Why Scion FR-S Sales Have Plunged

[xuimod]

Originally Posted by jblmr2

Folks this is a no brainer. This is a sports car! Regardless of price, target market, horsepower, or any other quality you want to attribute to it, it is niche car. Hype and anticipation aside, long term it's not going to appeal the "average Joe". It goes around corners very well, but it isn't a freeway cruiser or a grocery getter, which is what the average Joe needs.


Will it last for a Gen2, I don't know, I hope so. But I'm glad we have a Gen 1. Manufacturers build cars to make money. If the 86 doesn't accomplish that they will discontinue it.

Average Joe here. The FR-S works great for my needs.

I use my car as a freeway cruiser (going to/from work) and a grocery getter. Granted I don't buy many groceries but the FR-S works great as a daily driver. As a sports car, the Twins have a lot more practicality than strict 2 seaters (like a 370z, Miata, some Porsche models).

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by SlowButFun

Nearly everyone DESPISES me here because I'm honest to a fault, but I refuse to lie and not call a spade a spade: The FR-S is an AWFUL daily driver, and that punishment doesn't yield enough power & reward even on the very few track days the car will see (by the very few who will track it).

http://jackbaruth.com/?p=942

I daily drive mine and totally disagree with everything you said there.
Voicing your opinion is cool and all but it does not make you "honest" as you so egotistically put it! It simply means that is your honest "opinion" and I do not want nor need you speaking for me and everybody else.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by fatoni

Put then both on decent tires and the Mustang annihilates the frs. You can change the cars to the point one will win but stock for stock or mod for mod the Mustang is faster.

Who gives a flying fuck!?
You also have to put up with driving a dammed Mustang!

[headlikeahole]

Originally Posted by xuimod

Average Joe here. The FR-S works great for my needs.

I use my car as a freeway cruiser (going to/from work) and a grocery getter. Granted I don't buy many groceries but the FR-S works great as a daily driver. As a sports car, the Twins have a lot more practicality than strict 2 seaters (like a 370z, Miata, some Porsche models).

No one is arguing that the twins CAN'T do those things, only that it's not good at doing those things. Especially compared to "daily drivers" available in that price range. Saying the Fr-s is a better DD then a 370z is like saying a canoe makes a better cruise ship then a kayak, thats fine but neither is a cruise ship.

If you were to buy a car specifically for driving to work and getting groceries it wouldn't make much sense to get a twin, it's just not a logical choice. By todays standards the interior finish and options available for the 86 and brz are aweful, even compared to the compact sedan segment. I recently spent a lot of time in a 2014 corolla s and its a much better DD then any twin (not to mention 5g cheaper).

This is exactly why sales are dropping. The enthusiasts either already have one or can't afford one. The people who just need a car are smart enough to see that there are much nicer cars in that price range.

[DohcTor]

Honestly, they need to put a fun engine in this car. Note I didn't say more powerful. Just something that actually inspires the driver. The current engine is just 'meh'

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by headlikeahole

No one is arguing that the twins CAN'T do those things, only that it's not good at doing those things. Especially compared to "daily drivers" available in that price range. Saying the Fr-s is a better DD then a 370z is like saying a canoe makes a better cruise ship then a kayak, thats fine but neither is a cruise ship.

If you were to buy a car specifically for driving to work and getting groceries it wouldn't make much sense to get a twin, it's just not a logical choice. By todays standards the interior finish and options available for the 86 and brz are aweful, even compared to the compact sedan segment. I recently spent a lot of time in a 2014 corolla s and its a much better DD then any twin (not to mention 5g cheaper).

This is exactly why sales are dropping. The enthusiasts either already have one or can't afford one. The people who just need a car are smart enough to see that there are much nicer cars in that price range.

Where does everybody get off stating what they think is an ideal daily driver is the same for everybody else????
If your statement had said "for me" or "for some people" I would have totally agreed but like so many others you are stating your opinion as fact. It is not a fact, simply an observation based upon your priorities and preferences.
For me and many, many other people this car is just about the perfect DD. I have zero need for gadgets, fancy interior finish or wide open spaces. I wanted a fun, comfortable, reliable, fuel efficient car with the basic amenities and that is exactly what they gave me! Contrary to what many people think (and it is the most subjective thing ever based on income) these cars are incredibly inexpensive for what you get. There is a reason why your run of the mill sedan is cheaper.
As the only car for a family of 4 it would suck.
As a mobile office for a traveling sales guy it would be horrid.
As a street racer (stock) it just doesn't cut it.
As a car pool bus it is ridicules.
As a contractor pick up it is asinine.
For a DD, that I can throw my laptop in, and drive by myself for 14 hours a week with some fun on the on ramps or back roads every once in a while it is ideal.

So by the standards you set that makes me both illogical and not smart but I am fine with that as I take another enjoyable 2 hour commute!

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by Sideways&Smiling

Wanna know how I know you've never driven an S2000?

:P

Lol I know the S2000 actually pulls a lot better than a Twin. I haven't driven one, but I've ridden in several. I was just exaggerating a point.

[headlikeahole]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Where does everybody get off stating what they think is an ideal daily driver is the same for everybody else????
If your statement had said "for me" or "for some people" I would have totally agreed but like so many others you are stating your opinion as fact. It is not a fact, simply an observation based upon your priorities and preferences.
For me and many, many other people this car is just about the perfect DD. I have zero need for gadgets, fancy interior finish or wide open spaces. I wanted a fun, comfortable, reliable, fuel efficient car with the basic amenities and that is exactly what they gave me! Contrary to what many people think (and it is the most subjective thing ever based on income) these cars are incredibly inexpensive for what you get. There is a reason why your run of the mill sedan is cheaper.
As the only car for a family of 4 it would suck.
As a mobile office for a traveling sales guy it would be horrid.
As a street racer (stock) it just doesn't cut it.
As a car pool bus it is ridicules.
As a contractor pick up it is asinine.
For a DD, that I can throw my laptop in, and drive by myself for 14 hours a week with some fun on the on ramps or back roads every once in a while it is ideal.

So by the standards you set that makes me both illogical and not smart but I am fine with that as I take another enjoyable 2 hour commute!

Fair enough but we are talking about sales numbers here so you kind of have to generalize and say that for the general public's DD needs, the fr-s is a terrible option. It might be perfect for you and your needs, but you're an ethousiast. You said yourself you have "fun" in your car, most people don't.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by headlikeahole

Fair enough but we are talking about sales numbers here so you kind of have to generalize and say that for the general public's DD needs, the fr-s is a terrible option. It might be perfect for you and your needs, but you're an ethousiast. You said yourself you have "fun" in your car, most people don't.

Cool! I am good with that.

[Mr.Impreza]

Originally Posted by indesign

I think there's little they can do to blip sales. They can chase hp numbers to make a more impressive stat sheet, but an 86 with more power (and higher price tag) would bring only a small amount of interest of would-be buyers; the r&d wouldn't pay off.

It's too niche. Only a driving enthusiast would truly appreciate the feel of the car. To any normal consumer, the road noise, lack of leg and head room, and basic interior would already turn them away.

Parents buying this car for a child would walk away because it is not practical, lack of space. Guys who value power will look elsewhere. The car does not offer comfort and luxuries that older buyers want. The only people who buy this car are guys who are in tune with driving dynamics or people who buy into the hype and eventually sell the car because it doesn't offer them what they want.

One thing I'll add is another type of buyer who would enjoy this car are people who are fans of Initial D and Keiichi Tsuchiya such as me

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

As a mobile office for a traveling sales guy it would be horrid.

I agree with you on all your other points. This car is a fantastic daily driver for my needs.

But I disagree on the point above. I'm a traveling auditor, and I'm sometimes out on the road for three weeks at a time. My BRZ has enough room for a suit bag and a carry-on-style bag, a computer bag for my "mobile office," another computer bag for my personal laptop and a cargo organizer with emergency supplies. This car is just about perfect for this kind of job. It holds everything I need for extended travel, and loaded down still gets better than 30 mpg on the highway.

Plus, in this car I enjoy the drive, even an eight hour one. When I fly and have to rent cars, I usually fucking hate them so much that when I get back to my home airport, I usually don't go straight home. I usually end up driving around a while in the BRZ to get my sanity back. You really appreciate this car after being stuck in an anemic shitbox front wheel drive Dodge Avenger for three weeks.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

I agree with you on all your other points. This car is a fantastic daily driver for my needs.

But I disagree on the point above. I'm a traveling auditor, and I'm sometimes out on the road for three weeks at a time. My BRZ has enough room for a suit bag and a carry-on-style bag, a computer bag for my "mobile office," another computer bag for my personal laptop and a cargo organizer with emergency supplies. This car is just about perfect for this kind of job. It holds everything I need for extended travel, and loaded down still gets better than 30 mpg on the highway.

Plus, in this car I enjoy the drive, even an eight hour one. When I fly and have to rent cars, I usually fucking hate them so much that when I get back to my home airport, I usually don't go straight home. I usually end up driving around a while in the BRZ to get my sanity back. You really appreciate this car after being stuck in an anemic shitbox front wheel drive Dodge Avenger for three weeks.

I meant more the poor guy that has to sit in his car and do his work on a laptop and be on the phone. I have packed an amazing amount of materials in the back of mine when traveling for work.
Oh and the whole rental car experience things! I thought I was the only guy that took a drive after a few days or a week in a rental!

[LucidMomentum]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Oh and the whole rental car experience things! I thought I was the only guy that took a drive after a few days or a week in a rental!

Every time. When I have to take a work vehicle for a 3-4 hour drive to an out of the way Cogen plant, I start to miss the FR-S. If I'm out of town on training for a week, I start to go crazy.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Who gives a flying fuck!?
You also have to put up with driving a dammed Mustang!

At least as many people who care how cars perform on the primacy. I just think it's silly to make weird scenarios like to make the frs come out ahead.