Is the FT86/FR-S the right car to get for me?

[Buggy51]

Hello everyone, I recently joined ft86club after hearing a bit of info from friends and wanted to know more about the upcoming (hopefully soon to be released) car. After reading more about the car, I still have a few questions I'd like to ask and hopefully everyone here might pitch in and give an opinion.

I currently use an old 96 Honda accord that has been fine for me for the past years, and well its gotten me from point A to point B. The main use for my next car is to be a daily driver, and I'm curious to see if the FR-S would be a practical car as well. I live in the SF Bay Area and among its little traffic problems, I have never practiced driving manual before and I feel that operating the FR-S as a manual first time is a rather stupid way to go (that and baptism by fire on a freeway doesn't sound that appealing). I would also think that parking around the hilly areas might not be that smart of an idea for myself since I'm not that experienced. Thus, for my sake and most likely everyone else that lives around me, the FR-S I'd be using would be an automatic. Also, I have also never driven (to my knowledge) a RWD car, but at the same time, I'm not the type of person that would drive pedal to the metal etc. and race others. Would this make a huge impact?

For the most part, the FR-S attracted me since its a small car that seems extremely nimble, while remaining relatively low-priced (I'm hoping it'll be at most around 20-22k). However at the same time, I'm merely 23 and male so I presume that my car insurance might skyrocket if I get this car. Does anyone have any idea about all this?

So overall, what do you guys think? Is the FT86/FR-S worth considering for me (when its released)? Is there any other vehicles you would suggest if I seem to be an abomination to think about this vehicle? Thanks everyone.

[Snaps]

I think the F86 would be pretty good for you. It will be cheap, reliable, have a little bit of power (as you wouldn't be on a car forum like this if you don't like a bit of power ). You seem to be sensible, so I'm sure RWD, whether manual or auto, will not be a problem - I got a RWD MKIV Supra non-turbo as my first RWD car and was sensible enough not to ever lose control of the car.

The FT86 (well, FR-S at least) is supposed to have enough boot space to fit 4 track wheels + tyres, along with a jack, so I'm sure it will have enough room for DD'er duty, though not anything large.

I'm happy living with the ~20-year old auto in my current Supra, and I'm sure the Auto 'boxes have improved by now. I don't think it will detract from the driving experience of the FT as much as some people on here might think.

I can't comment on the insurance aspect of it, I don't really know enough about it.

[ichitaka05]

First, welcome to the forum

Hm... that's a good question. We don't have full spec of this car (yet), so most of advice will coming from speculation and some experiences. For my view I don't see why this car isn't right car for ya. Here are few reasons

1. This car will have AT tranny, so if you don't feel like don't want to learn MT then just buy AT.
2. Engine will have Direct Injection, so it's somewhat gas friendly.
3. RWD, FWD, AWD or whatever drivetrain it is, as long as you don't drive like a **** or racer, it's same thing.
4. Toyota/SCION is trying to keep this car price tag somewhat low (we don't fully know that exact price tag)
5. Insurance part... well, all new cars plus under 25yrs old is expensive... BUT it's all up to insurance company you have.

Those are few I can think of. More and more info & actual spec gonna come out, so stay tune and learn bout this car and test drive (when it actually come out) and see if it's right car for ya.

[RRnold]

I don't see how this car would be the wrong car for anybody. It may be wrong for me since I'll never buy a Scion and waiting for the Subie!

Since you're in the Bay Area, having a manual can be more of a pain in the ass, especially in the city but that shouldn't cancel out your option of considering one.

You still have plenty of time to learn how to drive stick before this car hits the floors. How about calling a driving instructor and borrow their car to learn. If you know how to drive stick, it's second nature, you'll get the hang of it.

Insurance would be more than your current vehicle since it's brand new and a RWD but it's a 2+2 and not a 2 seater so that it won't very expensive. I'm not sure if you're aware but in CA, the discount rate doesn't apply when you turn 25, it's based on when you got your D.L + 8 yrs.

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by RRnold

I'm not sure if you're aware but in CA, the discount rate doesn't apply when you turn 25, it's based on when you got your D.L + 8 yrs.

Wow, I didn't know that. I don't live in CA, but that's interesting

[Giccin]

AT would be great for you in SF Bay. Unless you plan on taking the Bartz everywhere but nonetheless wouldn't be too bad.

Actually I would just recommend you to get a AT. I went to SF with a MT and god it was terrible, but aside from that, if you don't -like said- drive like a complete ricer/idiot you'll be fine.

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Wow, I didn't know that. I don't live in CA, but that's interesting

It will also depend on the person's record too and varies in between insurance carriers. Before most drivers could get a D.L when they turn 16 but I believe you have to wait till you're 18.

Here is State Farm:

Inexperienced Driver Safety Discount

In order to initially qualify for this discount, the following requirements must be met:

• All drivers with less than nine years of driving experience who are assigned to the automobile must:
  • have no at-fault accidents or moving violations and
  • have successfully completed a course, consisting of an exam and a video, in a State Farm agent’s office.
• All vehicles in the household must be insured with State Farm.

[Buggy51]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Yeah I understand that everything that we know is speculation, but it seems extremely odd if they do a 180 on everyone lol. Just looking towards a new car since the accord is well... hitting its years :/ Recently had a problem with the starter so... I'm thinking its been a great run with it.

Oh wow, didn't know that about the CA state law thing (well, guess I should brush up on that as well). Though now that I mentioned this car to my parents, they were kinda curious about a few things. I mean safety wise, it must be up to par (at least in the US) to whatever new safety laws that are met; also, the Scion version is a branch under Toyota which I presume still wants to uphold the brand safety.

Yeah, I was always looking at AT since I lived in SF, though some people claim its okay, I guess its not that fun lol. Happy to hear that RWD wouldn't be that much different from FWD if you drive regularly. From what I was reading, I thought it would be a completely different ride when driving normally.

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by Buggy51

Yeah, I was always looking at AT since I lived in SF, though some people claim its okay, I guess its not that fun lol. Happy to hear that RWD wouldn't be that much different from FWD if you drive regularly. From what I was reading, I thought it would be a completely different ride when driving normally.

I give props to anyone who drives a MT in SF. Especially rainy weathers.

[serialk11r]

Wait what exactly about the Bay Area is bad for MT? I feel like Socal roads are a bit bigger and have higher speed limits, maybe less annoying stoplights, but traffic feels just as bad. Never touched an MT so I don't really know what it's like... I did drive some Chevy rental car with manual mode and shifting felt like a pain in the ass but that might have had to do with how it took a full 2 seconds to shift and I could never tell what it was trying to do.

[Buggy51]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Wait what exactly about the Bay Area is bad for MT? I feel like Socal roads are a bit bigger and have higher speed limits, maybe less annoying stoplights, but traffic feels just as bad. Never touched an MT so I don't really know what it's like... I did drive some Chevy rental car with manual mode and shifting felt like a pain in the ass but that might have had to do with how it took a full 2 seconds to shift and I could never tell what it was trying to do.

From what I can see, I think if you park in a hilly area, you might develop a leg cramp trying to get your car wedged successfully without causing damage to anything. Also, it could be the smaller shorter roads that cause a lot of stopping? Dunno, Giccin can probably chime in lol.

[serialk11r]

lol it's been a while since I went up to SF, but again I haven't driven manual so I don't know how bad it is on hills. I have a pretty competent left foot so I'm actually looking forward to trying it out Probably need to get used to using right foot for brake though, I have my left foot hovering over the brake at basically all times, which probably won't work with manual :/

I guess I can see how the large number of small roads with stops everywhere could be an annoyance, although I was always under the impression that shifting becomes second nature when you learn?

[iff2mastamatt]

As an accord owner as well, I feel like the FR-S will be a great replacement. I feel the FR-S will be better than the older accords in almost every aspect other than the fact that it will be RWD and not have the "honda handling". Since SF doesn't get too much bad weather, the RWD shouldn't be an issue for you but the handling is the one thing I need to be happy with and I won't know how good it is until I test drive it. I feel that Toyota will give this car great handling, but it has to be at least as good as the accord's if I want to consider this car. Like others have mentioned, there are no final specs released yet so no one will even know if this car is good for themselves, so just wait until next year and decide once you see for yourself when the car will be released.

[Mr.Jay]

I disagree with everyone

I don't think we can decide this for you from what you have typed to me at least it seems that you want this car for its cool factor but really its more about what you want from your new car that matters more.

If you are looking for something that has good mileage, cheap to insure, gets you from A to B and easy to drive then I don't think this is for you however if you want a sporty drivers car that seems really tuner friendly and all about the handeling and feel (not speed or power) then yea the ft86 could be for u


Regarding SF, at least you guys have multiple lanes, can mod your car more freely and way better paved roads IMO