2015 FR-S Start of Production - May 7, 2014

[TrackRider54]

When I saw the BRZ/FRS in person and test drove it, I immediately knew the demographic the car was aimed at. Me!

I'm 42, wife, child not in a car seat, and already have a "family car". This car is so scary similar to a Datsun 260z or 280z, early RX-7, Toyota Celica Supra, etc. All great cars from the late 70's and early 80's when guys my age were kids reading car mags or just getting our license.

The difference is, the twins have more power than those cars and obliterate them from a performance perspective. Even the best tires back in the 70's and 80's were far worse than the stock tires that come on the BRZ/FRS. Remember the Ferrari 308 from Magnum PI? Yeah...you do if you're my age. We all slobbered over that car. It wore 205/70-14 tires and made a whopping 255hp from a V8 and went 0-60 in about 6.5 seconds which was considered extremely fast back then and truth be told, it still is. Just because a V6 Camry can go faster doesn't mean it's as much fun doing it. I'd rather have a car that feels fast, than one that is fast.

Subaru/Toyota knew exactly who they were designing the car for. They really have the only game in town for those of us who are looking for a time machine of sorts. Yeah, I could buy a Mustang GT or a C6 Corvette, but I've driven them and they just feel huge and ungainly. I can't afford the maintenance on a BMW or Porsche.

Enter the BRZ/FRS. Just what I'm looking for. Inexpensive (relatively), cheap to own, cheap to maintain, good fuel mileage, reliable. If you drive this car like a sane person I see no reason why it wouldn't reward you with 200,000 miles.

[Sideways&Smiling]

Originally Posted by headlikeahole

This!

People don't understand that these are niche vehicles. These kind of cars don't get updated every 3-4 years like your average econobox. Toyota has invested a ton of money into developping something that is relatively low volume production, for it to be worth it they can't be updating every 3 years.

Look at the Miata, 350z, S2k (which never even saw an update)The twins will probably see a facelift in 2016 then an overhaul in 2018 at best.

What? The S2000 was in production for 9 years and had multiple variants, including two distinct generations, AP1 and AP2, as well as the CR/Type S/GT/etc... There were differences in displacement, wheel size, suspension, chassis rigidity, style, and more. It was discontinued because of price and the economy.... but it lasted 9 years. That's a pretty good run.

Also, the 350z was evolved into the 370z, there have been 3 generations of the MX5 (admittedly, the first 2 are pretty similar), 2 generations of the 240sx in the US, 3 generations of the most modern Silvia in the rest of the world, etc.... Tons of tuner sports cars are like this. They are always evolved and improved upon.

[Dark]

I say bring it. All this car need is a snail.

[xDJ DUBx]

Originally Posted by TrackRider54

The twins aren't about speed, never have been and probably never will be.

Bingo. If they're too slow for you, there's plenty of aftermarket FI options. Don't want to spend the extra money? Stop bitching about a car you can't appreciate and go buy a mustang.

[Sideways&Smiling]

Originally Posted by xDJ DUBx

Bingo. If they're too slow for you, there's plenty of aftermarket FI options. Don't want to spend the extra money? Stop bitching about a car you can't appreciate and go buy a mustang.

Or buy a used S2000, RX7, 240SX, Miata, etc. and make it faster for a lot less money overall. :P

[TrackRider54]

Here's what it appears most people who complain about the lack of power are looking for. I'm betting you could pick up a similar car for about $3000 and you'll have plenty of power. LOL!

[headlikeahole]

Originally Posted by Sideways&Smiling

What? The S2000 was in production for 9 years and had multiple variants, including two distinct generations, AP1 and AP2, as well as the CR/Type S/GT/etc... There were differences in displacement, wheel size, suspension, chassis rigidity, style, and more. It was discontinued because of price and the economy.... but it lasted 9 years. That's a pretty good run.

Also, the 350z was evolved into the 370z, there have been 3 generations of the MX5 (admittedly, the first 2 are pretty similar), 2 generations of the 240sx in the US, 3 generations of the most modern Silvia in the rest of the world, etc.... Tons of tuner sports cars are like this. They are always evolved and improved upon.

I never said cars like the miata and s2k didn't see upgrades... I was making the point that major upgrades are usually few and far apart in niche markets. Upgrades generally take 4+ model years and only involve minor changes (facelift, small power bump, etc).

A week after the twins came out people were begging for an model upgrades, that's just not realistic.

[dirtymax]

ahhhh! The number 1 complaint is that this car is to slow. And if you complain that its to slow then you dont "get it" and should buy a mustang. Its laughable. What should we be happy with? 100hp, 50hp, maybe just enough to get the car down the road? No one with half a brain is asking for a stock 500hp twin.

[swpbrz]

If they bumped the power I think you would see pricing go up 10k


35-40k


I'd be happy to pay too, but if you gave this more power it would be too close to a Porsche to not buy for 20k less

[dirtymax]

If toyobaru could get the car near 200hp at the wheels N/A and remove the torque dip it would be an amazing all around package.

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by dirtymax

If toyobaru could get the car near 200hp at the wheels N/A and remove the torque dip it would be an amazing all around package.

Current bolt on mods show that this is possible, but meeting target emissions and fuel economy is another story. I think if they up the displacement to a 2.5L Flat 4, it would make everyone happy while keep the cost increase down. Personally rather have the car in current form and add my own FI kit.

[B3yondL]

Time to hope for the 2015 year (2016 model) will get a turbo or bigger displacement. If this car could just eliminate that torque dip and have some more power, it would be a modern legend.

[cycleboy]

Originally Posted by B3yondL

Time to hope for the 2015 year (2016 model) will get a turbo or bigger displacement. If this car could just eliminate that torque dip and have some more power, it would be a modern legend.

It can. Simple bolt on mods.

[Jegan_V]

How about this...I'm just happy the car exists. I bought a Monogram, although I was ready to settle for a standard 2014 until they announced the Monogram. I've driven tons of newer model cars over the 5 years I've been driving fleet cars(several of which are faster than this car in a straight line) and this was the one car that actually made me contemplate about buying new. Some will say "oh its too slow" or "its not powerful enough". I guess these people race for a living, me on the other hand...I unfortunately don't. I have to drive within speed limits or lose my license. What I primarily like about this car isn't what lap times it can put out or how fast it can go in a straight line...or even the handling as there are some better handling cars out there, rather its how much fun it can provide on a drive when I have to drive slowly. When you drive your car even on a boring route and it still makes you happy even after a horrid day...that's all I care about.