Open Letter to Potential FR-S Buyers & Disillusioned Owners

[Frost]

I've been in a couple of FRS/BRZ's on autocross - what kind of noise levels is everyone thinking of when they say the twins are loud?

I actually went from an IS300 to an Echo Hatch. That was a good increase up in noise but not "OMGWTF!" for me. Maybe I grew up poor or something. I've been in some loud ass cars primarily because they were falling apart and had no exhaust lol.

If the Twins are anywhere below the Echo's 3000 RPM to maintain 117km/hr noise levels, I'm already winning.

[billwot]

Originally Posted by UltramarineLuck

I get that some people do want that - I'm not saying no one should do that, but that they should really consider their options. Many people that shop for cars like this don't really understand what they're getting themselves into and they come to forums like this to see what you can get out of a car that only costs $25,000. In reality, the $35k-$40k segment offers many better options that will run faster than a modified FR-S with better interiors and fewer headaches, because they were designed out of the factory that way. That's the point.

[D88]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I have to admit, I don't really see the point of this thread. People bought this car for whatever reason (looks, handling, feedback, glowing reviews, etc.) But ultimately, it's a niche car among niche cars. Having owned the car, if an owner wants to sell it and move on, that's their decision. It's not the right car for everyone and that's fine. Nothing wrong with that IMO.

He brings this up because the people you mention are the ones who are constantly bitching about not being happy with the car. If what he said saves even one person that future frustration, I'd say it was worth the effort of writing it.

[tahdizzle]

Honestly, I PRAY that after this MY they quit making the twins.

[x1UP]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

Honestly, I PRAY that after this MY they quit making the twins.

I wouldn't be surprised if they did honestly.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by D88

He brings this up because the people you mention are the ones who are constantly bitching about not being happy with the car. If what he said saves even one person that future frustration, I'd say it was worth the effort of writing it.

I guess I'm skeptical that any person can be convinced into being happy about something that they dislike.

To me, driving enjoyment is one of those things that's innate. Either you enjoy driving something or you don't - there's no amount of words that can convince you to go against what you're feeling.

[tahdizzle]

Its totally gonna happen.

The big wigs are gonna read these forums and then finally just take their ball and go home.

As they walk away they are gonna scream "NOW NOONE CAN PLAY!"

[AznKirby]

To OP: You wrote that under the impression that (some) people are rational when it comes to purchasing cars.
I'd have to say that emotion takes over when it comes to taking that decision.

I know that, for example, I didn't need another car. But I bought it because I wanted it.

[Davey]

Originally Posted by UltramarineLuck

I get that some people do want that - I'm not saying no one should do that, but that they should really consider their options. Many people that shop for cars like this don't really understand what they're getting themselves into and they come to forums like this to see what you can get out of a car that only costs $25,000. In reality, the $35k-$40k segment offers many better options that will run faster than a modified FR-S with better interiors and fewer headaches, because they were designed out of the factory that way. That's the point.

I agree with the sentiment, but the issue to me is that the $35K - $45K segment is full of cars designed by companies that do not know how to build a sports car but rather build a car to hit some arbitrary goals like "under 5 seconds 0-60" and "over .9 G on the skidpad" and things like that.

I want a car like the BRZ, but with about 300 HP (basically, more than 1 hp per 10 lbs). There isn't one. So, I'm going to have to make it.

And yes I realize that's another arbitrary measure. I'm not saying those kinds of things aren't important, I'm saying there's more to it than that. The BRZ gets the "more to it" very nicely.

[Tracerz]

Originally Posted by Davey

I agree with the sentiment, but the issue to me is that the $35K - $45K segment is full of cars designed by companies that do not know how to build a sports car but rather build a car to hit some arbitrary goals like "under 5 seconds 0-60" and "over .9 G on the skidpad" and things like that.

I want a car like the BRZ, but with about 300 HP (basically, more than 1 hp per 10 lbs). There isn't one. So, I'm going to have to make it.

And yes I realize that's another arbitrary measure. I'm not saying those kinds of things aren't important, I'm saying there's more to it than that. The BRZ gets the "more to it" very nicely.

sorry but cayman s, older 911.....both are drivers cars that fall into that segment that are often too soon forgotten

[P86RAVES]

TL;DR - "I drift not because it is a quicker way around a corner, but it is the most exciting way..." - Keiichi.
---------------------------------------------------------


As long as the car meets whatever sales goals either Toyota or Subaru sets, they'll keep making them. As they begin to enter the used car market, people may stop buying them brand new. That what happens with Miata sales anyway.

The FT86 isn't exactly a shit car, but living with it compared to living with some other cars isn't exactly thrilling. It's pointless using the raves of the popular journalist, or even mags. If they like them so bad, they'd of bought one. They didn't. Matt Farah, Jeremey Clarkson, Chris Harris... they all loved the car, not one bought one. ...that probably has to do with them making too much money to be bothered, but whatever.

The steering is numb, the clutch engages very improper, the gas pedal doesn't nothing, the brakes are Subaru'ish, the shifter is plasticy-feeling. You have to rev too high to keep up with flow of traffic off a stop, and when it's up that high it's a bit Honda in that in makes a lot of noise even though it's not doing anything. It's laughable.

In that, that's the joy of the car. It's laughable... it's just meant for fun in that it's nothing meant to be taken serious. At all.

A serious car would rip through a corner with every ounce of grip it dial-in. The FT86 giggle around corners.

A serious car makes lots of noise while doing lots of speed, accelerating like mad. The FT86 makes lots of noise while doing about nothing and then pipe it into the cabin as though it were a friend giving you that look because they know you're in on the joke.



A serious car has a very mechanical, tactile feel with every mechanical effort. The FT86 let's you feel you're doing it, but it's like, "whatever, dude."
Think Niki Lauda vs Ryan Tuerck.

Half of you have to google one name, the other half the other. That's just the range this car has.

If you live somewhere where there are a lot of straight roads and auto-x or road courses are hours away, the car might not really be that fun to live with day in and day out. Every reviewer who LOVED this car was driving it at 10/10ths most of the time, you won't be. They're showing you why it's a great car to have fun with, not the live with. Ever borrowed a friends car for a week? That's what they're giving you. Don't listen to them. Listen to us.

[Panda Mao]

I like the car for the stock look reminds me of the 90s era body styling most of the modern day cars of now are ugly to me there are a few exceptions to that though but for the price and the look I had to get it and I came from the 2 door coupe/hatchback world of imports.

As a stock car it really is perfectly balanced but as a person who likes to tinker and makes things better or worse thats just who I am that and modding it to be more refined towards my specific driving style is always a plus. I also like the fact that even if I ended up dumping a crap load of money it wouldnt be all at once but through a long time span (5-10 years average) I like the journey that comes with slowly making a car truly yours granted as long as I dont fuck up the build and as for self control I drive about 10 hrs a day or more in a delivery truck aint more self control with the light foot than that haha

[Davey]

Originally Posted by Tracerz

sorry but cayman s, older 911.....both are drivers cars that fall into that segment that are often too soon forgotten

Sure, I can buy a 911 for cheaper than an FR-S/BRZ. I can also most certainly buy an old Boxster for less, too. We're talking about new cars, though... Or at least I am. I don't want someone's used and abused whore in my garage, thanks.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Davey

Sure, I can buy a 911 for cheaper than an FR-S/BRZ. I can also most certainly buy an old Boxster for less, too. We're talking about new cars, though... Or at least I am. I don't want someone's used and abused whore in my garage, thanks.

So wait, you're cool with building a 300 hp Toyobaru, but not with owning a 5-10 year old Porsche with less than 50k miles on it? At least, that's the impression I get from your past two posts.