So I Preordered a BRZ & Then I test drove an FR-S.

[slizoth]

I have my pre-order in for a BRZ but the local dealership doesnt get the BRZ until mid June. I noticed they got their first FR-S in today so I called my dealer and they let me test drive it. There are a lot of reviews out there so I will be brief.

I've been following the BRZ/FRS/86 for three years, this test drive exceeded all of my expectations. Im excited about the car, I was happy with the power, handles great, and breaks even better.

The only shock to my system was the view, you're so low you are at headlight level with most other cars. It reminded me of first person view in NFSU 2, it was intense, in a good way!

[ft86Fan]

Thanks for the pics.

[Turbowned]

What a dumb dealer slogan: "We think you'll like it here"

Anyway, glad to hear your expectations were exceeded! I've been following this car for years also, and for a while I was getting a little disappointed. I was very pleased with the BRZ pre-production model I sat in, and my friend's picking his BRZ Limited up today so I'll get to test-drive it. As far as the low seating position is concerned, I'll be completely used to it as I drive an aggressively lowered Toyota MR2.

[Deslock]

I also pre-ordered a BRZ, and test drove a 6MT FR-S on Thursday. Since there are already several threads about FR-S test drives, I figured I'd add my thoughts to this one (for posterity).

Background:

The salesman didn't go with me, but I still kept it under ~4000 RPM and floored it only a few times. A couple friends were with me in the car. The drive was only 5 miles in traffic and on roads not really suited for the FR-S.

Impressions:

• Steering was superb.
• Chassis was superb.
• Suspension was tight, but not that harsh.
• Shifter was great, but inferior to the Miata, RX8, S2k.
• Clutch needs more feedback (feels almost limp).
• Throttle response is excellent.
• Low-end pick-up is better than I expected (especially with ~470 pounds worth of driver + passengers).
• The drivers seat is awesome (very firm and supportive).
• Feels very confined inside, much like a Miata with the top up.
• Interior seems noticeably cheaper than the BRZ Limited.
• Top of doors had a soft pad for resting your arm (nice touch).
• I wish the tops of the doors were lower (I feel the way about all new cars, but crash test standards being what they are, we'll never have low doors again).
• I only got it up to 65 (was secondary roads and in traffic), but it was clear that it's quieter than my Miata and louder than most cars.

Overall I really liked it, and it reminded me very much of the NC Miata. There's something visceral and endearing about my NB that I didn't experience with the FR-S (or the various NCs I've driven), but the FR-S is definitely a fun ride.

For purposes of comparison, I drove a coworker's stage 2 STI yesterday (I've driven a stock STI before, as well as several WRXes from the original bugeye to the recent 265 HP versions). The STI's acceleration, as expected, demolished the FR-S' (this is true for a stock STI as well as a WRX). The STI's steering, shifter, throttle response, and chassis were all inferior to the FR-S'.

I was already leaning towards the BRZ, which now I'm pretty much certain I'll buy (I'll know in a week or so when I get to drive it).