Unbelievably Interested in FR-S But Know Next to Nothing About Cars Mechanically

[artizhay]

I'm not sure if you're asking because you feel as though you would either be judged by others for not knowing enough or if you would judge yourself and deem yourself unqualified to own the car.

For the former, if anyone were to look down on you for owning any type of sporty car and not knowing how every single component works, they're just presumptuously pedantic and not the type of car crowd you'd want to associate with anyway (there are people like this in every field, so it happens).

If you feel as though you would look down on yourself and the "reality" police would issue a citation to you, then you just have to realize that everyone's got to start somewhere. It doesn't matter what kind of car you learn to work on - sport or not - and you don't have to learn the mechanics of a basic economy car before moving up to a sportier car.

And if you choose to never learn about the mechanics anyway, then you should respect your own decisions. There's no car god that's going to shun you out of existence or anything for driving a car and not knowing exactly how it works. If that were the case, 99% of drivers should be laughed at.

Granted, from a safety and practical standpoint, basic maintenance should be known. Not to justify the type of car you own, but just so you know how things are done if you ever have an incident or mishap with your car, especially while stranded somewhere.

Hell, I learned how to do my first oil change with this car, adjust the clutch, etc. and I plan on installing my own coilovers. It's gratifying figuring out how to finally do something or learn how something works. Nothing to be ashamed of if you don't know something. Everything you don't know is just another opportunity to learn, rather than an opportunity to look down on yourself.

[Zgrinch]

Originally Posted by artizhay

Hell, I learned how to do my first oil change with this car, adjust the clutch, etc. and I plan on installing my own coilovers. It's gratifying figuring out how to finally do something or learn how something works. Nothing to be ashamed of if you don't know something. Everything you don't know is just another opportunity to learn, rather than an opportunity to look down on yourself.

^This.
I knew very little about car maintence, modding, etc..before I purchased this car.
Not only has buying this car been one of the best decisions from a pure driving experience, but the knowledge I have gained from the helpful folks on this forum to help me step out of my comfort zone to make modifications, try AutoX for the first time, and meeting other car enthusiasts has been truly rewarding.

[OrangeCelica]

I'm completely overwhelmed by all the positive replies - thank you to each and every one of you!! I definitely am interested in learning about cars - just a bit intimidated and unsure where to begin - but there have been so many helpful posts in this thread alone that it's incredibly encouraging. I do genuinely enjoy winding roads and driving in general and have always wanted to learn more about cars so every day that passes my buying temperature for the twins increases. I'll stay in touch and let everyone know if my right-side brain can finally win an inner argument

[cgrey]

You don't need anybody's permission to live. Stop asking for it.

[chickdigger802]

Is it crazy for me to just want this for a daily commuter? Might get a second one down the line if I must

[sho220]

Originally Posted by chickdigger802

Is it crazy for me to just want this for a daily commuter? Might get a second one down the line if I must

No. It's a great commuter car. Personally, if I'm gonna be spending 15 hours a week commuting, I'm doing it in a fun car.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by sho220

No. It's a great commuter car. Personally, if I'm gonna be spending 15 hours a week commuting, I'm doing it in a fun car.

Cheers to that.

[SubieNubie]

I assume you have already driven one and enjoyed it. Who cares if you can't preform your own maintenance, you bought it because you like driving it, not because you enjoy doing maintenance. All of my cars have gone to a shop for maintenance when needed, there's no shame in it. I'm mechanically inclined but I do not have the area to perform basic maintenance. Forums usually have at least a couple locals willing to help you if your looking to be more DIY.

It's your money, buy what you want. Life is to short to drive something you don't like.

[gily25]

Originally Posted by chickdigger802

Is it crazy for me to just want this for a daily commuter? Might get a second one down the line if I must

I bought mine for the purpose of commuting and making my commute more fun (and blah blah something about MPG to convince the haters). The only way it doesn't excel on the commute is in when you're stuck in traffic but really want to go swoosh! through the next big curve.

[strat61caster]

Everyone has said what needs to be said.

Look stuff up and don't get pressured into doing things by other people (just because everyone says you should get an intake or exhaust doesn't mean you should, or choose those springs over another set), do tons of research. Wikipedia is great for basic info (how engines work, suspension types) and if you want something more in depth and focused:

http://www.autozine.org/technical_sc...ech_index.html