Monogram Series FR-S is official!

[Jaylyons1]

Originally Posted by Quentin

Are the FR-Ss selling for under sticker or not? Seems like everyone always says that they end up with a BRZ because you can get invoice pricing where Pure Pricing doesn't allow nearly as much flexibility. Now you are saying that the standard FR-S is available easily for $4k under MSRP? Well, hot damn, I'll go ahead and buy one now. I don't need the toys for my toy.

The amount to offer these special editions that require zero additional R&D is minuscule compared to offering an additional engine or even optional wheels or aero bits. The R&D is already covered for these seats, push button, HVAC, and headlights. It is just marketing cost. Press releases and website updates are not expensive. The plates that say #1234 of 2000 are probably the biggest cost that comes about from these special editions that just use already developed parts.

At first they weren't going for under MSRP. It may be based on where you live. I've seen a couple new FR-S's going for just under $22k(2013 model's). BRZ's have been going for about $24k now too. The east coast is where it's at to buy a car. You can get a new 5.0 Mustang for under $24k(2014 models) as well if that's your thing. I was tempted myself.

[Quentin]

Originally Posted by Jaylyons1

At first they weren't going for under MSRP. It may be based on where you live. I've seen a couple new FR-S's going for just under $22k(2013 model's). BRZ's have been going for about $24k now too. The east coast is where it's at to buy a car. You can get a new 5.0 Mustang for under $24k(2014 models) as well if that's your thing. I was tempted myself.

I'll have to look around for a leftover '13, then. Mustangs do nothing for me. Too fat.

[AznKirby]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

Grr, apparently no red stitched leather e-brake/boot. I'd much rather have that than the red-stitched leather rear seat arm rest. But it shouldn't be that hard/expensive to swap out at least.

It's part of the BRZ accessory catalogue though

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by AznKirby

It's part of the BRZ accessory catalogue though

Yeah, I know. That's why I'm not too worried about it. But still... that's another 300 bucks out of pocket. :P

[FiRStsc10n]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

Yeah, I know. That's why I'm not too worried about it. But still... that's another 300 bucks out of pocket. :P

FYI Subarupartsonline sells the full replacement red-stitched shifter for $107, and $66 for the boot. It's still extra money, but not $300.

[FRSupra]

So, it looks like the most unique models of the FR-S are the 2012/early 2013 built ones with the no screen head unit, turn key back to basic's sports car as it was meant to be...

[LBC Por Siempre]

Originally Posted by DMDominator

The heated seats would be great during the winter but leather seats don't feel so great during our 100 degree summers here.

This is why something out of a lower Marque I would prefer fabric seats unless they offered seat ventilation! Like with a Porsche. I hate leather in the summer time if you're going to drive it unless you have AC running all the time. And I wouldn't mind converting mine, if I had one yet, over to Electric AC instead of it being an accessory!

[hushypushy]

Originally Posted by oldpueblo

Everything about the stereos are identical except the head unit, which is 104 watts less than the FR-S. I suspect if you thought the BRZ was better its because the FR-S was tune badly or maybe they even had installed an aftermarket. Many came set to tC instead of FR-S, and they have different sound profiles to switch between too (natural, hear, feel). Different tires can affect road noise too, basically this is a non-thing. The cars are essentially the same noise-wise. I was actually pleasantly surprised to find there is noise dampening behind some of the side panels as well.

First of all, I guarantee you something is different. Although as I have now discovered (read on), it's surely aftermarket and not just an OEM BRZ/FR-S difference. Although, here are the details of my experience anyway. The difference was so shocking that I started to wonder if they'd make an OEM solution...hence me posting here in the Monogram thread.

The BRZ was built 9/12 and has the original head unit. My FR-S was built 6/12 and I have Bespoke.

I made it a point to reset the EQ to flat and turn off all the DSP stuff in the BRZ. Same in my FR-S (which, by the way, was correctly set to "FR-S" when I got the car).

With the car off, the timbre of the audio sounded pretty much identical to my FR-S overall. However, there are certain bass frequencies that really rattle my door panels; I played those songs in the BRZ--no rattles.

When you're moving, that's where the difference was HUGE. I actually switched wheels (!) so I tried them both on Michelin Primacy HP as well as my BFG Rivals. There is VASTLY less tire/road noise in the BRZ with both tires. Not only does that make the whole driving experience less fatiguing, there isn't as much noise blocking the music. I listened to the same album back to back the same highway and it was just much more clear and pleasant in the BRZ.

Originally Posted by Burrcold

BRZ insulation?? There's no difference other than the trunk lid liner.

Well, I thought I had read that the BRZ came stock with a bit more insulation in the doors and under the carpet.

But upon comparison...they seem to be the same. These are the only two pics I could find:





So if they both have the same amount of insulation (which is pretty much none) then the BRZ I drove definitely has some aftermarket sound insulation. Well in that case, I think it's time to add some weight to my floors and doors to make my daily commute more bearable. That shouldn't take too many tenths off my autocross times

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by hushypushy

First of all, I guarantee you something is different. Although as I have now discovered (read on), it's surely aftermarket and not just an OEM BRZ/FR-S difference. Although, here are the details of my experience anyway. The difference was so shocking that I started to wonder if they'd make an OEM solution...hence me posting here in the Monogram thread.

The BRZ was built 9/12 and has the original head unit. My FR-S was built 6/12 and I have Bespoke.

I made it a point to reset the EQ to flat and turn off all the DSP stuff in the BRZ. Same in my FR-S (which, by the way, was correctly set to "FR-S" when I got the car).

With the car off, the timbre of the audio sounded pretty much identical to my FR-S overall. However, there are certain bass frequencies that really rattle my door panels; I played those songs in the BRZ--no rattles.

When you're moving, that's where the difference was HUGE. I actually switched wheels (!) so I tried them both on Michelin Primacy HP as well as my BFG Rivals. There is VASTLY less tire/road noise in the BRZ with both tires. Not only does that make the whole driving experience less fatiguing, there isn't as much noise blocking the music. I listened to the same album back to back the same highway and it was just much more clear and pleasant in the BRZ.



Well, I thought I had read that the BRZ came stock with a bit more insulation in the doors and under the carpet.

But upon comparison...they seem to be the same. These are the only two pics I could find:





So if they both have the same amount of insulation (which is pretty much none) then the BRZ I drove definitely has some aftermarket sound insulation. Well in that case, I think it's time to add some weight to my floors and doors to make my daily commute more bearable. That shouldn't take too many tenths off my autocross times

Or the BRZ was on different tires? I know that when I switched to PSS tires, the amount of road noise increased significantly (more debris being kicked up into the wheel wells).

[AznKirby]

Man. Talk about nit-picking.

[hushypushy]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Or the BRZ was on different tires? I know that when I switched to PSS tires, the amount of road noise increased significantly (more debris being kicked up into the wheel wells).

Did you see where I mentioned that I swapped wheels?

I've tried my FR-S on Michelin Primacy HP (OEM tires) and BFG Rivals. I've actually driven that BRZ on three(!) sets of tires: Primacy HP's, Rivals, and Fuzion UHP. I drive my FR-S ~70 miles a day,and when I get in the BRZ to go somewhere during the day, it's a noticeable difference. A pleasant one

Toyota/Subaru made an admirable decision to give the 86 bare floors...people spend so much time trying to get the insulation out of 90's tuner cars. I used to roll around with gutted interiors...I guess I'm getting old, I want some insulation for my music now

[Nemesis]

Has anyone tried to get photos from Detroit? Seems like this thread completely missed the show it foretold....(spoiler) the Detroit show had a white monogram but did not include interior pics..

[Nemesis]

There were no interior pics listed.

[Nemesis]

Another..