Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2016 Scion FR-S; Day 1

[Noto]

I do wonder about if Toy/Sub addressed these issues (better rubber, turbo etc) would it result in a boost in sales?  Don't think it would.... not in a meaningful amount anyway

I'd have to agree.  Drop top is the only way this thing would make greater sales...

...but only if the price doesn't go up accordingly.  It's already a pricey proposition, and the convertible has stiff competition, too.  I don't see it taking on any Mustang sales without being several grand cheaper - and I mean SEVERAL.

[Ontariodriver]

Must be a noisy car. He shouted for the first two days......looks like Wing went in to office on the 3rd day. 

[Jaeger]

Thanks for giving the straight goods in the Day 3 review, James.  I read so many reviews of this vehicle that do nothing but gush about the 9/10ths performance experience, as if most buyers spend their full driving days at redline on a racetrack. I'd love to have a fun / sporty third vehicle one day, but even for a comparatively niche car like that, I'd not be willing to put up with an eyeball-jarring ride or a mechanical cacophony that makes conversation nearly impossible.  No reason why I should.  A car doesn't need to punish you like that to perform well or to be fun to drive.

[DriverJeff]

Thanks for giving the straight goods in the Day 3 review, James.  I read so many reviews of this vehicle that do nothing but gush about the 9/10ths performance experience, as if most buyers spend their full driving days at redline on a racetrack. I'd love to have a fun / sporty third vehicle one day, but even for a comparatively niche car like that, I'd not be willing to put up with an eyeball-jarring ride or a mechanical cacophony that makes conversation nearly impossible.  No reason why I should.  A car doesn't need to punish you like that to perform well or to be fun to drive.

I've not found the ride in the Twins to be that bad at all.  The ride in my e90 BMWs with run-flats and sport suspension was brutal, much worse than these two cars. 

The point about the FRS/BRZ and Miata for that matter, is that you can still drive them at 7, 8 or 9/10th daily and not NEED to be at the track to do so.  Their performance ceiling is low enough that their limits can be approached (and enjoyed!) without getting into crazy license-losing territory.  On the track they're a hoot too.  If you're paid to win races or need the self-satisfaction of having the fastest car (not necessarily the fastest driver) on the track, then these light weight little funsters aren't the right choice.  As sensational as the new ND Miata is, the FRS gives up surprisingly little in outright enjoyment (much more on this head-to-head coming next week), and has the huge bonus of a rear seat. 

I would pick a BRZ / FRS over ANY new Mustang except the GT w/ Perf Pkg (or Shelby of course, but that's whole other kettle of fish).

[Angry Chicken]

Thanks for giving the straight goods in the Day 3 review, James.  I read so many reviews of this vehicle that do nothing but gush about the 9/10ths performance experience, as if most buyers spend their full driving days at redline on a racetrack. I'd love to have a fun / sporty third vehicle one day, but even for a comparatively niche car like that, I'd not be willing to put up with an eyeball-jarring ride or a mechanical cacophony that makes conversation nearly impossible.  No reason why I should.  A car doesn't need to punish you like that to perform well or to be fun to drive.

I've not found the ride in the Twins to be that bad at all.  The ride in my e90 BMWs with run-flats and sport suspension was brutal, much worse than these two cars. 

The point about the FRS/BRZ and Miata for that matter, is that you can still drive them at 7, 8 or 9/10th daily and not NEED to be at the track to do so.  Their performance ceiling is low enough that their limits can be approached (and enjoyed!) without getting into crazy license-losing territory.  On the track they're a hoot too.  If you're paid to win races or need the self-satisfaction of having the fastest car (not necessarily the fastest driver) on the track, then these light weight little funsters aren't the right choice.  As sensational as the new ND Miata is, the FRS gives up surprisingly little in outright enjoyment (much more on this head-to-head coming next week), and has the huge bonus of a rear seat. 

I would pick a BRZ / FRS over ANY new Mustang except the GT w/ Perf Pkg (or Shelby of course, but that's whole other kettle of fish).

Well put.  The point of these cars is that they are fun to drive by mere mortals.  They are also very rewarding to track-day enthusiasts -- witness the plethora of FRS/BRZ twins at Calabogie.  I, too, would buy one of these over a Mustang in a heartbeat.  Came close, too, but my practical side won out and we picked something all-wheel-drive for our DD.

[Minou]

"Wear the FR-S does shine though is in fuel economy,..."

The FR-S is whering fast...

[JohnnyMac]

I think the MX-5 will be better on gas than this one.  Plus it'll sound better, be faster, and has a much nicer interior.  You'd have to try really hard to justify buying this FR-S over the new MX-5, only think I can think of is the lack of hard top roof and price.

[DriverJeff]

I think the MX-5 will be better on gas than this one.  Plus it'll sound better, be faster, and has a much nicer interior.  You'd have to try really hard to justify buying this FR-S over the new MX-5, only think I can think of is the lack of hard top roof and price.

I'll give you a few good reasons to pick an FR-S over the new MX-5:

1)  You can't afford to spend over $30,000.
2)  You require a backseat -- even a small one which suits my family.
3)  You prefer seats that are more supportive for track events (the MX-5's seats are woefully lacking in bolstering)

Would I still prefer to have a new ND Miata?  Heck yeah!  But someone who chooses a FRS/BRZ for any one of those three reasons need not feel bad about their purchase.

[jamesautos]

I'll give you a few good reasons to pick an FR-S over the new MX-5:

1)  You can't afford to spend over $30,000.
2)  You require a backseat -- even a small one which suits my family.
3)  You prefer seats that are more supportive for track events (the MX-5's seats are woefully lacking in bolstering)

Would I still prefer to have a new ND Miata?  Heck yeah!  But someone who chooses a FRS/BRZ for any one of those three reasons need not feel bad about their purchase.

yeah I think some dealers are probably desperate enough that you can pick one of left over stocks for 10k less than a new Miata...imagine that

[Waterlooresident]

HEY GUYS, WANT TO KNOW THE REAL REASON the FR-S and the BRZ is not selling too well with YOUNG GUYS?

(HINT =  It has absolutely nothing to do with what you guys are thinking about, not even close.)

Watch this video and you will see what more and more YOUNG guys are telling each other on social media sites and at get togethers:  they tell each other that the car's nice in the dry but a death trap in the snow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Iq8nIX4r8

"BRZ SPINOUT"

[Ex-airbalancer]

HEY GUYS, WANT TO KNOW THE REAL REASON the FR-S and the BRZ is not selling too well with YOUNG GUYS?

(HINT =  It has absolutely nothing to do with what you guys are thinking about, not even close.)

Watch this video and you will see what more and more YOUNG guys are telling each other on social media sites and at get togethers:  they tell each other that the car's nice in the dry but a death trap in the snow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Iq8nIX4r8

"BRZ SPINOUT"

Seriously , what kind of tires did he have one ? Was he driving to fast for the conditions ?

[wing]

all-seasons most likely that came with the car.

[Ex-airbalancer]

all-seasons most likely that came with the car.

That what I though, one wipe out and the car is crap   

[wing]

I remember when the S2000 had snap oversteer and was a death trap for sure.

Odd, it clearly has a smooth transition from sliding to oversteer, no snap at all.  But bad drivers gave it a bad rep.

[Fobroader]

HEY GUYS, WANT TO KNOW THE REAL REASON the FR-S and the BRZ is not selling too well with YOUNG GUYS?

(HINT =  It has absolutely nothing to do with what you guys are thinking about, not even close.)

Watch this video and you will see what more and more YOUNG guys are telling each other on social media sites and at get togethers:  they tell each other that the car's nice in the dry but a death trap in the snow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Iq8nIX4r8

"BRZ SPINOUT"

What a feckin idiot that guy was.....that was so utterly controlable, unless, you know he was a moron and kept the tragic all seasons on there which by how slow that happened, totally. Bad drivers do not mean the car is bad.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

[OliverD]

What a feckin idiot that guy was.....that was so utterly controlable, unless, you know he was a moron and kept the tragic all seasons on there which by how slow that happened, totally. Bad drivers do not mean the car is bad.

No one buys snow tires down there.

[ArticSteve]

The factory "Prius" Michelins that come on the FRS (assume the same on the Subaru unit) have next to no tread to start with.  It's a ridiculous tire to begin with.

[redman]

Even the Torsen Limited Slip Differential found on the RWD based FR-S can only do so much in light of poor tires and lack of driving skill.

[Angry Chicken]

I don't know how people got around at all until the advent of FWD and AWD cars. 

[johngenx]

I don't know how people got around at all until the advent of FWD and AWD cars. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsxV49pmnL8