goose guy

So I had a little time to kill today so I went to visit the local Scion dealership to see the new FR-S which just came in yesterday.

Subaru dealer next door (same owner as Scion dealership) had a demo BRZ but they had sold their allotment of 4 BRZs via lottery.

Since this particular dealership doesn't believe in dealer markup, the set base price was $24,900. Just under $27k out the door. (To trade in my 2009 Rx8 GT to "upgrade" to the FR-S, I would need to ante up $10k.)

Anyway, on to the review.

Aesthetically, the car looks really nice. Front view looks like a maserati. Rear view not so impressive. Size is smaller and lower than a TC.

Interior looks modern but not luxurious. Nice center information display. Gauge cluster not so high tech like the 8. Seats are nice and grippy cloth with excellent support a la recaros. More support than my GT seats. I'm 5'11" and I had no problems with headroom. Backseat forgetaboutit. Maybe 2-3 inches space between my driver's seatback and the rear seat. Even my 10 year old daughter was cramped back there, even after I moved my driver's seat way forward. Rear headroom for me was limited, although a little better than a genesis coupe. Trunk is more shallow than the 8, but you could fit 4 tires with the rear seats folded down.

Driving Impressions. Shifter has a funky reverse mechanism. Reverse is to the left of 1st like s2 rx8s and VWs. But to engage it, you need pull up this cylinder on the stick shift shaft. Shifter is no where near as good as the 8. Pedals are a little offset to the right; it didn't feel natural at first. Engine and exhaust noise is prominent in the cabin, which could be good or bad, depending on your taste.

Engine is smooth but not rx8 smooth. I ran it up to redline and just when I thought it was gonna get good, the car was beeping me to shift at 6500 rpm (forgot the redline was 7k); with the 8, the fun begins at 6k! Ride was firm but not harsh. Lack of body roll was quite impressive, maybe better than the 8 but not certain.

Conclusion. I was most impressed with the lack of body roll. I could live with the engine, but not the lack of rear space. For $22k, this would be a nobrainer purchase. Idk about $24.9k. You could get a WRX (from same no-haggle dealership) for $25.6k and you can get crazy hp with the right mods. And a real backseat.

I'll be keeping my 8 for now, thorns and all. The FR-S is not worth the $10k to "upgrade."

revrev13b

Had plenty or talks about this with my buddies. For the cost of a fully loaded BRZ, you can get a WRX and be more happy with that. Toyota / Subaru missed the price mark IMO.

Nevertheless, for the most part, I agree with your review. The 9k redline is simply fun and not easily replaced. Gearbox is great on the RX-8 (S2 owner). Back seats are actually usable, not just there for insurance purposes. More importantly, the BRZ / FR-S is aimed for the younger audience. I believe that is why their Boxer is lacking in power (200hp at the crank?).

All in all, be glad you are part of the addiction :-)

goose guy

goose guy

goose guy

BRZ

Souhjah

this shifter mechanism to get into reverse is similar to the evo 9. they need to lift something on the stick to get into reverse.

If they turbo it then perhaps that trade+cash may be acceptable.

shazy

I see the buzzer coming on at around 7k rpm

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

^Maybe it's set differently for the BRZ?

MariesRX8

I believe it's user-adjustable. I could be wrong however

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

If it doesn't have a scion badge ...

jasonrxeight

not much of an upgrade to me. with 8 year difference its more like a down grade. I would keep my R3 and get a WRX for DD.

zoom44

somehow the RX-8 DISCUSSION section just didnt seem the appropriate place for this.call me crazy so I moved it here to General Auto.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I had just noticed that as well, and went to move it but found i couldn't

monchie

Scion is kinda improving in looks, but it's still a scion. It's like the competitor Hyundai, the look is improving, but it's still a Hyundai.

mavictb

I'm not a scion fan but your comparison is way off base... scion IS Toyota re-badged. most of their models are imports of JDM Toyota's rebranded to better sell in the US. ex. the Scion XB is a re-badged Toyota bB.

I think its silly that Toyota chose its Scion brand to release the "FR-S" 86 model rather than just keeping it a Toyota like it is over seas.

mavictb

also the price is too high... I know the goal was sub 25k but its still a hair to high IMO.

77mjd

I kind of feel the same way..I've had my 8 for 8+ years and I'm ready to move on. I'd like to feel that I'm getting a big upgrade (relative to the RX-8) with my next car purchase and the Scion and/or Subaru, while very nice cars, won't do it for me. It would feel more like a lateral move rather than an upgrade.

Bladecutter

I would bet decent money that the reason is as simple as this:

Toyota wants to be the first company that says it offers a hybrid version of every car in its lineup of the major car brands.

Look at its current lineup, and you will see that the 3 Prius' now could pretty much replace a couple other Toyota badged cars, if they felt like doing so. They already have a Camry Hybrid and a Highlander Hybrid.

Leaving the FR-S out of the Toyota lineup in the US will allow them to get the tree hugger groups licking their boots when they finally make that a reality.

BC.

MongoRX

iTrader: (1)

I hate using the statement but here is goes: "It is what it is". It's an entry-level sports car. Rear wheel drive, decent power, good handling, and good looks. I agree with the previously mentioned price reduction to around 22-24k, but, you know they are going to gouge your wallet for the cars features and hype plus they know people will pay it. You know every kid is going to want one to rice out and try to hit up every other sports car on the road. It's the crowd that Scion markets to. Everyone that owns an 8 in here should just be glad that our cars are a little more high mainenance and have a negative stigma towards being unreliable and what not, even though it's not true it keeps the igorant ricers and "lower class" motorist from making the car look bad for the most part. Just keep thinking positive and maybe we'll hear some good news about the next rotary. I'm sure that when it's dropped the FRS/BRZ will go away for a bit.

confuzdbycloudz

If you want a car with some hp and a lot of hp potential the WRX is great. But if you are looking for a fun tossable car like the Rx-8 the only new cars out there are the FRS/BRZ or Miata. The WRX is a understeering pig with no steering feel and weighs to much. I had 2009 for the past three years while the power was great it never was a really fun drivers car like the 8. So basically the BRZ and WRX are to totally different cars for different people. Also the BRZ comes with a lot more features standard than the WRX.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

:facepalm:

usnidc

The Scion should have been a Toyota and called the "Celica"... I had a 1980 Celica GT coupe... 2 lt engine, 5 spd manual, RWD. It was actually pretty fun to drive but not as fun as our 79 RX7.

g8ter

iTrader: (1)

I personally think the BRZ front is better but the rear tails don't have me sold. After seeing one at the motion auto show, I thought the car has potential to look good just needs some aggressive wheels and a drop. I wouldn't buy one because it still has a SCION badge which makes me think highschool kid/chick in a TC or Cube!!! Plus with the demographic scion markets to you'll be seeing alot of these on the road which makes me happy to say I have my 8.

timmytriangles

i like the brz and frs. if i was starting out i may do it. esp over the hyundai. however, i drive an rx8 and i feel like id be buying an exual or lesser car. If u want a second car and u wanna keep the 8 id say go for it. untill we see the after market support id stay wit the 8. overall the cars pretty cool tho~

pking1122

Meh. For the price, get a used Evo X, and keep the 8. The marketing for this car is phenomenal, and I hope Mazda is paying attention on how to move sports cars. But essentially, its a watered down 8.