can remember and was in love with it. After looking for a perfect BRZ for several months and a 10 hour round trip... Still in love!

humfrz · 04-26-2017, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stranger things

Hi all,

I’m the proud new owner of a ’13 Argento FR-S. Just wanted to share why I chose this car. Will try to keep it short.

Welcome to the club .............

You made a good choice .......

humfrz

PetrolioBenzina · 04-26-2017, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stranger things

The main “mod” is for me to become a better driver, as it’s been a couple years since I had a manual car. Looking forward to the journey.

An excellent plan. Even stock, it's a very capable car.

stranger things · 04-26-2017, 09:33 PM

And a funny anecdote -- when I was researching Miatas, humfrz's posts came up often on a Miata forum.

TommyW · 04-26-2017, 10:14 PM

I sold my Miata 2 years ago and was toying (very ambivolently) with getting another. I was interested in the FRS's ever since they came out as I'm a hardtop guy. I was contemplating an S2k but just wasn't happy with the pricing as it was approaching Cayman S pricing and that I felt was a better car.

My first test drive in an FRS and there was zero question about the Miata vs FRS debate. I was entertaining a Cayman also and the FRS had so many Cayman qualities that it was a no brainer. Jeez man some Yokohama Advan Neova 8D08R's and Enkei TS9 wheels (awesome BTW) and a slight drop and the car is amazing.

I have a track day at Big Willow coming up and am coming out of my skin in anticipation. I'm used to high HP cars (911 TT) and this little car is actually more fun as you don't have to be going 100+ to enjoy it.

PetrolioBenzina · 04-27-2017, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyW

I'm used to high HP cars (911 TT) and this little car is actually more fun as you don't have to be going 100+ to enjoy it.

Yet another brilliant post.

allowe · 04-27-2017, 12:08 PM

First of all welcome and congrats on your frs! You've made right choice!.

If you want to do some mods, I suggest you do them soon because the car is chocked up a bit. I have an oft, ofh, injen intake (some say useless. If you don't want one, drop in filter does wonders) and an mxp exhaust (and a ton of other quality of life mods).

Last week I went To go test drive a stock frs from Toyota and my god what a difference. The stock felt so sloppy and slow while mine felt sharp.

I'm not saying you need to do those things, I'm saying, open your mind towards slowly modifying the car properly as it will seriously enhance your driving... and. Tires, tires, tires.

Ps. Another thing you should do is remove the clutch assist spring to make your clutch feel like one. (It's free, you just need a flathead screw driver and maybe pliers) It has changed my driving experience by a lot. I now know where the clutch grab point is.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

stevesnj · 04-27-2017, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stranger things

And a funny anecdote -- when I was researching Miatas, humfrz's posts came up often on a Miata forum.

____

humfrz · 04-27-2017, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stranger things

And a funny anecdote -- when I was researching Miatas, humfrz's posts came up often on a Miata forum.

Yep, I babbled over 29,000 times over there ......

humfrz

Tcoat · 04-27-2017, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

Yep, I babbled over 29,000 times over there ......

humfrz

You still have some work ahead of you here then.

humfrz · 04-27-2017, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevesnj

My computer can't see a picture ...... just a black X in a box ......

humfrz

stevesnj · 04-27-2017, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

My computer can't see a picture ...... just a black X in a box ......

humfrz

fixed, just a silly thing I do

04-26-2017, 02:07 PM	#1
stranger things The Upside Down Join Date: Apr 2017 Drives: '13 FR-S Location: Hawkins Laboratory Posts: 117 Thanks: 176 Thanked 69 Times in 45 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Why I chose the FR-S Hi all, I’m the proud new owner of a ’13 Argento FR-S. Just wanted to share why I chose this car. Will try to keep it short. I wanted what you might call a “pure” sports car, something affordable, fun, and reliable. It had to be small, light, RWD, and manual transmission. It did not need to have a ton of power. I narrowed it down to the Miata, S2000, and FR-S/BRZ twins. The S2000 is essentially reaching unicorn status, so I couldn’t find anything that had both a reasonable price and reasonable mileage. The Miata is a great choice because they’re a dime a dozen, so I test-drove one NB and two NCs. While fun cars, there were some issues like water damage and small holes in the top. This is obviously a risk/downside of convertibles. As I continued searching, I came across an FR-S at a Toyota dealer. I test-drove it and liked how it felt more aggressive than the Miata, and no worries about leaks, rips, etc. The shifts were more crisp in the FR-S, and overall the car just felt more tight. It also includes a powertrain warranty. I came back w/ my wife and got her seal of approval, although she was leaning towards the Miata. And the rest is history. Planning to keep it stock, except for possibly a K&N drop-in filter and eventually new tires to replace the Firestone FR740s the dealer threw on. The main “mod” is for me to become a better driver, as it’s been a couple years since I had a manual car. Looking forward to the journey.

04-26-2017, 10:14 PM	#7
TommyW Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: '13 Whiteout Location: San Clemente Posts: 1,493 Thanks: 496 Thanked 1,245 Times in 674 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I sold my Miata 2 years ago and was toying (very ambivolently) with getting another. I was interested in the FRS's ever since they came out as I'm a hardtop guy. I was contemplating an S2k but just wasn't happy with the pricing as it was approaching Cayman S pricing and that I felt was a better car. My first test drive in an FRS and there was zero question about the Miata vs FRS debate. I was entertaining a Cayman also and the FRS had so many Cayman qualities that it was a no brainer. Jeez man some Yokohama Advan Neova 8D08R's and Enkei TS9 wheels (awesome BTW) and a slight drop and the car is amazing. I have a track day at Big Willow coming up and am coming out of my skin in anticipation. I'm used to high HP cars (911 TT) and this little car is actually more fun as you don't have to be going 100+ to enjoy it. Last edited by TommyW; 04-26-2017 at 10:28 PM.

04-27-2017, 12:08 PM	#9
allowe Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Drives: FR-S Location: mississauga Posts: 576 Thanks: 227 Thanked 122 Times in 89 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Why I chose the FR-S First of all welcome and congrats on your frs! You've made right choice!. If you want to do some mods, I suggest you do them soon because the car is chocked up a bit. I have an oft, ofh, injen intake (some say useless. If you don't want one, drop in filter does wonders) and an mxp exhaust (and a ton of other quality of life mods). Last week I went To go test drive a stock frs from Toyota and my god what a difference. The stock felt so sloppy and slow while mine felt sharp. I'm not saying you need to do those things, I'm saying, open your mind towards slowly modifying the car properly as it will seriously enhance your driving... and. Tires, tires, tires. Ps. Another thing you should do is remove the clutch assist spring to make your clutch feel like one. (It's free, you just need a flathead screw driver and maybe pliers) It has changed my driving experience by a lot. I now know where the clutch grab point is. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Last edited by allowe; 04-27-2017 at 12:25 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
help me chose	Shinigunz	BRZ First-Gen (2012+) — General Topics	12	04-17-2014 03:29 PM
Help Me Chose my Summer Wheels	Luckrider	Wheels \| Tires \| Spacers \| Hub -- Sponsored by The Tire Rack	12	01-23-2014 11:44 AM
Help me chose a vanity plate	Greenhorn	Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum	48	11-13-2013 11:24 PM
How/Why did you chose the BRZ/FR-S/GT-86 over the GT-86/BRZ/FR-s?	psyviperx	Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum	82	11-08-2013 04:50 PM
TE37SL...which color would YOU chose?	deedz	Wheels \| Tires \| Spacers \| Hub -- Sponsored by The Tire Rack	10	10-04-2012 07:36 PM

04-26-2017, 03:08 PM	#2
StraightOuttaCanadaEh Wes Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: Artisan Spirits '17 86 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,868 Thanks: 1,249 Thanked 1,734 Times in 1,025 Posts Mentioned: 21 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Ah congrats. When I was narrowing my choices down, it was between the BRZ and the 86. But rumours of insurance being higher for the BRZ, plus the fact that I had to wait a couple of days before it came in and I could test drive it, meant I went for the 86. In the end, I didn't test drive that one either but it came in the next day, in the colour that I wanted and 5000 km later I'm happier by the day and keep wasting money on upgrades. Welcome to the club and enjoy your new ride!

04-26-2017, 09:33 PM	#6
stranger things The Upside Down Join Date: Apr 2017 Drives: '13 FR-S Location: Hawkins Laboratory Posts: 117 Thanks: 176 Thanked 69 Times in 45 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	And a funny anecdote -- when I was researching Miatas, humfrz's posts came up often on a Miata forum.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password