Thoughts on 2 years of ownership

[5hairpins]

So here I am at the end of year 2 of my FR-S ownership. I must admit I am finally over the new car glow but still love to drive when ever I can. I got to make a couple of cruises here in Texas and pushed the car a little closer to my edge. Our Dallas group has been growing steadily and it still awesome to see the new owners and their glow. Once they find out I am a grizzled 2 year veteran, they have questions about my experience. I do enjoy the chance to praise this car again and again.

This year brought the end of my Primacies so I upgraded to some cheap cast Axis Xcite wheels and Michelin A/S 3 tires in the stock size. The new rubber has cleaned up most of the loosey-goosey nature of the back end and made turn in much more responsive. The tail will still break loose and has not changed the fun factor at all. All in all, a great upgrade.

No new issues to report, my cricket companions are alive and well but no worse than the first year. The second set of Tails have not leaked (although she does not get a bath quite as often due to moving into an apartment and the close of the coin op carwash near work. I am now around 24K miles.

Going into year 3, I am still working through my car note so still no major upgrades for me. Jeez this will be a long 5 years. I keep reading on the NA and Supercharger options to stay abreast of any developments but that makes the wait even longer. I will continue to live vicariously through the other Dallas drivers who have done mods, so a shout out to my fellow owners is in order. Keep on upgrading so I can see these things first hand!

For anyone who is still on the fence or just coming to the boards, don't fret about the issues reported on our board. This car can and will treat you right if you let it. I cannot express how happy I am with my purchase 2 years ago and I am sure the feeling will stay with me as long as I get to climb behind the wheel.

Happy Motoring!
5hairpins

[AVodka14]

Great read and 2 year summary. I am at the end of my 2 years of ownership as well. It has been a great car thus far. I am heading to the dealership this morning to get the passenger tail light replaced and first oil change. Yep...that's right. First oil change. I had a supersport bike, tC, and the FRS the first year of ownership. That allowed me to distribute the mileage evenly. Now I am down to the FRS only and is my DD. I am at 7300 miles. The crickets keep me company and always will. I am just disappointed in the quality of the paint.

It is going to be a a long 3 years for me as well man. 2 down for car payments with only 3 left. It has gone fast. I will be going boost this time next year as my student loans will be DONE! Plus 3 year warranty will be done. My interest rate is so low that I am not giving Toyota financial much money of my own.

It's a fun car with a lot of potential. It is so cool that Toyota and Subaru worked together on this one. Cheers!

[synchromesh]

I'm just approaching the 2 year anniversary at the end of the month. I was just admiring my car yesterday, don't know if it was just an inner flame trying to relieve my hangover, but it looked even better than day 1!


OP, did you look into Michelin honoring their mileage warranty on the Primacy's? (Sorry Michelin )

[nyfries]

Originally Posted by synchromesh

I'm just approaching the 2 year anniversary at the end of the month. I was just admiring my car yesterday, don't know if it was just an inner flame trying to relieve my hangover, but it looked even better than day 1!


OP, did you look into Michelin honoring their mileage warranty on the Primacy's? (Sorry Michelin )

any more information on this? i actually enjoying learning the car on autox day with the primacy, would be useful to know when it doesn't die prematurely

[emontes33]

Wow, I drove 24,000 miles in one year...aha.
I traded in for the monogram and am nearing 2,000 in the first month!

[Guff]

Originally Posted by synchromesh

I'm just approaching the 2 year anniversary at the end of the month. I was just admiring my car yesterday, don't know if it was just an inner flame trying to relieve my hangover, but it looked even better than day 1!


OP, did you look into Michelin honoring their mileage warranty on the Primacy's? (Sorry Michelin )

Originally Posted by nyfries

any more information on this? i actually enjoying learning the car on autox day with the primacy, would be useful to know when it doesn't die prematurely

Michelin will definitely honor the mileage warranty, you just have to find a tire place that won't make up an excuse to do it. I went to two places and they told me that my tires were "abused" but the third place honored my warranty through Michelin and I got 57% off a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports.


And I feel about the same after 1 year and about 13k miles. I always look forward to driving it! Hopefully I'll see you guys at Dallas meets this summer, although I might not be in my FRS as I might leave it with my brother in Illinois for the Summer. We'll see though!

[Tromatic]

Roughly one year. I appreciate the crime committed by Mr. Tada on Toyota and Subaru more every day. It's an awesome little car, one that was lucky to be made.

[nyfries]

Originally Posted by Guff

Michelin will definitely honor the mileage warranty, you just have to find a tire place that won't make up an excuse to do it. I went to two places and they told me that my tires were "abused" but the third place honored my warranty through Michelin and I got 57% off a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports.





And I feel about the same after 1 year and about 13k miles. I always look forward to driving it! Hopefully I'll see you guys at Dallas meets this summer, although I might not be in my FRS as I might leave it with my brother in Illinois for the Summer. We'll see though!

How many km does Michelin say it's suppose to last? And where is this info stated so I can show the tire place?

[Guff]

Originally Posted by nyfries

How many km does Michelin say it's suppose to last? And where is this info stated so I can show the tire place?

You can only do it through a tire place that is an authorized Michelin dealer. All the info is on their website:

http://www.michelinman.com/automotiv.../warranty.page

[rcm47]

Congrats! I hit my 2 years June 1st!

[Braces]

I'm at 1 1/2 yrs with 22,xxx miles. I drive the car pretty hard ..... And NO issues whatsoever. I think most people take this car for granted not realizing just how well this little car performs. If Toyota can continue the 86 genes into the New supra ... I will be really excited.

[ZionsWrath]

I'm going to a track day for my 2 year anniversary

The one thing I don't like about it is I find it hard to go anywhere driving sane. So lately I find myself taking another car instead. But also to save miles on my car. I'm at 25k now, would be well over 30 if not using other car.

I drive kind of "spirited" on the streets and I was pleased to see when I put in the track pads that my stock pads have over 50% at 2 years and 25k of use. I guess that light weight goes a long way.

I have the infamous idle dip issue in the back of my mind since I have a first shipment car but it hasn't had a problem yet and I think if it hasn't happened by now it won't.

Don't regret the car and enjoy every time I drive it.

[5hairpins]

Originally Posted by synchromesh

I'm just approaching the 2 year anniversary at the end of the month. I was just admiring my car yesterday, don't know if it was just an inner flame trying to relieve my hangover, but it looked even better than day 1!


OP, did you look into Michelin honoring their mileage warranty on the Primacy's? (Sorry Michelin )

I probably should have but I have NEVER had a set of tires reach warranty, in 27 years of driving!!!

[BlueDubbinTDI]

I hit 1 year on Tuesday actually. I spent too much money fretting about getting the exhaust just right and was never happy. Besides the exhaust, every thing else has gone pretty smoothly and as expected. It's been a satisfying first year