FRS vs 50k Lexus

[Riftur]

So I recently watched a video about a guy who did a lot of youtube video's about mods on his FRS. He said he recently got rid of it for a 50k luxury car and couldn't be happier. He said his life is different now. I am around the same age as him, have kids and pretty much close to the same life. I recently got rear ended (very minor damage) and had to have my car repaired. During the repair the Lexus Shop the work was done at put scratches all over my bumper. So they had to fix it and gave me a Fully loaded 2016 Lexus GS 350 F SPORT to drive for the week. I wont lie that the car was like driving around in my recliner. One of the most comfortable cars I ever drove. Was fast also. It was totally boring though even in sport mode. Once I got my FRS back I loved it even more and knew I bought the right car. My smiles were back. Just wanted to share.

[Twin4Life]

My friend has an IS350 FSport. Theres not much I like about it other than the interior being fairly nice. Its slow, under powered, rolls way too much and very numb. For close to $50K she paid for it its VERY underwhelming IMO. The GS350 being even bigger must feel terribly lethargic.

[nikitopo]

We are lucky that our cars have a Subaru DNA

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by Twin4Life

My friend has an IS350 FSport. Theres not much I like about it other than the interior being fairly nice. Its slow, under powered, rolls way too much and very numb. For close to $50K she paid for it its VERY underwhelming IMO. The GS350 being even bigger must feel terribly lethargic.

I've only sat in these new Lexus models at the autoshow and the GS is the only one that actually has a decent driving position, the other ones are just all wrong.

[Riftur]

I wont lie the car was nice inside. It is completely silent. It was like my living room comfort wise. Outside I did not find attractive at all. The car is well built and has good power for the size but it does have a lot of roll (it is a big car). It just showed me how much more I enjoy the handling and just being a simple car and connected to the road. Love having it back!

[Atropine]

Originally Posted by Riftur

So I recently watched a video about a guy who did a lot of youtube video's about mods on his FRS. He said he recently got rid of it for a 50k luxury car and couldn't be happier. He said his life is different now. I am around the same age as him, have kids and pretty much close to the same life. I recently got rear ended (very minor damage) and had to have my car repaired. During the repair the Lexus Shop the work was done at put scratches all over my bumper. So they had to fix it and gave me a Fully loaded 2016 Lexus GS 350 F SPORT to drive for the week. I wont lie that the car was like driving around in my recliner. One of the most comfortable cars I ever drove. Was fast also. It was totally boring though even in sport mode. Once I got my FRS back I loved it even more and knew I bought the right car. My smiles were back. Just wanted to share.

It was SavageGeese and he is a member here...forget off the top of my head his forum name.

Yeah his video was really good (all his videos are great) and he makes some great points.

This just leads me back to the "I wish Lexus had a manual transmission option".

[MarkR171]

Different beasts. The FRS/BRZ is fun because of feel of the car, not because of its features or specs. It's not nearly as comfortable or fast as my AMG, but it's more fun for the daily commute (without having to break any laws - the AMG is a shitload of fun but you can't open it up anywhere.) I'd imagine the Lexus is similar, more comfortable and quicker, but not as much "involvement."

The FRS actually makes me really want to drive an older mechanical car like an early air cooled 911 or 80s BMW because I'd imagine the connection to be similar. I did get to drive a friend's '73 Jag E-type as the only car older than 1996 that I've driven, but it was an automatic.

[humdizzle]

I drove one. To me the car is no different from a camry. Its a sensory deprivation tank on wheels. Stereo is nice though.

For the price i'd rather get an S4

[MrDinkleman]

I had practically the same experience as the OP. A few years ago, I had to take my IS300 (5MT + LSD) in for its timing belt replacement so the dealer gave me a GS350 loaner. It was, of course, AT. It was fun... for about 10minutes. Then it just became a very nice, comfortable but boring, high powered sedan. It was a car I should have liked but I couldn't because of the AT. No more AT for me, barring any physical handicap that prevents me from shifting.


Driving my FRS always puts a smile on my face, even more than my NB Miata.

[Mattstermh]

I came from a 50k '11 es350. Smooth as balls was the es350, but I love the frs

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Riftur

It is completely silent.

Several years ago I read an article in the AOPA magazine about an active noise cancellation system for use in aircraft. That same technology is now making it into certain trucks and luxury vehicles, but this was a retrofit system you could put in older planes. It was installed with an on/off switch so you could fly without it if you wanted, but when activated it reduced engine and slipstream noise to a level where you didn't have to shout to have a conversation in the cabin. One funny thing I remember about that article is that while it was on, the reviewer leaned down to retrieve a map, dipping his head below the cancellation zone and being treated to an unexpected roar. It only canceled sound from the chest up.

I have wondered whether it would be possible to adapt such a system to our cars. I don't mind road and engine noise, but it would be nice to be able to flip a "Quiet" switch on the highway and instantly deaden the sound in the cabin for speakerphone calls or better stereo sound, then flip it back off when on the twisties.

[weederr33]

I've driven a Lexus IS350 and even in "sport" mode it doesn't feel all that great. It's wonderful to drive around town and fairly quiet, and I love the comfort, but unless you're gunning it in a straight line, I find it dull.

[Twin4Life]

Originally Posted by weederr33

I've driven a Lexus IS350 and even in "sport" mode it doesn't feel all that great. It's wonderful to drive around town and fairly quiet, and I love the comfort, but unless you're gunning it in a straight line, I find it dull.

Even then I find it tame. At BEST its a VERY high 5 second to 60 car. More likely a mid 6. 306HP/270TQ pushing 3500 pounds isnt exactly a sprinter. And on the Fsport the only interior you can have is red leather...not a fan at all. Though its nicely laid and comfy it doesnt look right IMO.

[mav1178]

Funny.

I have a 2015 Lexus ES and still have my BRZ.

I drive both and both have their pros and cons.... saying the FRS/BRZ is a better car than a luxury GT sedan is really subjective.

To each their own...