Opinions on GT-86 competition!

[Ultramaroon]

Please excuse my OCD. Felt really important.

[mrmaniti_86]

Still put a smile on my face every time I drive my frs for 2 years now especially when I see a twistie sign on the road

[Jegan_V]

Originally Posted by saif

And the Gen is built in America

No Genesis be it the sedan or the coupe are built in America. They're all assembled in Korea, if you see your friend's Genesis and look at the VIN, it should start with a K, if its from America it'll be either 1, 4 or 5. The only Hyundais that come from the Alabama plant or the Georgia Kia plant are the Elantra, Sonata and Santa Fe.

[saif]

Originally Posted by Jegan_V

No Genesis be it the sedan or the coupe are built in America. They're all assembled in Korea, if you see your friend's Genesis and look at the VIN, it should start with a K, if its from America it'll be either 1, 4 or 5. The only Hyundais that come from the Alabama plant or the Georgia Kia plant are the Elantra, Sonata and Santa Fe.

Whoops, thanks for the correction, I just assumed all the gens were made in America. Especially since the 60 yo veteran patriots like to hear that and companies will do anything to appeal to that side. Hmm, and yeah the golf is built in Mexico except for the autobahn edition, which is probably that's a tad out of reach. Which leaves question for their quality control.

Now I'm going a little off topic here but what's the lowest anyone has bought an FRS? I'm looking at prices and in Virginia here nothing below the msrp. However I was looking out of state, Maryland, and I see the same base model cars going for 22,000 which I'm thinking after closing costs and tax will bring it right to or above the original msrp. And what's up with their pure pricing and no haggle? Seems as if though each time I ask any adjustment on the price they just shoot me down. Whereas the genesis seems to have more playroom with the price. What have you guys haggled or negotiated with scion to get a good deal? Like warranty, TRD parts etc. because I would really love a spoiler on mine but most of those seem to be loaded with tons of extras that go for 26-27,000 +. If I could at all possibility get the car at the listing price after all the extra costs, that would be wonderful. Seems like in the end it's possible to get either car at the same price range. Does the BRZ have more wiggle room?

[Jegan_V]

BRZ is not restricted in the same way like the FRS on price and trim. The only thing that seems even negotiable on a FRS is the finance/lease agreement, the MSRP however isn't. For me the big minus with the Toyota version being a Scion is the brand's lack of flexibility which seems like an excuse to be anti-consumer. As for the Genesis being more easier to get a better deal, its mainly due to the age of the model and the fact a new generation of Genesis coupe is coming very soon, meaning dealers would happily give people a good deal simply to clear stock for the new model.

[saif]

Yeah that's exactly what I heard. That the new gen is supposed to look really similar to an Aston Martin. But is it going to come in a 2.0T or only the 3.8 and above? Because I know the 2015 gens are only in the 3.8 and above which I guess signals the coming of the new generation.

And it really feels like they are anti-consumer. Because most of the dealers I've gone to have extremely rudely turn me down and act as if though there is NOTHING they can do. I mean even at best buy you can sometimes make a deal with some products with the manager and their profits a lower. I guess I can see if I can find a good deal and get them to price match it??

Plus especially in my area, a place for millionaire retirees, none of them go to toyota dealerships for a cars. And I have seen the same frs's on the lot for atleast a year and I know they aren't going anywhere. So even with me making deals on that doesn't seems as if though they want to do anything.

And I would go to subaru to check out the BRZ but I like the branding of the scion, so if I were to go with the frs then I could swap out the badges for toyota embelems. I just like that look.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Jegan_V

BRZ is not restricted in the same way like the FRS on price and trim. The only thing that seems even negotiable on a FRS is the finance/lease agreement, the MSRP however isn't. For me the big minus with the Toyota version being a Scion is the brand's lack of flexibility which seems like an excuse to be anti-consumer. As for the Genesis being more easier to get a better deal, its mainly due to the age of the model and the fact a new generation of Genesis coupe is coming very soon, meaning dealers would happily give people a good deal simply to clear stock for the new model.

This is a very common misconceptions as to what the Scion "Pure Pricing" means.
The dealer can charge anything they want, be it above, or below the MSRP.
What they can not do (pure price) is put different prices on the same vehicle through different media. So If the want to charge $20K or $50K they can as long as it is the same price everywhere they advertise it. They could even charge $20K for Lava and $50K for Halo if they wanted to.
Many dealers will not budge on their price because of this. What you can do however is negotiate in extras. Want TRD stuff (exhaust, intake, etc) try to get them included for free or at a large discount.

From Scion site:
PURE PRICE - A DEFINITION

Scion Pure Price means the price you see in the dealership, on the dealership's website, or other dealer advertising locations is the price you pay. This applies to the vehicle, accessories, finance rates and insurance products. With Scion Pure Price, you know the price you will pay and you don't have to spend your time negotiating.
WHY USE PURE PRICE?

Our customers told us they want a shorter, simpler process with less pressure - and we listened. With Scion Pure Price, you don't have to negotiate price - or wait for someone to "crunch the numbers."
MSRP VS. DEALER'S PRICE

MSRP is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price that appears on Scion.com. The price that is shown on your dealer's website, which may or may not be the same as MSRP, is the price you'll pay for your new Scion. Pure Process is a completely transparent pricing system to help save you the time you would otherwise spend negotiating for a "deal."

[torqdork]

Earlier this year US Scion dealers were given the green light by TMS to discount below their advertised pure price during the 2015 new model year RS 1.0 rollout. They were compensated with temporary factory to dealer cash incentives. Those incentives expired so dealers may be reluctant to discount until the next round of spiffs since Scion margins are very thin compared to the rest of the product lineup.

[calmtigers]

Originally Posted by saif

Im planning on staying in the states for all of my college. Unless I plan on studying abroad for maybe a semester, in which I dont see myself having a car overseas for that long. However, I am a sophmore in college and am doing wonderful. 3.79 with an outlook of a 4.0 for this semester, with hopes of transfering to W&M. So if I keep it up I wont see myself going overseas for med school.

Kids? hahahaha I dont plan on anything like that for a while. I dont have a girlfriend nor intend on a serious one to come for a while.

The picture I posted is somewhat older, I have recently fixed those terrible headlights. Dont know why they oxidize so easily and have done what I think are good mods. I have a CAI and TRD lowered springs along with the usual Audio upgrades and tinted windows. It does the trick, but the 170ish horsepower along with the heavy weight and some laughs I get from fellow car enthusiasts when I tell them its a "sports" car is kinda pushing me away from it. Plus brother is getting his license soon and am looking to keep it in the family and give it to my brother and let him ride it out till it dies.

I want to be able to keep the next car for atleast 10-15+ years and have parts available for it at that time. Seeing the already HUGE aftermarket on the FRS is a huge plus and I know since its a Toyobaru mix it wont be lacking in parts in the future incase of any breakdowns or upgrades needed. Same applies to the Gen coupe. I know my Solara is 9 years old this winter and just hit 100,000 miles and will last me another 100,000 miles.

Nice this gives me more insight, but what I was asking was where do you plan/want to go to Med School The most important thing is if you decide to go right after UG and your MCAT score ( a huge variable for you right now) is not viable to get into a US school your only choice might be the Carribean schools where you will not be able to use your car and still have payments etc.

By the time you get back there will be new cars that might be better suited for what you want to do.

I'm in a similar dilemma but because I am probably going to Law School in CA anyways I had decided to purchase an FRS coming from a slammed 2010 corolla (similar no aftermarket support/rarely modified car)

My suggestion is, if you think you'll be going to a US medical school then get a new car (don't assume my friend who graduated out of UCLA with a 3.9 and sparkling MCAT got rejected from a lot of schools)

If not, keep the solara and enjoy it for the next two years!

[Frishkorn]

I bought the car simply because it was a Toyota (I've only ever owned Toyota Corolla's before the FR-S), it looks good, and is fun to drive.

I wouldn't take a Hyundai if you gave it to me (unless there was no stipulation that I couldn't immediately sell it). And I'd rather die before ever owning anything new that was 'Merican. When you own a 1970 Chevelle SS, the newer cars just don't look/feel the same.

Just my 2 cents, and personal feelings about automobile brands.

I think the part Toyota didn't realize is this. Once I found out the car is basically a Subaru and not a Toyota, and could feel it in the soul of the car. I decided my next brand new grocery getter won't be a Toyota, but I'm going Subbie.

[strat61caster]

I'm sure it's been said but there is a short list of criteria (for me) that literally no other car on the market today matches, the only alternatives would be used vehicles and the associated upkeep and loss of safety.

-Affordable (already mentioned in OP)
-RWD
-Lightweight (i.e. <3,000 lbs)
-Fixed roof

If another car was available that checked those boxes it certainly would have been considered but right now those are the things I want in a fun car that can't be compromised. Toss one or two of those things out the window and the list grows considerably (weight = muscle cars/gen coupe, RWD = all the great hatches, fixed roof = Miata, S2k).

Really the only contender built in the last 10 years is the RX-8 but, at this point I want to go back further to the days when European cars were under 3,000 lbs. and suck it up for the maintenance, reliability, and loss of safety or possibly go Porsche or RX-7.

Edit: If you had told me 3 years ago that I'd own a Toyota product built in my lifetime I would have laughed in your face, 'fun' doesn't really seem to be in Toyota's vocabulary and that is essential in car ownership for me.

[Koa]

Originally Posted by saif

Background skip if you want me to get to the point:

Hello fellow toyota fans out there. For the past few years I have been driving my 2006 Toyota solara that I had gotten from my parents in High School. Obviously looking sporty and being probably the coolest car in the parking lot in the school, I really got into cars and started doing mods to my car. Though dont worry, I didnt rice up the car. Eventually I got to a point where there was little to no support out there for the solara even though the tC uses the same engine and powertrain along with various other cars. This got me frustrated. However eventually my fellow car enthusiasts in college and family had told me that I could be putting the money I have towards a new cars downpayment....

The troll indicators are subtle, but there.

Two things:

• Nobody says their Solara is the coolest car in the parking lot
• Who gets approval from their 'fellow car enthusiasts" for anything fiscally related to their vehicles?

now begone!

[艾洛]

Originally Posted by saif

-RELIABILITY!!!
10 years ago subaru wasn't all too great but they've been striving to become more reliable.
Toyota on the other hand, well it's Toyota.
-QUALITY
Thin-paint, rattling, and crickets are really common
-PERSONALITY
Le best.
-POWER OR GREAT HANDLING OR SPORTY
Sacrificed power for amazing handling/feel. (in comparo to other vehicles of your choice)
-VALUE
Buying a used one will leave you extra $$$ to mod (for more power or handling)
-FUNCTIONALITY
Reliable and no problem if snow is coming, more time going sideways.

Point Question:

So in the end my question is, what made the FRS/BRZ/GT86 worth it to you guys/girls and what other cars did you all look at before finalizing on the FRS? What does the FRS really have over the other cars at the 26,000 price compared to the 24,000 GTI or 22,000 Hyundai Genesis 2.0T?
To be honest, we're here because we love the twin. You may find a lot of biased answers. Even if they aren't, it's very hard to describe the feeling between each vehicle, sure we can say the Genesis feels like a boat compared to the 86 and you create a scenario of what that is like in your mind... I personally believe that if you went out and drove all three of those vehicles back-to-back, you will find the answer to your own question. What made the twin worth it for the $ over other vehicles that out perform it on the brochure.

[NOHOME]

To the OP. Just buy another Solara. It's the car that suits your needs. You do not have a sportscar personality or you would not have all this angst about buying a sportscar.