Should I trade in our family loved SUV for an FR-S?

[8R6]

badass FJ!

i say keep the FJ and minivan (i love minivans lol) and replace the sedan for an FRS/BRZ. what kind of sedan do you currently have? i dont see the need for an extra sedan when the minivan is there to do all the family hauling and can do so in comfort.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Atropine

I have a 2013 TE 4Runner (similar to your FJ)...I'd say keep the FJ...


@ Tcoat ...that FJ will hold its value...iono about the twins...but clean FJs (and 4Runners and Tacomas) hold their value more than pretty much anything on the road.

Originally Posted by Shinigami301

The FJ will only increase in value as there is high demand, though perhaps not where you live. Anywhere in the snow belt will command a premium.

Keep the FJ. Dump something else and get the FR-S.

Not for one second saying the FJ will lose value but prices for vehicles can be a fickle mistress. There is no such thing as a guaranteed resale on any vehicle and they can go up and down for no apparent reason. Right now they hold value but to predict what they will do in 5 years remains a gamble.


The sentimental value to an individual outweighs the true value by miles anyway. I have 3 or 4 vehicles that I got rid of over the years that I sometimes deeply regret (my $800 70 Coronet R/T would now be valued at around $40K). When I think of those cars/trucks I have to remind myself that it is not feasible or realistic to keep every vehicle that I ever owned and that at the time I sold them I had my reasons.


In Fardo's case he needs to consider if the sentimental value outweighs the expense and trouble of storing and maintaining a vehicle he does not use and may never use in it's real capacity ever again. The possible future value of either of the vehicles should be a very minor consideration when looking at the whole picture.

[DAEMANO]

Sell the minivan. Then get an older cheaper one for hauling the family around.

OR

Get grandma a step stool for the FJ.

In any case, keep the FJ. You clearly have put some work into it and love it.

Then...

Buy a twin. Just not one with 40K miles on it. There are plenty of low mileage used ones to be had nationally now that people are turning in their 2013 leases. Also, the deals on these are good as the 2017 Mid-cycle refresh is coming.

With that being said, keep in mind the twin will end up eating all of your time anyhow because they're so damn fun to work on, mod, and shape into your vision. No, Miata isn't always the answer. Twins have proven to be faster, sharper, more flexible 2+2's that have an aftermarket the size of an ocean. Oh... first world problems. Good life man.

[faredo]

Originally Posted by 8R6

badass FJ!

i say keep the FJ and minivan (i love minivans lol) and replace the sedan for an FRS/BRZ. what kind of sedan do you currently have? i dont see the need for an extra sedan when the minivan is there to do all the family hauling and can do so in comfort.

Thank you,
The other two cars i have to keep. The FJ and minivan are paid off. the sadan is a new Ford Fusion and our daily driver. Wife and I both work in the same office and take the baby to daycare. So great gas mileage and babyseat fits. so in reality 90% of our driving is done in one car, with Fj as my toy, and minivan for weekends carting the grandparents around. As far as daily minivan if we sell the sadan? that would kill my soul.

[RichardsFRS]

That FJ is bad ass and it'll go to 200 easy. Sell the mini van if you want the FRS. You do need a util vehicle when you have an FRS. We use wifes Soul and she's thinking of trading, for a Wrangler or FJ. Only thing I despise of the FJs, fixed rear windows. Other than that its as capable as a Jeep and really has been jeeps only true competitor.

[Swagopopotamus]

Take it from a guy that made the mistake you are about to make. KEEP THE FJ!

I miss mine constantly. Sounds like you have other vehicles you can replace with the FR-S

[asdf]

I think I would work around keeping the FJ, I've been wanting one for a while... Yours is badass!

I'm sure you will be able to find second hand FRS/BRZs without too much trouble if you continue to feel the urge to get one

[JimR]

I'm in my thirties, live in Arkansas, use my FR-S as a four-season daily, and autocross it regularly. Nothing to fear. Get one and enjoy it.

I shed a Miata and a Mazda6 to get mine, and the switch was fun and surprisingly uneventful. The Miata just sat there, while the FR-S actually gets driven. Aside from caution around parking curbs and steep drives, I use the car for everything like normal.

I have a crew cab truck for trailering and hauling. If you have a four-door something in the household, you don't have to worry about the liability of the twins' slim rear legroom.

[8R6]

Originally Posted by faredo

Thank you,
The other two cars i have to keep. The FJ and minivan are paid off. the sadan is a new Ford Fusion and our daily driver. Wife and I both work in the same office and take the baby to daycare. So great gas mileage and babyseat fits. so in reality 90% of our driving is done in one car, with Fj as my toy, and minivan for weekends carting the grandparents around. As far as daily minivan if we sell the sadan? that would kill my soul.

fusion is cool, but i dont see how much more exciting that could be compared to a minivan if you compare BOTH cars to a toy car like an FRS and FJ.

to me, daily driving a fusion is only marginally "better" than a minivan. either way neither of them would ever be about a fun drive so i'd just get rid of the sedan and keep the van since i think minivans are awesome hahaha

[Braces]

Originally Posted by faredo

Unfortunately the minivan can do a lot. gramma can get in and out of it.

Sell gramma and the minivan. Keep the FJ.

[faredo]

Originally Posted by Braces

Sell gramma

Shes got a ton of miles.

[FR-Sky]

Buy FRS.
Keep sedan for your wife.
Keep either FJ or mini for family activities.

Problem solved.

[Teseo]

Get rid off of the family. But test drive and hope the lack of power doesnt bother you

[Vracer111]

First test drive an FR-S if you haven't already - you will absolutely know what you need to do after the test drive...

And you are not too old...many, many older owner here with a few old enough to be your grandpa...(not me, I'm about to turn 40.)

Personally If one vehicle had to be sold to get the FR-S, my choice would be the Fusion...FR-S has back seats that can at least fit small children. It also is an EXTREMELY safe vehicle - top tier safety rating due to the Subaru cage structure built into the chassis. Very much can be a small family daily driver if you don't mind the 2 doors. The minivan and FJ do their job quite nicely with no other vehicle that could substitute.