Point me in the right direction?

[babylobster]

I'm really new to cars but after getting my FR-S (love at first sight...had to have her!), I want to read up more on them so 1. I don't feel like an idiot being on this forum and 2. because I find it really interesting (a whole new world!). Can anyone point me in the right direction for a n00b? I don't know where to start because there is just so much information out there. Like, reading up on wheels, car parts, all that good stuff. With explanations in layman terms preferably lol. Gotta start somewhere, right? TIA!

[HunterGreene]

So you want to know more about cars, huh?

In all honesty, reading is your friend. There are alot of quality Car mags out there (Car & Driver, Motortrend, Road & Track, etc.) that you can pick up at a newstand, library, or book store that will get you started. Alot of us like to watch a show called Top Gear (mostly the british one) that is very entertaining while also being (somewhat) informative.

And there are no stupid questions. If you feel the need, just ask!

[MAPerformance]

Welcome to the club! There is an overwhelming amount of information on this forum. You just have to take the time and read. You can always shoot me an email as well with any questions ipeterson@maperformance.com. I have done both N/A mods and turbocharging my FRS, wheels, suspension. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Enjoy the car

[Tcoat]

If looking specifically for FRS info there are many, many good articles on line. Took me a good week of reading to get through just a few of them. Now some of them get pretty techy but a lot are well written for the layman to understand as well. This is probably a good place to start with the basics and allow you to develop further questions and plan out deeper research.
It sounds like you want to start with the basics so once you come across something that peaks your interest you can get some more details from sites like Wikipedia. Say for example you read that the ideal camber for 18 inch tires is XYZ (keeping it basic here guys). I am pretty sure your first question would be "what the heck is camber?". Head off and check that out and once you get the concept then head back and see what the best set up would be for you.
Now, of course, you are never going to become a Master Tech this way but at least you will have a clue when on here and reading a topic.
Last word of advice would be that when on this (or any) forum take what some of the "experts" tell you and cross reference it someplace else or be sure you really trust the person's validity. For every bit of really good info there can and will be just as much really, really bad info. Just because somebody sounds like they know their stuff does not make it a fact (some of you guys know who I am referring to I am sure).
And... like Hunter Green said don't be afraid to ask questions but make sure you think them out before putting them in print or the results can be not pretty (i.e. My car smells weird. What is it?).

[Shark_Bait88]

All of the suggestions made so far are great, and reading can teach you a ton.

What I would say is even more useful, especially when used in conjunction with reading up on the subject, is to join your local Toyobaru club and go to some meets and autocross events. You will learn a ton just listening to the conversations, and if you ever have questions or don't understand what they're talking about most people tend to be very friendly and willing to teach.

Welcome!

[Scubaru]

The bit of advice I can give you from just starting out is focus on what interests you the most.

Are you more interested in how the suspension of your car works? The engine? Looks? Focus on one subject matter at a time. That way, you don't feel so overwhelmed. (;

I've been into the automotive scene for a long time. I'm constantly learning something new everyday, so don't ever feel like you're asking a dumb question!

Btw, welcome to the forum and congrats on the FR-S!

[Koa]

"we hardly know ourselves if we know nobody else", one of my favorite blue scholars lyrics that is one of my go-to aligning sentiments. Joining a car club will most certainly be a great step in the right direction!

This translates into learning and knowing about things, as well... knowledge of combustion engines, manual drivetrains, RWD applications, Forced Induction applications, etc... no matter the make or model... will enhance your perception of what the FRS is as a platform.

P.S. all the 'welcome to the forums' posts, when you're in essence a pretty early member! ha

[strat61caster]

Wikipedia is a fantastic place to start and has surprisingly good info about individual cars of note like the Toyobaru as well as a lot of principles that make cars go:
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_86"]Toyota 86 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_combustion_engine"]Internal combustion engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_dynamics"]Vehicle dynamics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Just click on whatever is interesting.

This stuff is dense but almost all of it is useful and almost none of it is wrong:
http://www.autozine.org/technical_sc...ech_index.html

[N1rve]

It depends on what you want to know.

I'd suggest watching the development documentary to learn more about the car's creation.

[bcj]

Have a look through the shop manual. Pictures and labels for what everything is and how they go together.

And Initial D for everything else anyone needs to know

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

What I would say is even more useful, especially when used in conjunction with reading up on the subject, is to join your local Toyobaru club and go to some meets and autocross events.

Welcome!

^^^^This, this and this!^^^^

[Tcoat]

[QUOTE=Koa;2041426

P.S. all the 'welcome to the forums' posts, when you're in essence a pretty early member! ha [/QUOTE]



Ok now lets see the answers if a dude that has been a member that long asks the exact same question!!!!!!!!!

[Turbo95eg6]

Originally Posted by babylobster

I'm really new to cars but after getting my FR-S (love at first sight...had to have her!), I want to read up more on them so 1. I don't feel like an idiot being on this forum and 2. because I find it really interesting (a whole new world!). Can anyone point me in the right direction for a n00b? I don't know where to start because there is just so much information out there. Like, reading up on wheels, car parts, all that good stuff. With explanations in layman terms preferably lol. Gotta start somewhere, right? TIA!

I know it's overwhelming. Make sure to take small breaks, tylenol for any headaches.

[babylobster]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

So you want to know more about cars, huh?

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

In all honesty, reading is your friend. There are alot of quality Car mags out there (Car & Driver, Motortrend, Road & Track, etc.) that you can pick up at a newstand, library, or book store that will get you started. Alot of us like to watch a show called Top Gear (mostly the british one) that is very entertaining while also being (somewhat) informative.

And there are no stupid questions. If you feel the need, just ask!

I've watched Top Gear (British one) but most of it is still very "car talk-y" to me haha.