Should I trade in our family loved SUV for an FR-S?

[Veloist]

I think you need to dig deeper and find breakdown your problem a bit more before making or even thinking of making a move.

Why are you considering a new car?
What is it currently costing you (financially, space, mentality) to keep your FJ?
What benefits do you enjoy that are important to you in the FJ?
What do you hope to gain as benefits for owning an FR-S or BRZ?
What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you value the most each time you drive it?
What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you value just as an owner of the FJ?
What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you dislike the most each time you drive it?
Why did you decide to purchase the FJ in the first place?


What changes do you see coming in the next 5 years that could impact owning an FR-S/BRZ? (commonly answered with "new job," "more kids," "a pet", "weather")
What lifestyle changes (ex. hobbies) do you see coming if you had gotten rid of the FJ all together, rather than replaced? How do would you feel about these changes?
What lifestyle changes do you see coming if you replace the FJ with the FR-S? How would you feel about these changes?

Realistically, how long can you see yourself owning the FR-S?
How long did you initially plan to keep the FJ?
How often have you thought about getting rid of the FJ?

...etc.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by faredo

A little background on myself:
I’m 38 years old married with a 3 month old. We currently own 3 cars ..........

Welcome to ye ol forum @faredo ...........

Nope, you're not too old for an FR-S.

I have found that regardless of how much fun you had with a vehicle or how much you got attached to it, sometimes, you just have to let them go.

Examples:

I drove a 1948 Chevrolet for 10 years and stored in my parents barn for 10 more years ...... had to let it go ....... they sold the farm.

I bought a new 1970 MGB and drove it for 9 years, stored it for 4 years .....changed jobs ...... lost my storage place.

Bought a 1956 Ford step side pickup ...... drove it off and on for 8 years ..... had to sell it ..... moved cross country.

Bought a 2006 Maita ....... drove it for 88,000 touring miles, mostly top down ...... loved the roadster experience ..... wife grew tired of it.......sold it for the FR-S.

My point is that although I would have liked to keep all of those vehicles, life changing situations, time, space and money wouldn't allow it.

So, should you give up your FJ ....... that is totally your call.


humfrz

[FNCrazy]

Originally Posted by Veloist

I think you need to dig deeper and find breakdown your problem a bit more before making or even thinking of making a move.

Why are you considering a new car?
What is it currently costing you (financially, space, mentality) to keep your FJ?
What benefits do you enjoy that are important to you in the FJ?
What do you hope to gain as benefits for owning an FR-S or BRZ?
What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you value the most each time you drive it?
What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you value just as an owner of the FJ?
What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you dislike the most each time you drive it?
Why did you decide to purchase the FJ in the first place?


What changes do you see coming in the next 5 years that could impact owning an FR-S/BRZ? (commonly answered with "new job," "more kids," "a pet", "weather")
What lifestyle changes (ex. hobbies) do you see coming if you had gotten rid of the FJ all together, rather than replaced? How do would you feel about these changes?
What lifestyle changes do you see coming if you replace the FJ with the FR-S? How would you feel about these changes?

Realistically, how long can you see yourself owning the FR-S?
How long did you initially plan to keep the FJ?
How often have you thought about getting rid of the FJ?

...etc.

Wow! Well done!

That just about exactly covers it

All we know is.... He's called The Stig

[RichardsFRS]

Originally Posted by FNCrazy

(Careful, I ramble, but I usually have a point)

I'm 38, I thought I was one of the old guys on a forum filled with young 'uns. According to Tcoat, that's evidently not true, and he would know. He was waiting on this forum before the internet was a thing.

Wow, what a *really* tough call!

Your FJ is phenomenal, and looks close to what I'd envisioned for my FJ. I heard about the FJ's in development, I'd find spy shots with all their camouflage, save them all to look at later, I was obsessed. I went to forums where we theorized some of the unknowns, and generally shared each other's excitement. Anyway, when they finally came out, I went to just look and test drive (in reality I was convinced we would be bringing it home that night). I wanted the same color as you, which is clearly, clearly, the best FJ color out there. Scientific fact. My wife liked it more than I thought, and I almost couldn't formulate sentences I loved it so much. We found the one with the exact options, came up with a semi-legit price, (remember how I said I was only going to look?) yeah well earlier that day I'd already secured financing for it. We got right down to the end, about to sign papers. My wife was pregnant, but we had our infant seat already in our car. She just wanted to "make sure." I thought it didn't matter, it was bigger than the damn Golf GTI we drove up in. Try as we might, it absolutely would not fit. Not even close. Shit! So what to do? What any rational FJ obsessed father to be would do of course. I borrowed a used Tacoma, and drove around, picked up 4 (I think) different brands of infant seat. Smart of course, those aren't returnable, and not cheap. I couldn't have done one at a time? Nope, in a hurry. Brought them back, looked silly as hell with 4 boxes of seats next to the FJ in the middle of the showroom. One after another, they simply didn't fit. With that, my dream of making an FJ like yours disappeared. I was crushed. I mean, logically I knew once my son was in a forward facing, that I could try again. But, of course, by then we had a minivan, my 3 motorcycles (yes I know), and that Golf. The FJ's time had passed. I had an emotional connection already, and it wasn't even mine. I can imagine the thoughts you have about yours.

So, sell it or don't? I say sell it to me, maybe we can timeshare it and my Fr-s? (pm me, lol)

What I would say is the Fr-s is not a practical car (depending on what you compare to and use it for), at least to what you've grown accustomed to. But, that doesn't matter much, you can go shopping in your Fusion or van, haul friends, etc. So it doesn't HAVE to be as practical.

So basically it boils down to one thing. Emotions/bonding. You can have a car worse in every conceivable way to another in front of you, and still pass on it, because there's just... Something about the old one.

Unfortunately we can help with telling you what the Fr-s is like, how much you get sucked into modding, and how you'll love the car. But we can't help you trade in that beautiful FJ and not miss it dearly.

One thing I can tell you as someone who has (clinically) obsessed about the two vehicles in question. I drove the FJ for a few hour test drive, enjoyed every minute of it, became really excited about it, was determined to get it. With the Fr-s though, I took it for only 45 minutes or so, but my face hurt from a 45 minute huge smile. Giggled like a school girl when I drove through some twisty corners, and had an absolute ball. And that wasn't like you for instance, coming from a much different form of vehicle where any car feels nimble in comparison. That was from me owning motorcycles, and the car I came to the lot with, a BMW M3. The 'ultimate driving machine' could obviously outperform handily the Fr-s in every performance test you could devise. But it was different. 0-60 numbers don't make you have a shit eating grin. The *feeling* of doing it is what matters. And I'd spend all day competing and losing every test against an M3, the whole time thoroughly enjoying losing. I loved my Beemer, but I immediately had a connection with this little, impractical, some say underpowered (when compared to the M3 especially) little car that just begs you to drive it, wind it up, and take off in your new Go-kart.

So, maybe drive one some more, don't take it where you'd take your FJ necessarily, take it on back, windy roads, do some shifting, see if it gives you a start to the same emotions you had at first about your FJ. Think about how you would mod it (I assume you would end up modding it, you did a hell of a job on your FJ).

It all boils down to emotions. If you can't bond with it, you'll be kicking yourself every day. If you can, great, even though you will still miss your FJ like crazy, no getting around that.

I've been a member of the FJ community (forums especially), BMW, all my motorcycles, Mr2 (which is my 'one that got away', an 88 supercharged MR2 that I let slip away because I was young and dumb), anyway, a lot of vehicle groups and forums. Now this one. I'm new here, but I think I'll find a home here, the people are great and helpful (mostly ).

So, do you think you can bond with the Fr-s? How much have you driven one?

I've babbled enough, and I seriously doubt I even made my point, but there you go. Here's the point I suppose.

All things being equal, don't get rid of a vehicle you've bonded with, unless you're reasonably certain you can bond with the replacement , or you'll be miserable. And bonding is completely subjective. On paper, I would have bet money I would have bonded more with my BMW... Or my Lotus even, than this Fr-s. People on my Beemer forum thought I lost my fucking mind when I told them I traded it in on a Fr-s. Lol

I'm very, very passionate about, well, I guess all things internal combustion, but FJ and Fr-s are two of my favorites. So, I ramble more than usual. I'm done now though, don't worry!




All we know is.... He's called The Stig

Same emotions of trading in my GT for the FRS (i even cried ask my wife), but after a few days of performance driving in the FRS I was well over the GT blues. However I do miss the power, car squats and takes off like rocket, power, I can break 100 without blinking power. I don't miss gas being sucked up by the gallons a day. I would easily suck down quarter tank of gas to work and back (56 miles) The FRS barely budges when it comes to gas and its so much damn fun. Getting rid of an M3 though? Don't think I'd do it. Best car that BMW ever built and ever will built. Where I go from here, don't know, most likely another high speed high powered car. May keep the FRS and finally get that jeep, if the wife doesn't end up getting one. Then I'd slowly build the FRS, so it will squat and break a hundred without blinking.

[faredo]

Great questionnaire, lets try to answer these as honest as i can.

Why are you considering a new car?
The FJ is finished. I cant modify it any further without leaving the original plan. Its also not very good on gas ( knew that going in ) and isnt and wont be used for what it was built for, for at least 5 years.

What is it currently costing you (financially, space, mentality) to keep your FJ?
only a spot in the garage, insurance which is cheap, and Gas/oil changes. I put MAYBE 75 miles a month on it.


What benefits do you enjoy that are important to you in the FJ?

Before having my daughter. it could be taken anywhere. secret fishing holes, remote camp sites, weekend excursions. Many times in the worst of winter im one of the few that can actually make it to work. thats always satisfying.


What do you hope to gain as benefits for owning an FR-S or BRZ?

Now that I have so little time for things like camping, fishing, and rallys. it would be nice to get back into autox. Sometimes with a little one around you need to get home or at least back to civilization pretty quick. More often than not, there is no cell service off roading.


What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you value the most each time you drive it?

Its big without being too big, we can go damn near anywhere.

What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you value just as an owner of the FJ?

Its stocked with first aid, recovery gear, air tools, remote power, emergency food rations etc. at any moment we can take off and be self sustained with the exception of fuel.

What characteristic(s) about the FJ do you dislike the most each time you drive it?

Its a little unwieldy on the interstate. emergency lane changes arent its thing. its very rare im ever on the interstate with it though.

Why did you decide to purchase the FJ in the first place?

The wife and I decided to not have children for at least 5 years. In that time we wanted something that we could enjoy the outdoors with. and we have, a lot.


What changes do you see coming in the next 5 years that could impact owning an FR-S/BRZ? (commonly answered with "new job," "more kids," "a pet", "weather")

Maybe weather if anything. but its not a huge deal, here in western Arkansas we might see a month of really bad snow, IF that. last few years have been really mild. we live in a suburb of Fort Smith and its about 20 minute commute. but like ive said before. this truck is normally not driven unless the wife and baby stay home from work. then ill take the truck and leave her the Fusion.


What lifestyle changes (ex. hobbies) do you see coming if you had gotten rid of the FJ all together, rather than replaced? How do would you feel about these changes?

With the baby, my lifestyle has already changed not unlike getting ride of the FJ already.

What lifestyle changes do you see coming if you replace the FJ with the FR-S? How would you feel about these changes?

Not many, other than being able to take the girls to local events to see Daddy dodge cones.

Realistically, how long can you see yourself owning the FR-S?

somewhere between 5-10 years

How long did you initially plan to keep the FJ?

I didn't really have a plan. Its actually been with me longer than any other vehicle by a long shot. Normally i would trade out within 2 years. many times in 1 year.

How often have you thought about getting rid of the FJ?

When it comes to cars... i have a wondering eye. Normally I would just purchase but I can no longer justify the expense. I cant sell the sadan. the wife loves it. I cant sell the van. its really not worth much and its worth more than that just to have a backup car.
really the FJ is the only option if i wanted to swap out.
So after all this.. its still clear as mud.

[strat61caster]

Have you test driven it yet?

[NyC Zn6]

Sure trade in the family for a FRS

[FNCrazy]

Originally Posted by RichardsFRS

Same emotions of trading in my GT for the FRS (i even cried ask my wife), but after a few days of performance driving in the FRS I was well over the GT blues. However I do miss the power, car squats and takes off like rocket, power, I can break 100 without blinking power. I don't miss gas being sucked up by the gallons a day. I would easily suck down quarter tank of gas to work and back (56 miles) The FRS barely budges when it comes to gas and its so much damn fun. Getting rid of an M3 though? Don't think I'd do it. Best car that BMW ever built and ever will built. Where I go from here, don't know, most likely another high speed high powered car. May keep the FRS and finally get that jeep, if the wife doesn't end up getting one. Then I'd slowly build the FRS, so it will squat and break a hundred without blinking.

To be fair, I'm sure most wouldn't give up an M3 for an FR-S. They're two very different cars though. The Fr-s suits my driving style better, always has. Well, by always has I mean I had a supercharged MR2, and a Lotus Elise. All three not as fast as the Beemer, but the handling, lightweight, nimbleness, quickness is how I love my car's evidently. The Beemer was super fast, but it felt like exactly what it was, a big car (comparatively)

All we know is.... He's called The Stig

[faredo]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Have you test driven it yet?

yes, and it was glorious.

[techie182]

Currently own FRS and looking for FJ for second car. Let me know if you plan to sell it.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[Veloist]

So it seems like your inner problem definitely has to do with emotions rather than being a true need for a vehicle.

My dad has an 03 4Runner that he is sentimentally attached to. He's owned it for 14 years yet it only has 45k miles. Needless to say, I think he wants to keep it forever. The reason why he likes it is simply because he didnt like the ride of the current 4Runners. It's also our only SUV with the rest of our cars being small Eco Cars so it's actually nice having when you want to switch it up for a change. But like I mentioned, it is a low-mileage car and he drives maybe 3000 miles a year or less, so he never gets tired of it.

There have been occasions when he wanted to sell it or trade it in. He has put it on Craigslist maybe two times and always finds a buyer. His co-worker always tells him that he'd buy the car as soon as my dad is ready to sell it.

My dad really likes the new Highlander and the new Lexus RX. It crosses his mind that he can easily sell his 4Runner and get either of those two.

The reason he doesn't is because there is really no need for him to get a new car. His situation may be different from yours in that he has grown kids fresh out of college so his only reasoning for getting a new car would be "because it's nicer."

But I think the reason why he's so emotionally attached to his 4Runner is because it has satisfied his needs for so long. Since he has never had the need to get rid of it or change to another car, he perceives his 4Runner as invaluable.

The real reasoning behind sentimental attachment is fear. It's the fear that you will make a huge mistake by getting rid of this said object. It's the fear that the new car you get will not make you as happy as the car it replaced.

I sell cars for a living and people trade in their cars that they've owned for 15+ years. None of them get super sad or anything, but sometimes I do get the occasional "I feel like crying because I'm replacing my car." And this is the fear kicking in. Apart from the fear of a big financial commitment, most things going through these people's head are "what if my new car doesn't last as long as this one." Or "What if I don't like my new car as much as my old car I kept for 20 years?"

But you know what? These people let go. And they let go because they need a new car. This same person can also be thinking "I won't see an expensive repair bill or be stranded because of the new car warranty." Or "This new car is so much safer for my baby/family" or "This new car has so much more space that I never had in my old car."

And that's where I realized that a lot of people can be sentimentally attached to their cars, and the way to let go is by having a true need to.

Tldr; Letting go of a car can be hard but it is made possible by having a definite need to.

[p1l0t]

Please you're married with kids, you're not buying a toy car. Come back when you're 50 and they are out of the house. I'm 33 and I have one but I don't have any kids yet so I get a pass for being in the dark strip between 30-50 yrs old.

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[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by p1l0t

Please you're married with kids, you're not buying a toy car. Come back when you're 50 and they are out of the house. I'm 33 and I have one but I don't have any kids yet so I get a pass for being in the dark strip between 30-50 yrs old.

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Married with a kid here, one practical car is enough, and a midsized sedan is just fine. We replaced our BMW 335i coupe and BMW Z4 for a BMW 330i sedan and a SAAB 9-3 (safety yo) in preparation of our daughter. Sound rational decision both financially and from a safety standpoint, but with both of us being car people it ate away at us. One year later we have a 335i again (sedan this time) and the BRZ.

-Josh

[faredo]

Originally Posted by p1l0t

Please you're married with kids, you're not buying a toy car.

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What do you think the fj is?