Is this the car for me?

[wbradley]

If you want a real sports cars, its right for you.

If you want all wheel drive and a sporty ride get the WRX.

Look at what I drive...

[strat61caster]

Nobody should be able to draw a concrete conclusion based on your post, simply because you're not sure what you want yet.

Based on your stated needs I think this car will satisfy (more power than an Accord/Celica, reliable, fun) but that's barely a step up from "I NEED FOUR WHEELS AND I HAVE $30,000".

Go on more test drives, I have a feeling comfort and practicality will become larger priorities the more you think about it.

[2much]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Bit personal a question isn't it?
He wasn't asking about buying a Mustang!

I failed tact-abilities 101

[Shark_Bait88]

I think it sounds like a good fit for you.

It's a really fun car, and designed that you can get every bit of performance out of it on the road (without being unsafe).

On top of that it gets fantastic gas mileage for a sports car if you drive conservatively. I average 29.5-30 mpg in the summer/spring/fall and about 28.5 mpg in the winter. A lot of people have mentioned a WRX, but if fuel efficiency is important (I'd imagine so given the long commute) the AWD will not be your friend.

You have a long commute, but it sounds like it is mainly on the type of roads this car was designed for. Plus, this car is not bad at all on long drives. I've made the 6 1/2-7 hour drive from the northern suburbs of Chicago to central Michigan several times, and it is actually pretty comfortable. I had more issues driving long distances in my '05 4Runner (terrible lumbar support).

Since you don't care about tech, get the FR-S. BRZ is paying more money for mainly tech features.

If you had to drive it in the snow, a set of good snow tires (I have Blizzak WS-80s) makes this thing handle like it's driving on normal roads with summer tires. I've been passing AWD cars and 4x4 trucks all winter with ease.

I say go for it!

[tahdizzle]

Don't listen to these fanboys. They'll all tell you to get a twin so we can all say "one of us! one of us!"

15 WRX has a lower operating cost than a twin. why? because doesn't require 91 octane. You can fill up with 87, and it still gets a 21/28 rating which isn't bad.

[DarkSunrise]

Honestly if you drove the FR-S and didn't fall in love with it, you should make sure to try your other options before deciding. The FR-S has some practical limitations (useless rear seats, loud/unrefined interior, lack of torque) such that if you didn't love it when you drove it, you might get tired of its compromises quickly.

Some other sub-$30k cars I'd recommend test-driving:

- 2015 GTI
- 2015 Mustang Ecoboost
- 2015 Focus ST (steep discounts on these)
- 2015 Fiesta ST
- 2015 WRX
- 2015 Accord V6

[Koa]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

Don't listen to these fanboys. They'll all tell you to get a twin so we can all say "one of us! one of us!"

15 WRX has a lower operating cost than a twin. why? because doesn't require 91 octane. You can fill up with 87, and it still gets a 21/28 rating which isn't bad.

Dizzle I hope you're joking..

Operating costs don't just take into consideration the difference between gas octane prices.

While not required, I would NEVER put anything less than 91octane in a turbo motor.

Going off that logic, it's not REQUIRED for us to put 91+ in the twins because we also have knock sensors and ecu capable of reacting. Please... you're usually on point too.

[GreenMonster]

Originally Posted by 2much

do you ever put stuff in the trunk?

:shrug: From the "junk in the trunk" thread it looks like the twins are very utilitarian. I've only got a pass thru for skis in my acura, so a twin w/ fold down seats would be an upgrade storage wise...

[tahdizzle]

@Koa, Not at all. The WRX, to me, sounds like a much better choice for him.

If you didn't know after driving a twin, then its not for you.

As soon as I drove my BRZ, I knew it would be a car I would enjoy and keep.

The WRX is very practical and doesn't require 91 octane. Things like steering feel, feedback etc are all subjective and lets be honest. He's driving a 4cyl accord and a Subaru Legacy. Also his benchmark is a 2000 celica (didn't specify GT or GT-S). I honestly believe a WRX would be a cheaper and better match for him.

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

Don't listen to these fanboys. They'll all tell you to get a twin so we can all say "one of us! one of us!"

15 WRX has a lower operating cost than a twin. why? because doesn't require 91 octane. You can fill up with 87, and it still gets a 21/28 rating which isn't bad.

With the WRX being turbo, you should still be using premium. However, I did some quick calculations of what it would cost to run each car 100 miles using the lowest currently listed gas prices in Maine.

FR-S assuming an avg. of 28.5mpg (my current on winter gas with a 12 mile daily commute on surface roads) would cost you $7.51 to travel 100 miles on the lowest listed price for premium gas in Maine.

WRX with an Edmunds combined avg. of 24mpg would cost you $8.08 to travel 100 miles on the lowest listed price for regular gas in Maine.

So the FR-S is still more efficient, even when the WRX is using regular (which, again, you should be using premium on a forced induction engine). I know this isn't the best test, but it's just a quick demonstration. Not to mention that the WRX would be much more costly to repair if there are any issues with the AWD system.

I don't have anything against WRXs, I just don't agree with your lower operating costs claim.

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by Koa

Dizzle I hope you're joking..

Operating costs don't just take into consideration the difference between gas octane prices.

While not required, I would NEVER put anything less than 91octane in a turbo motor.

Going off that logic, it's not REQUIRED for us to put 91+ in the twins because we also have knock sensors and ecu capable of reacting. Please... you're usually on point too.

I completely agree with you (see my other posts), except where you say it's not REQUIRED for us to put 91+ octane in the Twins. Next time you open your gas cap, look at the sticker on the inside.

[Koa]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

I completely agree with you (see my other posts), except where you say it's not REQUIRED for us to put 91+ octane in the Twins. Next time you open your gas cap, look at the sticker on the inside.

That sticker doesn't mean anything when we are talking about the vehicle's ability to detect knock from lower octane gas and pull timing. It definitely is NOT REQUIRED.

If it was required, the dealership could be sued for doing that first fill with 87. When it IS required, the vehicle is not equipped with a knock sensor and ECU capable of pulling timing to adjust to the knock from lower octane. It's very simple.

Just because it says ONLY, doesn't mean it is magically different than the FA20DIT. Besides, the official word is that 87 octane usage is TEMPORARY. Hope this clears some things up for you.

--

Fuel:
STI
The engine is designed to operate at maximum performance
using unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 93 AKI (98
RON) or higher. If 93 AKI (98 RON) fuel is not readily available
in your area, unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 AKI
(95 RON) may be used with no detriment to engine durability or
driveability. However, you may notice a slight decrease in
maximum engine performance while using 91 AKI (95 RON)
fuel. Use of 91 AKI (95 RON) fuel will not affect your warranty
coverage.

Except STI
Use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 AKI (95
RON) or higher. If 91 AKI (95 RON) fuel is not readily available,
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI (90 RON)
may be temporarily used. For optimum engine performance and
driveability, it is recommended that you use premium grade
unleaded gasoline.

[Defuser]

Anyway to do a biodiesel conversion? I could try to get an RS 1.0, add in some red accents, and have a Mickey D's FR-S complete with aroma.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by 2much

do you ever put stuff in the trunk?

Originally Posted by GreenMonster

:shrug: From the "junk in the trunk" thread it looks like the twins are very utilitarian. I've only got a pass thru for skis in my acura, so a twin w/ fold down seats would be an upgrade storage wise...

And just as reference, the thread is here.