2016 Scion FR-S

Since entering the market, the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ have become commonplace at autocrosses and track days. In fact, eight of the top 10 finishers in Street Touring Xtreme at SCCA Solo Nationals sported one of those two badges. So we know they can handle the corners, but how do they fare from a practical point of view?

Other staff views

Normally the cars we receive from the press fleet aren't really aimed at us. Sure, the new Escalade is nice, but I'll never buy one. Of course we all enjoyed having the Jag F-Type R around the office, but none of us are heading down to their dealer to take delivery.

The FR-S is different. From it's inception, this car was aimed directly at us: the hardcore enthusiast market. Fortunately, it hit a direct bulls-eye. This is not a Grand Touring car, or a sporty poser, it's a genuine bona-fide sports car.

Many will say the FR-S rides to stiffly, has steering too darty, or that it doesn't offer enough luxury amenities inside. There are plenty of other softer, more isolated options for those people. There are also those on the interwebs who claim it's underpowered. Perhaps those folks should head on down to their local Dodge dealer and buy a Hellcat.

The FR-S isn't about raw power. It isn't about putting up fantastic numbers for auto journalists to crow about. Also, with a lowly Scion badge, it isn't about impressing your neighbors either. What the FR-S is about is pure driving enjoyment. It's about the connection between man and machine. This wonderful little creation celebrates each apex. It rewards proper driving technique, and is easy to heal and toe. Every detail on this car was aimed at the hard-core enthusiast, and we're grateful.

This car is so good nearly every GRM staff member wants one. It's also inexpensive enough that we can all afford to live that dream. If that isn't a bulls-eye I don't know what is. If you haven't driven one yet, do yourself a favor and get behind the wheel. It's right up there with the Miata on our list of all-time greats. Yes, it's that good.

Comments

NOHOME PowerDork
2/5/16 11:49 a.m.

The FRS is exactly as you describe it. The target market that bought the car is too busy enjoying the car to say much. Count me in that group.

The fringe market, a much needed sector needed to pad sales of this car, unfortunately have a lot to say about the individual items that don't meet their expectations. These are the people who want more stereo quality, more power or a softer ride perhaps. This is regardless of whether they actually own the model.

Unfortunately for Subaru and Toyota, guess who gets the most internet press.

Jerry From LA Dork
2/5/16 3:48 p.m.

Those people are the ones who want every car to be like every other car, then decry the sameness of all those cars. Sadly, the Scion nameplate is doomed but I hope they put a Toyota badge on it and send it back out there.

Appleseed MegaDork
2/5/16 4:21 p.m.

When I bought the 15, they looked for 2 weeks to find a 6spd in a color I wanted. I could have walked away with a fully loaded 2013, with about $3,000 worth of TRD bolt ons, but with the automatic. Nope, the pull of rowing your own was too strong. I guess dealer thought that Girls and grandmas would line up to buy them wit the slushbox. Nope, nope, nope.

I wonder if I waited until Summer of this year, if I could have gotten a deal on one still badged as a Scion still sitting on a Toyota lot? Best not tot thinks about it.

Bullseye on what it feels like to drive.

iceracer PowerDork
2/5/16 4:40 p.m.

In reply to Ed Higginbotham: Interesting to see that is does have front and rear brakes.

1988RedT2 PowerDork
2/5/16 6:30 p.m.

My wife brought a 2015 6-speed home for a test drive just for fun, and I thought the car was very nice for what it was. I really couldn't say anything bad about it. I can't say I'm in the market for one, though. I'm saving my money for a 7-passenger minivan that corners like a Miata, accelerates like the Corvette, and gets 30 mpg.

Mitchell UberDork
2/5/16 7:03 p.m.

The FR-S was in a dead-heat battle against the outgoing NC Miata when I was car shopping last year. I enjoyed the FR-S' cabin and the precise handling, but ultimately decided that the NC's more pleasant exhaust note, lovely shifter, and ability to go roofless were worth the few extra bucks on the lightly-used market. If the Miata did not exist, I would certainly be driving one of the twins right now.

wspohn HalfDork
2/6/16 9:27 a.m.

Both Mazda and the FRS/BRZ seem to share the attitude that more power is not on their agenda.

Offering a version with, say, 275 bhp or so would boost visibility n the small sports car market segment.

sesto elemento Dork
2/6/16 10:35 a.m.

If they made it with a 2gr and a v160, I'd own one but I personally want nothing to do with subaru after owning 2.

Mr_Clutch42 SuperDork
2/6/16 11:00 a.m.

I think that a lot of people that were disappointed with it were looking for a different car. It's a low hp car, but a lot of people complained that it was lacking hp. What?!? They supposedly knew that it had 200 hp when they test drove it! People also said that the driving experience was underwhelming, and that is subjective. But I will assume that plenty of people drove it only in city driving, and not on curvy back roads.

Mitchell UberDork
2/6/16 11:43 a.m.

wspohn wrote: Offering a version with, say, 275 bhp or so would boost visibility n the small sports car market segment.

Offering a version with 275 hp would likely require many driveline and structural enhancements, bumping the car into the $30k and 3200 lb mark. Still more expensive than the competition.