Shopping cars today, test drove an fr-s..my thoughts and I'd like more opinions plz.

[BobBRZ]

I suggest you take your time and test drive a lot of cars. See if you can talk the dealers into letting you take them on some twisty back roads.

I own a '13 BRZ limited that I purchased new after test driving a used '08 M3, and an '06 M3, an '09 Cayman S, a '12 Boss 302, an '07 Z06, a new GTI, and a Golf R, a S2000 and a FRS. I owned a WRX, and an STI. I also had an opportunity to autocross a Ferarri F430. I took my time and drove most of these cars more than once, and took notes about everything I could remember about them immediately after the test drive.

What was most important to me was how the cars "felt." I wanted a fun car that handled great. I really liked the M3, but felt the Cayman S was a better driver's car. I felt the Cayman S was most similar to the BRZ. The S200 also felt pretty similar, but at 6ft tall I had no headroom or legroom. Same with a Miata. Although the Ferarri was never a contender I would have chosen the BRZ if given a choice. The reason is, I couldn't fit in the Ferrari with a helmet on. I drove the autocross course with my head tilted to the side and pressed against the headliner. I would have done much better in the BRZ.

I liked the way the BRZ felt in the corners better than any of the above cars. Including the Cayman! It was simply the most fun car to drive, and the most comfortable car for my 6 ft frame. I ruled out the used M3, Cayman, because of the cost of maintenance I felt I could live without the power they produced. I would be hesitant to take either to track. If you have the budget the M3 and Cayman are really nice cars, but neither feels as light and nimble as the BRZ. The FRS handles a little differently. The softer front springs paired with firmer rear springs and all season tires made the car very easy to over steer -- some may love that. I couldn't push it as hard through the corners as the BRZ. The firmer front springs also made the BRZ feel more responsive to steering input IMHO.

The BRZ is perfect for where I like to drive for fun. I have some real twisty mountain roads near me. I followed a fried with a 300 hp awd sports car up one of them and was really bored as he slowed for each corner. He could pull away in the straits, but my stock BRZ was faster on those roads overall. When I took him for a ride he was amazed at how fast the BRZ can take a corner! He felt it was the best handling car he has been in. 300+ HP is pretty useless unless you are on a track with some long straights, or are an amazing driver who can keep the throttle down and maintain control of the car. I was never able to use the STI to its full potential because of the tight back roads I prefer to drive on.

Another + for the BRZ is that there are many affordable ways to modify the car. It has affordable components that can be upgraded over time. If you feel the car is lacking in any area, there are options. I recently added the Open Flash Tablet and Open Flash Header. This really made the car more drivable and gave me some low end torque and power that was lacking before. This summer I plan on getting some lightweight wheels and sticky tires. Even with these mods, the car cost me considerably less than any other car I test drove, and hasn't had a single mechanical issue.

Everyone has their own opinions and unique tastes. Keep an open mind and try lots of different cars. Approach the process without preconceptions and pay attention to what the car is actually like to drive. Think a lot about how you will actually use the car on a regular basis and what the roads are like where you live. Consider your budget and factor in the cost of long term ownership and insurance if that is what you have in mind.

[soulreapersteve]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Takes a brave, brave man to teach his wife to drive.

I was going to do something like this if I went the MT route. Window sticker that says "I drive a stick. Please don't stop near my bumper as I will roll backwards."

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

Yea, I don't get that, there are people on the forum that complain about the seats on long road trips, but I've done several 4 hour stints for 100+ miles over and over again and they are super comfortable

Completely agree. My roadtrips are usually 6-8 hours with very little breaks and 1 lunch, at the very least 400 miles round trip, and I have no trouble with aches or pain. Mentioned this elsewhere but I'm way more beat up mentally than physically.

Sometimes wish the car was self driving on the return trip back home.

[Justin.b]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

I was going to do something like this if I went the MT route. Window sticker that says "I drive a stick. Please don't stop near my bumper as I will roll backwards."



Completely agree. My roadtrips are usually 6-8 hours with very little breaks and 1 lunch, at the very least 400 miles round trip, and I have no trouble with aches or pain. Mentioned this elsewhere but I'm way more beat up mentally than physically.

Sometimes wish the car was self driving on the return trip back home.

I've taken this car on 400 mile roundtrips (4 hrs each way) in a day and I think the seats are fantastic. I've taken about 6 different vehicles on that trip and I arrive in the best condition when I take the FR-S. Wide awake with no aches or pains.

-Justin

[maybebrz]

Hey everyone thanks for all the responses..lots to look through.

I have a good 6 months if not more to decide but NOW there is the SFR coming out that has piqued my interest. The basically same kind of car as the FR-s but for less money. Might be right for me.

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

I was going to do something like this if I went the MT route. Window sticker that says "I drive a stick. Please don't stop near my bumper as I will roll backwards."



Completely agree. My roadtrips are usually 6-8 hours with very little breaks and 1 lunch, at the very least 400 miles round trip, and I have no trouble with aches or pain. Mentioned this elsewhere but I'm way more beat up mentally than physically.

Sometimes wish the car was self driving on the return trip back home.

Yup, I think people either already have a pre-existing condition that causes pain while in a car seat or misinterpret the fatigue. This car is louder than some other cars on the interior on highways and that leads to fatigue

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by Justin.b

I've taken this car on 400 mile roundtrips (4 hrs each way) in a day and I think the seats are fantastic. I've taken about 6 different vehicles on that trip and I arrive in the best condition when I take the FR-S. Wide awake with no aches or pains.

-Justin

Yup, better than or one par with a 2014 rogue and 2016 CX-5 the bolstering really helps

[ryoma]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

I was going to do something like this if I went the MT route. Window sticker that says "I drive a stick. Please don't stop near my bumper as I will roll backwards."

there's this freeway exit that I take to get home which is on an incline, and every time people always go bumper to bumper. it agitates me lol. I had someone even honk at me once when I was a little slow to get on the gas even though he was right on my ass. that was probably one of the few times I got pissed off

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

Yup, better than or one par with a 2014 rogue and 2016 CX-5 the bolstering really helps

10 hours at a pop. Jump out fresh as a daisy. GREAT highway car. Love it.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by maybebrz

Hey everyone thanks for all the responses..lots to look through.

I have a good 6 months if not more to decide but NOW there is the SFR coming out that has piqued my interest. The basically same kind of car as the FR-s but for less money. Might be right for me.

don't hold your breath too long on the SFR. Toyota was very clear at the official unveiling that it is still a concept only and even though it looks like a fairly complete concept that does not mean they are starting production any time soon (or even at all).

[STZ]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

don't hold your breath too long on the SFR. Toyota was very clear at the official unveiling that it is still a concept only and even though it looks like a fairly complete concept that does not mean they are starting production any time soon (or even at all).

I think in this case it's pretty safe to say that it will come out due to Toyota saying they want a trio of sports cars in their line up and the fact that the concept looks "fairly complete"... but we don't know when since this is the first concept (could be 3 years) and it might not even be available outside JPN.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by STZ

I think in this case it's pretty safe to say that it will come out due to Toyota saying they want a trio of sports cars in their line up and the fact that the concept looks "fairly complete"... but we don't know when since this is the first concept (could be 3 years) and it might not even be available outside JPN.

Exactly. They could decide to scrap the project at any time, take a few years to see what the world economy does, and 1,000 other things. Now if somebody isn't in a hurry and can wait it out until some official announcement is made then great but for the foreseeable future it remains a concept only.

[STZ]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Exactly. They could decide to scrap the project at any time, take a few years to see what the world economy does, and 1,000 other things. Now if somebody isn't in a hurry and can wait it out until some official announcement is made then great but for the foreseeable future it remains a concept only.

I guess what I mean to say is that in this case, it'll come out unless something happens whereas with most other concepts they're better to be assumed as a possibility. The S-FR at this point feels more like a given, with a possibility of cancellation.

[why?]

Originally Posted by STZ

I guess what I mean to say is that in this case, it'll come out unless something happens whereas with most other concepts they're better to be assumed as a possibility. The S-FR at this point feels more like a given, with a possibility of cancellation.

yea but it was a given in 2012 too, and it still hasn't happened. I stopped waiting on bought a BRZ instead.

[pantdino]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I am going to present a non argumentative counter point to some of these comments.
There is no need to be constantly downshifting, bouncing off the rev limiter, driving a MT, or any of the "'cuz sports car" actions to enjoy driving these cars. They function perfectly fine as a reasonably priced 2 door 2+2 coupe without having to hammer the crap out of them (although they can serve that function nicely as well). As a DD you will rarely get to go zipping around at 7400 rpms and unless your laws permit drifting around corners you will probably use the car at 60% of it's potential 80% of the time. The stock power and AT are perfectly fine for use as a regular car and unless you plan on racing of some kind will serve you well.That 20% when you can play makes it all worthwhile though.


Now... these cars are spartan to say the least and are certainly intended for people that love the act of driving so if you are looking for a comfy cruiser there may be better choices out there. I am actually surprised that the Genesis coupe has not been brought up yet as it gives you a much more luxurious interior and (blasphemy alert) just about as good a driving experience as the 86.

I agree. I the old days when choosing an auto meant getting a 3 speed with no manual override vs a 5 speed, the auto would ruin the car. I have the auto and with the paddles that immediately let you choose what gear you want it is the best of both worlds.

You might also want to look at the threads discussing early failed throw out bearings that trash the entire clutch assembly and result in a $2K bill to you and the weak synchros on these cars. As autos become the norm manufacturers spend less resources on developing manual boxes.