Finally drove an FR-S. I think I understand now.

[Packofcrows]

Wait till you drive one for half a year and get smoked by a soccer van on their way to McDFonalds.


3rd is fine for me.

[bcj]

Originally Posted by Malibooya

FR-S feels like an early 2000s Toyota on the inside.

They use the same tired old digital clock.
Just for the nostalgias.
Color doesn't match the rest of the gauges.

[Malibooya]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

How short was the test drive? Maybe you didn't drive it enough to get the variable valve timing activated, it's definitely holding back power until it's warmed up and AVCS gets a chance to activate (read yesterday that it takes coming to a complete stop for it to kick in after warming up). While over 5k isn't going to be a big deal to people used to big displacement or FI motors like you seem to be, and under 5k is certainly serviceable, there is a good bit more shove up top than down low.

Interesting! Also, the salesman mentioned that there was a sport button, don't know if that switches the timing. Can't see why it would, but I haven't really driven a Japanese car since my Evo days. (I got so used to the stupid numbers that car put out that any N/A 4 cylinder has seemed slow to me. But then, I also like big old school boost like that...nothingnothingnothing5500RPMHOLYSHITIT'S30P SIAHHHHHHHHH).

The test drive was maybe 5-10 minutes. I just wanted to feel the car out on first impressions, if I start hunting for an FR-S seriously then I need at least a half hour.

Originally Posted by Packofcrows

Wait till you drive one for half a year and get smoked by a soccer van on their way to McDFonalds.

Hey, I drove an N/A Focus. I'd get smoked by a Golf TDI.

Originally Posted by bcj

They use the same tired old digital clock.
Just for the nostalgias.
Color doesn't match the rest of the gauges.

I really loved the dash layout, honestly. I had a good chuckle at the three simple buttons on the cluster, and the cruise control arm lifted straight from my father's 04 Corolla.

The simpler the better. I really had no complaints about features in my old car...maybe heated seats if I was being picky.

What I did notice is the harshness of the stock suspension, but maybe you guys can tell me what that's like on a daily basis. I feel like my current senses may be off, since I've been driving an 08 Impala since the Focus went to the yard.

[soulreapersteve]

Originally Posted by Malibooya

Interesting! Also, the salesman mentioned that there was a sport button, don't know if that switching the timing. Can't see why it would, but I haven't really driven a Japanese car since my Evo days. (I got so used to the stupid numbers that car put out that any N/A 4 cylinder has seemed slow to me. But then, I also like big old school boost like that...nothingnothingnothing5500RPMHOLYSHITIT'S30P SIAHHHHHHHHH).

The test drive was maybe 5-10 minutes. I just wanted to feel the car out on first impressions, if I start hunting for an FR-S seriously than I need at least a half hour.



Hey, I drove an N/A Focus. I'd get smoked by a Golf TDI.



I really loved the dash layout, honestly. I had a good chuckle at the three simple buttons on the cluster, and the cruise control arm lifted straight from my father's 04 Corolla.

The simpler the better. I really had no complaints about features in my old car...maybe heated seats if I was being picky.

What I did notice is the harshness of the stock suspension, but maybe you guys can tell me what that's like on a daily basis. I feel like my current senses may be off, since I've been driving an 08 Impala since the Focus went to the yard.

You need more time for a test drive for this car, and need to take it out on back twisty roads! My first and only test drive, sales dude let me swing the rear out and showed me a hidden twisty (that I still tackle every so often).

Sport mode doesn't switch the timing or anything. I don't remember if it does anything in the MT but in AT, it holds the car in lower gear longer and makes shifts more "aggressive".

Many, many people here drive this car for long hours/long distances every day. You get used to it unless you have a bad back or something. Just don't hit any potholes and you are good

[Ultramaroon]

It's a really impressive machine either way. I am certain I would be faster around a track in this automatic. For me it really is about being set in my ways.

That and on the inside, I'm still a pimple-faced adolescent.

[FR-Sky]

I agreed that the clutch throw is really short and blurry, thats why sometime i put little bit more gas just in case (on a steep road.)
i think 2nd gear is harder than 3rd,,i dont have problem with 3rd gear.

Just buy it! You won't regret it!

[gravitylover]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I am certain I would be faster around a track in this automatic.

I think you're right but, nah... It's not about fast it's about fun. Drop a gear or two and nail that corner and still be at a reasonable speed and keep your license.

Yup still bugs me when minivans drop me at traffic lights but ehh you get over it when you rip the next corner.

Yeah the ride is a bit tight but that's because... racecar. You noticed how good the steering is, just think of the rough spots as slalom gates and you'll be fine.

[Malibooya]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

You need more time for a test drive for this car, and need to take it out on back twisty roads! My first and only test drive, sales dude let me swing the rear out and showed me a hidden twisty (that I still tackle every so often).

Sport mode doesn't switch the timing or anything. I don't remember if it does anything in the MT but in AT, it holds the car in lower gear longer and makes shifts more "aggressive".

Many, many people here drive this car for long hours/long distances every day. You get used to it unless you have a bad back or something. Just don't hit any potholes and you are good

NYC is its own rally special stage most of the time. I got used to life on coils when I was younger, and the Focus wasn't exactly comfortable, so the FR-S didn't bother me too much. I imagine some of that would be alleviated with a different set of tires that didn't have rock-hard sidewalls...but I'd keep the originals on for a season for sweet dorifto action. I'd probably stay stock height though, or I'd scrape on everything around here.

Originally Posted by gravitylover

I think you're right but, nah... It's not about fast it's about fun. Drop a gear or two and nail that corner and still be at a reasonable speed and keep your license.

Yup still bugs me when minivans drop me at traffic lights but ehh you get over it when you rip the next corner.

Yeah the ride is a bit tight but that's because... racecar. You noticed how good the steering is, just think of the rough spots as slalom gates and you'll be fine.

As I learned driving some stupidly fast cars...you can't really use them in the real world. Shameless plug.

I may be moving for work within a few months though, so we'll see what happens. If I stay in the US, the FR-S is at the top of my list. If I go abroad for a different opportunity...it might just have a Toyota badge. Either way, it's a really enjoyable car.

[cycleboy]

My last fun car before this was a '73 2002 and I had it 25 years ago.

I test drove the FRS and went home to convince my wife why "we" needed it.

I love this car. It's gorgeous (esp. in silver, but that's personal preference), and fun, and everything is in the right spot to drive it.

I don't understand the "it's not fast enough" argument with many cars, including this one. Sure I'd love to have a Koenigsegg, but where can you actually use that without risking jail and lives? Plus, I have other things to spend my millions on! I haven't been dropped by anyone at lights, but then again I'm not inciting drag races either. Light turns green, I accelerate, everyone is behind me before the next light.

As for the shifter, I love the MTEC springs. They make the shifts more intuitive. Basically it makes the shifter want to center itself a little more firmly. That and switching to Gear 300 have made my shifting great. Still tough when it is cold, but I just shift as little as possible until it warms up.

My commute is ~35 minutes twice a day along Hwy 101. I'm lowered a little, so it is slightly stiffer than stock. It's noticeable, but doesn't bother my 45 year old body driving it around daily.

[ToySub1946]

>>I'm so far impressed with all the on topic comments...surely very helpful to the op.<<

Personally: I did not get out of the dealership lot before knowing I wanted the car, due to it's perfect fit for my body. I test drove a used one there, later bought a new one.

This car would not be a great driver for a person who must drive pot holed streets all the time. Wait till late spring when many of the pot holes are repaired.

I did not have fun last year, attempting to drive in Clearwater, Florida with it's heavy traffic and tons of strips malls (unfamiliar territory and having to constantly change lanes). This car has it's blinds spots for sure, but hey, it's a sports car, designed to be driven forward, and don't look back.


The real smiles come on the twisties, even dirt ones, where this car totally rules...you'll just grin and completely forget those traffic days.

[86 South Africa]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

It's not about fast it's about fun.

Yup still bugs me when minivans drop me at traffic lights but ehh you get over it when you rip the next corner.

It's definitely about fun!

That still bugs me a little too... but I like to remind myself how bad those mini-vans drive, and then I normally try a small drift/corner hard too if there is no traffic.
To solve at least some of this problem I have done a full exhaust + flex fuel - (no more torque dip )

___

On mine the gearbox feels really notchy for the first minute or two, but once everything is warm it's just a good, positive feel.

I highly recommend at least doing headers and a good tune to eliminate the torque dip (there are a gazillion posts on here about options), and it's not a very expensive mod.

In terms of driving feel and steering - I've had mine for 3 years now and still love getting into it every day. My fiance has a generic "run around" and when I get out of that and back into my 86... I appreciate the car all over again!!!

In terms of driver fun and feel this car is still tops for the price!

[berkbrzfan]

Welcome to the forum, Malibooya! You seem to have gotten a really short test drive!

As far as the gearbox is concerned, as many others have mentioned, it is unrelenting and strict in the way it expects to be operated. At least in the initial few thousand miles of operation.

I am starting to feel comfortable with mine now after 13K miles. Same time last year, it used to get pissed off at me at least once in a day !

[P86RAVES]

If you don't mind me asking, why did you go from an Evo to a Focus?

When it comes to power, most who agree it needs more agree that it doesn't need a lot more, just more; that's to say it's not a complete failure, just unsatisfactory. The accelerator is very inexpressive compared to how I feel the car should be.

The notion of that the car doesn't need to be fast because, "Well how fast can you go on public roads," is good rationality. To that ration, why does a car need above average handling when even hulking behemouths like large SUVs can handle most emergency maneuvers without breaking a sweat? It's about feeling, and that is the most import measure of a car you drive for more than just getting to place you'd rather not have to drive to.

Feeling is completely relative to the driver and to the driver's experience. My 89hp Civic felt like a jet on wheels when I daily drove it, but after driving another car for a while and hoping back in it, it felt like it had given up on life. To that end, the power the 86 puts out feels like I'd rather take public transportation.

Regarding the transmission, that seems to be about how mine acts. In cold mornings it stubborn about shifts, as it even fights to come out of reverse initially. Once warm it's ok.

[theparagon]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

Yup still bugs me when minivans drop me at traffic lights but ehh you get over it when you rip the next corner.

If a minivan is beating you off the light, you're doing something wrong...

http://www.zeroto60times.com/body-st...ast-slow-0-60/