On the fence... (but nearly decided)

[alluringreality]

Originally Posted by eriktherod

Basically, the two choices I have are to do the trade-in ASAP and get the FR-S with higher payments.... or wait another 12 months and then get lower payments. I will be going to find one to test drive during this week, as there is a dealership near both work and where I live. I have a feeling this won't help me resist the temptation but I'm going to do it anyways!

The correct financial move is usually to keep your current vehicle, which you said you liked. If you're dead set that you're going to buy the FR-S then generally the sooner you sell the more you will likely get for your current car. One pitfall to buying is that if you finance a car that you cannot actually pay for you basically put yourself in a position where it's possible you might default on a loan or need to sell to keep from defaulting. I'm guessing the FR-S might be a financial stretch from what you wrote, so the smart move is to keep driving your current vehicle, and forget about the FR-S until you can cover the purchase. If you can afford the vehicle then payments don't really matter, and waiting to sell your current vehicle basically means more depreciation.

[thill]

Or wait a year or two for some used FR-S's to pop up. Most cars depreciate at least $2K or more the minute you drive it off the lot after purchase. Especially if you like the car you have now and can live with it a few more years.

My guess is once the STI BRZ (and I am assuming a more powerful FR-S) is out you will see a fair number of current owners upgrade and some good opportunities for used models in the $20K or so range.

[eriktherod]

Well, looks as if I have decided. The dealership near me has found a FR-S 6MT in Ultramarine on its way by Friday. I peeked around and while they did not have one in the showroom, a bunch of the managerial staff had bought one and were eager to pull them up and show me each color (except blue ironically enough).

I will say ALL the colors look good in person and the orange (hot lava) is not nearly as flashy as it appears in pictures, which I find to be a good thing. It's subdued in lower light but can shine in the daytime, neat!

I am really excited to do the trade-in Saturday, as they're offering 14K and selling for under MSRP (before fees). No markup, no nonsense, they just want to push cars. It's almost bittersweet for me, as excited as I am for the FR-S, I am feeling a little sad about saying goodbyes to the Si.

[Vracer111]

Originally Posted by eriktherod

I am really excited to do the trade-in Saturday, as they're offering 14K and selling for under MSRP (before fees). No markup, no nonsense, they just want to push cars. It's almost bittersweet for me, as excited as I am for the FR-S, I am feeling a little sad about saying goodbyes to the Si.

I don't think you will miss the Si once you spend time with the FR-S...I bet you will soon totally forget about it in fact. I had a track prepared Integra RS that I thought was awesome in the handling department (it was stick with Lotus Elise and Corvette Z06 quick in the medium speed turns and below and in the technical sections.) Doesn't hold a candle to the FR-S chassis dynamics though, which from the day I've taken it home I've been in LOVE with! The FR-S is just a tire swap away from being one of the most insanely fun track day cars you can buy... the stock tires are fine for the fun department on the street, just don't have the stick needed for quick times for track use. Plus no Honda ever made, except for an NSX, can compare with the FR-S when it comes to stock seats; so comfortable yet secure at the same time, the seat belt almost seems like a superfluous device as the seats do a fine job on their own in holding you securely in place. This is a car you could equally comfortably drive on long 1,000+ mile road trips or hard on a road course and find the seats equally well suited for each task; on par with the Recaro Ergonomic I have in my Tacoma for comfort, but way better at securely holding the driver in place.

FR-S, drive one and you'll understand why it has received so much praise...

[konichiwaa-B]

I would trade in now and get the FRS. This is one sweet ride! I just picked mine up yesterday and it's all I can think about. This car sits low! And it is so solid. Besides, the manual says to keep it under 4k RPM for the first 1000 miles, so there's a lot of breaking in to do.

[eriktherod]

Yeah, I'm excited to pick mine up this weekend. The color and tranny I wanted. I baby'd the Si for the first 3K miles so I'm sure I can do the same with this bad boy.

[Grateful Dave]

You won't regret it. FRS all the way. I get mine in about 12 days