Is the FR-S worth getting?

[Turbowned]

I would personally take a RWD car over a FWD just about any day, so my opinion might be skewed a little. However, consider this:

The FR-S is brand new. Your Celica is 8 years old. Talking about first year problems while driving around an 8-yr-old car is silly! The first year problems are warrantied; you're on your own if the Celica breaks (not that it should; they're obviously reliable). Toyota Care covers the first 2yr/24,000 miles of maintenance, leaving you with just a couple oil changes, tire rotations and an air filter through the remainder of the 3yr/36,000 miles.

Assuming you have less than 100k mi, you should be able to trade it in for around $7k or sell it privately for a bit more. If it's getting close to 100k, I'd trade it in beforehand to avoid the big value drop when it reaches it. If it's already over 100k mi, you're talking around $6k for the car. Ish. I'm referencing NADA trade-in values here.

Fuel mileage is the same between manual FR-S and manual Celica GT-S. That's a wash.

The FR-S will outperform the Celica, slightly. The Celica has about 250lbs on the FR-S, but the FR-S makes 20hp and 21lb/ft more (referencing Edmunds, I thought the 2ZZ made 190 but they say 180?). The rear-drive layout, low CoG, balance and LSD will ensure that the FR-S can at least out-corner the Celica. 0-60 times are very close. (does your Celica have LSD?)

I guess all I can say is drive the car and see if the FR-S feels that much better to you to justify the car payment. Getting a new car when you have a perfectly good one is an impulsive buy no matter how you slice it. You don't need it, you want it. Find out if it's worth it and report back!

[RedRocket]

When the new celica came out I had just started working for a Toyota dealer. I can honestly say that while driving one I never experienced the "ooohhhhh wow this thing is fun". The FR-s is unlike anything I've ever drove besides a Porche. It's fun.

[Project_GT86]

Get a GTR.

[TRD_86]

Have you driven the FRS for 30min yet? The precision weighted steering, the handling, the fast engine response and driving experience of the FRS will blow the celica away. People see the car then check the specs number online but have no clue of what is this real car about. That's the major problem out there, and also the reason there is no free demo car to test drive like all other cars ! . This car is like hidden germ until you own it, drive it daily to the max ... it feel so good inside you.

[track_warrior]

In a nutshell...... Yes

[SubieNate]

Originally Posted by TRD_86

Have you driven the FRS for 30min yet? The precision weighted steering, the handling, the fast engine response and driving experience of the FRS will blow the celica away. People see the car then check the specs number online but have no clue of what is this real car about. That's the major problem out there, and also the reason there is no free demo car to test drive like all other cars ! . This car is like hidden germ until you own it, drive it daily to the max ... it feel so good inside you.

I think what you're trying to say is that it's got the fizz factor.

Nathan

[tnt]

It's worth every penny .... just my 2 cents worth

[Vicious LED]

Definitely buy one, if you can afford it...you won't regret it, the feeling of driving one is just incredible!

[a18ttc]

If you work hard every day. If you dont waste your money on useless sh1t. If you can afford the payments without overstretching yourself. If you love driving and want to feel alive behind the wheel. Then yes yes yes yes yes.

[Tanuki]

I love mine and am excited to get my other in a couple of weeks. Just buy it. There is no turning back.

[KGFRS86]

Originally Posted by a18ttc

If you work hard every day. If you dont waste your money on useless sh1t. If you can afford the payments without overstretching yourself. If you love driving and want to feel alive behind the wheel. Then yes yes yes yes yes.

This. This. This. Buy it, it's a magical daily driver for me....I love getting into my FR-S everyday and usually can't wait to get out of work to drive it some more! :-P even in traffic!

[jimmillion]

Just remember - this ain't no total package off the lot, it's a project car thru and thru.

so if you're itching for something to dig your nails into and build up to what you want then get the frs. if you're no longer interested in things like plasti dipping your wheels for the heck of it or sound deadening your cabin then stick to what you have. My buddy isn't interested in doing anything to his next car other then wheels and a wax, which is why he's been searching for an auto Celica now for the past year.... no one wants to give theirs up, even tho they put them up for sale.

[Demandred7]

Originally Posted by ipothas

In my opinion, test driving the car is a bad decision.

I say this because regardless of your thought process or rationality before hand, the minute you drive the car that goes out the window. You WILL want to buy it after the test drive. It's too hard to get into an amazing car like the 86, drive it, and just walk away. Especially if part of you feels the purchase could be potential.

Think at home, safely away from the dealership

Sent from my ADR6410LVW using Tapatalk 2

Like I wrote the words myself. I had no idea how head-over-heels I would fall in love with this car. I just barely escaped after the first test drive only to bring back my wife and buy it.

[nedmundo]

Originally Posted by ipothas

In my opinion, test driving the car is a bad decision.

I say this because regardless of your thought process or rationality before hand, the minute you drive the car that goes out the window. You WILL want to buy it after the test drive. It's too hard to get into an amazing car like the 86, drive it, and just walk away. Especially if part of you feels the purchase could be potential.

Think at home, safely away from the dealership

Probably good advice! I knew I'd love the FR-S, but wasn't quite prepared for the obsession that followed. The car's brilliance drilled itself into my brainstem, and I've been scheming ever since. And I only drove an automatic, so it could be worse! Honestly, it made my TSX feel like a bloated 1970's Caddy.

Originally Posted by FRiSson

Take a look at the Ford Focus ST. It may be the more practical choice.

Not a bad suggestion. I tested one, and it is amazing. Not as much pure fun as the twins due to FWD, but it's probably the best handling FWD car I've driven. The engine is great, and it feels better on the highway than my Acura. For one's only car, it would be better than the twins for most folks, including true enthusiasts. If I had to replace my TSX, I'd probably get one. Though I'd like to try them back-to-back, my impression was that the ST is a much more engaging drive than the BMW 328i Sport Line I tested. Not bad for a FWD Ford!