What was your first love, i.e. the car that led you to your FR-S/BRZ?

[Leonardo]

My S2000 was a huge influence on me getting an FR-S. I read about the ft86 on s2ki.com back in 2008.

I regularly use my back seat for passengers...

[The RZ Precept]

My first love was a 88 MR2 SC with T-Tops.. man I miss that car to death. Luckily, my car didn't give much problems apart from the red paint fading away and the mid-engine being a pain in the ass to work on.

The car handled beautifully, such a great experience.

[Dadhawk]

The original Olivia, 1985 Toyota MR2. One of first in US, bought it off the delivery truck to my dealer where I was supposed to be buying a truck.

(Stock photo, but looked exactly like this. Got to dig up my actual photos)

[Jayde]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

I'd say there are 3 cars which point the way to me getting the FR-S:

1. 1990 Acura Integra RS
I've actually owned 2 Integras (a GS and the RS) with a 91' GS being the first car I bought for myself (was an automatic but was love at first sight, didn't know a single thing about cars and was thinking of maybe getting a Chevy Corsica at the time... LOL. That GS was the first car that really steered me into learning about cars and my addiction with performance and handling.

I ended up converting it to a 5 speed manual after the automatic failed (valve body issue wouldn't allow it to get out of second gear) - because it was much less expensive than rebuilding the automatic but not really recommended, though you will really learn a whole lot...LOL (tip: buy a manual car if you want a manual - so much less headaches than converting to manual!) and began prepping it to be a Prepared class autocrosser, but ended up selling it as I decided I wanted something RWD... Before that I had picked up the 90' Integra RS from someone at work for a really good price to be a daily driver for my brother - the reason I got this RS was because even if the body and interior was a little rough, the motor and 5-speed transmission were in perfect shape and it was completely stock. RS also has no sunroof and is the lightest Integra made.

See car # 2 for what I chose an affordable RWD track car... After selling the RWD sports car due to financial reasons (laid off for a while) I really only had my truck and made due with just that for basically until I picked up my FR-S. The '90 RS saw lots of changes...lots of weight reduction and such got it down to ~2300lbs wet (full fuel tank). Engine kept stock, but ACT Prolite Flywheel used and custom exhaust (cheap Ebay header with stock piping to downturn in front of rear wheel) and custom intake system (stock air-box w K&N filter, 3" silicone brake duct tubing to custom aluminum vacuum adapter tube to throttle body.)

Very nice handling car that was a little nervous (though very controllable it loved to get the rear end out) and did very well on track. Depowering/devalving the power steering rack, draining it and sealing it really help with the steering feel as well. When first setting it up it actually ate cones when autocrossing because it would turn in quicker than expected. Hawk HP+ pads on the front helped slow it down, but it was still lacking in the braking department (especially in comparison to car # 2)...worked very well autocrossing, but on track you had to flush the fluid every session - some cooling would have probably helped it out.





My '90 Integra RS showed me that lightening the car and changing it's suspension for the better really can make a good handling car an excellent handling car...

Such a clean DA!

[Jayde]

My first and only car before my BRZ was my 1997 Acura Integra.

I bought her around late February 2007 from a local small shop that had an excellent reputation with the cars he sold. It was an LS 2-door 5-speed with roughly 157k on the clock. Don't remember how much exactly I paid, but it was like $5k. Keep in mind, I was half way through my senior year of high school and I needed a car, since I went a trade school in the morning half of the day before heading to the high school. If I had my own transportation, I could skip taking the bus to school then taking another bus to that school, this cutting like an hour of the day. Plus that school is right near my house. I could literally wake up like 20mins before class started and get there in time.

I've loved Acuras and I always will. My father worked at my local one for many years when I was young and I used to spend a lot of time there, thus sparking my love for them, as well as Honda. He even took me up to the sales building (he worked in the parts/service building) and let me sit in all the cars now and then. I even got to sit in a red NSX! You could imagine what that does to a little boy who loves cars. It's like a dream come true! So when I saw that Integra for sale, I instantly became attached to it. Everything seemed to check out mechanically wise, so I bought it. However, I didn't know how to drive stick, so I taught myself how to. Those first couple hundred miles weren't the greatest, but I picked it up quick.

I've owned the car for roughly 5 years and 5 months, and in that time frame, the car only broke down once. Slave cylinder on the clutch went at a stop light in town during 5pm get the hell out of my way time of day. Now, I didn't know you could start a car in gear to get it going, even if it's not good, and embarrassing to boot. But thankfully some people pushed me off the road. Got that fixed up and was never a problem after that. Other then general maintenance (fluids, pads, wheel bearings, etc), it was fine up until my last inspection, where it need rear brake lines, front driver tie-rod, front windshield (rocked cracked it in July the previous year and I never fixed it), and back tires. I already had my deposit on my BRZ put down and didn't want to put a decent amount of money into the car that I would be selling a few months down the road. So I drove my car out of inspection for 3 months. Though, I only really drove it to work and back. I had friends drive me everywhere else. Once I got my BRZ, it got neglected and sat for a month. Battery was died so I jumped it and took it for a little drive at like 2am in the morning, reliving all my past life experiences in the car before I sold it. It had 186,730 miles on it when it sold. Thankfully I was at work when it went and I didn't have to see it go, but it did bring a tear to my eye. I loved that car, and I will buy another Integra someday. Hopefully a GSR or Type R. After driving my good buddies Type R, I want to experience the kick of the B-series VTEC everyday!

Here's a pic I found digging through some dusty folders on my storage HDD:



Granted, the paint on the driver's quarter panel faded to the point that it was basically primer showing, and the usual rust where it meets with the rear bumper on both sides, but I loved that car!

[Hardrock4445]

My List:
1992 Ranger - MT
1995 Talon TSi AWD - MT
1989 Firebird Formula - MT
1977 Camaro Z28 - MT
1995 Century - AT
1985 LeSabre Collectors Edition - AT
1997 Skylark - AT
2001 Escort ZX2 - MT
1999 S-10 - AT
2013 FR-S - AT First New Car! YAY!
2000 Yamaha V-star 1100

[880]

Originally Posted by 2013GTRNate

The 240sx is a keeper... I kind of wished that I had gone that route when I had the 300ZX TT because of the Z's weight... It was a HWY bruiser but kind of like a Hippo on a track... I had everything done to it to that you could imagine all suspension components etc... It still was a heavy girl...

From your description it would appear that you have driven a GT-R... You are right they pull for days. The 2013 have a lot quieter transmissions but they still chatter, lol... I agree with you that it is the best street legal race cars today. It is a car that makes me look at people that own a Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Viper or Corvette and I feel sorry for them because they paid too much for too little IMHO... I believe that is a commonality with the FR-S and BRZ... For the money and the complete package not much else comes close...

:happy0180:

First off - nice cars!!



That statement in bold...it's true to some extent...
The GT-R matches the performance (and even surpasses some) of those cars on paper, but you also have to consider the intangibles - mainly the driving experience.

For example, 997 turbo offers superior driver feedback - from the way you are positioned low in the car and facing the cockpit to the wiggling rear end (actually the GT3RS provides much better feedback).

Yes the 997 costs ~$50k more than the GT-R, but there is no substitute <-- really.


Having said that, I would still like to get a GT-R in my stable soon. They are the most versatile and most well-rounded street cars out there right now. And of course the modability is just wow...

[880]

Originally Posted by tjoy

Lightweight RWD car. My first love. Led me to the BRZ.

Those things are just bad ass.

[Khazzy]

My very first car was a 1990 Honda Accord EX. The car ran but was a piece of junk. SO I do not really consider it my first car really. It was something to get me to work and school while I saved for something better. Next came the Integra! This was my baby.

My first love and was sad to see go was my 1999 Acura Integra GS DB8 (4 door) in MT. Car was such a great ride. Redid the suspension with Koni STR shocks on Eibach Mild Lower springs to stiffen it up. Skunk 2 rear LCAs with dress up bolts (perfect fitment), ITR sway bar The entire exhuast was swapped with an APEXi WS2 full cat-back system. Offered the non ricey sound and close to stock look I wanted. The tone was actually very nice from it. It was a daily driver and not a track car. Put the ITR poly-urethane front lip (which I painted myself) on there to even out the front bumper with the side skirts. Never got around to getting those painted. Clear corner lamps were ran with amber bulbs. I did not like white corner lamps at night. I also replaced the rotors with some PowerSlot rotors matched with Hawk HPS pads. I had so much bite on the brakes I loved it. Rims were some Focal F09 15 inch in silver. Wrapped the wheels in Dunlop Direzza DZ101 205/50/15s. They did me well and had great tread life. Cut through water decently and having to be on a budget, I thought they were worth it

I loved this car. It was such a great and reliable ride. I was always on top of the maintenance. I had always had a soft spot for Honda and this was no exception. I remember when I first saw an Integra and told myself I would own one, one day. That day came and I couldn't be happier. Now after having it for 5 years, I still did not want to get rid of it but I started seeing release dates for the Subaru BRZ for early this year. I saw the BRZ and I loved everything about it. Timing had to be right on this purchase though and it ended up working very well. I was going to keep the Integra but I personally do not have the space for 2 vehicles and I will be driving the BRZ as a daily driver. Took my test drive in the BRZ and was sold.





pre ITR sway, Skunk2 LCA, and lowering.

[Captain Insano]

My list of cars owned...
--87 Buick Regal AT
--88 Ford Ranger shortbed MT
--97 Pontiac Grand Prix AT
--00 Hyundai Tiburon MT
--02 Nissan Maxima MT
--04 Subaru STi MT
--07 Subaru STi MT
--02 Subaru WRX MT
--04 Audi S4 Avant MT
--10 Honda Fit AT
--12 Kia Sorento AT
--13 Subaru BRZ AT

I think the car that really made me fall in love with performance was the 2004 STi. That car was just love for me. A DD bargain of a sports sedan that I modified into a 400whp monster. After that I also really liked the 07 STi, the 02 WRX and the S4 Avant was just awesome. I loved that S4 Avant more than any car I've owned up until I bought the BRZ, but I think the S4 led me to one major dislike in performance cars and that is weight. The S4 Avant, while it made tons of fun NA power with a higher revving 4.2L V8 it was soooo heavy at ~4000 lbs stock. I was running 13 flat at the drag strip after some simple weight loss mods and full exhaust including header and a tune (this is good for the heavy Avant that ran 14s stock). While it really turned me on to higher revving NA power and lightening up cars, I wanted to start with something much lighter if I ever bought a sports car again....

Then with family stuff (3 kids) I went through two practical cars before I lost my sanity with practical cars and had to get a sports car again. While owning the practical cars I was watching all the rumors and development of the FRS/BRZ/GT86 and when it came out I knew I had to have it - mainly due to the weight of the car and handling. One test drive and I was in love again with a new sports car!! The FRS/BRZ.

[GT86drifter]

88 Accord LXi Hatchback
91 Corolla Coupe (AE92)
91 MR2
93 240SX KA-T 350RWHP
04 325XI
13 FRS

Still have my 240SX and gave the bmw to mom. FRS feels like a combination of all of the cars I owned except the 240sx cuz its its alot faster lol

[TouchMyHonda]

In to post later

[Gords_zenith]

What kicked my passion and knowledge of cars off was my 84 Nissan 300ZX Turbo that I essentially rebuilt and got running strong again. It was a rust bucket but I tore it l apart and rebuilt her to a degree. Tuned the engine up as it wouldn't even idle when I got her, but after a year of reading manuals and googling I managed to get her running stronger than new, built a home made boost controller and was running 12 psi boost with 94 octane and no intercooler. It was so much fun. Just sold her this year after it was sitting for 5 years ( school and no money). Bought a WRB BRZ in July. I'll post pics when I get home.

[DSPographer]

My BRZ is the first really fun car I've owned, but I've wanted a true sports car since I was a kid. I think what sparked my interest in cars that handled well, were the cars my oldest sisters' husband drove back when he was a sailor. They married when I was ten and he drove a Porsche coupe (~1960 356B). But it was riding in his little 750cc Siata (~1952 300BC?) that really got my pulse racing. That little roadster handled like a go-cart on rails, and made you feel like you were going a million miles an hour no matter what speed you were doing. I think that was the only Siata I have ever seen, I wonder what his would be worth now if he had kept it.

[Edit] I did a quick look-up on the web, and if it had been the type of Siata that Steve Mcqueen had: the 208s with a much bigger 2.0 liter V-8 engine, then it would really have been a collector's item. Anyway, I remember all my brother-in-law's old sports cars were mainenance head-aches, so he replaced them with practical family cars when he had kids.
[Edit] Added my guesses for the year and model of the old sports cars.