Open Letter to Potential FR-S Buyers & Disillusioned Owners

[regal]

this is so simple:




Live in country winding roads: HAPPY


Live in the city of flat country: Sad




This car was built for rolling down a mountain.

[Shady195]

Compared to the Honda fit i've been driving for the past 4 years. The FR-S is an F1 Tuned rocket ship LOL!!

Not the quickest thing on the road but OH MY LORD I have not been able to wipe this shit eating grin off my face for the past 24 hours. I put 350 Miles on her yesterday.

[surcy]

For what it is worth:


I have owned too many cars to count with the last 3 being a 04 M3 manual, 11 Mustang 5.0 GT manual, and 13 Dodge Charger SRT8.


I now own a 14 BRZ (not a FRS, but close enough for comparison) and it is the first car that I have driven in years that makes me smile when driving. It is not about 300-400 plus horsepower that cannot be used, but the driving experienced and feel. Other cars feel insulated and detached from the driver. The E46 M3 was the last car that I enjoyed, but had reach the point that reliability was becoming a negative.


The BRZ compares most favorably with the older M3 with less power, but great driving experience. (By the way, the Mustang was fun, but had a horrible transmission.)

[P86RAVES]

Originally Posted by surcy

For what it is worth:


I have owned too many cars to count with the last 3 being a 04 M3 manual, 11 Mustang 5.0 GT manual, and 13 Dodge Charger SRT8.


I now own a 14 BRZ (not a FRS, but close enough for comparison) and it is the first car that I have driven in years that makes me smile when driving. It is not about 300-400 plus horsepower that cannot be used, but the driving experienced and feel. Other cars feel insulated and detached from the driver. The E46 M3 was the last car that I enjoyed, but had reach the point that reliability was becoming a negative.


The BRZ compares most favorably with the older M3 with less power, but great driving experience. (By the way, the Mustang was fun, but had a horrible transmission.)

Was the 5.0 a manual or auto?

[OICU812]

Well... I've never regretted selling all 5 mustangs I've had either no denial here. And 100% no regret, what I wanted different I've changed, and I'm not 100% done. Many of the gripes spoken of really are not expensive or difficult cures at all to be honest.

You like something or you don't. The twins (to me) are a tuners car and that alone making it your own was the main attraction, that and for now there not everywhere and look more exotic then many others. Mustangs... Well I put thousands of dollars into a few of em past Porsche money and honestly they're not easy to individualize and well.... No one really gives a shit about a mustang even pimped....

Lastly finally ford made some big revisions to the 2015 maybe it will change things for them being first real overhaul for years. Personally why anyone would buy a 2014 with what's been announced for the 2015 Stang... I have no idea..

Still not enough for me to go back though.

But hey you're happy that's good on you no worry.

[surcy]

My 5.0 Mustang GT had manual MT-82 Chinese built Getrag transmission and was one of many with erratic shifting issues--hard shifts, would not go into second on left hand turns, inconsistent shifting, etc.

[tennisfreak]

Originally Posted by SlowButFun

I am so relieved to have gotten rid of the FRS.

For all the talk about what great handling cars the FRS/BRZ are, they're very good, yes, but not so good to the point that this makes up for their very serious deficiencies in the power, cheap interior, unnecessarily harsh ride, extreme road noise (especially on concrete highways), crappy stereos & quality teething issues.

My 2014 Mustang GT with Track Pack has far more equipment, has 220 more horsepower than the FRS (and TONS more torque), has a much better quality interior, rides much more comfortably as a daily driver than the FRS, has a much better stereo and speaker setup, cost a mere $3,300 more than what I paid for my FRS, and despite claims to the contrary, handles nearly as well as my FRS.

To inject some even more candid realism to the discussion, I could have purchased a 305 horsepower V6 Mustang for just under 20k brand new at the same dealership I ended up buying my GT at, and the same things I listed above about the GT's advantages over the FRS could still be said.

I don't doubt that some here really love their FRSs & BRZs, but I also think many owners are in a state of denial about the deficiencies of their vehicles, and after "biting the bullet" and purchasing their cars, are still trying to engage in group therapy as some sort of consolation because deep down, they truly regret their purchase.

Enjoy the mustang, they are nice. Not surprising at all that you got one so cheap as they are blowing out remaining inventory because of the model refresh (you can do the same thing with a Nissan 370z right now).

Regardless of all the perceived advantages of your new mustang vs the frs there are still negatives as well.
Enjoy 15mpg if you do anything other than shift early and go light on the throttle (I have several friends with 2012-2013 mustang gt's and this is consistent between them, only way to get 17+ is to lightfoot the throttle).

To me the mustang feels light a boat with a weighty body and floaty on corners.
I also see about 25 mustangs per day which makes them very cookie cutter. Its for good reason though as they do offer outstanding value for what you get.

I wont debate that the FRS offers similar value to the Mustang, because it does not, but that still has no impact on my choice. I'd choose the FRS/BRZ every time.

[Cliu91]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

Enjoy the mustang, they are nice. Not surprising at all that you got one so cheap as they are blowing out remaining inventory because of the model refresh (you can do the same thing with a Nissan 370z right now).

Regardless of all the perceived advantages of your new mustang vs the frs there are still negatives as well.
Enjoy 15mpg if you do anything other than shift early and go light on the throttle (I have several friends with 2012-2013 mustang gt's and this is consistent between them, only way to get 17+ is to lightfoot the throttle).

To me the mustang feels light a boat with a weighty body and floaty on corners.
I also see about 25 mustangs per day which makes them very cookie cutter. Its for good reason though as they do offer outstanding value for what you get.

I wont debate that the FRS offers similar value to the Mustang, because it does not, but that still has no impact on my choice. I'd choose the FRS/BRZ every time.

If I go a day to work without seeing at least five Mustangs... I'm going to win the lottery

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by SlowButFun

I am so relieved to have gotten rid of the FRS.

For all the talk about what great handling cars the FRS/BRZ are, they're very good, yes, but not so good to the point that this makes up for their very serious deficiencies in the power, cheap interior, unnecessarily harsh ride, extreme road noise (especially on concrete highways), crappy stereos & quality teething issues.

My 2014 Mustang GT with Track Pack has far more equipment, has 220 more horsepower than the FRS (and TONS more torque), has a much better quality interior, rides much more comfortably as a daily driver than the FRS, has a much better stereo and speaker setup, cost a mere $3,300 more than what I paid for my FRS, and despite claims to the contrary, handles nearly as well as my FRS.

To inject some even more candid realism to the discussion, I could have purchased a 305 horsepower V6 Mustang for just under 20k brand new at the same dealership I ended up buying my GT at, and the same things I listed above about the GT's advantages over the FRS could still be said.

I don't doubt that some here really love their FRSs & BRZs, but I also think many owners are in a state of denial about the deficiencies of their vehicles, and after "biting the bullet" and purchasing their cars, are still trying to engage in group therapy as some sort of consolation because deep down, they truly regret their purchase.

I think the issue is that you're trying to project your preferences on the rest of us. I believe you when you say you enjoy your Mustang (although query why you keep coming back to this site), but just because you prefer a bigger car with more horsepower and softer handling vs. smaller car with better feedback and agility doesn't mean everyone does.

Heck, there was a thread a few weeks ago in the "vs" section by a guy who sold his Twin for a new Mustang GT and regretted it. Even after he modded his Mustang GT, he couldn't get it to drive like a Twin.

In the end, everyone has different preferences. Whether a car offers good value or not depends what your preferences are.

[driftguy]

Originally Posted by SlowButFun

I am merely trying to inject some objectivity, as a former FRS owner, into what can be an echo chamber of positive comments about the twins that sometimes borders on the disingenuous.

But then again, such an echo chamber like effect is in no way unique to this forum, as every single forum I've been a member of has had the exact similar type of group think & commentators who try to drown out/dress down/insult anyone who dares to relay negative experiences.

I found most of the technical information on this site to be very accurate, and I also believe the overwhelming majority of members to be as helpful to other members as any forum I've had exposure to (in short, good people with pure intentions being great neighbors).

It's SOME of the subjective comments about the twins that have caused me to seriously wonder if they're made in jest or delusion.

[Teseo]

If you track youre mustang then it was a good option to get rid off the twin. I bet you cant use all the ponies on daily basis, if so the you will visit the gas station more often. Btw i bough an frs cuz cant afford and LFA.

[jebuwh]

Sure on the track the mustang is great. But I bought the car to
A. Autocross - eats mustang for breakfast.
B. Carve canyons - eats mustang for lunch.
C. Have an epic driver experience, mod friendly car - eats mustang for dinner.

You have reasons that the mustang works for you and that is awesome. I have a ton more reasons why it doesn't work for me and the FRS fits the bill 100%.

That is all.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by SlowButFun

My 2014 Mustang GT with Track Pack has far more equipment, has 220 more horsepower than the FRS (and TONS more torque), has a much better quality interior, rides much more comfortably as a daily driver than the FRS, has a much better stereo and speaker setup, cost a mere $3,300 more than what I paid for my FRS, and despite claims to the contrary, handles nearly as well as my FRS.

That's the trick, you're absolutely right here, yeah it's a bit subjective but for the most part it's hard to argue with what you've said.

And I would take the 'inferior' Toyobaru in a heatbeat all over again. That 'nearly as well' handling is what does it for me, one turn in a '13 Mustang V6 with track pack and I was sold on the FRS, the test drive couldn't end fast enough. I couldn't care less about equipment and winning a drag race or laying down a patch of rubber or not noticing the rough surface on the road outside my house (I'd rather feel it and KNOW that my grip is compromised there) or bumping my tunes or whatever they call it these days.

Different strokes, different folks. I am sincerely glad you're happier now but you're not persuading me to the blue oval just yet.

[jebuwh]

Originally Posted by SlowButFun

A. You don't understand how much better the GT with Track Pack handles than, say, a base V6 Mustang. The 420 horsepower & mountain of torque is just icing on the cake.

B. The lack of power in the FRS, but more importantly, the huge power hole from 3k to 5k rpm, cripples the potential of the FRS' chassis. It's been said a million times but is as true as ever; the FRS NEEDS 30 MORE HORESPOWER & MORE TORQUE to get rid of the black hole of power in the middle of its rev range.

C. I doubt you've ever driven a GT. Not only will the power pin you to your seat at any rpm, but it's a massively more comfortable daily driver than the FRS.

I've actually driven a mustang gt track pack extensively. In autocross, canyons, and on the streets.

A. It gets its ass handed to it in autocross. It's in stx with the twins. That allows exhaust, intake, ecu tuning, and suspension mods. Look at national level results. Sooooo no argument there. FRS wins.

B. In the canyons the mustang is a big floaty boat. It's like using a meat cleaver. It will make it through it rough and brutal. The twins are like scalpels slicing through the canyon with precision. I will put my money all day on Tue twins in a tight twisty canyon. The mustang is fun but equally modded it does not compare. See autocross.

C. Daily driving is not what I bought it for. Don't care about comforts or noise or whatever. Driving experience is what I said. Being connected with the road. Feeling the reaction of the car. I dunno how to explain it. The mustang isn't like that at all.

So again. I'm glad it fits what you like. But after spending time in that, a 370z, and a Genesis, and a miata, all for extended periods of time... I chose the FRS. Because like I said... It fits what I want my car to do for me with the potential of way more with mods when I decide I want to.

You can't sell me a mustang sorry haha