Would the FR-S be a good first car?

[eXtreme Burrito!]

Get a ford fusion or something. You're going to want to put people in the car, and this car really isn't the car to let you do that. Plus, if you're a teenager, driving something like this is really an attention-grabber. You'll really have to watch what you do on the roads, but I also don't put it past teenagers to f*ck with vehicles. I definitely wouldn't want to park a car that gets attention like this in a high-school lot where a high number of people will walk past it every day.

[zenki_levin]

Atleast get something rwd sporty. That way you can learn how rwd cars behave that much faster.

But if i was you, get the goddamn fr-s.

[campy]

I'm shocked people are telling this guy NOT to get a Scion as a first car. Seriously? That is the exact market Scion is aiming for. Notice how we don't have all the cool little features that the Japanese and European versions have? That's because they wanted this car (and the rest of their lineup) to be attainable by the younger crowd. The whole Pure Pricing thing is designed specifically to make dealerships easier for first time buyers.

I bet that if a thread like this showed up on a more high end car forum, people there would be suggesting the FRS instead of whatever else. The FRS is far from being "too nice". It's pretty bare-bones. Just because your first car was some beater doesn't mean that this guy has to play fair and also get a crap car.

And about the other suggestions on here: a minivan? A fucking ford fusion? Really? These are absolutely terrible suggestions for an auto enthusiast, and the fact that you're even suggesting those shows that you know jack shit about what auto enthusiasts want.

Maybe people here are trying to seem holier-than-thou. "Oh I can own a Scion FRS because I'm an advanced, experienced driver. A simple newbie peon like you wouldn't be able to handle such a machine". Bullshit. This car isn't "too difficult" for anyone who is even slightly passionate about cars. His probability of wrecking it isn't any higher than if he was driving a Honda Accord.

OP: buy the car you want. Step back from this for a moment. Can you really imagine yourself saying "yeah I wanted an FRS, but some guys on the internet convinced me to get this econobox instead because it has 4 doors."


/rant

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by campy

I'm shocked people are telling this guy NOT to get a Scion as a first car. Seriously?
/rant

25 large is still 25 large, no matter how it's marketed. Scion is absolutely great for a first NEW (or lightly used) car, no arguments. Catch is many people don't think a first time driver should have access to a sparkly new car without proving they are responsible. We can tell stories and bandy about statistics for young drivers but the bottom line is that a lot of people are fine with throwing down 25+ grand for a first time driver, a lot of people wouldn't give their kid 2 grand for their first car.

It isn't because it's a Scion or it's RWD or that it's a sports car, it's a significant amount of money for 99% of the world. Ultimately his parents are going to decide (and a new base Focus wouldn't be a bad deal for a free ride).

[Frost]

I voted for YES because of several factors:

1- Low horsepower
2- Power is best at peak RPM
3- Lightweight (but not too light - looking at you Elise!)
4- Safety rating

This car is perhaps the best iteration for RWD cars out there right now that is affordable to first time drivers. Its essentially the same price as a low end midsize but you get a car that will teach and educate you without you having to do stupid things. Like most reviewers have said, the limits are low and you can learn to approach the limits without killing yourself.

I drove the family beaters for years before buying my first car - a used 1987 MR2. See the trend? Lightweight RWD. Good way to learn how your back end is supposed to work. Then I moved on to the IS300 which I think would have been much more dangerous had it been my first RWD car due to the amount of torque available down low. In fact, it caught me slightly off guard once when I hit a patch of oil doing a left turn but thankfully I knew how to react appropriately in a public road and didn't get stupid.

I think the FR-S would be ok for a starter car but not the car I would buy for my kid as his first. Do the beater first and learn from that.

[shaggy]

Originally Posted by tdoggy57

I agree, this was my 2nd car and what I got rid of for the FRS.

Same here. The 2000 Honda prelude type SH was the first brand spanking new car I bought with my own money fresh out of college! Sold her to buy the FR-S.

[oblivion2k]

Hell no! This is my fourth car and I'm still hooning it around like a moron. A first-time driver would crash it in weeks.

[NOHOME]

Originally Posted by campy

OP: buy the car you want. Step back from this for a moment. Can you really imagine yourself saying "yeah I wanted an FRS, but some guys on the internet convinced me to get this econobox instead because it has 4 doors."


/rant

This is why I don't think the OP should buy the car: He is looking for justification from some random crowd in order to justify his immediate want. If it was the car for him, he would be posting about how much he loves it, how much it is pissing him off but he still loves it, or how he cant wait to get one! Instead, he is vacillating about the whole deal. I put him in the seat of a 4-6 year old Camry for a few years until he figures out what he wants/needs out of a car.

Another reason I won't endorse this car to a first time/young buyer is because the reliability is unknown, and to be frank, not very good out of the gate. Young buyers need the car to be cheap to own and reliable enough after the warranty period to get them to their jobs so they can make the payments. Adding expensive items like computers, taillights, windows and transmissions after the warranty period is not going to fit the need. The direct injection is a new(ish) technology, who knows how it will hold out long term when the pumps are already an issue? All this stuff is annoying when the car is under warranty, but a financial disaster if not covered.

[K2]

As a first car to buy after a few years of real world driving experience, yes.
As a first car "to learn how to drive on", no.

[MissNyxxie]

I voted "NO!" Not because it isn't a great car, because it is.. But just because any NEW driver shouldn't get a car like this. New drivers have way too much to think about on the road to be distracted by all the heads you turn while driving it, anyway! :P

[naikaidriver]

I'm also chiming in a massively, resounding "NO!" for a first car for just about every reason that has been posted already.

Scott

[Ranatsu]

I think everyone should have to drive a beater for their first car.. Unless of course you are paying for it completely by working, then I say you can get whatever you think you can afford.

People don't tend to respect things that are given to them for free, nearly as much as they do something they earn.

[Shagaliscious]

Did anyone actually read this post? Particularly the part in bold.

Originally Posted by alexb99

Wow there are a lot of replies ! Now that I think about it, I probably wouldn't need the back seats unless its an emergency like you guys said. Another thing I need to know is if golf clubs will fit in the trunk. We're deciding between this and a Focus ST or Focus Titanium. (Btw the car is for my older sister, and when she's done with it, it will be my car. So by then, it will probably be worth less.)

Personally, I don't think it's a good idea if your sister is going to be driving it for a few years before you. She would more then likely be much better suited in a Focus. Not to mention the room, and ability to actually carry things in the car.

For you, it might not be a bad first car. But for your sister (who I am assuming doesn't care what she is driving), the FR-S would be a horrible choice.

[Vracer111]

IMO, the FR-S is not a car you should start out learning how to drive after getting your learners permit/first getting your licence. If you have a few years driving experience and prove you are responsible driver then yes I would recommend going for it - if you want a sports car. Unless your parents are willing to throw in performance driving courses for your sister and yourself to properly learn how to control a car at the limit, you'd be better going with an older hatchback or Miata (because cheaper consequences of mistakes from an inexperienced driver....) If you have inclinations for a sports car, I'd lean toward a low cost NA Miata with hardtop first, then move into an FR-S afterwards - the FR-S is a more precise, quicker responding, and faster Miata.