Is the FR-S the right car for me? (I'm 16)

[4Running Daily]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

Think back to 1999-2000. How many teenagers got into accidents in a Honda Civic Si? You know, the one with FWD and 160 hp. Now switch it to RWD and add another 40 hp along with the ability to oversteer really easily. Stuff can still happen, and I don't think 16 year-olds these days are magically better at responding to the rear end stepping out than they were years ago. What are they going to do if that happens (and it will, otherwise they likely wouldn't care for an FR-S/BRZ)? Hit the brakes.

You downshift to 2nd and nail the gas, not the brakes.

[thill]

Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge

This is an FR-S we are talking about guys, not a Corvette. This car is not fast and has great safety ratings. If he's able to get one, I think it's a great choice. My mom's minivan is faster than an FRS - should he not get to drive one of those either?

What minivan does she have and can you post the track numbers and speed times?

I love when people make these comments. You do realize that with just a quick tire swap on the stock rims a stock FR-S/BRZ is faster around a lap than a MazdaSpeed3 and a WRX? Cars that have considerably more hp and torque?

The twins are actually plenty quick. If you know how to drive them.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by 4Running Daily

You downshift to 2nd and nail the gas, not the brakes.

I'm saying that most kids in that age bracket will hit the brakes. And they do.

[Luis_GT]

Originally Posted by naikaidriver

Holy crap! Did you just suggest someone learn to drift from watching a CARTOON????????



I... I... I don't even know where to start or how to properly address stupidity on that kind of level.

Scott

Sarcasm, bro... dont be so uptight

[GTM_Challenge]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

Stuff can still happen, and I don't think 16 year-olds these days are magically better at responding to the rear end stepping out than they were years ago. What are they going to do if that happens (and it will, otherwise they likely wouldn't care for an FR-S/BRZ)? Hit the brakes.

And you think an adult would handle the situation any better? There are so many people out there that wouldn't even know how to respond, adult or otherwise. Age has NOTHING to do with an oversteer circumstance. If a car got loose on my 50 year old mother or my 52 year old father, the would both hit the brakes and crash. Neither of them are true enthusiasts though.

Age has nothing to do with being an enthusiasts, understanding vehicle dynamics, or being able to handle a RWD car. That's all driver dependent, regardless of age. The OP already has RWD experience (ever taken an SUV to a gravel lot for fun in 2wd? Yeah, that's seat time and vehicle dynamics training whether you like it or not).

I'm a strong proponent of learning to drive a car, any car that you are driving. Car control at a high level over understanding oversteer, understeer, and how to correct them are NOT dependent on age. Most drivers will never, ever, ever experience either one...and when they do, they will likely not know what to do.

The FRS is an easy car to drive. It is very forgiving, and doesn't have enough HP to get you into a lot of trouble - straight line or cornering.

Not trying to be overpowering here, but come on - you and I both know that age in general has nothing to do with handling a vehicle at the limits or once the limits are stepped over.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Age? No. Experience? Yes. But experience comes with age.

I know that now, at close to 30, I'm WAY better of a driver than I was at 16, and can handle a lot of emergency situations much better, and it's not like I was a bad driver either as a teenager. I think the same can be said for anyone. That's the point. You don't learn all of those maneuvers and such right out of driver's ed.

[Luis_GT]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

Age? No. Experience? Yes. But experience comes with age.

I know that now, at close to 30, I'm WAY better of a driver than I was at 16, and can handle a lot of emergency situations much better, and it's not like I was a bad driver either as a teenager. I think the same can be said for anyone. That's the point. You don't learn all of those maneuvers and such right out of driver's ed.

At least you guys have drivers ed... I learned by myself...

[GTM_Challenge]

Originally Posted by thill

What minivan does she have and can you post the track numbers and speed times?

I love when people make these comments. You do realize that with just a quick tire swap on the stock rims a stock FR-S/BRZ is faster around a lap than a MazdaSpeed3 and a WRX? Cars that have considerably more hp and torque?

The twins are actually plenty quick. If you know how to drive them.

I was slightly exaggerating, but pointing out that the car is nowhere near dangerously fast like others have made it out to be.

Yes, I understand how fast the FRS/BRZ is around a track, mostly due to it's agility. I would point out that the MS3 and WRX are quite a bit heavier too.

I've got a lot of seat time in our FRS on various tracks and also have another car that only has a little more HP but it still 4 seconds a lap faster down the back straight at Road Atlanta than my FRS.

They are quick, but nothing that blows your mind.

Im just pointing out that nothing about this car should not be able to be handled by a responsible young adult.

[4Running Daily]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

Age? No. Experience? Yes. But experience comes with age.

I know that now, at close to 30, I'm WAY better of a driver than I was at 16, and can handle a lot of emergency situations much better, and it's not like I was a bad driver either as a teenager. I think the same can be said for anyone. That's the point. You don't learn all of those maneuvers and such right out of driver's ed.

No you certainly don't. Off-Roading though, has taught me quite alot when it comes to oversteering situations as well as various other situations. In my 4Runner, I know exactly what it's going to do 100% of the time, it's totally predictable. I know to slip the clutch a certain way when I'm on a hill and it's what. I know if the power steering pump makes a specific whine, I can fix it by tightening the mounting bracket. I know every inch of that car, I know exactly how everything works and I've done all the work, except the paint work, myself. I hope to have the same experience with the FR-S.

[4Running Daily]

Originally Posted by Luis_GT

At least you guys have drivers ed... I learned by myself...

I learned stick shift at 12 off youtube and got practice in when my parents left the house.

[GTM_Challenge]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

Age? No. Experience? Yes. But experience comes with age.

I know that now, at close to 30, I'm WAY better of a driver than I was at 16, and can handle a lot of emergency situations much better, and it's not like I was a bad driver either as a teenager. I think the same can be said for anyone. That's the point. You don't learn all of those maneuvers and such right out of driver's ed.

I don't even think that experience comes with age. I've seen tons of older people that can't drive worth anything. I am a much better driver than I was as a teenager, but handling vehicle dynamics has nothing to do experience on the road - it has to be with experience with oversteer - something that nearly all drivers will try to avoid unless they are actively seeking it out.

I wouldn't say that oversteer is an emergency situation like a panic stop - I would argue that it is a skill that can only be taught by first hand experience (not to be confused with experience on the road).

[Luis_GT]

Originally Posted by 4Running Daily

No you certainly don't. Off-Roading though, has taught me quite alot when it comes to oversteering situations as well as various other situations. In my 4Runner, I know exactly what it's going to do 100% of the time, it's totally predictable. I know to slip the clutch a certain way when I'm on a hill and it's what. I know if the power steering pump makes a specific whine, I can fix it by tightening the mounting bracket. I know every inch of that car, I know exactly how everything works and I've done all the work, except the paint work, myself. I hope to have the same experience with the FR-S.

Thats the first mistake you can make... dont say you can predict a car 100%... I could say my car is 100% predictable, but there's always a scenario that will get you by surprised...

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge

I don't even think that experience comes with age. I've seen tons of older people that can't drive worth anything. I am a much better driver than I was as a teenager, but handling vehicle dynamics has nothing to do experience on the road - it has to be with experience with oversteer - something that nearly all drivers will try to avoid unless they are actively seeking it out.

I wouldn't say that oversteer is an emergency situation like a panic stop - I would argue that it is a skill that can only be taught by first hand experience (not to be confused with experience on the road).

I can agree with that. But you can really only become a better driver with age and experience (until you approach being a senior citizen and other things diminish, like vision and reflexes). The way you put it was good -- first-hand experience (rather than just any experience), maybe I should have worded it that way.

[autobrz]

Originally Posted by 4Running Daily

I learned stick shift at 12 off youtube and got practice in when my parents left the house.

You sound more and more like the main character in initial d. I mean that in a good way. I think I would trust you with an fr-s from what you've been saying.