Interesting snippet from Car And Driver Mag

[daiheadjai]

Originally Posted by calmtigers

Not saying it's cheap, but I am saying that it's inexpensive for what you get. If you really think about it, the lowest tier car Toyota sells is the corolla. The range of this car is between 17-21(ish for non-xrs versions).

Now think about for 4K more you move from a super basic econobox to a "sports" car.

Now people always forget that quality always costs money.
Toyota made a reliable (decently), well made with decent material (not saying perfect, though i challenge you to find a perfect car), and ****FUN*** car at 25K.

I say they did a pretty good job.

For comparison, the 7th gen Celica GT-S and RSX Type S cost about $30k Canadian new. In 2001/2002. Factor in inflation, and that translates into $38,945 (according to inflation calculators).

So yeah - that's pretty cheap (in Canada, a new Limited costs about $31k CAD)

[DarkSunrise]

I don't think what they wrote is that mind-boggling. It's just a different spin on the same concept.

Everyone said since the beginning that the FR-S/BRZ is exceptional in terms of its handling, feedback, and seating position. That has not changed. And basically average when it comes to the engine and interior. That also has not changed.

Last year, that was good enough for whatever reason to make their 10 Best list, and this year it's not. Their 10 Best list has always been far too general/vague for my taste. If anyone makes purchasing decisions based on this list, I think they're insane to be honest.

[YMAA]

This is not news. People have to look past the numbers to understand the design decisions made when building this car.

If Toyota/Subaru wanted the car to have more power like the STi or the Supra, they would have done that. If they wanted the car to have some torque in the midrange, they would have done that. If they wanted the car to have more grip like a Cayman, they would have done that.

Toyota and Subaru both have the resources to build pretty much whatever car they wanted, but they CHOSE to build a car that slides around a bit at low speeds.

Again, none of this is news.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Tromatic

Because it IS average all of a sudden? "Averageness" was oddly missing from all the reviews. The cool kids are moving on to newer toys.

no its not all of a sudden and it wasnt really missing. they said the same thing in the long term review seven months ago about the brz limited.

[Rampage]

The shine has worn off so they start nitpicking all the little faults. It is just an excuse to move on to a new shiny toy. Magazines do it. People do it. Those that bought the car for the right reason will still be here and enjoying it years from now.

[finch1750]

Eh, sounds like they got caught up in the hype. I knew what I was getting and am still extremely happy with it 18 months later. Oh well, that's why there are so many options on the market. More power to em and all the other people selling their cars so quickly.

[sprintertrueno86]

This will make you guys feel better

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52383

[Slartibartfast]

Gonged? I have heard no gong. Not from me, or any other FR-S owners I know. If they're just noticing now that the features are a little spartan, they weren't very observant when the car first came out.

I have been wishing for a car manufacturer (any manufacturer) to make a car like this for 25 years. The original Miata was close to my ideal. I owned a 1990 for a bit, but didn't like the rooflessness. The late 90's Miata coupe concept got my hopes up. But, it didn't happen. Not until THIS car has my ideal car been made. A driver focused, trackable, daily driver, with a roof.
The FR-S actually has more features than what I could want. Cruise control? Power windows? Power mirrors? Power steering? I didn't ask for any of those. But I must admit, power windows are nice for the Tim Hortons drive through, and they got the power steering just right. It's maybe a little too light, but has great feel. My RX-7's, MR-2, and Miata all had no power steering. This car doesn't need it, but they did such a good job, I won't knock them for it.
This car is feature laden if you ask me.

Gonged? A flash in the pan? Had it's 15 minutes of fame?
Not for me. It gets better every time I get in it.

[Muaddib]

It would of been better if we got an proper engine sourced from Yamaha.

[FirestormFRS]

Originally Posted by Muaddib

It would of been better if we got an proper engine sourced from Yamaha.

Yeah let's pay Yamaha a couple of million $ to develop and engine when we have a workable one sitting right here. You have no idea the cost that would add to the car.

Engines are built with small changes for years because replacing a complete machining line costs $200million and up. Factories are expensive and they're gonna milk every $ they can out of em until they simply can't buy the parts to fix the machines when they break.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

I have been wishing for a car manufacturer (any manufacturer) to make a car like this for 25 years.

The 240SX came out 25 years ago! How did you miss it?

[SUB-FT86]

What I find strange is that there is a lot of used FR-S. The hype had me believing folks was gonna be in for the long haul. It had the most hype ever I think in the car industry.

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

What I find strange is that there is a lot of used FR-S. The hype had me believing folks was gonna be in for the long haul.

Reasons for sale/trade:


its too slow

its too small for me

i have winter

i'm not comfortable with this much attention from other men

lol i can't afford it,

Subaru needs to fix the chassis so it handles properly.

I can't put up with the squirming under power.

I'm already getting bored with the juvenile handling of my BRZ.


take your pick

[Superhatch]

Here are my thoughts after almost 50,000 logged miles.

1. The mpg is great for as much fun as it is. Im averaging mid 30's on the freeway, and high 20s even while getting on it often.

2. It's surprisingly comfortable for longer trips. I travel throughout the Midwest on 500+ mile round trip drives monthly, sometimes multiple times a month and it has yet to hurt my back or made me sore from an 8 hour drive. The wind noise it a little higher than I would like, but a nice set of ear plugs gets rid of that, and should be worn on long trips anyway.

3. Bumping to E85 and making great NA power, adding a stiffer suspension, and all the other goodies this chassis is still more than I need for daily driving and is great for an experienced, but not professional, track/autocross driver.

4. It STILL turns heads and starts conversations everywhere I go.

Does a light weight chassis which was designed for NA get outpaced when doubling the HP with non factory forced induction? Would anyone be surprised by this?

I still love this car, love Subaru and Toyota for releasing it and I find it laughable that C&D talk about how everything about this car is bad, yet Top Gear lists it as one of the top 50 best cars in the last 20 years. More and more Im viewing American car mags as the equivalent of nightly news...really not worth tuning into.