The Scion FR-S – A Review, Owner’s Impressions, and Opinions

[MattR]

Wonderful write-up! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
:happy0180:

[eifer]

Very well done review. Can't wait to get my car lol.

[RaceR]

Well written and nice to hear your feedback about the car. You seem very passionate about the car.Thanks for writing/making the review.

I also liked that you had so many pictures in the review.

The car is not available in my country so I have not had the opportunity to test drive the 86 (or BRZ) yet. But (based on all the reviews I have read and seen) I share your toughs about the suspension and street performance.

Funny thing is. I test drove the E87 1-series earlier this year and tough it was too heavy, not as sporty as I would have wished and easily spun one wheel (in the wet). As you say, BMW should really take a look at the 86 and get back to the basics.

[gingerbred]

Firstly, your review is efficient to a sexual degree, thank you for taking the time!
Secondly, as per the airbag WARNING...
I removed them from my Boxster using EPIQTodd's post
http://986forum.com/forums/general-d...un-visors.html
..and wasn't too worried about the legality issues brought up by the Poindexters (it would only be illegal if the car was sold without them, right?)
duh.. maybe.

[nedmundo]

Very nice review! Outstanding job. As it happens, I tested an FR-S this morning. It was an automatic, so I can't vouch for your comments on the manual tranny, but, from what I could glean from 20 minutes behind the wheel, I agree with your assessment. I was most surprised by the civilized ride; even in Philadelphia, I think I could use one as a daily driver. I also expected it to be louder inside, but I didn't take it on the highway, where that could be more of an issue.

I also liked the steering, which is easily the best EPS unit I've tried. I'm not sure it equals the best hydraulic systems for feedback or on-center feel, but it's much better than my Acura's steering -- and much better IMO than the surprisingly numb steering in the new BMW 3 Series too. (I drove a Sport Line 328i with 6MT, in case you were wondering. And yes, I tried "sport" mode. Still light, still numb.) BMW could indeed learn something useful from this car!

Also, while I generally hate automatics, this one is excellent. In manual mode it shifts quickly, and the gear ratios seem well-suited to the car. I'd never buy the auto, but for once I can understand the choice.

So, of course, I want one. I'll take the BRZ, in dark gray please!

[avusblue]

Here is an updated version of my detailed review, reflecting more experience with the car. Enjoy.

Cheers,

Dave

[YinYang1980]

i just tried the fr-s manual and my feeling is the first gear is great, but has soon you put into the second gear, it feel really slow. is it me or...

[ike44]

Originally Posted by avusblue

Here is an updated version of my detailed review, reflecting more experience with the car. Enjoy.

Cheers,

Dave

Might want to update your first post and put your revised version up there, since that is the first post people see.

Nice review! Enjoyed reading it, made me feel better about my FRS that is on its way.

[yormaX]

[FRSowner]

Excellent review. You should send it to Scion so they could use it in their advertising.

[switchlanez]

Great write-up! I learned some new things in all the details you mentioned.

I'm going to comment on just one thing so the community is aware. I believe ride height was raised from the optimal for the sake of civility (e.g. you won't scrape those concrete slabs or most curbs when you park) and was probably mandated by some government body. If you look at the Nurburgring test spy pics, the car has Enkei wheels with the same specs as stock (17x7 +48mm) but sits lower. This is where they spent 4 months truly tuning the handling characteristics of the car.



The optimal ride height, if you want to sacrifice some civility to get it to the original tuned spec, is quoted below by one of our esteemed members Moto Miwa (who has been in close contact with this car's chief engineer).

Originally Posted by Moto-P

LOL! Well teasing wasn't my intentions as much as I was just way too thrilled at already curing something that ever so slightly bugged me about the FRS, which is the somewhat harsh city ride, and that politics-legal-PD-induced monster truck ride height....LOL Good thing Tada-san was clever enough to work around it by specifying arms and rods that work over wide range of height, and secure dynamic travel that is consistent through motions. He even touched on the fact that the FRS/BRZ/86 suspension arms are ideal at 20mm drop!!

I'm waiting for the STI springs (in development) which will probably bring this car close to the intended spec.

[R8]

Plus, a bonus -- you can feel that the HVAC control knobs are actuating cables that move actual air control flaps, versus being an all-electric system.

Aha! That explains it. I thought something was wrong with the controls in the FR-S I sat in. I thought I was going to break the knob when I turned it, as it didn't feel like it wanted to turn. It never occurred to me they were actually trying to physically move parts.

[GNS]

Originally Posted by avusblue

Hey guys –

The attached is my review, so far, of my new Scion FR-S (Toyota GT86). I tried to call ‘em as I seen ‘em!

Settle in with a drink and a snack – it’s long.

Enjoy, and let me know what you think. Cheers!

Dave


JULY 21st EDIT -- I updated the attached document to reflect more ownership experience with the car. Enjoy!

I am going to DL and read this. Skimmed it real quick and it looks like you put significant time and effort into it, thumbs up.

[Capstan]

Nicely detailed review but it seems pretty gushy. I don't own one, only have sat in one for a while, but the interior is strictly nothing special. The seats do grip you (unless you don't fit in them) but other than that its only slightly better than an ordinary econobox. Definitely no better than a Miata in that department. Exterior of the car is gorgeous for sure and that alone will sell a lot of them.