New to the FR-S, my 2 pennies...

[Sivtec]

I just picked up a Raven FR-S. The only drive I have taken is the one home. Long day. Pretty excited. Before I list some things that have caught my eye, I want to say that my previous car was a 08 Honda Civic Si, and before that was a 00 Honda Civic Si, so as you can see its pretty tough switching company's. Most of the things I will notice will be based on what I have owned so yea....

- First off its really hard to describe what you feel when you drive this car. It just feels "fun". Every corner, every bump, every lane change... its just fun. Coming from a Civic everything was so smooth and it just felt like a pretty quick daily driver. This is a little different, it feels way more like a sports car.
- The Sound this car makes is just... epic... I love it, it was everything I thought it would be. Getting in the throttle (although I am babying it a little) just feels awesome.
- The Cornering feels exciting. I know this car is going to get all kinds of compliments on the cornering and it is every bit true. Just feels "fun".
- The Tach is awesome just for the fact that its not "just" digital, even though I look at that more than the gauge but the Si had nothing but digital so its a nice change.
- The Look is evil. It just looks like it's not gonna take $#@! from anyone. Even though its still not the fastest thing out there, it just looks the part. Its the only car I know that looks this aggressive for the price. Amazing.
- The Small Things really make me smile. For instance the fact that the windows bump when you open the door (like the Corvette) really make the car seem like its a real sports car. The body styling on the hood and roof really make it stand out as well. Headlights are bright and beautiful as well as the LED tail lights.
- The Interior is nice in some ways. Seats are even more comfortable than the Si's which I thought was hard to pull off.
- The Shifting takes a bit getting used just for the fact its so light and smooth. Takes some getting used to.

Some things that I don't like:

- The most problematic one for me at this time which is still kinda lame in some people's mind is the center console. I hate that I can't rest my arm on anything... It's just inconvienent but that's just me.
- The Stereo blows. Just know that going in. It's terrible. Miss the Si's for sure. But what makes up for it is the sexy motor.
- The overall feel of the interior is a bit disappointing. Just feels like there isnt alot of quality that I got from the Honda. One example that's just very minor, the center console lighting looks just old...and the three display buttons on the side of the Tach for ODO, MPG, etc don't even light up. Again just my opinion.

I do have some questions for you guys that have had the car for awhile.

- I know it's supposed to sound pretty deep but I am almost getting a "throaty" rattle from the motor and low RPM's. Is that normal?
- My car currently has like 70 miles on it, are you guys babying it up to 4000 RPM till you get to 1000 miles? I know alot of you are doing that but the dealer says it shouldnt matter.

All in all I feel I made the right decision and I'm excited to start sporting the FR-S around town. Still pretty EXCITED!!!

[BlaineWasHere]

I'm trying to take it easy for the first 1000 miles, but that isn't easy so far...

Congrats on the new car!

[Pscylo]

Ahh nice you got the one at Big 2 Scion huh? Ian called me around noon asking if I knew anyone wanting one that was exactly like mine.

Maybe I will see you on the mean streets of chandler =p

Yeah its sounds growly at lower RPM and purrs higher RPMs, I didnt baby it up to 4k rpm through the break in, just didnt constantly blow past 4k.

The DI sounds like crickets on speed, and can be pretty loud when your sitting near a building or wall that it echos off of.

Should roll around the area in mirror cars and watch the reactions....probably be pretty amusing.

[Lonewolf]

Two things that you might be interested in:

1) A center console armrest is supposed to be an option soon. Look for the part to become available later this summer.

2) Many people complained about the stock audio until they played with the settings of the stereo. It seems that most people had the factory default settings of the stereo set to TC and not FRS. Apparently, changing the audio settings to FRS makes the audio system crisper...at least that's what I've seen on these forums.

[Fish]

+1 to what Lonewolf said about the audio. If you haven't checked it yet, make sure it's set to FR-S. Default seems to be tC.

[Jayp]

Congrats on the car.

But duplicate posts.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9583

[Pscylo]

+2....made a big difference in the way it sounded. Mine was on tC as well.

Because one post is on the BRZ and one on the FR-S....to make sure the questions he posed were seen by both crowds? I know I dont look at the BRZ forum....which I probably should.

[koyv90]

wtf you guys are in chandler? Can we have a chandler meet? I would so drive there from Peoria to see them in Real life and get to chat with some frs owners!!

[rikdrt1]

vTEC, you made the right decision as I did. i was about to sign off on a Civic Si too before this car blew me away. And although it may not be as practical as the civic in any matter -- i guess it doesnt matter once you drive this FR-S and you see what you already know after a few short miles.

remember, we only paid 25 or so, and for the money we get alot of performance, confidence to turn any mountain corner and the fun to zip around traffic -- cars way past our 'league' are taking a closer look and dont know how to react. i think its a great deal and decsion.

i agree with the interior 'nice-ities' , they could of thrown in a few more lighted buttons and some xtras.. not sure why they didnt at least make them options.

my biggest complaint was the HID's - comon SCION - wtf happened there ?? an extra 500 dollars maybe - everyone would of paid it . but i got over that after driving around and just babying it as i still learn to love this thing more and more.

enjoy and just forget about the vtec for now..

[Sivtec]

Ahh nice you got the one at Big 2 Scion huh? Ian called me around noon asking if I knew anyone wanting one that was exactly like mine.

Maybe I will see you on the mean streets of chandler =p

Yeah its sounds growly at lower RPM and purrs higher RPMs, I didnt baby it up to 4k rpm through the break in, just didnt constantly blow past 4k.

The DI sounds like crickets on speed, and can be pretty loud when your sitting near a building or wall that it echos off of.

Should roll around the area in mirror cars and watch the reactions....probably be pretty amusing.

Cool man! We got to roll around together! What are the chances both Raven and both Chandler?! Sweet. Definitely hit me UP!

1) A center console armrest is supposed to be an option soon. Look for the part to become available later this summer.

2) Many people complained about the stock audio until they played with the settings of the stereo. It seems that most people had the factory default settings of the stereo set to TC and not FRS. Apparently, changing the audio settings to FRS makes the audio system crisper...at least that's what I've seen on these forums.

Check and Check! For all of the guys commenting on the Audio, I will DEFINITELY mess around with it tomorrow to see if I can get it to sound better.

Because one post is on the BRZ and one on the FR-S....to make sure the questions he posed were seen by both crowds? I know I dont look at the BRZ forum....which I probably should.

And I didnt mean to post up multi posts but I am actually glad I did because it definitely has gotten some attention in that thread as well. Its nice to hear everyones information.

[Bristecom]

Sounds like you have some pretty high standards on the interior and sound system. I can't imagine it sounding much better than it does. And the interior feels very solid to me. Although I suppose some Hondas may indeed be a step up.

Anyway, congrats on the new car. It should be a lot more fun than a Civic.

[Sivtec]

Originally Posted by rikdrt1

vTEC, you made the right decision as I did. i was about to sign off on a Civic Si too before this car blew me away. And although it may not be as practical as the civic in any matter -- i guess it doesnt matter once you drive this FR-S and you see what you already know after a few short miles.

remember, we only paid 25 or so, and for the money we get alot of performance, confidence to turn any mountain corner and the fun to zip around traffic -- cars way past our 'league' are taking a closer look and dont know how to react. i think its a great deal and decsion.

i agree with the interior 'nice-ities' , they could of thrown in a few more lighted buttons and some xtras.. not sure why they didnt at least make them options.

my biggest complaint was the HID's - comon SCION - wtf happened there ?? an extra 500 dollars maybe - everyone would of paid it . but i got over that after driving around and just babying it as i still learn to love this thing more and more.

enjoy and just forget about the vtec for now..

Yea man im excited about getting this car. I won't lie though, I have been a Civic fan for many years, and after leaving my second one, it was definitely bitter sweet! Kinda sad. But I move on and see what excitement this car has in store. This car has much more potential than the Civic so we will see..... for now

Originally Posted by koyv90

wtf you guys are in chandler? Can we have a chandler meet? I would so drive there from Peoria to see them in Real life and get to chat with some frs owners!!

Koyv, we definitely should have a Chandler meet or something. Excited to see other FRS owners as well!

[Pscylo]

I'm down for getting together. Could meet at the Chic fila or some such nonsense cause....I like chicken, and then go on a short loop 202 sprint/cruise and back to show you whats its actually like at 7k rpms.

I know there is up to what, 7 of us now in the Phoenix area? Also a handful down in Tuscon.

[Sivtec]

Originally Posted by Pscylo

I'm down for getting together. Could meet at the Chic fila or some such nonsense cause....I like chicken, and then go on a short loop 202 sprint/cruise and back to show you whats its actually like.

I know there is up to what, 7 of us now in the Phoenix area? Also a handful down in Tuscon.

LETS DOOOO ITTTTTT!!!