Jay Leno Reviews the Scion FR-S

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by _hollywood

The last stripper car sold in the states was the ITR

I think the 2004-2006 Evo RS is just as much of a stripper car... crank windows, manual mirrors, manual door locks, no radio, no speakers, no ABS, no trunk carpeting, sound deadening removed, etc.

Originally Posted by Jordo!

It's all relative -- we're already in the 30K ball park with this car...

Really? The FR-S starts well-equipped (and with just one trim level anyway) at UNDER $25k (with destination already included) or a hair above $26k for the automatic FR-S (also with destination already included). You're rounding up quite a bit to say it's in the "30K ball park," unless paint protection film and whatever other silly, overpriced Toyota/TRD/Scion add-ons with zero performance value are must-haves. That's not really close enough to $30k to say it's in that "ball park."

Originally Posted by Dimman

As for Scion, it's a real word. Means descendant or protege or something. Lexus is the fake word.

True story. I think originally Toyota wanted the brand to be called "Alexus" or something, but they shortened it to Lexus because they didn't want any confusion (meaning potential lawsuits) with Alexis-Nexis, which some of you may recognize if you've had to do any college papers in the past decade or so, or if you work in the insurance industry.

[Jordo!]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

I think the 2004-2006 Evo RS is just as much of a stripper car... crank windows, manual mirrors, manual door locks, no radio, no speakers, no ABS, no trunk carpeting, sound deadening removed, etc.


Really? The FR-S starts well-equipped (and with just one trim level anyway) at UNDER $25k (with destination already included) or a hair above $26k for the automatic FR-S (also with destination already included). You're rounding up quite a bit to say it's in the "30K ball park," unless paint protection film and whatever other silly, overpriced Toyota/TRD/Scion add-ons with zero performance value are must-haves. That's not really close enough to $30k to say it's in that "ball park."


True story. I think originally Toyota wanted the brand to be called "Alexus" or something, but they shortened it to Lexus because they didn't want any confusion (meaning potential lawsuits) with Alexis-Nexis, which some of you may recognize if you've had to do any college papers in the past decade or so, or if you work in the insurance industry.

Is the implication that it won't be built because there won't be an appropriate badge for it? We're arguing over irrelevant matters. Fine, we can presume Scion = "cheap", rather than "fun, edgy", and that no one will buy a 40K Scion. Then it will be a Toyota. Or the cheapest Lexus ever. Whatever.

Originally Posted by Dimman

Couple points where you're off. Principally the brand thing being American. Not even close. First look at VAG's branding hierarchy in Europe where they sell a shit-ton of VWs branded as SEATs and Skodas. Secondly Toyota's branding success with Lexus took it all the way back to Japan where they should know better. Plus the fact that strippers will take it as a stage name is of critical importance, too. ;)

As for Scion, it's a real word. Means descendant or protege or something. Lexus is the fake word.

on the stripper.

Yes, I know scion is a real word... are there people who didn't? As a brand name, however, it means nothing. It is strictly an badge and organizational wing of Toyota.

As to Europe, I thought that was more a matter of completely "re-branding" a vehicle... is Skoda considered a subsidiary of VW? Is it even on the level of Datsun vs. Nissan, or just a completely different import distributor.

Lexus is officially a sub-brand in Japan too? Now that I didn't know.

I guess I could look this all up, but I don't really care. You mentioned it, so you have the responsibility of informing me

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Jordo!

Is the implication that it won't be built because there won't be an appropriate badge for it? We're arguing over irrelevant matters. Fine, we can presume Scion = "cheap", rather than "fun, edgy", and that no one will buy a 40K Scion. Then it will be a Toyota. Or the cheapest Lexus ever. Whatever.



on the stripper.

Yes, I know scion is a real word... are there people who didn't? As a brand name, however, it means nothing. It is strictly an badge and organizational wing of Toyota.

As to Europe, I thought that was more a matter of completely "re-branding" a vehicle... is Skoda considered a subsidiary of VW? Is it even on the level of Datsun vs. Nissan, or just a completely different import distributor.

Lexus is officially a sub-brand in Japan too? Now that I didn't know.

I guess I could look this all up, but I don't really care. You mentioned it, so you have the responsibility of informing me

I'll handle the research into strippers named Lexus. You can google the rest. Heh...

[Grateful Dave]

You can tell Jay Leno didn't want to do the review. The video production was awful with terrible editing.

[solidsnake4119]

Very useless "review".

[raphymartinez]

Originally Posted by MannyO

Oh Jack Hollis, you never cease to amaze me with your cringe inducing lack of knowledge.

hahahaah I agree

plus Thank you again Jack for the 2nd gen xB (too fat, not fuel efficient, too expensive), the xD (no need because of the Yaris, not fuel efficient enough, not innovative in any way) and the about 3 years too late 2nd gen tC (not a bad car, just waaaaay too late to market). Thank you for making Scion as normal a car brand as possible. So forgettable it's not even funny.

I know that those things aren't 100% his fault but he is the "face" of the company and the one that made certain promises that he surely did not keep.

I do however genuinely thank you for the FR-S, still can't believe it exists even though I can see mine sitting in front of my house right now.

As far as Jay, well, This just isn't the kind of car that gets his attention.

[_hollywood]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

I think the 2004-2006 Evo RS is just as much of a stripper car... crank windows, manual mirrors, manual door locks, no radio, no speakers, no ABS, no trunk carpeting, sound deadening removed, etc.

whoops forgot that one.....

[denkigrve]

Finally watched this, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Leno seemed to actually like the car, and driving it seemed to solidify it for him. It's what makes me forget I have a second car. I love driving the car. I love the way it feels, the way it drives. For someone that loves all sorts of cars, and drives exotics to have that much fun with it means a lot.

I think the best quote is this one: "More than adequate horsepower" So true. So many people just clamor on and on about how it needs more power, you really don't. More power won't make you a better driver. If you want it, go buy parts to get it. SC and Turbo's are only a few months away. I'm expecting a few of the cars on this forum to get those done within the next 6 months if Japan or someone elsewhere finishes up their tuning work.

Anyway, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Jack Hollis was way too nervous (I would have been as well, it's Jay Leno.) I would have liked to have seen them take the car on a track and get Jay's opinion on that, but whatever. For a short spot it was nice. On par with the rest of the positive reviews.