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

[BlueSTaR]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Sounds like you'd enjoy a good small pickup instead, Nissan D21/Hardbody and Toyota Hilux/pickup would be my top two but a Ranger wouldn't be bad.

Much cheaper than an FRS, much slower (less trouble) and decent gas mileage with the 4 cylinder and manual, you can still wrench, incredibly reliable if maintained, incredibly useful in the next few years as you move around (college/crappy apartments) and you can continue to off road with your buddies.

Odds are you're going to screw up a car you get at 16, save your parents some cash and buy yourself a nice car when you can afford it. Just my two cents, totaled my dad's truck, bought myself a nissan a few years later and learned some responsibility along the way.

Although I am incredibly surprised a mid 90's Toyota is having engine trouble at 160k miles...

Very much this. I had an outback all through HS/College and thank god for it. You'll really hate not having the space or ability to "do things" with this car.

It'll impress girls though.

Your own priorities.

[Rampage]

At least you have not had time to develop any of the bad tendencies that a lot of FWD drivers do that then turn around and bite them in a performance RWD car. Respect the car and learn to drive it properly and you will do fine. I would suggest you search for some of the crash threads on this forum so you can see what may happen if you screw up.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by BlueSTaR

Very much this. I had an outback all through HS/College and thank god for it. You'll really hate not having the space or ability to "do things" with this car.

It'll impress girls though.

Your own priorities.

You know what else impresses girls in college?

Helping them move.

And then ensuring that their furniture is properly stress tested.

:happy0180:

[4Running Daily]

Originally Posted by Rampage

At least you have not had time to develop any of the bad tendencies that a lot of FWD drivers do that then turn around and bite them in a performance RWD car. Respect the car and learn to drive it properly and you will do fine. I would suggest you search for some of the crash threads on this forum so you can see what may happen if you screw up.

I'm also looking at the Ford Focus ST...

[Cjymiller]

From what I've heard, the ST is a great bang for your buck. If you're really stuck on a 2 door coupe, grab a pop-eye miata. Those things are classic, cheap, and awesome. The girls will think your car is cute too.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Rampage

At least you have not had time to develop any of the bad tendencies that a lot of FWD drivers do that then turn around and bite them in a performance RWD car. Respect the car and learn to drive it properly and you will do fine. I would suggest you search for some of the crash threads on this forum so you can see what may happen if you screw up.

i dont think thats particularly fair to say about fwd since i feel that some fwd seat time is better than no seat time (also can be much better than some rwd seat time but thats neither here nor there)

at that age i can tell you that you are going to damage a car. it just happens. my advice would be miata. similar platform that will allow you to develop as a driver affordably.

[Xdragonxb0i]

I feel like the answer to most of these threads is No. This car is a good DD sports car, but it is not practical as a only car. I am 23 with a FRS. I know my car will be useless when i move next month. I bought it because i love the car and dont mind sacrificing practicality. if i bought a more pratical car, i would get a cross over or a prius. Those cars arent just any fun or sexy though

[UnOvertime]

Practical = probably not. Fun = definitely.

Normally I would say "absolutely hell no" on this car for a 16 year old, but you seem to at least be conscious enough to ask the question about how practical it will be as an only car for a 16 year old. I applaud you for even asking, most 16 year olds would have jumped in the nice car and not even though twice.

However I am going to be realistic and say no. You mention off roading with friends which in this car you can't do. Also when it comes to friends, it is not a comfortable car when it comes to stuffing people in like we all did in HS. This car will probably be yours for at least the next 3-5 years which is the time you hang out and do dumb things. This car can be unforgiving and even at almost 26 I still do stupid things while driving (usually when it comes to the opposite sex). If I were you, I would get something else fun to drive and wait a few years, the car will still be here and it will be even better.

[trdfrs]

I don't think you've experienced enough driving to really appreciate it, your friends will laugh cause its not fast and it will be a waste. If you like to wrench get something to wrench on

[Richard Cranium]

Originally Posted by 4Running Daily

I'm also looking at the Ford Focus ST...

I'm with everyone else in that the Twins, and even the ST for that matter, are to be respected for what they're so easily capable of...the speed, the manuverability, etc. The essence of these vehicles is their tendency to bring out the guttural, adrenaline pumping feeling in their pilot - a blinding feeling that can be very dangerous and deadly in the wrong hands, especially the young and inexperienced and with the on-road distractions of this day and age. If you're honest with yourself and willing to take on the responsibility of such a vehicle at your age, then by all means. However, I'm willing to bet that little good will come for you and the other people on the roads if a 16/17 year old driver is driving Twin or ST.

Everyone else has said it - I'm 27 and don't have kids and I know it's a total "Dad" answer, but you're not ready for it.

Buy another 4R or Tacoma to help with the social aspect of High School - you'll have much more fun driving and being in the backseat of either of those at your age than you ever could driving one of these.

[gily25]

I guess that depends on who is going to pay for it and what the next 5 years of your life are going to be like.

If someone were gifting me a car in this price range I'd be happy to choose a FR-S. It fits my sense of style both now and when I was 17. However when I was 17 I had 2 jobs just to pay for gas and fun, then didn't need a car for college nor would I want to have one after I saw what classmates went through (busted windows, stolen stereos, drive offs, keyed, etc.).

If you're about to go into a labor career...roofing, construction, CNC...you're going to have trouble parking this on a job site, getting in/out with workboots on, carrying anything bigger than a small toolbox, etc.

[Tromatic]

You sound mature for you age. How resistant to peer pressure are you? This is an awesome car for a young driver, much lime a small bike. Learn to drive this car well despite it's "limitations" (the stuff people think they need to fix) and you will be a better driver.

A Lambo would be a good car for you if you have one thing above all else: responsiblilty.

Having said that: WTF are you waiting for? Get one! It's really an awesome car.

[Patrix]

Do you hang out with your friends a lot? I mean you can't carry your friends in this car.

[TheGuyWithTheFireStorm]

I would have to say no. I mean the FRS is a GREAT car, dont get me wrong, and if this were out 5 years ago when i was 16, I would have loved to have one as well. But if you're really leaning towards the FRS, having something like an older miata, a beat up 240sx, maybe even an RX7 if you're lucky, would be a good rear wheel drive car that you could appreciate. Save your parents the money, and your respect for cars will heighten, along with your appreciation maturity, and knowledge of cars and driving.