Impressions after my first 50 miles - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

SEC · 06-20-2012, 10:01 AM

I picked up my asphalt FR-S last night and drove about 50 miles. I still have a lot to learn about the car, but had some quick observations.

1. I'm in love. I bought this after 22 years of Miata ownership. I still have my forth one, but I have a feeling the FR-S keys will be the ones I grab most often. This is a proper handling car that responds very well to driver imputs. Trail-brake/trail-throttle and the car tightens it's line like it should.

2. It is under-tired. When I read they put the "Prius" tires on this car, I thought it actually made sense for enjoyable street driving. But, it's far too easy to get those things howling. *

3. It's also easy to get the electronic nannies to kick in. For folks new to this kind of car, they should think twice about turning them off until they have learned what they are doing. What I like about the car in #1 is probably what put that other car into a pole. Take a driving school if you can.

4. This is not a small car. I've seen the photo comparisons that indicate that it is, but compared to Miata's and other cars I've had, it just isn't that small.

5. The seats are pretty tight. They fit me great, but those inclined to "win" at all-you-can-eat buffets may have an issue.

6. It grabs a lot of attention. I'm amazed how many people react to the car.

7. The MT is really good. It could be I like it because it's similar in feel to the Miata, but I was knocking off smooth downshifts right away. I do need to get use to having a 6th gear.

8. I can't believe I own a SCION. That'll take a long time to get used to. At least the title will say Toyota.

* I may need to retract #2. The tires are getting better with a little wear.

MTeator · 06-20-2012, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEC

2. It is under-tired. When I read they put the "Prius" tires on this car, I thought it actually made sense for enjoyable street driving. But, it's far too easy to get those things howling.

They get stickier after you break them in. Gotta rub off the outer layer then they're not bad at all.

That said, mine are dismounted now

MVJ1975 · 06-20-2012, 10:20 AM

Yeah, the tires are seriously noisy. I've moved Enkei RPF1 Type IIs and Hankook RS3s up near the top of my "to buy" list.

MTeator · 06-20-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVJ1975

Yeah, the tires are seriously noisy. I've moved Enkei RPF1 Type IIs and Hankook RS3s up near the top of my "to buy" list.

Well... the RS3's are a lot noisier.

MVJ1975 · 06-20-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTeator

Well... the RS3's are a lot noisier.

Good! Gotta wake the neighbors up somehow.

SEC · 06-20-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTeator

They get stickier after you break them in. Gotta rub off the outer layer then they're not bad at all.

Your right. I'm at 200 miles an they have gotten better.

MTeator · 06-21-2012, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEC

Your right. I'm at 200 miles an they have gotten better.

Cool. When I first got mine it was like they had put tire shine on the tread

dtrop · 06-21-2012, 09:57 PM

This IS a small car.....

Just because you have owned one of the smallest cars on the market, doesn't take away from it's natural state.

elenien · 06-21-2012, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtrop

This IS a small car.....

Just because you have owned one of the smallest cars on the market, doesn't take away from it's natural state.

I don't know if it's small so much as so much smaller than everything else. For instance, the FR-S is roughly the same size as my old Prelude, which used to be a similar size to the Accords and Civics...

I took this picture next to the 2-door Accord when i was car shopping...

Lytheum · 06-22-2012, 12:26 AM

its small for a modern car. everything keeps growing and growing! just look at that new accord vs a 80's or even 90's accord.

rikdrt1 · 06-22-2012, 12:45 AM

i must be driving like an old man cause my tires arent noisy at all... i wish they were wider and 18's but that will come much later i think

MVJ1975 · 06-22-2012, 12:49 AM

The FR-S has almost identical length and height to my old MX-3. The MX-3 was small, even for 90's cars.

PCYang · 06-22-2012, 12:59 AM

Thanks for the insight.

I think the FR-S is a step in the right direction. It's lighter than a lot of modern cars, and I like it not being miata small.

But to each his own. I'm excited to see what the aftermarket brings.

bestwheelbase · 06-22-2012, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVJ1975

Good! Gotta wake the neighbors up somehow.

I can think of a few other ways too.

06-22-2012, 12:26 AM	#10
Lytheum Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: 2013 BRZ Premium 6MT Location: Ohio Posts: 427 Thanks: 49 Thanked 103 Times in 54 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	its small for a modern car. everything keeps growing and growing! just look at that new accord vs a 80's or even 90's accord. __________________ 2013 Subaru BRZ Premium 6MT -STOCK!

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06-20-2012, 10:01 AM	#1
SEC Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 12Focus, 16MX5, 99VFR Location: Chicagoland Posts: 58 Thanks: 13 Thanked 13 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Impressions after my first 50 miles I picked up my asphalt FR-S last night and drove about 50 miles. I still have a lot to learn about the car, but had some quick observations. 1. I'm in love. I bought this after 22 years of Miata ownership. I still have my forth one, but I have a feeling the FR-S keys will be the ones I grab most often. This is a proper handling car that responds very well to driver imputs. Trail-brake/trail-throttle and the car tightens it's line like it should. 2. It is under-tired. When I read they put the "Prius" tires on this car, I thought it actually made sense for enjoyable street driving. But, it's far too easy to get those things howling. * 3. It's also easy to get the electronic nannies to kick in. For folks new to this kind of car, they should think twice about turning them off until they have learned what they are doing. What I like about the car in #1 is probably what put that other car into a pole. Take a driving school if you can. 4. This is not a small car. I've seen the photo comparisons that indicate that it is, but compared to Miata's and other cars I've had, it just isn't that small. 5. The seats are pretty tight. They fit me great, but those inclined to "win" at all-you-can-eat buffets may have an issue. 6. It grabs a lot of attention. I'm amazed how many people react to the car. 7. The MT is really good. It could be I like it because it's similar in feel to the Miata, but I was knocking off smooth downshifts right away. I do need to get use to having a 6th gear. 8. I can't believe I own a SCION. That'll take a long time to get used to. At least the title will say Toyota. * I may need to retract #2. The tires are getting better with a little wear. __________________ SEC Last edited by SEC; 06-21-2012 at 03:22 PM.

06-21-2012, 09:57 PM	#8
dtrop Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Wrb 2014 limited brZ Location: United States Posts: 436 Thanks: 5 Thanked 185 Times in 103 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	This IS a small car..... Just because you have owned one of the smallest cars on the market, doesn't take away from it's natural state.

06-22-2012, 12:59 AM	#13
PCYang Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Evo 8, S14, Integra, C1500 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks for the insight. I think the FR-S is a step in the right direction. It's lighter than a lot of modern cars, and I like it not being miata small. But to each his own. I'm excited to see what the aftermarket brings.

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