Want to buy FRS. Family says no because of maintenance concerns

[MuseChaser]

Originally Posted by omadab

Hello my dudes,
I am currently looking for a FRS/BRZ/86. My budget is 15 000$ CAD so it made sense for me to aim for a 14/15 FRS since they are generally cheaper due to Scion being discontinued. The problem is, my family is not very comfortable with me dropping this large sum of money on a discontinued car. I understand their concern but at the same time, from the research I have done, it is to my understanding that the FRS/BRZ are practically the same car. When it comes to maintenance and looking for parts a +/-decade or so from now, it should not be too difficult, right? We are the type of family that tends to hold onto cars until the cost of repairs outweigh the value of the car (basically until they fall apart). So, to all of my maintenance/mechanic gurus, what are your thoughts on this? Is dropping 15k on an FRS a bad idea? Should I drop an extra 2-3k to get a brz instead?

Thanks,
oma

Not to be the only wet blanket here... but hey, it's my calling....


You didn't mention your age or your position within your family. If by family, you mean your wife or that you're an adult living on your own and supporting yourself and your parents/siblings still feel they have strong input on what kind of car you buy, well... then I'm with everyone else. Buy whatever car you want. The mainenance issue, as everyone else has said, is a non-issue. The badge is the only thing discontinued; there is no issue, AT ALL, getting an FR-S serviced anywhere.


HOWEVER... if by family you mean your parents and you're still living at home with them as a dependent or minor, then they absolutely have a say in how you spend your money. If this is your first car (and others on this group disagree with me.. that's fine.. we're all different), I would not recommend it as a parent. Too tempting to do very, VERY stupid things. All cars are tempting in that regard to many first time drivers... this one is worse than most. Parents may be using the "maintenance difficulty" as code for saying they love you and really would prefer you to start with a more sedate, "practical" vehicle.



As sports cars go, the FR-S IS relatively slow compared to more expensive "real" sports cars. It's also, for it's class, pretty safe, and pretty economical. I know I'm not helping my case with those observations, but I try to be truthful.


I've had three sons, and helped them out with each of their first cars. The oldest got our hand-me-down Celica w/ 220K miles on it, and we renovated two Volvo 240s (an '89 and a '92) for the other two sons. The 240s were MUCH better choices, and the kids loved them. One is STILL in the family and on the road almost ten years later, and pushing 300K.


Just guessing. If you ARE on your own as an adult, ignore this post. If you are a minor, as I'm guessing, respect your parents' wishes. Life, hopefully, will be very long, and you'll have MANY opportunities to drive the cars of your dreams. Enjoy your time with your folks, and respect their wishes while they care for you.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by MuseChaser

Not to be the only wet blanket here... but hey, it's my calling....


You didn't mention your age or your position within your family. If by family, you mean your wife or that you're an adult living on your own and supporting yourself and your parents/siblings still feel they have strong input on what kind of car you buy, well... then I'm with everyone else. Buy whatever car you want. The mainenance issue, as everyone else has said, is a non-issue. The badge is the only thing discontinued; there is no issue, AT ALL, getting an FR-S serviced anywhere.


HOWEVER... if by family you mean your parents and you're still living at home with them as a dependent or minor, then they absolutely have a say in how you spend your money. If this is your first car (and others on this group disagree with me.. that's fine.. we're all different), I would not recommend it as a parent. Too tempting to do very, VERY stupid things. All cars are tempting in that regard to many first time drivers... this one is worse than most. Parents may be using the "maintenance difficulty" as code for saying they love you and really would prefer you to start with a more sedate, "practical" vehicle.



As sports cars go, the FR-S IS relatively slow compared to more expensive "real" sports cars. It's also, for it's class, pretty safe, and pretty economical. I know I'm not helping my case with those observations, but I try to be truthful.


I've had three sons, and helped them out with each of their first cars. The oldest got our hand-me-down Celica w/ 220K miles on it, and we renovated two Volvo 240s (an '89 and a '92) for the other two sons. The 240s were MUCH better choices, and the kids loved them. One is STILL in the family and on the road almost ten years later, and pushing 300K.


Just guessing. If you ARE on your own as an adult, ignore this post. If you are a minor, as I'm guessing, respect your parents' wishes. Life, hopefully, will be very long, and you'll have MANY opportunities to drive the cars of your dreams. Enjoy your time with your folks, and respect their wishes while they care for you.

I have the total opposite opinion on these as a first car. If kids are going to dumb things in a car they are going to do it in one of these or a more sedate practical vehicle. They might as well do it in something they have at least a chance of recovering from. I know as a kid I did some spectacularly dumb things in some extremely sedate and practical vehicles. In fact I would go as far to say the more sedate it was the dumber my actions would be.

[Th3rdSun]

Originally Posted by VoltsFRS2013

Do your oil changes every 4500 miles, go by doing service as the book says and you'll be fine lol.

The owners manual says every 7500 miles. Unless you are on the track frequently or do some really hard driving on a daily basis,changing the oil that often is a total waste of money.

In fact,if you check the oil at 4500 miles,it will more than likely have the same golden color as if it were fresh,maybe slightly darker,but nothing to worry about.

Still don't understand why people are so paranoid about this.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I have the total opposite opinion on these as a first car. If kids are going to dumb things in a car they are going to do it in one of these or a more sedate practical vehicle. They might as well do it in something they have at least a chance of recovering from. I know as a kid I did some spectacularly dumb things in some extremely sedate and practical vehicles. In fact I would go as far to say the more sedate it was the dumber my actions would be.

Yea, I'm with you. My first two cars were a Dodge Polara and a Ford Falcon Wagon. Both of them I did really stupid road tricks in. Once you are doubling the speed limit I'm not sure it matters what car you're in.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Th3rdSun

The owners manual says every 7500 miles. Unless you are on the track frequently or do some really hard driving on a daily basis,changing the oil that often is a total waste of money.

In fact,if you check the oil at 4500 miles,it will more than likely have the same golden color as if it were fresh,maybe slightly darker,but nothing to worry about.

Still don't understand why people are so paranoid about this.

I think they changed the mileage requirements one of the years but don't remember when. The 4500 may have been the original and the 7500 the new? To lazy to check it.
I agree people like to change oil way too early. It doesn't hurt anything but is an extra cost and has a greater environmental impact. My theory is people do it so often because it makes them feel like they have made a difference.

[MuseChaser]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

... Once you are doubling the speed limit I'm not sure it matters what car you're in.

Hmmm... Datsun B210 (my first car) or Volvo 240? Yeah.. it matters.. a lot. But, I get your point. You, Tcoat, and I had discussions about the "first-car-suitability" aspects in another thread a long time ago, and I respect and understand your opinions. You make sense.... I just disagree, and think I make sense, too.



Cheers...

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I think they changed the mileage requirements one of the years but don't remember when. The 4500 may have been the original and the 7500 the new? To lazy to check it.
I agree people like to change oil way too early. It doesn't hurt anything but is an extra cost and has a greater environmental impact. My theory is people do it so often because it makes them feel like they have made a difference.

Agree.

Like we talked once, I was guilty of changing oil too often in my youth. I think I just wanted something to wrench on, and could afford it, and yes, feel like I'm making the car better.

My last oil analysis on the twin, Blackstone said I could easily go 9000 miles between changes, and I have a lot of bolt ons.

[TorontoNat]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

The other good news, is that people crash these cars a lot. There are a lot of junkyard part-outs available for small things like the AC compressor, power steering, etc. The reservoir of parts will not run dry for this car for a very long time.

truth. most useful.

[TorontoNat]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I have the total opposite opinion on these as a first car. If kids are going to dumb things in a car they are going to do it in one of these or a more sedate practical vehicle. They might as well do it in something they have at least a chance of recovering from. I know as a kid I did some spectacularly dumb things in some extremely sedate and practical vehicles. In fact I would go as far to say the more sedate it was the dumber my actions would be.

agreed. if dumb things want to happen... dumb things will happen reagrdless of the car. at least a twins have the balance for a chance at a save.

Instead, I think just taking this car to the track of even an empty snowy parking lot will make anybody a better driver since he/she now knows the limits and will be driving accordingly.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by TorontoNat

truth. most useful.

Funny, I go on the pick-n-pull website here regularly and check their inventory. Never once found any twin.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Agree.

Like we talked once, I was guilty of changing oil too often in my youth. I think I just wanted something to wrench on, and could afford it, and yes, feel like I'm making the car better.

My last oil analysis on the twin, Blackstone said I could easily go 9000 miles between changes, and I have a lot of bolt ons.

I didn't have that problem as a youth back on the farm. My father would say "when you have the urge to change the oil in something, go right ahead" - pick any of the 3 cars, 2 trucks, 5 tractors, hay baler, elevator or 3 lawn mowers.


humfrz

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I have the total opposite opinion on these as a first car. If kids are going to dumb things in a car they are going to do it in one of these or a more sedate practical vehicle. They might as well do it in something they have at least a chance of recovering from. I know as a kid I did some spectacularly dumb things in some extremely sedate and practical vehicles. In fact I would go as far to say the more sedate it was the dumber my actions would be.

Step back folks, here comes ol Tcoat for his second attempt -


humfrz

[RToyo86]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I think they changed the mileage requirements one of the years but don't remember when. The 4500 may have been the original and the 7500 the new? To lazy to check it.
I agree people like to change oil way too early. It doesn't hurt anything but is an extra cost and has a greater environmental impact. My theory is people do it so often because it makes them feel like they have made a difference.

Toyota says 16,000km and Subaru is 10,000km if I'm not mistaken.

I plan to stick with 10k intervals. Especially considering the winter conditions the car sees along with extra idle time in the mornings.

[TorontoNat]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Funny, I go on the pick-n-pull website here regularly and check their inventory. Never once found any twin.

Not sure what that website is. I live near burlington and know of 3-4 scrap yards around... I usually just call them directly.