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Swank Force One
Swank Force One MegaDork
8/1/14 2:29 p.m.
DaveEstey wrote:
z31maniac wrote: Please refer to a post toward the top of this page. I don't care about competitive Auto-X classing.
Yeah, didn't see that. Not sure I'd want to pour money into a car to make it faster/less comfortable/less usable and not have it be for a reason.

He wants it for dual purpose street/track. Lots of track. Lots and lots of track.

Joe Gearin
Joe Gearin Associate Publisher
8/1/14 2:46 p.m.
cmcgregor wrote: Not that I'm close enough for this to be reasonable, but in an attempt to persuade you further, I'm looking to sell my 2013 FR-S. Unless you're morally opposed to the Scion badge, which I can understand. Also - I've never had a really fast car, but in my experience driving it daily for nearly a year, the car is an absolute blast. On ramps are my new favorite thing. Doesn't do too bad in the winter either, provided you have a dedicated set of snows.

No reason to shun the Scion badge. I actually prefer the FR-S to the BRZ right out of the box---as they dialed in a bit more understeer into the BRZ. I don't really understand those who discount the FR-S just because it has a Scion badge. The BRZ does have marginally better interior materials, so there's that--- and it's understeer can be dialed out when making suspension modifications. Stock for stock though---- I'll take the Scion.

Hal
Hal SuperDork
8/1/14 2:48 p.m.

I got to drive a BRZ last Saturday for the first time. Young fellow parked next to me at the local cruise-in because I have a supercharger on my Focus and he had put one on his BRZ. We ended up exchanging test drives on some local back roads. If I was to get rid of the Focus I would probably end up getting one and doing the same work to it.

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
8/1/14 2:50 p.m.
cmcgregor wrote: Not that I'm close enough for this to be reasonable, but in an attempt to persuade you further, I'm looking to sell my 2013 FR-S. Unless you're morally opposed to the Scion badge, which I can understand. Also - I've never had a really fast car, but in my experience driving it daily for nearly a year, the car is an absolute blast. On ramps are my new favorite thing. Doesn't do too bad in the winter either, provided you have a dedicated set of snows.

Thanks for the offer! But I'm still aways out from a purchase and I'm a spoiled brat who likes my toys new.

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
8/1/14 2:53 p.m.
Swank Force One wrote:
DaveEstey wrote:
z31maniac wrote: Please refer to a post toward the top of this page. I don't care about competitive Auto-X classing.
Yeah, didn't see that. Not sure I'd want to pour money into a car to make it faster/less comfortable/less usable and not have it be for a reason.
He wants it for dual purpose street/track. Lots of track. Lots and lots of track.

Well, not LOTS and LOTS, but some. And some parking lot fun.

I've gone down the "overmodification" road before.

The plan for this would be I/E/tune, better suspension (but not R-comp track rates), sticky tires.

Done.

DaveEstey
DaveEstey UberDork
8/1/14 2:58 p.m.

With that build, I'd take a BRZ. I think you'll be happy.

cmcgregor
cmcgregor New Reader
8/1/14 3:01 p.m.
Joe Gearin wrote:
cmcgregor wrote: Not that I'm close enough for this to be reasonable, but in an attempt to persuade you further, I'm looking to sell my 2013 FR-S. Unless you're morally opposed to the Scion badge, which I can understand. Also - I've never had a really fast car, but in my experience driving it daily for nearly a year, the car is an absolute blast. On ramps are my new favorite thing. Doesn't do too bad in the winter either, provided you have a dedicated set of snows.
No reason to shun the Scion badge. I actually prefer the FR-S to the BRZ right out of the box---as they dialed in a bit more understeer into the BRZ. I don't really understand those who discount the FR-S just because it has a Scion badge. The BRZ does have marginally better interior materials, so there's that--- and it's understeer can be dialed out when making suspension modifications. Stock for stock though---- I'll take the Scion.

I don't mind the Scion badge at all personally, and they're cheaper and easier to find used, which is how I bought mine. The only time it's annoying is when people ask what kind of car I have, which goes something like "It's a Scion." "Oh, the boxy one?" "No, not that one."

I suppose that could work for a Subaru too.

With just ZIIs and an alignment (and the factory crash bolts) mine is like a different car. So much fun to autocross.

I've heard that full exhaust and a good tune can get you quite a bit of power, but almost nothing from the intake. The stock setup is actually quite good in terms of pulling in cool air.

Woody
Woody GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
8/1/14 3:11 p.m.

I really expected this to be a response to the "every Subaru 2.5 turbo is a hand grenade" thread.

oldeskewltoy
oldeskewltoy SuperDork
8/1/14 4:19 p.m.

One day I'll get in and drive a friends FR-S... But I have to tell you... almost every time he rides with me he smiles....

Ojala
Ojala GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
8/1/14 6:04 p.m.
oldeskewltoy wrote: I have to tell you... almost every time he rides with me he smiles....

HA! ...so.many.dirty.jokes...

beans
beans Dork
8/1/14 6:28 p.m.

Do it.

carbon
carbon Dork
8/1/14 6:39 p.m.

If you're thinking of brz/frs then you should just get the spiritual inspiration instead.

Vracer111
Vracer111 New Reader
8/2/14 4:43 p.m.

These guys do good reviews, and here's a recent one of the BRZ verses the new WRX...

Everyday Driver: '15 WRX versus '14 BRZ

Side Note: the new WRX is easier to make more power with than the STi for a LOT less money...the FA20 motor is quite a gem in the rough.

I own an FRS for 1 main reason - it's the RWD sports car I've been waiting for. AWD and FWD "sporty" cars don't really float my boat, a proper RWD sportscar does. I wouldn't have minded an MR2 and looked a few, but I really prefer FR not MR layout for both maintenance and driving dynamics reasons. I was going to go with a used NC miata...not NA or NB because I'm 6'2" and wanted a daily driver that I didn't have to mod right off the bat just to be able to physically drive it without discomfort. But then the FRS happened and I took a test drive in it - the interior is what really sold me on it besides the chassis. First new car I ever purchased, and I haven't ever regretted it.

It may have a few quirks and little annoyances and issues (none affecting reliability though)... but at the same time it drives and feels so unlike anything else with its engine/chassis configuration. This thing stock did thing my track modified/lightened Integra RS couldn't even dream of doing... and I got that RS to where it would surprise you on its quickness of turn-in and willingness to rotate the rear. The car used as the benchmark for the driving/chassis design by Toyota for the 86 was the Porsche Cayman...that should tell you something right there. Which then brings into mind the requisite GT86/370Z/Cayman S Chris Harris video:

GT86/370Z/Cayman S comparison...

Now I will say the car wasn't perfect from the factory, but I'm still on the stock suspension after 2 years of ownership - see zero reason to change it until it's worn out, love how it handles right out of the box. I will say if you want to get an FRS over the BRZ due to the slight difference handling nature between the two, then the '13 and '14 models are what you want. Looks like the '15 model has gotten the BRZ suspension treatment, loosing its more playful nature - which is the reason I went with the FRS over the BRZ. It's a shame, but yeah, you know Toyota was eventually going to take the edge of its handling some...they always do it seems (which was another reason I wanted the first model year car...even with the quirks it comes with.)

NOHOME
NOHOME SuperDork
8/2/14 8:32 p.m.

X2^

Could not have said it better.

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
8/2/14 9:57 p.m.

I drove a BRZ Limited "Blue" Edition today. I want that car, desperately.

I think the salesman had to change his underoos after the test drive. I will have a BRZ before it rolls over to 2015. Seats, pedals, shifter, everything.

I get it. Brilliant car.

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
8/3/14 4:55 p.m.

Bumping this because I'm having "fun" lol

Lof8
Lof8 GRM+ Memberand Reader
8/3/14 5:38 p.m.

This thread led me to call my local Scion dealer. The saleswoman said, "Our FRS just sold yesterday, but we should have another in a couple of days. You should come down and check out the tc. We also have some sporty Corollas on the lot too." No thanks.

ae86andkp61
ae86andkp61 GRM+ Memberand Reader
8/4/14 12:27 a.m.
Vracer111 wrote: I own an FRS for 1 main reason - it's the RWD sports car I've been waiting for. AWD and FWD "sporty" cars don't really float my boat, a proper RWD sportscar does.

Bingo! My '13 FR-S is also the first new car I have ever owned because it is what I wanted. If I wanted a convertible, I would have a Miata or an S2000 by now, but I don't. I want a coupe. I want it to be RWD, affordable, and very responsive. I don't give a flying berkeley about numbers. If I did I would own a Mustang or a WRX already. I don't, instead I have an FR-S.

If criteria like "driver involvement," "feedback," and "feel and response" are high on your list, you will likely love the car. If stats, bragging rights, and laptimes are high on your priority list, you might want to look elsewhere.

As a wise man once said (wish I knew the source,) "those who complain about the FR-S lacking power are like those who try to eat soup with a fork and then complain about it; you chose the wrong tool for the job, my friend."

Mr_Clutch42
Mr_Clutch42 HalfDork
8/4/14 12:19 p.m.

In reply to Vracer111: The Toyota/Scion had the more fun/playful suspension setup?!

Joe Gearin
Joe Gearin Associate Publisher
8/4/14 1:18 p.m.

^^^ yes, the Scion likes to rotate more than the BRZ. Subaru suspension engineers cooked a little more understeer into the BRZ, as they figured Subaru owners are used to understeer, and wanted to keep hamfisted drivers from spinning off the road.

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
8/4/14 1:39 p.m.
Joe Gearin wrote: ^^^ yes, the Scion likes to rotate more than the BRZ. Subaru suspension engineers cooked a little more understeer into the BRZ, as they figured Subaru owners are used to understeer, and wanted to keep hamfisted drivers from spinning off the road.

No worries, if I get one, I doubt it would stay stock for long.

I was amazed at how much better the suspension is than the stock one on my 2006 Miata.

I'm currently trying to get the wife to push up the time table on it going in my garage. Once we get her 2010 Mazda 3 sold, I think I can get away with it.

clutchsmoke
clutchsmoke Dork
8/4/14 2:11 p.m.

So did you drive a 2015 WRX yet? I want to drive one.

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
8/4/14 2:30 p.m.
clutchsmoke wrote: So did you drive a 2015 WRX yet? I want to drive one.

After driving the BRZ I didn't want to waste mine or his time driving the WRX.

Desmond
Desmond Reader
8/4/14 2:40 p.m.

The twins make a great platform. I hope they make a bunch of 'em. Would love to see a "Spec FRS/BRZ" class 10 or so years in the future.

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
8/4/14 3:06 p.m.

I'm already researching the best exhausts, intakes, tune's, etc.

I think the little boxer sounds fantastic uncorked.

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