BRZ/FRS - when they lose their charm...

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by Marloon

Hey guys,


Can you list a bunch of cars that have never or will never lose their charm? I think the S2000 is one, and the lotus exige is another because these cars are so darn rare.

Maybe the cars you listed are so rare because they were not that charming?

[mattles]

Im hoping The 86/FRS/BRZ becomes as timeless and as spectacular as the Mazda Miata. If not, Ill just go buy another Mazda Miata, heh.

[Spaceywilly]

The Miata is timeless and spectacular? Learn something new every day. It's a great car but I can't say it really gets my attention when I see one. I'm sure the FRS/BRZ will be the same way after they've been out for a few years. I can't think of any mass produced cheap cars that really have any "oh wow that's cool" factor.

[mattles]

Originally Posted by Spaceywilly

The Miata is timeless and spectacular? Learn something new every day. It's a great car but I can't say it really gets my attention when I see one. I'm sure the FRS/BRZ will be the same way after they've been out for a few years.

Go out to a weekend track day, guaranteed atleast 50% of the cars will be Mazda Miatas. Its still one of the best ways to have fun on 4 wheels.

[Spaceywilly]

Originally Posted by mattles

Go out to a weekend track day, guaranteed atleast 50% of the cars will be Mazda Miatas. Its still one of the best ways to have fun on 4 wheels.

I'm not saying it isn't one of the greatest cars of all time, but we're talking about the sight of one being a special occasion. Can't really say I feel that way about a Miata, in fact as you mentioned it is basically all you see at track days. Now if I saw something like an R34 Skyline at a track day, that I would say is a timeless and spectacular car. Miata? No.

[mattles]

Oh, I must be weird because I do, heh. Especially if its a rare color/special edition car.

[Mango22]

As long as my BRZ is in my possession, it will never lose its charm. The cars reputation is based on being a driver focused experience, the only way that charm can deminish is if the owner gets bored with that experience.

What will happen is you end up selling your BRZ/FR-S and then regret selling it later on after you get a replacement car. I have done this with a few of my previous cars, when I got a hard-on for a newer car that was coming out. After the purchase of the newer car, I had buyers remorse and wanted my previous car back. At that point, only in retrospect can you fully understand what the car really meant to you. Just remember why you are buying the car in the first place and don't become indecisive about your purchase after all the hype dies down.
Just go to you tube and watch all the video reviews on this car and you will realize why you wanted this car in the first place or better yet take the car out to some twisty roads and you will remember pretty quickly.

I'm getting off my soapbox now. :happy0180:

[Marloon]

Originally Posted by zigzagz94

I don't understand this line of logic. How does someone else having the same car suddenly make your car any better or worse. Does it negatively affect your cars acceleration, handling, or braking when you come into close proximity to other cars of the same model? If you enjoy your car why does it matter if it is "everywhere"?

I, for one, hope the FR-S/BRZ twins are everywhere because that means toyobaru sold a shit ton of them and now they have money to continually improve the car. If you don't see a lot of them that may make it " super cool rare car yo", but it also means it was a sales disaster that toyobaru will probably pull the plug on after one genertion and we'll have to wait another 20 years for them to bring back sports cars to the masses.

Maybe I should have been more specific as to why i think it'll lose its charm. The front of the FR-S really doesn't make me want to take a double take as I lock up my car and leave for work. I stood at the dealership looking at the whiteout for so long, taking tons of pictures to see which angle makes the car look great in. At some angles, it didn't look any good and i think its because of the cheaper headlights placed on this car to drive down the cost, and the lack of the fog light assembly - i am just used to cars having fogs. I also don't like the climate controls on the car. If they spent a little bit more money, i would have really appreciated that. Also, the Altezza styled lights in the rear are lame and dated. It should have just been all covered in red.

On the other hand, i do like the rear body curve. I think i've just made my decision as to which car i will go with. I am going to go for the BRZ SS. Now its just color lol. Either WSP or WRB.

This is funny because I remember when the original TC came out - man that car was sexy (but slow and heavy), and now they gimped it with the newer one. IMHO, it looks ugly as hell.

Originally Posted by Lighting Red

Marloon,

When something is special, it's special. Part of what makes something special - really special - is that it has a timeless quality. I think these cars have really got "it." I know my response seems vague, but maybe I can clear it up by saying when people sell these cars in the future, I have a feeling that there will be a high probability of regret shortly after the sale.

I still feel that way about my Integra.

I understand how you feel about the integra. I used to drive my brother in law's 90' integra and boy was it fun to drive. I think this car would be really fun to drive but unfortunately, the appearance doesn't really strike me.

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Yep, I just worry the car's popularity will drive up the price. Hopefully other manufacturers will see the demand for these cars and starting developing more lightweight RWD cars for the US before Subaru/Toyota start price gouging.

I am hoping that the next miata would be amazing with their skyactive tech.

Originally Posted by mattles

Im hoping The 86/FRS/BRZ becomes as timeless and as spectacular as the Mazda Miata. If not, Ill just go buy another Mazda Miata, heh.

I found the miata to be timeless as well. I really like the NA and the NC Miatas. I hated the lamo NBs - headlights and body shape was super lame.

[zygrene]

That's funny, because I find the BRZ/FRS to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing cars of the last 12 years, on par with the S2000, R34 Skyline, and E46 M3. It's the style + fun factor + affordability that make me lust after this car, even though I won't be able to get one for a few years (BRZ STI here I come). Yeah, it would be cool if it was an uncommon sight on the roads, but at the same time when you see another one it's like awwwwww yeahhhh! And like someone mentioned earlier, it indicates the car is successful and will drive manufacturers to compete.

[mattles]

Originally Posted by Marloon

I found the miata to be timeless as well. I really like the NA and the NC Miatas. I hated the lamo NBs - headlights and body shape was super lame.

Ouch yo, I drive an NB. :P I like how it tries to mimmick the lines of the FD3S just in a smaller scale.

Thats cool though, you are entitled to your opinion. I get a lot of mixed remarks about how the miata looks, its a very polarizing car and I wouldnt have it any other way.

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by Lighting Red

I still feel that way about my Integra.

I have that feeling when I see a clean Type R, GSR, Integra with a JDM front. Now that they are becoming less and less common (at least here in SD), it makes me wish I kept mine.

Originally Posted by Marloon

Maybe I should have been more specific as to why i think it'll lose its charm. The front of the FR-S really doesn't make me want to take a double take as I lock up my car and leave for work. I stood at the dealership looking at the whiteout for so long, taking tons of pictures to see which angle makes the car look great in. At some angles, it didn't look any good and i think its because of the cheaper headlights placed on this car to drive down the cost, and the lack of the fog light assembly - i am just used to cars having fogs. I also don't like the climate controls on the car. If they spent a little bit more money, i would have really appreciated that. Also, the Altezza styled lights in the rear are lame and dated. It should have just been all covered in red.

On the other hand, i do like the rear body curve. I think i've just made my decision as to which car i will go with. I am going to go for the BRZ SS. Now its just color lol. Either WSP or WRB.

This is funny because I remember when the original TC came out - man that car was sexy (but slow and heavy), and now they gimped it with the newer one. IMHO, it looks ugly as hell.

I hear ya on the exterior aesthetics and even though I haven't seen either one in full production trim (only concepts) they sure don't make cars like they used to. It does kind of suck that paying 25K and the car doesn't bring a smile to you face.

I'm assuming it will eventually grow on you or as I'm hoping, Toyota will keep their word with the annual updates; adding fog lights, blacked out headlights and tails, etc

I remember when I bought my GSR in 1996, I couldn't stop starring at the exterior, that granada black pearl. Even though it was a FF, everything about that car was quality.

[trackmagic]

The FRS/BRZ
1) Will have Japanese quality
2) Has GREAT style
3) Will drive amazing

I think it will be popular for a while.

Cars that loose their appeal look bad even when they are brand new and drive worse than they look. I'll never understand how anybody ever thought buying a Pontiac Aztec was a good idea.

[Spaceywilly]

Originally Posted by Marloon

Maybe I should have been more specific as to why i think it'll lose its charm. The front of the FR-S really doesn't make me want to take a double take as I lock up my car and leave for work. I stood at the dealership looking at the whiteout for so long, taking tons of pictures to see which angle makes the car look great in. At some angles, it didn't look any good and i think its because of the cheaper headlights placed on this car to drive down the cost, and the lack of the fog light assembly - i am just used to cars having fogs. I also don't like the climate controls on the car. If they spent a little bit more money, i would have really appreciated that. Also, the Altezza styled lights in the rear are lame and dated. It should have just been all covered in red.

Have you seen a BRZ? Seems like everything you don't like about the FRS (except the hideous tailights) is different on the BRZ.

[Exhaust]

I cant believe OP asked if it'll be like how the Celica was. When did the Celica or even the Lotus lose its charm? For one, i dont know where you live but seeing a Lotus on the road is not a everyday experience let alone a Celica. I see more 99 eclipses than i see those. Just look at the supra for example, a 20 year car that still has the 'awe' effect. As for the Celica, im still impressed when i see that nismoish front end coming up in my rearview and then passes me up on the left side. Those are such beautiful cars. Of-course the "OMG THATS THE NEW FRS/BRZ" effect will wear off eventually, but the way they were made, driven, and the legacy they inspired is indeed something to be remembered (even for the none enthusiasts!). You gotta take note to mention Toyota partnering with Subaru and being SUCCESSFUL(yes i know its a little early) is a pretty big deal. If there was any car that ever lost its charm it was the 99 mustang