2013 Scion FR-S Priced at $24,200 ($24,930 after destination)

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Frost

I've been lurking on these forums for at least 2 if not 3 years. Here's my 2 cents:

I used to own a 1987 MR2 (loved it soooo much but it was unrequited) but then realized I had to grow up so I sold it and got an IS300. Liked the car but it did not satisfy my internal cravings for the MR2's "fun"ness - so I sold it after a couple of years and went to a shitbox Toyota Echo Hatchback so I could save additional money while still paying for a property to buy a second fun car. Originally the plan was a Lotus Elise type S but Lotus left North America. Boo hoo. From the reviews, this is finally the car I've been waiting for.

If you guys are screaming at a $2-3k price difference you clearly were not in the real market for the car. $2-3k is nothing over the price of the car. Heck, taxes (depending on state or province) can easily add more. Go get a job and scrape up some savings instead of spending $$$ on a cell phone, blinging it up, etc. Learn to plan ahead and quit bitching. Get two jobs if you really have to or better yet: go to college, get a worthy degree and then roll in the dough (still have to save though).

Pricing wise, this is smart for Scion - not as good for us (but not bad either). At $24,200 USD - it undercuts the base Genesis 2.0T by just under $1k. Sure, the Gen has more power - sure it has more luxuries but you can say the same about a Lotus Elise S versus the Genesis. They both have similar hp, one barely has a cup holder (a shitty one at best) and one doesn't barely had AC up until the last model year or so. One is 60k and the other 25k, guess which one I'd want?

Realistically, the most direct competitor is the MX5 which should be getting a refresh next year. The base MX5 (which is a convertible by the way) will ding you up for $23,470 USD. Less hp and torque but less weight as well. Key shortcomings? Softop + nowhere near as much rear storage (I'm comparing FR-S with rears down). Start throwing in the power retractable hard top and you start looking at $27k+.

So long story short - bravo Scion for pulling off this one. I would've like to see $22-23k but you've got a business to run.

I won't be buying the first manufacturing year though - wait to see what the aftermarket will brew up and also any particular issues given this engine is a newborn as opposed to a tried and tested unit. Not sure how the D4S will play it's role into all of this.

Cheers.

Frost

none of that makes any sense. 2-3k is a big deal no matter how you look at it. its not about not being able to afford something its about being willing to afford something. the miata has an msrp that is out of control but you dont have to pay that especially if you simply wait until the winter months. its stupid to criticize the genesis for being too much but then ciriticize the miata for being not enough in the same breath. if you appreciate light weight, the miata is the better car. if you want power, a genesis (or better yet a mustang) is a better car. its tough to look at this as a high value purchase. i dont know where you get your opinions because it looks pretty bleak on paper and i doubt you have seen the car in any other way.

[86fanatic]

Not sure how this got into a topic about auto loans, but there are plenty of car loan specials which offer very low interest rates. I've seen 2% all the way down to 0% for 5 years.

I would say if you do pay cash for a car you are being a little careless with your money. The name of the game is cash flow and opportunity cost, if you dump 20k+ at once you just lost the ability to invest in assets which can earn more then 2% return over the lifetime of the loan.

This whole debt = evil mentality is pretty dumb. Yes, if you can't afford your debt it's a bad situation, but all debt is not necessarily bad.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by chate

I bet tomorrow they're gonna say 23,200 and make us all scion lovers for life

It would be rad if they said "The leak got the numbers wrong, it's $22,400." We've come this far, let's all hold our breath for a day.

[Re_Invention]

Originally Posted by 86fanatic

Honestly the difference between 22k and 25k really isn't that much. I have a hard time believing the people who were about to spend 22k on a brand new sports car can't scrape together the change for a 25k brand new sports car. If you really can't afford the 3k difference, just wait for a used one. Everyone will be able to enjoy this car, 25k is a very attainable price for a sports car, especially in today's market.

Well I'm sure the reality of it is if it were 22-23k people would be pleased but there still wouldn't be many more purchased based upon the posters on this forum. It's easy to play with monopoly money, $25k is a perfectly acceptable asking price for this kind of automobile, exactly in line with;

Veloster Turbo
GTI
Mini Cooper S
Genesis Coupe 2.0t
Mustang V6
Mazdaspeed 3
Civic SI
WRX
Miata

People can moan but I'm ecstatic, what a wonderful time to be a car enthusiast with so many options and different flavors!

The FR-S has been heralded as the focused fun coupe car, much like the Mini Cooper S for the hot hatch category (in United States! :happy0180, I'm curious to see how those two will square off. Similar price, similar praise, both brands hold value's well, both impractical haha!

And then of course, the rwd battle royale between mustang track pack, genesis coupe r spec and FR-S/BRZ. Yes yes yes! Can't wait!

Until you drive one, the folks dismissing the car based upon $2,000, good riddance. Save your posts on how superior x,y,z car is because of stats - Hahah the same posters who gagged on the 'driving joy' and 'getting it' rhetoric

Woo hoo!

[cyde01]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

I'm beginning to understand the credit collapse of several years ago.

exactly. i hate car loans. i'm finally credit card debt free but i'm still 20k in the hole with student loan debt. and cost of living in socal is crazy high compared to the average wage here. someone said if i can't afford the extra 2k i probably couldn't afford the car to begin with. well you're right. even at 22k i knew i would have to be saving for several years before i could buy this car.

[klch]

Pretty reasonable price, considering it's a completely new platform, you guys have no idea how much investment they need to develop a new FR platform.

Some people still don't get it, they just compare the hp numbers and price, FRS & BRZ is not about the numbers, it's about the driving feel and handling refinement

[CSSM]

Originally Posted by Frost

If you guys are screaming at a $2-3k price difference you clearly were not in the real market for the car. $2-3k is nothing over the price of the car. Heck, taxes (depending on state or province) can easily add more. Go get a job and scrape up some savings instead of spending $$$ on a cell phone, blinging it up, etc. Learn to plan ahead and quit bitching. Get two jobs if you really have to or better yet: go to college, get a worthy degree and then roll in the dough (still have to save though).
Frost

I have a summer job, I am in college, I have a cheap "dumb" phone, and I have never bought anything over $100.

2-3k is a big difference when I am not the one paying for my car.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by 86fanatic

Not sure how this got into a topic about auto loans, but there are plenty of car loan specials which offer very low interest rates. I've seen 2% all the way down to 0% for 5 years.

I would say if you do pay cash for a car you are being a little careless with your money. The name of the game is cash flow and opportunity cost, if you dump 20k+ at once you just lost the ability to invest in assets which can earn more then 2% return over the lifetime of the loan.

This whole debt = evil mentality is pretty dumb. Yes, if you can't afford your debt it's a bad situation, but all debt is not necessarily bad.

Would you rather hear bitching regarding the price?

I was raised the debt = evil way, but I understand the concept of affording your debt.

[pastuch]

Originally Posted by Heero

Ughhhhh... the Miata is 28 in Canada. If that is what the Fr-S costs then I seriously need to consider that the 128 is only 8k more for a MUCH nicer car.

The most Scion charges for any model above the US price is 8.5%. Assuming it's a little worse here, think more like $26500 or $27000. I bet it matches the price of the base Genesis Coupe 2.0T which is 26500. The difference is that Hyundai offers giant cash rebates (Usually $2500) if you pay cash and they sell at the invoice price. That's the big question, if I can get an R-spec 2.0T for less money than a BASE FRS then it'll be hard to turn it down.

[Alfie]

Ya, but the BM 1 series looks like a little clown car~
and that bottom door sill line makes the car look broken!

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Re_Invention

Well I'm sure the reality of it is if it were 22-23k people would be pleased but there still wouldn't be many more purchased based upon the posters on this forum. It's easy to play with monopoly money, $25k is a perfectly acceptable asking price for this kind of automobile, exactly in line with;

Veloster Turbo
GTI
Mini Cooper S
Genesis Coupe 2.0t
Mustang V6
Mazdaspeed 3
Civic SI
WRX
Miata

People can moan but I'm ecstatic, what a wonderful time to be a car enthusiast with so many options and different flavors!

The FR-S has been heralded as the focused fun coupe car, much like the Mini Cooper S for the hot hatch category (in United States! :happy0180, I'm curious to see how those two will square off. Similar price, similar praise, both brands hold value's well, both impractical haha!

And then of course, the rwd battle royale between mustang track pack, genesis coupe r spec and FR-S/BRZ. Yes yes yes! Can't wait!

Until you drive one, the folks dismissing the car based upon $2,000, good riddance. Save your posts on how superior x,y,z car is because of stats - Hahah the same posters who gagged on the 'driving joy' and 'getting it' rhetoric

Woo hoo!

you can have a mustang gt for under 26 through truecar.com

[blu_]

I actually do 72 month loans on all my cars, if I can get the same rate. But I usually put 50% down. I just want enough in my savings that if I lost my job I'm not in a really bad spot. In general interest rates are more important than the term (length) of the loan. Having a loan outstanding isn't irresponsible unless you are leveraged up and have no savings. Also having a car loan on record drives up your credit score.

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by pastuch

ROFL.... EXACTLY! I'm paying cash. Been saving for a couple years. I also put down 25% on my house.

It's called saving your money kids, try it out!

Originally Posted by tripjammer

Why would anybody buy a car cash? Especially a $25k car! Interest rates are real low. You finance a car. 5 years max. That would be $450 a month financing $27k including the sales tax and putting $1k down at 1.99 percent interest rate in Texas.

Some people have the disposable income to pay cash for a car and a few members posted up about it. TBH, that's another reason for me to wait. I was planning to do 50/50 but if I wait, I could put at least 70% down.

Even with the interest rates this low, it's still borrowed money that the bank is charging you. The good thing about it is that it's very low compared to what it used to be 4-5% APR before the economy tanked.

[DommerEOD]

$24,200.... that hurts.

Used prices should be nice in a year or so.