Any reason to choose the FR-S over the BRZ anymore?

[Jaylyons1]

So, as I normally do in my boredom, I'm jumping around random websites and somehow ended up on Scion's. I couldn't help but notice that the FR-S MSRP is only $25 less than the Subaru BRZ now. Am I missing something here?

I see that the radio has been upgraded on the FR-S, but it still doesn't include navigation standard. They also still have the same old head lights.

The insurance cost alone will save you more than $25 a month(which I never understood, but gladly accept), so I'm finding it difficult to see the point in someone actually choosing the FR-S over the BRZ, except for maybe that front bumper, but that hasn't changed either in it's $1500 price bump.

Thoughts?

[gramicci101]

Toyota is better about honoring the warranty.

The new RS 1.0 looks freaking awesome in yellow.

But... Subaru will bargain on price.

[rs999]

BRZ has the goofy mouth guard bumper the FR-S does not.

[phobos512]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Toyota is better about honoring the warranty.

The new RS 1.0 looks freaking awesome in yellow.

But... Subaru will bargain on price.

Warranty is highly dependent on the dealership.

[Reaper]

Subaru has warrantied 3 times the amount of transmissions toyota has.

[FiRStsc10n]

No Subaru dealership near me. There is local Toyota for any service/warranty work.

[tomkozski]

I think the FR-S has the leather speaker surround. Both cars have suspension changes for 2015, but I haven't seen anything that says they're both the same now. 2013/2014s had different suspension tuning, but all reviews say the 2015 FR-S is less tail happy (so more like the 2013/14 BRZ).

Otherwise, looks and paint color - Hot Lava and the dark blue (2013 BRZ Galaxy Blue) are unique to the FR-S. Interior trim is slightly different on the Premium BRZ and FR-S.

Insurance is higher on the FR-S because the average age of the buyer is lower than for the BRZ - part of that is due to the price difference. More "mature" buyers are opting for the BRZ. I bet the suspension changes for the 2015 FR-S are also an attempt to lower the accident rate for the FR-S.

[Jaylyons1]

Originally Posted by tomkozski

I think the FR-S has the leather speaker surround. Both cars have suspension changes for 2015, but I haven't seen anything that says they're both the same now. 2013/2014s had different suspension tuning, but all reviews say the 2015 FR-S is less tail happy (so more like the 2013/14 BRZ).

Otherwise, looks and paint color - Hot Lava and the dark blue (2013 BRZ Galaxy Blue) are unique to the FR-S. Interior trim is slightly different on the Premium BRZ and FR-S.

Insurance is higher on the FR-S because the average age of the buyer is lower than for the BRZ - part of that is due to the price difference. More "mature" buyers are opting for the BRZ. I bet the suspension changes for the 2015 FR-S are also an attempt to lower the accident rate for the FR-S.

That's what I was thinking as well. On paper, a super tail happy car sounds great, and it is if it's bought by the right person. But since it's super cheap + tail happy, we have been seeing the result.

It still seems odd to me that the Toyota base price jumped if these are all of the changes. If you're going for one of the 18 billion "limited" models that Toyota has been spewing all over the place, then I guess I could see it. But it seems like they have a new special package or color coming out every couple of months.

I know with autocross, I have seen more issues with the FR-S front bumper practically falling apart. Granted, I knew this by looking at it before I bought it which is another reason that tipped the scales towards the Subaru. It's not as aggressive, but it holds up well.

[Takumi788]

Originally Posted by Jaylyons1

I know with autocross, I have seen more issues with the FR-S front bumper practically falling apart. Granted, I knew this by looking at it before I bought it which is another reason that tipped the scales towards the Subaru. It's not as aggressive, but it holds up well.

Have I missed something? I have an FRS and track/autocross it religiously and I haven't noticed any falling apart of my front bumper. What should I be looking for?

[Texas BRZ]

This may sound silly but one of my main turn off's for not opting for a '15 FR-S was because they have a MAP button but it serves no function unless you opt for the $1,200 navigation option (this triggers my OCD )... After adding, this in turn makes it closer to to $30k car after taxes & fees, which made the BRZ Premium a better value and a much more well-rounded package in comparison with its standard features... Not to mention the additional savings due to negotiations compared to being stuck with Pure Price.

Someone brought up warranty... I've heard from the past that Subaru has given a hard time in regards to auto crossing / tracking... And Scion has been more open minded about tracking the car judging from their promotions of the FR-S. Hopefully I won't run into any issues. This is my first experience in owning a Subaru. I mean, it feels like a very well built car and should hold up well, I'm thinking... I'm not worried about squeaks and rattles as long as the car holds up in its overall function as a sports car and the way its intended to be driven.

The majority feel that the front bumper of the FR-S looks better. I personally feel that the BRZ's front has a more refined and mature look. The standard LED's really set the car off and look sharp. HID's are a bonus.

I prefer the seats in the Premium as well. Looks and feels more upscale while still keeping a sporty cloth material.

[DAEMANO]

BRZ not purchased in California might be a better value for OEM equipment than a FR-S. In California BRZ deals are there, but harder to come by. Still IMO that BRZ mustache/mouth-guard bumper is not attractive. Now you can simply get a new bumper of the maybe dozen aftermarket ones, but then again you'd have to factor that into the price.

My reason for getting an FR-S was that I knew I would be modding the car and the BRZ OEM Alcantara, Head unit, dual-climate control and seat heaters had no appeal to me. The BRZ headlights are nice. Aftermarket FR-S ones are nicer (IMO). I wanted the lowest buy in-price I could find for a new car.

So I spent $27K got a TRD Exhaust (which I love), TRD drop-in filter and a factory spoiler which I have since swapped for a spoilerless CF trunk. Then put about $5k into power (Phantom Supercharger, OFT), performance (RS-R Sports-i coils, tires, and cat delete header), and appearance mods (18" wheels, vinyl wrapped interior bits, tint, the CF trunk, some used paint matched CS aero stuffs). I love the value I ended up with. My FR-S is fast enough (225whp/210wtq on e85), more than agile, has improved comfort, good stick and is perty in my eyes for about $32K. That's why I got essentially a base FR-S.

[Texas BRZ]

I'm sure California is tough on BRZ pricing. Here in Texas, I tried working with about four local dealers before making the decision. They really don't like discounting the cars. Maybe the margin isn't as big, that's my feeling. Best I could come to is $400-500 below invoice for an ordered unit.

[Jaylyons1]

Originally Posted by Takumi788

Have I missed something? I have an FRS and track/autocross it religiously and I haven't noticed any falling apart of my front bumper. What should I be looking for?

The grill mainly. I've seen a few of them where the grill starts to fall off. I'm not sure if its due to bad clips or what-not. The bumper pops out as well, but this is a problem with the BRZ as well. Also, the right fender seems to poke out a hair. Always seems to be the right one, never the left one. At least that's what I have seen.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Takumi788

Have I missed something? I have an FRS and track/autocross it religiously and I haven't noticed any falling apart of my front bumper. What should I be looking for?

your front bumper