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

[Richard Cranium]

Originally Posted by 4Running Daily

I'm still 50/50 FR-S vs ST. I'll keep you guys updated.

FWIW, I drove the ST just to see what it was all about. It's got power and an amazing sound, but other than that, my experience was less than stellar. The dealer had two on the lot...

- The red one the salesmen opened up, nothing worked. It would unlock with the remote and start, but the entire dash was dead...no screen, gauges, interior lights, etc. Then all the sudden the needles lit up, blipped up (like the FR-S blips to the redline indicator at start-up) then went totally flat again. After a shut down and a restart, same thing except after about 30 seconds it shuddered, died and would not restart. On top of all of this, the e-brake was stuck and the button had been mashed in to the handle.

- Round two on the ugly yellow one...it drove, but the power seat control buttons were broken and pushed in to the plastic frame of the seat. I had to reach under, push the button assembly out of it's opening in order to adjust the seat back to a point were I could fit, and even then, the tilt didn't work so I was stuck sitting at about a 10deg tilt back.

YMMV

[thill]

Originally Posted by UNDEAD1153

Don't mean to jack the thread but at the moment, I'm 18 and driving a Toyota Tacoma. Looking to make the switch to the Fr-s also. I'm paying for the car, if I do decide to purchase, but the first thing I need to know is how much insurance will be. Can anyone give input on insurance for an 18 year old with an Fr-s, without any wrecks or tickets (knock on wood)? Might help the OP out as well, as it is something he will also have to look into.

Good luck on the purchase OP!

It will vary too much from state to state. Why not just call up your current insurance company and ask?

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by UNDEAD1153

Don't mean to jack the thread but at the moment, I'm 18 and driving a Toyota Tacoma. Looking to make the switch to the Fr-s also. I'm paying for the car, if I do decide to purchase, but the first thing I need to know is how much insurance will be. Can anyone give input on insurance for an 18 year old with an Fr-s, without any wrecks or tickets (knock on wood)? Might help the OP out as well, as it is something he will also have to look into.

Good luck on the purchase OP!

You'll just have to get quotes, since rates vary significantly from state to state, and not everyone in here is in TN. You can PM me and I can give you an idea, since I'm in that industry.

[thill]

Originally Posted by 4Running Daily

I'm still 50/50 FR-S vs ST. I'll keep you guys updated.

This is what I always do when I like two cars.

Make a checklist of specs/features/dynamic and then rank them by importance. Etc:
1. Handling
2. Power
3. Gearbox
4. Seating position
5. Exterior styling
6. Interior styling
7. Technology (radio/nav, bluetooth, etc).
8. MPG
9. Insurance costs
10. Seat comfort
etc, etc

Then drive the cars back to back and make notes. Then if it is a close call you can rank the cars and make a sensible decision. Try to do a long extensive test drive and make sure you cover day to day situations like highway, twisties, traffic, quick stops, fast take off, evasive maneuver, etc.

Not everything can be translated to paper either. Some of it is just your gut feeling, but at least if you have notes and cover the main points you wont miss anything you will regret later.

Good luck. They are both good cars. Obviously I have a bias, but they each have their pros and cons and you have to pick what is best suited for you.

[UNDEAD1153]

Originally Posted by thill

It will vary too much from state to state. Why not just call up your current insurance company and ask?

Emailed the guy on Tuesday and haven't heard back since Wednesday.

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

You'll just have to get quotes, since rates vary significantly from state to state, and not everyone in here is in TN. You can PM me and I can give you an idea, since I'm in that industry.

Will do, thanks man!

[AkaJabari]

Just based off the image you posted of your truck a foot off the ground speeding down a dirt road, I'm going to say no. You're gonna wrap either one of those cars around a lightpole within 6 months. Stick to the truck or get some other sort of beater.

[4Running Daily]

Originally Posted by AkaJabari

Just based off the image you posted of your truck a foot off the ground speeding down a dirt road, I'm going to say no. You're gonna wrap either one of those cars around a lightpole within 6 months. Stick to the truck or get some other sort of beater.

No, I don't think I'll listen to you.

Thanks for your opinion though.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Well, when you ask the internet for their opinion of whether or not an FR-S is the right car for you, you're not going to get all friendly responses that will baby you. Some are going to be harsh, sometimes harsh truths.

[thill]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

Well, when you ask the internet for their opinion of whether or not an FR-S is the right car for you, you're not going to get all friendly responses that will baby you. Some are going to be harsh, sometimes harsh truths.

Especially when you are 16. My first car as a 16 year old was a 1985 Mazda RX-7 GLS. So I can hardly be a hypocrite. And that car had no nannies to keep me in check either. Wrecked it within the first 6 months

[autobrz]

when I was in my early 20s, I wrecked an old man's sports car on a test drive.

[4Running Daily]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

Well, when you ask the internet for their opinion of whether or not an FR-S is the right car for you, you're not going to get all friendly responses that will baby you. Some are going to be harsh, sometimes harsh truths.

That's why I said Thank You

[spgrizz22]

Originally Posted by UNDEAD1153

Don't mean to jack the thread but at the moment, I'm 18 and driving a Toyota Tacoma. Looking to make the switch to the Fr-s also. I'm paying for the car, if I do decide to purchase, but the first thing I need to know is how much insurance will be. Can anyone give input on insurance for an 18 year old with an Fr-s, without any wrecks or tickets (knock on wood)? Might help the OP out as well, as it is something he will also have to look into.

Good luck on the purchase OP!

1200 a entire year for me. Haven't gotten a ticket or accident

[4Running Daily]

Originally Posted by spgrizz22

1200 a entire year for me. Haven't gotten a ticket or accident

That's a pretty damn good price. How old are you?

[lionbacker54]

i really liked the focus st. very nimble, very planted and great brakes. super practical also. i just didn't like the way it looked.