Power is relative, and (mostly) over emphasized

[Ndgreely]

^^^^ yea what he said !!

[Rampage]

For all those that want more horsepower just remember that it will cost MONEY (big money). Whether it is from the aftermarket or the factory 40-50HP and 30TQ more is going to cost big bucks. That car will no longer be the bargain priced sports car that the current FR-S and BRZ are. It will also weigh more because of the bigger engine or SC or turbo or hybrid power plant plus bigger brakes and bracing to handle the added power and weight. Will the FR-S still be a great buy with 250HP and a price tag of $33-35K?

For its price and weight, the FR-S/BRZ has more than adequate power for all "legal" street needs.

Just learn to drive a stick! ;P

[reni]

For the real world the twins have plenty of power. Even with a 5-door auto Yaris rental I had no problem passing.

I'm all for "spirited" driving, but if you're actually trying to race some random stranger on public roads, you probably deserve to have your car and your license taken away. Even if I'm in something like a Mustang/Vette/GT-R/(whatever the magazine racer crowd things has "enough" power), racing something everyone "knows" I can beat is still fking stupid.

[red_comet]

Originally Posted by reni

For the real world the twins have plenty of power. Even with a 5-door auto Yaris rental I had no problem passing.

I'm all for "spirited" driving, but if you're actually trying to race some random stranger on public roads, you probably deserve to have your car and your license taken away. Even if I'm in something like a Mustang/Vette/GT-R/(whatever the magazine racer crowd things has "enough" power), racing something everyone "knows" I can beat is still fking stupid.

Street racing is probably the least responsible ,and most inconsiderate thing a person can do behind the wheel of a car. Every once in a while I'll see a couple of sh!t chucking apes drive by in like a 328i and a late 90's mustang, ripping through a population of cars on the freeway, usually impressing no one and scaring the crap out of john q public and his family that are probably on their way to the hospital cuz little timmy is sick.

.... Wait wtf am I writing?

Tldr: street racing is for chimps

[The_Societan]

I drove a Yaris for 6 years. Then I test drove the FR-S. This thing is a JOY to drive. It still scares me sometimes.

It all depends on one's perspective. If I was used to more power, I would find the FR-S lacking. But I'm not used to gobs of power, so... me have fun in sport car

I did almost zero research on this car before I got it. I feel soooooo glad it wasn't a mistake.

[bestwheelbase]

@The_Societan good on ya mate!

[daiheadjai]

Originally Posted by Demandred7

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I have found that a lot of people see a sports car merging from an on-ramp to the highway and will stay in the far right lane and block me from merging ahead of them instead of courteously moving over or maintaining their speed to allow safe merging. To get around this douchebaggery I am already at highway speeds half way through the on-ramp before they usually know I am even there.

Isn't that part of the fun? To be accelerating through a curvy on-ramp when everyone else is braking?
Then hitting highway speeds well before you even reach the merge point - makes lane merges less dramatic, but more satisfying...

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by sierra

The camry will have a crappy auto and be lost in the bends. The F150 looks like a school bus could take it in the twisties and will also be hampered by an auto that will see the 86 gone while it's still deciding what to do.

I specifically mentioned pulling away from a stop light and you start talking about bends? I don't even know how to respond to this.

Originally Posted by thill

Yeah but how many of those F150's sold actually have the expensive Ecoboost engine (according to Truecar the turbo 6 model starts at $50K) vs the standard V6 or V8? And you seem to insinuate that these vehicles are not trying to let you pass?

Anyway.. It sounds like you just want a car with more power. That can easily be fixed on your current car, or you can go get a Mustang GT and be done with it.

I'm not sure why Truecar says that. Because I went straight to the source (www.ford.com) and built an F-150 with the 3.5 L V6 Ecoboost for $26,465. It's a $2300 stand alone option. And why do people keep beating a dead horse and repeatedly say if you want more power get a Mustang GT? I love how some of you think we're not allowed to enjoy power and handling

Originally Posted by ThisIsChrisKim

So here are the two fastest versions of the most popular cars in America (and these two trims are pretty rare, less than 10% of each example).

According to this: The EcoBoost (Turbo V6) in the F150 produces a 0-60 time of about 6.8 seconds (http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/09...nd-50-v-8.html) and the V6 Camry in 5.8 seconds (http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ad-test-review).

Our cars are a little faster than the F150 and slower than the Camry. But it's pretty darn close.

$50 says that from a roll the FT86 will lose to both of those cars every time. Because I highly doubt you're gonna do a 4500 rpm clutch drop at the light because you "think" the minivan next to you is gonna jump on the throttle.

Originally Posted by pasternak

I've been driving this thing for about eight months now and have totally changed my mind on the power. Coming from a Shelby Cobra roadster replica, I was initially underwhelmed by the performance. I could just mash on the gas in that car and have gobs of instant torque any time I wanted it. Now that I've got a good feel for the performance characteristics of the FR-S - ie rev it up ! - I feel totally confident passing. I'm also pleasantly surprised at how little the air conditioning robs power.

If you pin the throttle to the floor the AC condenser disengages.

Originally Posted by meadowz06

Yeah, and the fact that instead of going 120+ at the top of the on-ramp, you would be going the speed limit in a FR-S. I am a manager at a Toyota\Scion dealership, so I have driven a FR-S or 2, and the car is amazing. It has everything you need, and nothing you don't. Drives like a million bucks, and is reasonably priced. Fantasitc car. You would be surprised at the 45-60 aged people buying the FR-S. It truly is a no age limit car.

I dunno about you, but if I'm pushing my 100% stock BRZ on on (or off) ramps I'm always going at least double what the posted yellow sign states. Also one would argue that if the car has "everything you need" it has too much, because I don't think anyone needs (or wants) the torque dip.

Originally Posted by makesdrivingfunagain

Well said! And, seriously what a great insight! I often forget (as an enthusiast) there are speed limits, and the autobahn/Germany is out of reach in the US. Therefore, to much power with no utilization may not be the finest choice.

There are a few really long on ramps (and transition ramps - one highway to another) nearby that if I have clear road ahead I can get up to 100-115 mph. One of my favorites is a 270 degree turn that gets the tires squealing at around 65 mph and then opens to a long single lane (cutting through a forest) where you can hit 110+ I've done the same ramps in a Cayman S. You can add around 20 + to that top speed

Disclaimer: the above statements are fictional.

Originally Posted by ThisIsChrisKim

There's nothing to be embarrassed about. The S2000 was also a much more expensive car than ours. In 2009, the MSRP was $35,000. So it would obviously be a higher performing car than ours. If the FR-S had a $35,000 budget today, we'd be talking a BRZ STi or FR-S TRD edition. Now imagine if we adjusted that $35,000 for dollars today, and it'd be even more.

And the horse beating continues. Did any of you fellas actually pay attention to S2000 transaction prices when they were being produced? Nobody ever bought an S2000 at MSRP (save the first year). Spreading misinformation FTL.

[ThisIsChrisKim]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

And the horse beating continues. Did any of you fellas actually pay attention to S2000 transaction prices when they were being produced? Nobody ever bought an S2000 at MSRP (save the first year). Spreading misinformation FTL.

And are people not getting discounts on their FRS and BRZ? They are. So our cars are cheaper than our MSRPs, too. Doesn't change the fact the S2000 is still quite a bit more expensive than the twins.

[red_comet]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

$50 says that from a roll the FT86 will lose to both of those cars every time. Because I highly doubt you're gonna do a 4500 rpm clutch drop at the light because you "think" the minivan next to you is gonna jump on the throttle.

$50 bucks says anyone racing a minivan is a sucker every time win or lose

[WolfpackS2k]

^^nope. Not here in North Carolina.

Originally Posted by red_comet

$50 bucks says anyone racing a minivan is a sucker every time win or lose

Amen Brother!

[thill]

Originally Posted by red_comet

$50 bucks says anyone racing a minivan is a sucker every time win or lose

Yes, and I have a 2013 Honda Odyssey Touring that is the second fastest stock minivan on the market. Forget the clutch drop, the BRZ is just quicker anyway you slice it. But anyway, this thread has now reached levels of ridiculousness not seen before.

If you bought an FRZ to stop light/highway race people you bought the wrong car.

[red_comet]

Originally Posted by thill

Yes, and I have a 2013 Honda Odyssey Touring that is the second fastest stock minivan on the market. Forget the clutch drop, the BRZ is just quicker anyway you slice it. But anyway, this thread has now reached levels of ridiculousness not seen before.

If you bought an FRZ to stop light/highway race people you bought the wrong car.

Seriously, they make the rest of us look bad.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

And why do people keep beating a dead horse and repeatedly say if you want more power get a Mustang GT? I love how some of you think we're not allowed to enjoy power and handling

By most measures the Mustang has better power AND handling rolling off the showroom floor. This is backed up by better lap times in overall comparisons that the Mustang usually dominates (from a performance standpoint) in it's price bracket. If you want to enjoy power and handling you'd get a Mustang, that's why it keeps getting brought up.

You don't have to tell me the Mustang feels like a pig, I know, that's why I bought an FRS. When you talk about having the "best of both worlds" that car already exists and if you want to spend less than $50k (dat BOSS 302) it's built by Ford, like it or not.