Finally took the FR-S for a test drive- first impression

[blu_]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

Everybody that's saying the car feels slow because it is so well balanced I don't believe you guys one bit. I was in a more well balanced car that didn't feel slow and it's called a Honda S2000. The balance of this car is not ideal as a 370Z and Gencoupe is around 55f/45r.

People keep saying this but a 50/50 weight balance is not actually ideal all the time. It might be on some cars but not a light car where you are floored trough the Apex of most turns. As far as the ops comment on torque it's a legitimate concern if the butt dyno is something that matters to you. Almost any turbo car will feel faster than this one, even if it isn't.

[Opposed]

I used to have an 03.5 MAZDASPEED Protege many years ago. It had a SRI, Corksport exhaust and catless DP, and an AFC tuned at 8 psi. The speed protege stock on paper is still slower than an FRS. Even with all of those mods, I was only putting down around 170whp which is what these things are putting down stock. And of course the low end torque seems low. You have a quick spooling, but extremely small T25 turbo that gives great low end a midrange power. But I also came from an AP1 S2000. Not sure why someone above said that car felt fast? You think the FRS has no low end torque? Go drive an AP1. That thing was a turd around town. The FRS has a huge amount of torque below 3k than most small N/A 4-cyl that I have ever driven. I still don't understand why people keep saying this. Maybe they feel the torque dip and think "this thing is slooooow". And lets not forget the main point. The FRS was designed with performance in mind from the ground up. The MAZDASPEED Protege was an econobox with some performance suspension bolted on, and one of the shittiest turbo designs every created slapped on an engine that couldn't even handle it. The FS engines were bending its puny rods on stock 6 lbs of boost. What about the glass LSD? Those things couldn't make it even 100k miles before exploding on people going 35 mph. He is right about the MPG's. I could average 28-30. But I am getting a constant 30-32 in my FRS. Don't get me wrong, the speed was one of my favorite cars I have ever driven. It is a ton of fun and handles extremely well for a FWD car, but I think there is no comparison...

[russv]

I have a test on how well a car handles. It is a particular left hand turn that most of my cars required me to brake before completing. Only my previous Mini Cooper and now my FRS allow me to make the turn without braking, and the FRS at a much higher speed. Some of you may remember the Lotus Élan which was an anemic powered sports car built in the 60's. It used to beat higher powered sports cars on road courses because it handled so well, including Porsches. The FRS is the spiritual successor to the Lotus.

[vtmike]

Originally Posted by ft86Fan

Some people only know how to read the numbers in a mag.

Unfortunately so. Your exige must be a blast to drive. I've gotten to ride in my buddy's elise several times and love that car. He has since sold it and picked up a boxster spyder which is equally as awesome. Both examples of well balanced cars.

[blu_]

Originally Posted by russv

I have a test on how well a car handles. It is a particular left hand turn that most of my cars required me to brake before completing. Only my previous Mini Cooper and now my FRS allow me to make the turn without braking, and the FRS at a much higher speed. Some of you may remember the Lotus Élan which was an anemic powered sports car built in the 60's. It used to beat higher powered sports cars on road courses because it handled so well, including Porsches. The FRS is the spiritual successor to the Lotus.

I think this car, like a miata or s2000 is very much a poor mans lotus.

[Lonewolf]

Don't buy the FRS, your one year run only Mazdaspeed is obviously better in every way...

[Laika]

Originally Posted by bartonian

30 mpg seems great, but you factor in that extra 20 cents per gallon and it's not as great.

Sure, lets factor it in. Using my fuelly account I found out I average a 10.1 gallon fillup. A 20 cent difference in premium brings us to $2.02 per fill up. My fuelly says I average 6 fill ups per month but I've only had the car for a month and I did a LOT more driving than I usually would in a month. Nevertheless, that high average brings us to 72 fill ups/year. Over a year I spent $145.57 more in petrol so I could have premium (going by averages here on prices too).

Now that's not a big difference, I'm paying an extra $0.40/day to have premium. No offense but this would basically make you a complete cheapskate if you think paying an extra 40 cents a day is something that is even worth these calculations.

But hey lets look at it like this, my previous car averaged 21mpg under significantly less aggressive driving than how I drive my BRZ. My average fill up was 15.5 gallons of regular old gas which I've seen at around $3.33 in my area right now. Assuming I still drove the same amount in my old car, I am saving about $700/year by putting premium into my BRZ that I have FUN driving.

Check my stats if you're interested, I don't do ANY highway driving. My drive to work is from 6:50-730am and home is around 4:00-4:45. Pretty high traffic times in my area. These numbers would all be even better if they weren't for traffic.

http://www.fuelly.com/driver/laika/brz

[blu_]

$.20 a gallon is a 5% difference in price, or equal cost wise to getting 28.5 mpg on regular vs 30mpg on premium. Nbd

[Nepenthe]

Maths. I'm getting 32 MPG. 93 Octane is currently $3.30. Low Octane s $3.00.

If I go 320 miles, I use 10 gallons. That would cost me $30 if I were in a different car (still getting 32 MPG) and could buy Low Octane. $30 will only buy me 9.091 gallons of 93 Octane though, for the FR-S. With 9.091 gallons I can only go 290.91 miles in the FR-S.

So having to buy 93, at current prices and fuel consumption, is like dropping from 32 MPG to 29.1 MPG for me. My Si got in the 23 MPG to 26 MPG range for about 95% of the 130 or so fillups I did in it.

Of course, the actual effect will be negligible given I will probably put 5000 miles/year on the car. 156 gallons/year x 30 cents = $47/year = $3.90/month = 90 cents a week.

[Spaceywilly]

You also would get lower mileage with lower octane. When I had a maxima I would get 3 more mpg on premium than on regular, so it would cancel out the price increase. That's why I never care if a car requires premium, and I sort of feel bad for anyone who is pinching pennies so bad that $3 more at the pump when you fill up is a big deal.

[bartonian]

Never really did the math out. I guess it's not that bad. Maybe $150 a year with the mileage I am doing.

Not sure why this forum is full of such whiny children. Merely voicing my opinion after taking it for a test drive. Like I said, I will go for round 2 and push it a little more. Maybe find an onramp to test out.

Sorry if I hurt anyones feelings

[russv]

Originally Posted by blu_

I think this car, like a miata or s2000 is very much a poor mans lotus.

But a Lotus will drive you to the poorhouse

[Shagaliscious]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

Everybody that's saying the car feels slow because it is so well balanced I don't believe you guys one bit. I was in a more well balanced car that didn't feel slow and it's called a Honda S2000. The balance of this car is not ideal as a 370Z and Gencoupe is around 55f/45r.

The FR-S has a 53f/47r split.

[blu_]

Originally Posted by russv

But a Lotus will drive you to the poorhouse

It's a vicious circle.