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

[Lonewolf]

Welcome!

With a new car warranty you have plenty of time before you need to know anything mechanically.

You can learn slowly...everyone started at zero.

For the most part, if you use premium gas at fillups and have required maintenance (like oil changes) done at the scheduled intervals you'll be fine.

Read the owner's manual learn what the lights on the dash mean, look at the part labels and diagrams.

Then start small, open up the hood of your car and look around, see what you can identify from the manual, and what connects to what...let the car run while you watch the engine bay as well.

Go to a few meets and you will learn in no time!

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by G.I.Choe

I know how to do the following things:
-check tire pressure and pump them up.
-check the various fluid levels.
-change the oil.

@G.I.Choe brings up a good point. There are basic items that every driver should know regardless what car they drive. Driver's Education courses used to teach these things. Tires, fluids, proper mirror placement, etc.

[4agze]

I was late in the game also, I didn't start fixing my own car till after college but here is how I started

1. Get a FSM (factory service manual) learn how to read it, the symbols and what are tools needed/special tools

2. Buy your own tools hydraulic jack, jack stands, wrenches & sockets set...don't need to be mac tools, snap on or craftsman a harbor fright tools as long as its life time warranties apply get it.

3. Go to local meets for your car, meets are not just to show off your car its also good to make friends, friends who know how to wrench and has experience on same car or other cars. you can pick up tips on how to do stuff on your car.

4. If your friends needed help to installing parts for their car run and help its a good way to learn without doing it to your car, its also a good way if you want that part on your own car.

5. Finally pass it forward help a new guy just remember you started like that also

[Carlitoz3]

I'm the same way but learning little by little in the DIY section (:

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by OrangeCelica

I'm unbelievably interested in the FR-S

Cool!

Good choice; consider the Subaru BRZ as well. Depending on how sales are going in your area, you might be able to get a better discount on the Subaru “version” of this car than the Toyota, especially around winter time. In some areas one can purchase a “more luxurious” BRZ Limited for a price close to the FR-S, when the BRZs are being heavily discounted. Depends on your area dealers, but I suggest that you consider it before buying. They’re essentially the same car.

... my issue is that I know virtually nothing about cars mechanically in terms of fixing or diagnosing anything myself.

So?

I have this nagging feeling that it's sacrilegious for someone who has no idea how to fix anything on an automobile to have a sports car.

Nonsense.

I feel like the reality police would pull me over, ask me if I know how to perform basic maintenance, hear my answer, and then confiscate the twin 

I understand.

There are THOSE who will say you don’t deserve a sportscar. As the youngsters like to say, “Haters will hate.”

Now you know something important about THEM. So what?

I reckon THEY don’t count. Why would you permit THEM to judge you and influence your choices of what fine car to buy, drive, and enjoy?

As you progress along the road to adulthood, you’ll note their belligerent, badgering, and bullying ELITISM, dismiss them, and go your OWN way, enjoying your OWN choices, free from the constraints of fear of disapproval by THEM.

You will then be on the path to becoming a free and independent adult, your own man (or woman).

Find like-minded people, and engage those, rather than the ones you’re fearful of.

My wife knows more than most people about cars, but she wouldn’t attempt to repair a car. She’s not interested. She’s content to let me do that. She loves to listen to “Click & Clack, the Tappett Brothers” on National Public Radio (NPR) on the weekends. She loves that show. Try it, you might like it, and you’ll learn a lot. It’s very entertaining, one of NPRs most popular programs.

She can pick a skilled driver out of a traffic jam of amateurs on a race track, some quick, too, at an historic car race. A couple years ago, after only a few laps of watching Klaus Graf driving an old 911 amidst a crowd of other historic cars, she singled him out as clearly superior, clearly talented. (So did I.) We had no idea who was in the car at the time, and did not recognize his name when we did learn it. The following year, Klaus got a drive in a LeMans car in the ALMS series. The Porsche Klaus drove at that historic event was unremarkable, save for his driving, which stood out to the trained eye. My wife spotted him in a jiffy; I doubt many people standing at that corner did (or could) do the same. The following year, Klaus was making headlines.

But she cannot diagnose and repair a car. So what?

We all enjoy things in our own way, as best we can. There’s simply not the TIME to be an expert in everything.

My wife was choosing between a Boss 302 or the BRZ for our next car. She loves cars and driving, yet cannot repair one. So what? That doesn’t diminish one iota her pleasure and joy in fun cars and driving.

Must you be a hotdog programmer or electronics tech to employ and enjoy modern contrivances like our computers, hi-fi’s, microwaves, TVs, etc.? Don’t be silly… You don’t need to know a thing about cars to own, use, and enjoy them either.

I would recommend learning to drive properly, though, if only to avoid inflicting "benign abuse" on your nice car.

Most people don’t enjoy cars the way I do. I’m more skilled than them, quicker than them, but nowhere near as quick as, say, Stirling Moss was or Ayrton Senna. So what? Others are not as good as me, and I’m not as good as Senna. So what? What's that got to do with anything?

We’re all having a good time. Regardless of our level of knowledge and skill...

Although, there is a certain TYPE that loves to disparage others for not embracing the activity as THEY do.

THEY don’t count. Not for me, they don’t, and I suggest they shouldn’t count for YOU, either.

There’s no need to apologize for any “lack” of mechanical knowledge, skills, and abilities. We have only so much time in a day. If it interests you, pursue it if you can balance it with the other interests and demands in your life. If not … well then, DON’T.

No need to apologize, not for this or for any other thing related to fine cars. Find your own way to enjoy it … and just do it.

Those who would hold this against you … don’t count. Don’t hang around people who want to “stone you.”

“Easier said than done,” you say.

Yeah, I know; I’m old. But with a little luck and some effort, you’ll get here, too. Sooner rather than later, hopefully.

It’s your money, your time, your life...

Now get out there, kiddo, and buy the cool car of your dreams, and enjoy it any ol’ way YOU like!


P.S. "Car Talk" is the name of that radio show on cars and repairs.


********************************

“And what is good, Phaedrus,
And what is not good—
Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?”
–Plato (Symposium)

[Nezz]

Couldn't agree more. Also it's nice to learn to work on cars on a new car. Lot more approachable. Might sound crazy but it's so much nicer when everything's clean.

Even if all you're doing is inspections until you're out of warranty! this car is surprisingly simple mechanically for a modern car. The suspension and brake systems are simple, solid and out of the way, the bonnet's nice to work under (Not looking forward to plugs, however!) and everything's in a sensible spot.

Go get one! Enjoy the drive then learn the rest.

[gzpermadi]

Originally Posted by OrangeCelica

Hello everyone,

I'm a longtime lurker on these boards, first time poster. I'm unbelievably interested in the FR-S but am curious if there is anyone out there in a similar situation...

... my issue is that I know virtually nothing about cars mechanically in terms of fixing or diagnosing anything myself. I have this nagging feeling that it's sacrilegious for someone who has no idea how to fix anything on an automobile to have a sports car. I feel like the reality police would pull me over, ask me if I know how to perform basic maintenance, hear my answer, and then confiscate the twin

My first ever car was a 1981 Celica MT. I loved that car and learned how to drive on it - and for the last 7-8 years I've been dutifully driving a responsible, rational, painfully dependable AT Honda Civic

I don't know anything about working on cars, but I can appreciate a beautiful piece of mechanical engineering. I desperately miss a MT, and the FR-S's mantra of balance and driver/car/road connection over raw power (not to mention its shape!!) really, really appeals to me. I'm not a racecar driver and honestly, would never go tracking or even auto cross, but there are a wealth of windy back roads / mountain roads in my area and the older I get the more I find I just flat out enjoy driving. Even in my AT Civic I have a blast on some of these windy roads.

Can anyone relate? Do you feel like your mechanical lack of knowledge surrounding cars guilt trips you into feeling "unworthy" of a car like the twins? Did you still buy one anyways? Any related stories?

I guess with a car like a Civic, there is nothing to feel inadequate or insecure about. I'm a reasonably humble, soft-spoken person who doesn't like to draw any attention to myself. The FR-S would stay in the garage except for joy rides and weekend trips

Anyways, just wondering if there are any other people out there who love cars, driving, and back-to-basics auto fun, but know next to nothing about cars mechanically? And if there is no one that can relate - will you at least agree to not stone me to death if I show up at your local FR-S meet up

same here.
I do however still know how to do basic maintenance. But that's all.
I am not very good at tools and neither I have plenty of time to do it.
That is why I got this car new, so I don't have to worry for the next 5 years.

[m.wood0213]

lots of us dont know, especially boxer engines. Ive got a good understanding of maintenance but that's what the warranty is for. just lay off modding until warranty is up.

[SILENT]

Im in the same boat as you when you start wanting to mod your car, whatever it is you will do a hefty amount of research before your make a purchase and you learn a lot in the process. You got to start somewhere right? I too have yet to go to a car meet and i do feel a lil nervous since my car is basically stock except for the lights and tint.

[TylerLieberman]

I've always thought of working on cars as just about everything else. Take something apart, put it back together in reverse order.

If you aren't sure about something, search the forums and you'll more than likely find a DIY that's thorough enough to help you out step by step.

Learn as you go. Have a friend who is knowledgeable with cars walk you through things as you want to do them. Have him help you with oil change, tire rotation etc. After doing it once or twice, you'll be able to do those things on your own.

Just ideas.

It's not bad to not know. What's bad is when you don't know and you have no care or interest in learning. So long as you are willing to take the help that is given, you should be able to learn quick and easy

[FRiSson]

Do you really think that guys who drive Ferrari's and have them valet parked in front of boutiques know about mechanics? Probably about 5% of them do.

[shishand]

Originally Posted by GT 86 Brah

We can meetup right now.

what wing is this!!

[cfusionpm]

Ever seen this movie? :P

[Tt3Sheppard]

I couldn't even do my own oil change two years ago. You will learn a lot about the car just by reading and doing, breaking stuff, and hurting yourself