The Nasty FR-S Review Part 2

[Skywgn1]

I must be one of the fortunate few. I have one of the earliest releases and have had zero issues with the car. Sure, my idle fluctuates a bit and I have a rattle somewhere, but it's solid. I've installed the Perrin pulley and the Injen Intake and have had zero CEL's. I bet the following add-ons could keep up with the 32k Genesis in the straights and spank it in the curves like a clerk at a dollar store.

Injen Intake: 350.00
Perrin Tune: 850.00
Nameless Header: 600.00 +-
HKS Spec L Exhaust: 1200.00
Forgestar F14 Wheels 19x9/&19/10: 1800.00
Continental Extreme DWS 235/35/19&275/30/19: 900.00
Total: 5,700.00

Now I know there are other parts in these catagories for a lot less and if you installed realistic wheels/tires it would be that much faster but when you add the cost to the purchase price you end up with a car that you paid 31k for. Which would you rather have in the garage? A stock Genesis or a complete custom car that eats Porches on the skid pad (bends).

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by trinitron

I feel you are exaggerating in attempt to provoke controversy. The start of the video obviously exemplifies that.

In terms of performance vehicles, the frs is slow; in terms of everything else it fairs decently.
0 to 60 times
Dodge Caravan 2012 - 7.8seconds
Camry 2012 LE - 8.7 seconds, hybrid - 7.2, v6 - 5.7
Odyssey Elite - 7.3 seconds
FRS (Manual)- 6.2 seconds

Courtesy of zeroto60times.com

Do you know how to get a 0-60 time of 6.2 seconds in an FR-S?
Do a clutch dump at 5500-6000RPMs. Absolutely no one does that on the street, not real world data.

All those 0-60 times for the vans are street start, which if you do the same with the FR-S you get a 0-60 around 8 seconds which is where you see the absolute lack of power and torque show itself.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by Skywgn1

I must be one of the fortunate few. I have one of the earliest releases and have had zero issues with the car. Sure, my idle fluctuates a bit and I have a rattle somewhere, but it's solid. I've installed the Perrin pulley and the Injen Intake and have had zero CEL's. I bet the following add-ons could keep up with the 32k Genesis in the straights and spank it in the curves like a clerk at a dollar store.

Injen Intake: 350.00
Perrin Tune: 850.00
Nameless Header: 600.00 +-
HKS Spec L Exhaust: 1200.00
Forgestar F14 Wheels 19x9/&19/10: 1800.00
Continental Extreme DWS 235/35/19&275/30/19: 900.00
Total: 5,700.00

Now I know there are other parts in these catagories for a lot less and if you installed realistic wheels/tires it would be that much faster but when you add the cost to the purchase price you end up with a car that you paid 31k for. Which would you rather have in the garage? A stock Genesis or a complete custom car that eats Porches on the skid pad (bends).

That's a large cash layout, how much power did you gain from that? 15HP?

Originally Posted by Khyron686

Ok, suppose I declare that the one thing I hate is blue cars, then go out and buy a blue car, then do a review saying the car is good, but too bad it's blue - I hate blue, I'm so disappointed it's blue - at what point do you get to say "It's your own poor decision to buy a blue car".

I have a laundry list of minor things that annoy me about the FRS - things that I would change if I could... but the power was there from day one. Sports cars do NOT have to be FAST. But many people want them all to be GT cars which are fast and expensive. Like buying a soft top convertible then bitching about how structurally weak the roof is.

You are right the power issue was there from day one. The point was, it's not such a big deal until you realize a majority of the vehicles around us in America, (Non Sports cars) just mop it up. It's a car that in the US market needs more power to be competitive and relalent long term.

Cars like the new MX5 and the upcoming Genesis are going to really show this car's weaknesses.

Originally Posted by FA5

I like your review and it was funny. Good job! Your gf's part was the best.
BRZ/FR-S is a nice car but there still a lot of issue to be address.

Are you gonna come out of the part 3? I am looking forward to watch it.

Thanks, if there will be a part 3 it will be a autox and track review. But thats a slippery slope as there are about 100 of those. I don't think there will be much to add, unless I can find an angle.

[SubieNate]

I understand where you're coming from, but I couldn't care less if a minivan is just as fast in a straight line. It's still utter crap to drive. The FR-S is not.

Do you think the S2000's real world 0-60 time is that great? It's torque down low is even worse than ours. Still a great car.

[Captain Insano]

Originally Posted by l0aded

Regarding the power issue, don't want to be embarassed? Don't drag race on the streets. I get the issue though as the #1 thing people ask me is "is it fast?" and to answer honestly you probably have to go with not really.

Agree, that is definintely the question I get the most about my car. "Looks awesome man... Is it fast?". I don't beat around the bush with crap like "What do you mean by 'fast'?" or "What is fast to you?". I knew going in what this car was when I bought it. And I don't care what people think of me or the car - a cheap, light weight corner carver. So that's my answer. I tell people when they ask, me that question "it is not fast in a straight line - it is a more of a very agile corner carver, like a Miata with a back seat...". And that's usually where the conversation ends.

I don't know why people get their feathers so ruffled when reviews like the OP's are read or watched. I agree with alot of what he said. It is underpowered. That is true. It is sort of an economy car - it is a mid-$20K car which is pretty cheap in this day and age. That is true. He gave it some props too. It is a blast to drive. That is true. I think the review was fine.

[Skywgn1]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

That's a large cash layout, how much power did you gain from that? 15HP?

You are very cynical. By the way........I really enjoyed the DIY you made on the nexus 7 install. Have you thought about selling your app as a download?

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by SubieNate

I understand where you're coming from, but I couldn't care less if a minivan is just as fast in a straight line. It's still utter crap to drive. The FR-S is not.

Do you think the S2000's real world 0-60 time is that great? It's torque down low is even worse than ours. Still a great car.

S2000 was a great car, still is. I was right there when the car was released, and back in 1999 and the top complaint was the power and straight line speed, aside from bump steer/oversteer.

Same with the RX8. That was just beat to death in the press.

The FR-S is the new gen of that type of car but most of the current reviews just gloss over it. And the FR-S is almost the same weight on scales as the S2000 and makes about 40HP less on a comparable dyno. (165HP FR-S / 205HP S2000)

So yes S2000 is a great car and so is the FR-S we just have a lot less HP to work with.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by Skywgn1

You are very cynical. By the way........I really enjoyed the DIY you made on the nexus 7 install. Have you thought about selling your app as a download?

Oh man I was not trying to be cynical, I was just asking the power gains you got and if you think it was worth it?

You know best that modding is totally an individual thing, whats good for you is different for another.

As far as the Nexus7 stuff I have a video coming next week all about that. Working on getting it launched for download.

[wbradley]

[QUOTE=Dezoris;718931]Do you know how to get a 0-60 time of 6.2 seconds in an FR-S?
Do a clutch dump at 5500-6000RPMs. Absolutely no one does that on the street, not real world data.

QUOTE]

Could have sworn it was 5000 RPM and you can do it, just not too much if you value your clutch.

[Khyron686]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

S2000 was a great car, still is. I was right there when the car was released, and back in 1999 and the top complaint was the power and straight line speed, aside from bump steer/oversteer.

Same with the RX8. That was just beat to death in the press.

S2000 was 32,000 in 1999 which today would land somewhere between 35,000 and 44,000. Even in the final year, the RX-8 was over 40,000 new up here and gets EvoX level MPG at around 19.

The FRS is under 26,000, gets 30mpg and you can stuff a bike into it (try that with the GC and it's non-existent pass-through). Cost of track consumables like brake pads and tires is half of a mustangs cost.

But I'll play the "what-if" game once: If the FRS had another 50hp, let's say that would add 5K to the price. Now you're in a new segment, have to upgrade the interior to keep pace. Oh, now you have to upgrade the wheels/tires. Ah, now the ICE isn't up to snuff, better improve that for the new segment you're playing in. It's crazy. Z4, 335s, STIs, Caymans, 370Z, Mustang GT, etc etc - then you'd still complain that it was underpowered for the new segment it's in. And the 20-25K crowd is back to Civics/Corollas/Sentras with no good rwd minimalist entry.

Toyburu took some power money (and ice and interior), and put it into the chassis and suspension. The Veloster got some engine money and some body money with no chassis spend. It's that simple. You can't have it all without paying for it. And even if you do pay for more, it can still end up being incredibly dull (Mustang GT, BMW 330, etc).

[RavenFR-S]

I enjoyed the video and review! Good job!

[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by Khyron686

Toyburu took some power money (and ice and interior), and put it into the chassis and suspension. The Veloster got some engine money and some body money with no chassis spend. It's that simple. You can't have it all without paying for it. And even if you do pay for more, it can still end up being incredibly dull (Mustang GT, BMW 330, etc).

^This. Absolutely This. Companies are going all motor and no handling, or much handling and lesser motor. Guess which one people tend to prefer in the long run.

[uncivilised]

I liked the video, at least it was honest.

power doesn't worry me lol, all my past cars had no power lololol.

[Skywgn1]

The intake will net you 15 whp. So maybe 16 total :0