Grateful Dave's New FR-S and Maiden Voyage

[Grateful Dave]

I picked up my Asphalt AT FR-S from Longo Scion today. My day started out by having salesman David Gentry pick me up at my house because I couldn't get a ride. David was more than happy to pick me up and I live 30 miles from Longo. Once there, we picked up the car in the upstairs parking garage. The car had 8 miles on it only. We went for a test drive and it drove good, the AT works great. I had already test drove a MT FR-S and I liked it but I chose the AT. It was good to test drive the MT but I preorder the AT. I had some doubts, but after driving the AT, it was fine. I have a previous broken left leg and I have a MT Tacoma 4x4 but when I'm tired my shifts aren't the best. So I chose the AT even though the MT is a sports car purists' choice for a transmission. Also the better gas milage with the AT for a Daily Driver sealed the deal. But I still had doubts. After completing the paper work and Longo gave me a good rate. David went over the car with me then I was on my way.
Since Longo is in El Monte, that is very close to Azuza Canyon, I decided that my Maiden Voyage would to drive up Azuza Cyn to Chrystal Lake then drive to Mount Baldy via Glendora Mountain and Ridge roads. I have driven these roads before in different cars & trucks and they are very twisty. So I'm familiar with them. I had so much fun driving these roads with my new FR-S. The AT worked Awesome!. I drove the roads in manual and in manual sport. The paddle shifters worked amazingly, down shifting and up shifting like a manual transmission. I tried to stay in the <4000rpm as best I could but a couple of times I went over. The handling of the car is superb. I was taking corners with a lot of speed and the car just hugged the road. No matter how fast I took a corner it just tracked perfect with very slight oversteer but in complete control. No leaning. The chassis alone is worth the sticker price.
The car performed perfectly. The AT was the right choice for me. No doubts anymore. I have enough power to drive any mountain road no matter how steep. I can't wait until it is broken in, so I can power up the steeper hills with more than 4000 rpms. I drove over 150 miles and most of it was twisty mountain roads.
The FR-S is a great car period. To all the doubters and haters, until you drive this car on mountain roads, you will not understand this car. Just remember, you drive a car, not a spec sheet.
I just want to say thank you to David Gentry and Jeff Chang at Longo Scion for all your help. You guys are the best!
Here are some pics from my maiden voyage

[Lonewolf]

I looked at your pics before reading your post and I knew immediately where
the pics were taken...I have driven those same roads many times before and they are a blast

[LeavingNormal]

Awesome location! Uhh let's go have a meet there!

[mines13]

Agreed, great car and Jeff is the best salesman I have ever dealt with.

[M&M_Hwy9]

Congrats and welcome to the asphalt owners club.

[Grateful Dave]

Originally Posted by M&M_Hwy9

Congrats and welcome to the asphalt owners club.

M&M Hwy9. You're referring to Route 9 out of Santa Cruz? I've driven part of the route on my way to Big Basin Redwoods some years ago. When I drive up to Santa Cruz via Hwy 1, to visit my friend, we will get together liked we talked about and drive Route 9.
Tonight, I drove my first night run on Santiago Cyn Road to Cooks Corner in the OC. It was a blast. The head lights and high beams worked well. The AT was awesome. I drove sport manual and sport drive modes. The FR-S drives like a champ. No matter hard you take corners, it handles them no problem like a real sports car.

[M&M_Hwy9]

Originally Posted by Grateful Dave

M&M Hwy9. You're referring to Route 9 out of Santa Cruz? I've driven part of the route on my way to Big Basin Redwoods some years ago. When I drive up to Santa Cruz via Hwy 1, to visit my friend, we will get together liked we talked about and drive Route 9.
Tonight, I drove my first night run on Santiago Cyn Road to Cooks Corner in the OC. It was a blast. The head lights and high beams worked well. The AT was awesome. I drove sport manual and sport drive modes. The FR-S drives like a champ. No matter hard you take corners, it handles them no problem like a real sports car.

Yes on hwy9, its that one, and yes, it is a real sports car.