Autocar's Toyota FT-86 / Scion FR-S First Drive Review

[madfast]

Originally Posted by RRnold

Why not? A 6 pt cage isn't illegal.

it's just that we dont get the cool JDM models over here

i mean do you honestly see scion offering a car with a rollcage? anyways the R model kinda explains why there were so many buttons/features in the modellista brochure. im sure that car is a "luxury" model and the R version is the sports model. over here? we probably get something in between...

[Nostalgia1987]

£20,000. Thats sounds heaps better.

40k is pushing it.

Post from the other review:

£25,000 = $37,604.44 AUD (not including tarrifs and additional costs)
200hp = 149kw (on 95Ron or 98Ron ???)
170lb = 230Nm
0-100 = 7seconds
Limiter/Max 140mi= 225k/h
Imp 37mpg = 7.63 L/100km

-------

with this review

£20,000 = 30,095.35 AUD (not including tarrids and additional costs)
197hp = 146.9027, so 147kw and 230Nm

[R_E_L]

things are looking better and better as we inch towards the release. looks like this is gonna be the perfect DD. sporty enough to improve what would be an otherwise dull drive and ready for the real fun when you wanna push it.

[Neutral_Eyes]

Originally Posted by madfast

the turbo veloster is on its way and there is no way adding a turbo will add 200 lbs... i just dont want this car to be another miata. the miata had light weight but low power. now this car will have power but not very light weight?

It's not just the turbo. The plumbing, intercooler, and fat exhaust are all going to add to that figure. The Veloster doesn't have to account for a driveshaft or rear differential, and its rear suspension is very basic. We're only starting to come out of the fat car funk with high strength steel being used (Hyundai, Mazda, anyone else?). Not sure if we'll ever see the "glory days" of sub 900kg CRXs again, but at least some are trying.

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by madfast

it's just that we dont get the cool JDM models over here

i mean do you honestly see scion offering a car with a rollcage? anyways the R model kinda explains why there were so many buttons/features in the modellista brochure. im sure that car is a "luxury" model and the R version is the sports model. over here? we probably get something in between...

There hasn't been anything from Scion that has peaked my interested until now and I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that. Toyota wanted to revive Scion and change their target demographic from the teenager/entry level buyer to the mid 20's to 30's buyer. I gotta say that I'm slowly conforming.

I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be legal or not available to the US. The power output is exactly the same with the added cage, better brakes, mechanical diff and no rear seats. I just see a steeper price, more exclusivness and a higher insurance premium since it's no longer 2+2.

[mkxr]

The ITR was 2639 lbs, with all seats, spare, AC. I hope at least the R version of FRS (if there will be one in US), will be much closer to those numbers. I actually hope it won't come with a roll cage. For autox, you don't need a cage, which would add a lot of extra weight.

[WolfpackS2k]

Is the 2+2 insurance "discount" a myth? Everyone says S2000s have expensive insurance but it seems pretty reasonable to me.

[carbonBLUE]

i pay less a month with my celica gts than i did with my corolla s about $14 less and im 20... lol

[mkivalex]

^^^ My mkiv supra is cheaper with FULL coverage than my 97 civic is with base coverage.

[carbonBLUE]

Originally Posted by mkivalex

^^^ My mkiv supra is cheaper with FULL coverage than my 97 civic is with base coverage.

its mainly cause asshats drive late model 90's civics and crash, race, get ticks in them, no one really owns your mkiv supra and the people who do own them probably take very good care of them = less tickets per type of car on the road = lower insurance rates because you "group" of car owners gets into less trouble

[WolfpackS2k]

^insurance rates are not based on how likely you are to get a ticket. That's just laughable. It's based on crash statistics, theft statistics, how expensive parts are and how much it costs to perform body work on a vehicle.

[dominican]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Is the 2+2 insurance "discount" a myth? Everyone says S2000s have expensive insurance but it seems pretty reasonable to me.

S2000 insurance is ridiculous! I pay 90 bucks a month for my Prelude's insurance, including comprehensive. For the same coverage, I would be paying 190 a month. I even shopped around for insurance. That made me stop and rethink my purchase of the S2000, and just wait for the FR-S to come out.

Anyway, back to the topic.

These numbers are certainly interesting, but the fact that this is being compared to a Miata is amazing. I love the fact that it is so small, it will be the perfect replacement for the 5th gen Prelude. If you think about it, it's actually what the Prelude should have been. Now we will have the replacement for all those rusting 240sx, the old supras, the old 300ZXs, the old miatas, all of those cars finally have a decent replacement.

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Is the 2+2 insurance "discount" a myth? Everyone says S2000s have expensive insurance but it seems pretty reasonable to me.

There are a lot of things to factor in so it will always vary from person to person. Since the S2K was only offered as a 2 seat, there is nothing to compare it against. Try calling your insurance company and see if it is lower; use a 300ZX non turbo and a 300ZX non turbo 2+2 for example.

Originally Posted by carbonBLUE

its mainly cause asshats drive late model 90's civics and crash, race, get ticks in them, no one really owns your mkiv supra and the people who do own them probably take very good care of them = less tickets per type of car on the road = lower insurance rates because you "group" of car owners gets into less trouble

^ be sure to add theft into that asshat list too!

[WolfpackS2k]

S2000 insurance is ridiculous! I pay 90 bucks a month for my Prelude's insurance, including comprehensive. For the same coverage, I would be paying 190 a month. I even shopped around for insurance. That made me stop and rethink my purchase of the S2000, and just wait for the FR-S to come out.

I pay $800/year for my S2000. That's with a $250 deductible for collision and $0 deductible on glass/vandalism coverage.