Ditch Evo X for FR-S or wait?

[TRACE_on]

I had an Evo X for 5 years. You take a big power hit with the FR-S. However, I much prefer the looks of the FR-S and it has a huge aftermarket if you want to go forced induction.

[Vracer111]

Id say wait and save up for an 86. But forget about turbo...instead also save up for a Vorshlag LS V8 conversion (because its still being worked out but should be ready in a year or so). Normally aspirated 400hp/400lbft in a 2800lb total package with a little better F/R weigh balance than stock...slap a vette silly on the straights and in the corners and be WAY more reliable than any turbo setup.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

Id say wait and save up for an 86. But forget about turbo...save up for a Vorshlag LS V8 conversion. Normally aspirated 400hp/400lbft in a 2800lb total package with a better F/R weigh balance than stock...slap a vette silly on the straights and in the corners and be WAY more reliable than any turbo setup.

100 more hp than an off the shelf supercharger that you can install in a weekend that seems to be doing very well on reliability for how much more money? Looks like a crate LS3 is ~$6k so about the same as a supercharger without a tranny, rear end, any of the labor or fab work etc.

The more I look at it the more a JRSC or Vortech with the canned smog legal tune makes perfect sense, and I haven't seen a single one blown up yet.

The BRZ06 was trying to be sold for what, $55k? That is not a cheap setup and OP is already living paycheck to paycheck just making car payments.

[parkmin]

I would either keep the evo or just buy a frs. Don't wait for the turbo verison don't even know when or if its coming out. And is gonna cost a lot more then the version right now

[jflogerzi]

I am gonna be the voice of reason and say dump the EVO-X and get a cheap car for a bit. There is more to life then owning a nice car. If you must get an a car, get a used FRS or BRZ.

[Vracer111]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

100 more hp than an off the shelf supercharger that you can install in a weekend that seems to be doing very well on reliability for how much more money? Looks like a crate LS3 is ~$6k so about the same as a supercharger without a tranny, rear end, any of the labor or fab work etc.

The more I look at it the more a JRSC or Vortech with the canned smog legal tune makes perfect sense, and I haven't seen a single one blown up yet.

The BRZ06 was trying to be sold for what, $55k? That is not a cheap setup and OP is already living paycheck to paycheck just making car payments.

You don't have to buy a new crate motor, you could always go with a used LS for 2k-3k. Main thing is you'll be going with a normally aspirated motor with proven reliability and plenty of torque and hp that will have less headaches running in the heat challenged engine bay of the 86 than a Forced Induction system. It will also be a step up from the EVO in terms of performance. And I wouldn't touch anything coming from Weapons Grade based on their reputation...

If I ever went FI it would be a screw type supercharger (Innovate)... they do make a lot more sense and put a lot less heat into the engine bay. However that means working the stock FA20 motor harder... and I already have issues with the stock motor as is. Much rather just go clean slate and stay NA.

[Mr.Impreza]

My suggestion is this...

Wanting is not needing.

However, if the EVO is bothering you or your not happy with it anymore than yes, just get a car you will love because you live once.

I was in this situation when i bought my BMW 335I, and after 6 months of owning it and hating it, I bought an FRS instead. I did a lease takeover for the 335i, however i lost my $5000.00 down payment. Yes a lot of money, but it was either 4 years of driving a car i hated or losing 5G's and driving a car that puts a smile on my face everyday.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

You don't have to buy a new crate motor, you could always go with a used LS for 2k-3k. Main thing is you'll be going with a normally aspirated motor with proven reliability and plenty of torque and hp that will have less headaches running in the heat challenged engine bay of the 86 than a Forced Induction system. It will also be a step up from the EVO in terms of performance. And I wouldn't touch anything coming from Weapons Grade based on their reputation...

If I ever went FI it would be a screw type supercharger (Innovate)... they do make a lot more sense and put a lot less heat into the engine bay. However that means working the stock FA20 motor harder... and I already have issues with the stock motor as is. Much rather just go clean slate and stay NA.

Heat comes from combustion right? So how much heat is generated is related to how much fuel is being burned and directly linked to how much power is being made, 400 hp from an LSx will be just as heat challenged as 400 hp from an FA20.

Agreed that an FA20 is far from proven at this point and the LSx is extremely stout, but I think it's not as dismal as you make it seem, there's maybe a couple hundred engines blown up stock out of >50k units that have been on the road for over a year, and this is the first run. Hell call it a thousand, that's still ~2% max. Time will tell how the FA20 holds up, like I said I'll eat my words when I see someone blow a canned CARB legal tuned supercharger, we've seen blown NA motors on bad tunes, FI is not a time bomb if done responsibly. And that is something I didn't think I'd be saying a few years ago.

[Bergen23]

lol, complains about being broke, wants to trade in a car that's halfway paid off, then dump over 10000 into the car he's trading for. Makes so much sense.

[Braces]

You lost me with the rocket bunny kit.

[keonigt]

Jump ship bro! frs/brz is the most fun I've had in a LONG time. This car makes me smile so much on the road and the car isn't even broken in yet. I can't imagine how much fun i'll be having when the car is broken in. I'm also not even driving this car on windy turns because I live in hawaii and there is a lack of turns.

[86_PWR]

Originally Posted by evostanman

Hello all!

I'm fairly new to this forum but loving it already. Now, on to my thoughts!

I'm debating on either trading in my X for an FR-S or sticking out the remaining 2 years I have left and finally owning it. Any advice helps out a lot so pour them in!

Reason why I'm thinking of trading my X is because of high monthly payments ( and the fact that I just got engaged to my lovely GF of 6 years)

My payments are $630 per month + gas$ + $110 insurance, not a lot left over for savings for my wedding/spending. I knew I was going to be paying this amount when I signed my soul away to the dealer 2 years ago but lately I've been struggling financially, living paycheck to paycheck is hard nowadays. I have a 26 months left till I finally pay off my car.

The FR-S lacks power and we all know that BUT... i'm sure it's been proven that with a simple turbo kit by Greddy or FB, this can easily get "fixed", IMO.

By getting the FR-S, my payments would significantly drop and I would have cash left over... I'm in love with the body style of the 86. If I do decide to get it, I will for sure do the rocket bunny conversion because it's been something I've always wanted to do. That wide body with wide wheels is pure sex!

I love my evo very much too. Power is there (350WHP), handles great, looks like it's going to kill you and has 4 doors. Some friends are advising me to stick it out and wait for a turbo version FR-S as a second car. (if it ever comes out)


What do you guys think? Wait and pay 2 more years or trade?


Thanks for reading,

Stan

Funny u should ask...cause that is exactly what i did for the same reasons. I had a 2012 gsr. I got a 2013 frs brand new. The switch was major in terms of power and interior room. If u can accept the power loss u will love the car. The looks r great compared to the evo. I drive my cars hard and track them. My evo handled amazing. My frs doesnt handle "better" but different. It has a more natural agility and tight/low feeling. If u dont track or drive hard on twisties u will probably regret the switch. Also if u need back seat room u will regret the frs. Hope this helps.

[thill]

Don't do it. The EVO will hold its value better and if you throw $10-15K in modifications into a twin you will be throwing money away. Just look at what modified twins are going for in the classifieds. $35-45K modded twins are lucky to go for $26-32K. Rocket bunny kits make it even harder to sell because it appeals to a much smaller buyer market. And you are throwing your warranty away.

If money is that tight refinance the EVO or just buy a slightly used FR-S for$18-20K and don't dump money into mods.

[Bergen23]

Originally Posted by thill

Don't do it. The EVO will hold its value better and if you throw $10-15K in modifications into a twin you will be throwing money away. Just look at what modified twins are going for in the classifieds. $35-45K modded twins are lucky to go for $26-32K. Rocket bunny kits make it even harder to sell because it appeals to a much smaller buyer market. And you are throwing your warranty away.

If money is that tight refinance the EVO or just buy a slightly used FR-S for$18-20K and don't dump money into mods.

Uhm, rocket bunny doesn't void warranty. Except for maybe on the corrosion side of things. But it would be hard for Scion to prove that you putting wider fenders onto your car made your engine explode in a ball of regret and tears.