Thoughts on 1 year of ownership

[5hairpins]

One year ago today, I purchased my FR-S. In the past year, I have suffered a few of the early model issues; Rev dip, passenger window switch, pinched widow rubber, oil leak on engine plate and starting issues not to mention my crickets. Behavior has resolved most of my issues and good old fashioned maintaining fixed the rest except my cricket companions. Even with all this, I still smile every time I get in the car and I cannot wait to get back on the road when away from her.

I have not gone as far as I had hoped with my driver education, only one trip to the track and few hooning adventures. But that is on me and my budget. I am still stock but have continued to consider exhaust, wheel and other upgrades. A plan for my mods is coming together thanks to the experiences of my fellow owners and I have started making friendships with many others in the Dallas area. To think that a car could affect my life as much as it has is the biggest surprise.

To those still on the fence or waiting for something to happen before getting one of these beauties, do not lose faith. The wait will be worth it. To those who did not find what they were seeking and have moved on, I am sad for you. I have never driven a car that can do what this one can and I know I am a better driver for it. To those who are just starting their adventure with one of these twins, I hope to see you on the road someday!

Tomorrow I start year 2 and if it is at all like year 1, I simply cannot wait!

[CBR600RR]

Even with all this, I smile everytime I get in the car.
Even with all this, I smile everytime I get in the car.

:happy0180:

Edit: dammit - you fixed it - I should have quoted you

[ChristosG]

I've been lucky in that aside from the cricket noise, I haven't had any issues at all. At least as long as the weather is nice. In the winter, when the temperatures get below freezing, my windows often get stuck and for some reason my bluetooth refused to work. I'll attribute that simply to the terrible cold we get here in Canada. Going forward, I'm probably going to get a winter car so I can dial back the mileage (I have 23000 KM after 1 year) and also to avoid having to get stuck in snow all the time. I still look forward to adding all the TRD goodies as they are released.

I will keep this car forever and eventually make it my track toy when it gets replaced by the sports sedan I'll get as I'm quickly approaching the settling down and starting a family phase of my life).

[MightyMeeple]

Great post! Thanks for sharing. It made me stop and realize that today marks my 3rd month with my BRZ. Like you, I smile everytime I drive it and I look forward to every trip I take in it.

Here's to hoping I feel just as you do in 9 more months!

[MVJ1975]

Coming up on a year myself and I can echo everything you've said. I've done some minor upgrades to mine - wheels and tires - and I'll be doing suspension upgrades in the coming months, but even stock the car is just so much fun to drive.

I will add - and I've said this before - there's always a reason to wait, always a reason to put things off. Oh, next year they'll have a turbo, or a touch screen headunit, or whatever, just wait until then. Meanwhile, you're driving a Yaris. If you want the car, if you can afford the car, buy the car. I was going to wait a few years, myself, but I'm so glad I didn't - because I wouldn't have had these awesome 11 months with it.

[retrosmiths]

I had $3k negative equity when I bought mine, and no regrets at all.

I'm 25, my previous car (Scion tC RS7) will be fully paid by 2018, but no, I don't want to waste 5 years of my prime on a car I didn't like.

[FRSTRM]

Originally Posted by retrosmiths

I had $3k negative equity when I bought mine, and no regrets at all.

I'm 25, my previous car (Scion tC RS7) will be fully paid by 2018, but no, I don't want to waste 5 years of my prime on a car I didn't like.

Hah, I was similar, just bought a 2012 TC a year before and traded it in for the FRS (that I originally wanted but it still would have been months to get one at the time). Tons of negative equity, but now I love every moment I'm either in, or working on the car

[retrosmiths]

Are you me?? Haha!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Ocala FR-S]

Originally Posted by ChristosG

I've been lucky in that aside from the cricket noise, I haven't had any issues at all.

Same here. I'm convinced we all have the cricket noise. I can only hear it when it standing over the engine with the hood up or in a parking garage with my windows open and it echos off the wall. So, I don't care.

[Ocala FR-S]

Originally Posted by ChristosG

I will keep this car forever and eventually make it my track toy when it gets replaced by the sports sedan I'll get as I'm quickly approaching the settling down and starting a family phase of my life).

It works for my mid-life crisis. The wife and the teenager just have to put up with me. I have also contemplated the future track toy. It is currently my daily driver with autocross and track day activities. I envision, in a few years. having a 1-1/2 car size "shop" behind the house, a trailer and something to pull it with.

[ChristosG]

Originally Posted by Ocala FR-S

It works for my mid-life crisis. The wife and the teenager just have to put up with me. I have also contemplated the future track toy. It is currently my daily driver with autocross and track day activities. I envision, in a few years. having a 1-1/2 car size "shop" behind the house, a trailer and something to pull it with.

I wish you success in making that dream a reality! I'd like to do something similar but need to get myself a much bigger property to pull it off.

One other thing to consider is that this car represents possibly the last generation of minimalist, manual transmission, lightweight RWD coupes and as such I am sure will be a museum piece 50 years from now.

I can't wait to show my future kids what cars used to be like before they all became electric, boring and soulless.

[Ocala FR-S]

Originally Posted by ChristosG

I wish you success in making that dream a reality! I'd like to do something similar but need to get myself a much bigger property to pull it off.

One other thing to consider is that this car represents possibly the last generation of minimalist, manual transmission, lightweight RWD coupes and as such I am sure will be a museum piece 50 years from now.

I can't wait to show my future kids what cars used to be like before they all became electric, boring and soulless.

Thanks for your well wishes. I'll be at a Time Attack event Saturday. I was on a road course two weeks ago. I'll do this stuff until the car becomes unreliable. I've been pretty hard on it in it's short life so far. I imagine it will need a trailer.

As far as minimalist, I'm afraid I've succumbed to technology. It's too late for me to hold out in a couple respects. First, I passed on the MT and I have the AT. Don't ask, I've had MT cars for over a decade, I chose this. Second, I'll be dead in 50 years.

[tm86]

Your profile says:
Drives: 2013 MT Asphalt FR-S

Did you time travel to complete a year of ownership?

[BentAnat]

All the FRS were MY13. MY14 is starting soon.
MY13 was a bit longer due to the launch happening mid-year kinda thing.