Interested in buying an FR-S...

[FRSowner]

It's a great car. It's a really great car at this price point. It does everything well but will not give you the fastest acceleration, top speed, best handling or highest gas mileage in existence. It's also incredibly easy to drive.
If you want a two seater car (the back seats are really pretty useless) that does 0 - 60 in about 7 seconds, has a top speed of around 130 - 140, does about .7g on a skidpad, gets 30 mpg and looks awesome as fuck, get this car.

If you are looking for better performance in any of these categories, buy something else.

Class dismissed.

[ToxicSneakers]

Get a red FR-S automatic - trust me if you don't trust yourself to make this kind of decision.

[Dadhawk]

If you are looking for owner experiences I'd suggest you read the owner's journals. I've pretty much given a response to each of your questions in my journal as have others.

[Chewie4299]

Originally Posted by Thanntos

-Honestly, how underpowered it this car, in terms of cars similar in the class (STI's? GTI's? CivicSI's? Evo's? ect) and is it THAT big of an issue to most people who bought/are looking to buy this car? Right now I have a 2003 Acura RSX. To be quite honest, speed and racing ability is not exactly a concern, I am not looking to go draggin with it against 370z's and shit, I know it's not that kind of car. But I always get a bit confused when people say it's underpowered? How? In terms of what? (is top speed is 145 ish, 200 HP, ~6.8 0-60 slow?)

Well, first off, you've got multiple classes listed there. STi and Evo are in one class. CivicSI and GTI are in another. The FR-S and BRZ are technically in a class of their own at the moment if speaking strictly of NEW cars. They're really the only front engine RWD 2+2 sports cars out there.

The closest comparison is really the Miata which isn't known for its power but IS known for its handling. That's what this car is about as well.

I love my FR-S. The power is not impressive on paper but, having owned an Evo with >300awhp, I'm very happy. The vehicle is light as HELL and it really looks like it is going to respond well to simple bolt-ons and tuning though if I HAD to keep it stock I still wouldn't complain.

The beauty of a car like this (and the Miata to be honest) is when you throw turns into the mix (race track) it will keep up with and surpass far more powerful cars and it'll be REALLY satisfying.

I've never driven a vehicle that handles as well as this car stock and having owned an Evo that really means something.

Originally Posted by Thanntos

-How does it REALLY compare to the Subaru version BRZ? I heard the BRZ is even slower. I actually prefer the Scions body and style over the Subaru (damn smiling creepy car...) but the lack of interior luxury's is a bit of a concern. How are you FR-S owners REALLY liking the interior? It the difference between the two, or the things you wish you had in it THAT much to write home about or be upset with the lack-there-of luxurys? (Navi ect)

I got a chance to see a BRZ Limited for the first time last night. I'll say the seats are nice but, personally, I've never cared much one way or another for leather. It definitely has better looking headlights.

I was shopping for either the BRZ or FR-S and the ONLY two features of the BRZ that I saw value in above the FR-S were the headlights and stock nav/sat radio. However, I can put a better aftermarket headunit in w/ those features for less than the difference between the two and I like the FR-S styling better.

Bottom line... have no issues with the interior of the car. I know I wouldn't be alone in saying I feel like I BELONG in that seat. The car fits like a glove. Like I'm a part of it.

I like simplicity. It may not be made of wood and leather but it does have that feeling of a quality built car. This is VERY unlike the interior of my 2006 Wrangler. Of course I only got that car intending to get the exterior filthy.

Originally Posted by Thanntos

-I am quite inexperienced with driving a stick shift, but I don't want that to deter me from possibly getting this car in Manual. How do the two compare and what are people thinking about the differences with them? I heard and read a bit about the Auto having a 'sport' mode? That I can switch it to shift mode if I wanted to? Still not sure about the actual details on that. I live in PA, so we do tend to get a lot of snow here, how would a Manual rear wheel actually fare? I am leaning towards Auto atm because or what I heard about it.

I couldn't own this car w/ the auto. I've driven it and I cannot bash it. It is a VERY good automatic tranny. The best I've ever driven. I LOVE the 6MT though.

Don't let experience come into play here. If you decide on the MT over AT you'll be a pro in no time.

As for driving in snow. If you have to do it with this car I would prefer to do it with the MT. If you get the car now you'll be set by the time you see snow. Driving a stick in snow just gives you so much control if you know what you are doing. I would get snow tires, though. I live in CT and my plan is a dirt cheap 4x4 (now that my Wrangler's been traded in) for hauling and snow by winter. $1k 4x4 should work out if I find a good one. I got a buddy that picked up an old Cherokee for $1k a couple years ago expecting to get maybe a year out of it. 2.5 years later he's only needed to buy a battery.

Originally Posted by Thanntos

-Overall, how are some owners feeling about their cars/purchase? Again, try to be a bit un-biased if you own one or have test driven one. Is it what you expected(what were you expecting) for the price, and it is honestly a good pick up? If it worth trading in my 03' RSX for one?

When I get a new car I expect it to be like any relationship. I expect it to be all hot and amazing right in the beginning and then relatively quickly I'll start picking up on quirks that I'll have to decide whether or not I can live with as we get into our first fights and what not.

Aside from a slight chirping in her sleep, which the doctor so far says is normal, she's perfect in every way that matters to me.

I'm thinking of proposing.

Originally Posted by Thanntos

-Is this a car maybe worth waiting for till a Turbo comes out possibly next year, or a STI version of the BRZ comes, or right now, are people loving it enough to say F-that, it's great as it is?

No, in my opinion. First of all, due to what Toyota and Subaru designed this car to BE it seems very unlikely that they will introduce a turbo version. One of the key reasons they kept it N/A is throttle response. A TRD supercharger kit would be acceptable as it would not effect throttle response the same way as a turbo but it's unlikely either will come from the factory.

Any STI or TRD versions are more than likely going to be made with more lightweight parts, better wheels and tires, tweaked styling, and even more tuned suspension (it's beautiful as is but there is ALWAYS going to be more that can be done no matter how far you take it). I fully expect them to keep it N/A but try to wring out more power from it.

Secondly, I've played this waiting game in the past. Here's a quote from Draco-REX in another thread that expresses my feelings on this fairly well.

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

You could wait for next year. I hear they're trying to tune the torque valley out.
But then the year after that they'll likely have the forced induction versions.
However, that will be the first year for the forced induction cars, so maybe you should wait for a year after that..
By that time the following year will probably be the model refresh, you could wait for that.
Again, first year models though, might want to wait for another year.

So.. 5 years?

Or you could just decide to get one now and enjoy it, put up with it's little quirks, and then trade it for that matured, forced induction, and refreshed model 5 years from now.

Up to you.

Also....here's a drifting kitty.

[Chewie4299]

Oh yea... and on the subject of power again....

The beautiful thing about this car vs. my old Evo. If I really hammer it in the Evo I become a giant target for the police.

The FR-S/BRZ has just the right amount of power that you can really wring it out when you want with much less guilt and much less absolute douchebaggery.

[Thanntos]

REALLY appreciate the replies everyone, making me really want this more and will prob end up going for a test drive this coming week.

Already been working the finances out in my head too

About the MT/AT trans, again I think it's just beneficial overall for me to get an auto. I really won't have much guilt when it comes to not going manual, for most the reasons I stated. Always had auto, never really wanted or felt the need to get different. Even on a car like this, seems the Auto is popular/just as great.
(will always go back and forth still tho)

One thing I can't decide on is color Asphalt is looking super sexy right now. But Raven and Whiteout are as well...damn

[Chewie4299]

Originally Posted by Thanntos

REALLY appreciate the replies everyone, making me really want this more and will prob end up going for a test drive this coming week.

Already been working the finances out in my head too

About the MT/AT trans, again I think it's just beneficial overall for me to get an auto. I really won't have much guilt when it comes to not going manual, for most the reasons I stated. Always had auto, never really wanted or felt the need to get different. Even on a car like this, seems the Auto is popular/just as great.
(will always go back and forth still tho)

One thing I can't decide on is color Asphalt is looking super sexy right now. But Raven and Whiteout are as well...damn

I had trouble with color too. I liked everything but silver. Really wanted the gray. Loved black and white. Ended up with red and I'm happy with it.


As for the transmission. The auto really is very good for a full auto (non DSG double clutch super tranny). I was impressed with it and it does get even better gas mileage.

[rikdrt1]

Originally Posted by Thanntos

REALLY appreciate the replies everyone, making me really want this more and will prob end up going for a test drive this coming week.

Already been working the finances out in my head too

About the MT/AT trans, again I think it's just beneficial overall for me to get an auto. I really won't have much guilt when it comes to not going manual, for most the reasons I stated. Always had auto, never really wanted or felt the need to get different. Even on a car like this, seems the Auto is popular/just as great.
(will always go back and forth still tho)

One thing I can't decide on is color Asphalt is looking super sexy right now. But Raven and Whiteout are as well...damn

I was going to post this elsewhere but then i saw this topic - as dum as it sounds to most of us -- its an old question but let me tell you this..

i took a friend out for a 20mile drive out a mountain road and got a little carried away, i looked down and saw 71 on the SPEEDO and thought --- (HONEStly) -- SHT, i must have this stupid thing on Km, so i hit the button real quick as i ran thru the turns in my 6SP AT, and to my damb surprise i really was going 71 ! the Km read about 110 when i switched it over -- and i just about sht my pants when i realized i had just come out of a 30-35MPH turn at that speed. oh man ! I had never done that and not beleived the speedo...

this car is so much dam fun, one thing it isnt is slow. im sure the 370Z will blow it in the straight line but in the curves this 26k car is just BEAUTIFUL. Im in love with this dam thing.... as alot of us are !

[WhiteFang]

Originally Posted by chate

These threads should have only one reply

TEST DRIVE IT

I couldn't agree more. I tossed and turned about the FR-S... I was actually a day away from ordering a V6 Premium Mustang.

One test drive in an automatic left me with a stupid grin on my face and no doubt in my mind that I wanted an FR-S.

My first test drove was an automatic because that was all that was available in my area, and the automatic is probably the best automatic I've ever driven.
To clarify, I'm only able to compare against a Cooper S, 2nd gen Eclipse (non-turbo), and multiple sedans/suvs not worth mentioning.

I decided to wait and find myself a manual and I haven't had one single moment of regret.

If you test drive it and you love it, go for it. If you have something in the back of your mind, that something will only coninue to bug you.

Now I just need to rack up 600 more miles so that I can be done with the break in period

[chate]

Seriously, the first86 people were like ehhhhhhh after a couple months of the announcement, then everyone drove it at the event and were super excited, then we started to forget how awesome it was and were on the fence again...then we test drove em and voila

maybe thats just my story. I've personally owned a C5 Vette, my friends who drive an evo, 03Cobra, WRX, M5, 240sx, and even a guy who owns a GTR drove my 86 and said "this is more fun than the GTR" its one of those things "there something about it" and no one can put it in words If you can afford it, buy it, havent heard anyone regretting it so far !!

[Mazdaspeed]

Originally Posted by rikdrt1

I was going to post this elsewhere but then i saw this topic - as dum as it sounds to most of us -- its an old question but let me tell you this..

i took a friend out for a 20mile drive out a mountain road and got a little carried away, i looked down and saw 71 on the SPEEDO and thought --- (HONEStly) -- SHT, i must have this stupid thing on Km, so i hit the button real quick as i ran thru the turns in my 6SP AT, and to my damb surprise i really was going 71 ! the Km read about 110 when i switched it over -- and i just about sht my pants when i realized i had just come out of a 30-35MPH turn at that speed. oh man ! I had never done that and not beleived the speedo...

this car is so much dam fun, one thing it isnt is slow. im sure the 370Z will blow it in the straight line but in the curves this 26k car is just BEAUTIFUL. Im in love with this dam thing.... as alot of us are !

This is exactly why I go for handling over horsepower, it's such a rewarding experience to carve up a set of extremely technical corners and blow away "faster" cars without any effort. Having gobs of power is great, but it's kind of a one-note thing - mash the gas and you go fast, but there's no reason to feel rewarded because of it.

I will say though, great power mixed with great handling is the ideal, but in this price range it's pretty much one or the other. Having owned cars that champion both, I'll take handling over power every single time.

[Shagaliscious]

- I traded in my 03 Civic Si (almost the same motor as the RSX) and I can tell you the power is just fine. Especially if you are like me and aren't looking to race everyone and their mother.

- I think the BRZ is like .1 second slower, so it's probably not noticeable unless you race them. The interior isn't bad, the headunit is great! Bluetooth works like a charm, easy to use, all the buttons make sense. I do wish it had more interior storage room, but that's not a big deal.

- My buddy gets around with his 03 mustang here in PA just fine in the winter.

- I am loving my FR-S. I don't regret trading in my Civic Si at all. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

[SUB-FT86]

I own the same RSX as you and if you like its stock power/torque(I hate it with a passion) then I don't see why you won't like this car.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Thanntos

About the MT/AT trans, again I think it's just beneficial overall for me to get an auto....

You are the perfect candidate for the auto based on what you've said here. If it fits your needs better get it. I've been very happy with it. Absolutely no regrets. Frankly its better than most manuals I've driven.