05-06-2012, 02:04 AM | #29 | |
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Unfortunately, I was sitting in the lowest position possible and still felt cocooned/wrapped in the car. Nevertheless, the car is truly awesome for 2012. |
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05-06-2012, 05:12 AM | #30 |
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I was part of this morning test drive, and would like to put in my $0.02.
First off, thanks to the folks in the GB, Kenny Shaw and Mark (Scion), this has been a relatively relax and enjoyable experience. And a chance to meet all the pretty faces from this forum. Back to the test, it was a beautiful 18C sunny morning, the location is in the city where roads are mainly consists of uneven, but not broken, pavements, no accessible freeway nearby, Sat morning traffic was relatively frequent. Payload was about 230kg (500lb), i.e. me and two passengers, quarter tanked gas. The test was about a 10 mins short run, 1st gear to about 6.5k, 2nd around 5k, 3rd was the top gear driven before getting myself in trouble. Though the car appeared small, it is very comfortable in the supportive front seats, outward vision is excellent. Stock ground clearance is quite low, the wheel gaps appeared smaller than most of the pics posted. If I'd to lower it, it'll be about 1-1.5cm, but I don't think I'll do it anytime soon, may be never. Trunk didn't look smaller than my G37s, and the back seats had more headroom, less for the legs though. After properly adjusted the seating position and mirrors, it felt less claustrophobic than the Lexus IS, yet everything is within reach nicely. Looking through the windshield, the two front fender bulges gave a well defined look, they reminded me of a Elise's front view. Upon starting the engine, the idle is fairly quiet, but not use to the buzz from a boxer-4: though it rev'd smoothly and no shakes, the sound is rough. Also, there's more of the engine sound than the exhaust. While exhaust sounded like any ordinary coupe, the G37s has significant more weight and throaty sound. May be a cat back system down the road, will see. Being the first test driver, I'd to back the car out with folks nearby, there was untrammeled view looking through the driver side window. It immediately struck me that it was better than all my last few DDs, namely the E46, G35, RX-8 and G37s. Surprisingly, even the direct rearward view was better than all the honorable mentioned. No one was hurt The drive-off impression was: lightness, roll easy and smooth. Clutch take up was quick and smooth, more noticeable on a standing start with grade, beat all European's and my DD. The acceleration felt more like the RX-8, smooth and mild mannered, and is fast enough to beat most cars on the road. It doesn't feel as "macho" as the Mustangs, Cameros, Z370. Still not use to the boxer-4 buzz. Turns were flat, virtually no dive and squat during spirited starts-stops. What I like the most was the well tuned compliant suspension, it suits the uneven city streets really well. Much like the smooth ride of RX-8. But that boxer-4 buzz ... For the nitpicks: Subaru style MT shifter sucks, it sits too tall for no apparent functional reasoning. Will definitely try out the mentioned SS kit with a shorter stick when it becomes available. What else, hmm... cheap looking HVAC dials, I wanted a rear hatch .... sunroof which I may use in winter, butt unfriendly leather seats, annoying push start button, no subs to shake the ground, and how can I forget the boxer-4 buzz...oh well, whatever. I still can't get over the fact that this initial test drive impression was very good indeed. Ever since I let go with the Supra Turbo (13.5 yrs, 300k kms), I switched to leasing only mode as all the honorable mentioned was not worth keeping longer than a few years. I'll see if this Toyota will stay with me for another 10+ yr - so this one will be a purchased, not leased. Other than many pros already mentioned and agreed, my experience on this brief test drive event differs from Scion-FRS' cons as follows: 1. compare to many small hardtop sport coupes, like the FC and RX-8, this car feel as light, nimble and direct. The test drive conditions was unable to test for liveliness 2. steering feel is light, but feedback is as good as many late model coupes, RX-8 and Cayman still lead. At this point, I kind of prefer the lightness in the FR-S, it permits quick action without the fight, time will tell. Btw, the 70s 911s were not power assisted, my faint memory hinted that PS was added from the 964 onwards, which is the 90s. 3. see #26 above 4. the hood line is as low as I can bear, as further lowering will not contribute to better forward vision. The old Honda coupe's hood line was way too low to me (I've driven many Hondas, if not all), felt like sitting in a fish tank. Sorry I was not a Honda fan though I like the DC2-R drive feel, imho, the best fwd sports. 5. the MT shifts smoothly, there was no notchy feel at all. Yes, the MX5 + RX8 have shorter throws and more precise feel. Thanks for reading this long post. Back to lurk mode. |
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05-06-2012, 05:26 AM | #31 | |
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http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/mazda_rx_8_...entcluster.jpg |
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05-06-2012, 06:15 AM | #32 | |
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Thanks for the writeup veewonwon, I really enjoyed reading your perspectives - certainly broadened my own. Probably 3/4 of the differences in view we took from the drives is a result of our different prior experiences, mine being far more limited than yours (other than the Tiburon, a week with an Integra GS, and one parent's current-gen Corolla XR-S, just memories of Porsche, GTO, Fiat 124, 300ZX from my teens, plus a few more recent test drives). Very interesting to see how the FR-S compared to your past vehicles.
On your specific comments: I too found the wheel gap quite reasonable IRL, would not see a need to change it. Personally, I much prefer fish tank views to bunker-slit views (although I would not say the FR-S goes to the latter extreme) - it's one thing I have always liked about Hondas. Also, while the shifter may be no notchier than other RWD coupes, if you are coming from a FWD manual as I am, the tranny is going to feel notchy for sure. Quote:
Last edited by Sport-Tech; 05-06-2012 at 06:47 AM. |
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05-06-2012, 11:39 AM | #33 | |
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steering feel is going to be better than any other electronic steering you use today... LFA is better but the tech came form there, many have said the electric steering is better than Porsche and thats a lot to say.... i still have yet to take the car on an auto x track...
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05-06-2012, 01:10 PM | #34 | |
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Is the steering is electric power steering?
If the steering feels damp, Most likely, nothing will ever beat a manual rack and pinion steering since the steering control is directly from your hands to the tires. Unless someone develops an advanced control steering system using feedforward predictive algorithms to predict the steering before you even move the steering wheel. Quote:
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05-06-2012, 01:23 PM | #35 | |
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Are you comparing the transmission from an NB miata or NA to the FRS? |
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05-07-2012, 08:10 AM | #36 |
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@Scion FR-S and @veewonwon
Thanks a bunch for the reviews. You two addressed a couple of my largest concerns with this car: visibility and drive-view. My most recent vehicle experiences include a MY04 STi, MazdaSpeed Protege, NX2000, and MazdaSpeed 3; all of which have decent to excellent visibility and I've never had to soley rely on the mirrors. If I elect to purchase this car, I'm going to have to get accustomed to using them. Also, my personal preference is to be able to see the top of the hood when in a normal driving position. I'm around 5'10" and can't wait to sit in the car to see what kind of view I get. |
05-07-2012, 12:26 PM | #37 |
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05-07-2012, 12:45 PM | #38 | |
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I'd RX-8 & Yaris RS hatch as DDs before, they both use EPS that felt direct, quick, and responsive. I was very impressed and looking forward to have EPS on the FR-S. One advantage of the EPS system on those cars was - assisted steering is available even when the engine is not running, this is great for rolling the car without starting the engine, e.g. get it out the garage to get washed. With the brief test drive, I didn't get any bad feeling about the FR-S version, not something I worry the least bit at this point. No experience on the Porsche and LFA versions, so no comment on them. Last edited by veewonwon; 05-07-2012 at 01:58 PM. |
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05-07-2012, 01:42 PM | #39 | |||||
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To me, my passion on driving is how to improve my own skill and make the best out of any vehicle. I've very busy work schedules, driving behind the wheel is one way of taking my focus away from work, hence, I'm a very focus driver. Quote:
Just a tidbit about the low hoodline (and windowsill) design - Honda can sell more cars to those that were unable to see out properly due to physical limitations. This is not an issue in the western world, but very apparent in Asia. Have you ever experienced catching up to a ghost vehicle in front - one you couldn't see the driver from behind? The bunker-slit type? I thought only those who afraid of being shot buy them . Our humble FR-S is just a great tofu delivery machine. Quote:
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Last edited by veewonwon; 05-07-2012 at 02:02 PM. |
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05-07-2012, 05:56 PM | #40 | |
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05-09-2012, 09:19 PM | #41 | ||
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This means that after a long day of autocross runs, your knee is probably going to be sore. I've got this problem in the current summer toy. I think I need to invest in some gardening knee pads. |
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05-09-2012, 10:10 PM | #42 | ||
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