TGIF[R-S]: Why I bought the Scion FR-S

[AutoGuide.com]

Welcome to the first installment of a new Friday feature on AutoGuide: TGI FR-S. Focused on Scion’s new sports car, it’s not a review, or a behind the scene’s look at how the rear-drive Toyota came to be; rather it’s one auto journalist’s first-hand account of buying an FR-S, from the decision, to delivery, to life with perhaps the most hyped sports car of our time.

The Scion FR-S, Toyota GT 86, or Subaru BRZ is a car that is on the mind of almost every automotive enthusiast. Rather than just think about it, or even talk about it, I’ve decided to drive one, every day, putting down my hard earned cash and parking the back-to-basics sports car in my driveway.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Despite what you might think, it was not an easy decision. I jumped back and forth from buying a used car, to buying a new one. I thought I wanted a practical sedan, not a light and low sports coupe. In terms of performance, I wondered if I’d like a turbo-charged four-cylinder, instead of the quirky flat-four found in the Scion.

As I said, it wasn’t easy. My first choice for a new car was the Hyundai Veloster. It was stylish in a geeky way. It has tons of packaging, like navigation, a back-up camera, a hefty sound system, and it even has a practical element to it thanks to its third door.

However, it just wasn’t tickling me in the right way. It’s engine was lacking a considerable amount of everything, and its ride was uncomfortably firm and twitchy. My mind told me to wait for the Turbo model coming this summer, but my heart wandered.

FIRST SIGHT: 2009 TOKYO AUTO SALON

The FR-S planted a seed in my mind years ago, back when I was a student and when I was still dreaming about being an automotive journalist. I remember the rumors of what was then called the ‘Toyobaru’, in reference to its shared Subaru and Toyota heritage. Then there was the reveal of the FT concept car at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon. And then the years of waiting, with another updated concepts revealed every few months, further unravelling its charms to the world.

Those concepts had sharply sculpted headlights and a stylish interior that looked like an automotive version of Darwin’s Missing Link, where a simple dash was trying to evolve into that of a spaceship’s.

Once unveiled in production form the finished product rekindled that image. It wasn’t as crazy as the concepts, but it made up for it in one key way: pricing. It fit the price point, I had to at least give it a test drive.

Now employed as an auto journalist, I didn’t have to wait for a chaperoned tour around the block by my local dealer, and found myself in an FR-S on a Saturday morning at a large autocross course. It ruined the rest of my car search. It changed my perspective on what an affordable sports car could be. It wasn’t a big shouty Mustang or Camaro, it was something else. Yes, it was nimble, light weight and fun, but it was also a lesson.

Read the rest of Part 1 of TGIF(R-S) at AutoGuide.com

[FR_S_Fan]

At least it wasn't an impluse buy and something he seriously thought about. A compact car like this just isn't for everyone but the way the FR-S was made it's much more practical than other coupes on the market.

[FR-SGIRL LA]

I bought a FR-S for the simple reason that theres no other car except the Miata that is fun and cute for a reasonable price. I got my FR-S last week in hot lava with the 6 speed paddle shift. I love the car and it reminds me of my bf,s corvette but with a lot less power and does,nt look as stunning. My bf,s friend Mike has a Miata a car i took a close look at but found to expensive. Im one of the first with a FR-S where i live and im enjoying it so much i put Racing Hart wheels and a Tien ciolovers already with not even a thousand miles on the clock

[ggpaul]

I bought the FR-S because I couldn't get my Acura NSX (1991 $22,000) (personal reasons). And so I decided hey, I'll get a car that not EVERYONE has. I don't like to be that typical person where everyone sees a Civic 24/7.

I wanted a car with balance, looks great, handles well, fast enough.

Intimidating look, and it's a Toyota. Can never go wrong with Toyota.

[quickfrs]

I bought mine because I needed a new daily drive for my work commute so I wanted something that got decent gas milage but wasn't a boring everyone's car econ-o-box. I love performance and especially nimble handling. My last car was a 2000 Celica. I loved that car but wanted rear wheel drive. When the FR-S came out I knew it was the car for me. My other choice would have been a 370Z but $10k+ more and much worse gas milage made the FR-S a no brainer. I love this car...

[tawmy]

I saw the new FR-S on the Scion website on Wednesday November 31st 2012, and went into a dealership that evening for a test drive. My Hot Lava FR-S with an AT came home with me the following Saturday December 3rd. It was love at first sight and drive.

[LoBenz]

I got my FR-S after looking at the STi, BRZ and a few other cars.
I went with the FR-S because it was more economical, but it's still possible to mod it as much as any of the other cars I wanted. I feel like as soon as I test drove it, I wanted it. I've never felt so comfortable in a sports car, and I loved it. I even went as far as saying it was "my car" before we signed any paperwork on it. Our dealer got a kick out of it, but deep down I knew that I was going to buy it.
It was one of those cars that I had heard about and kind of brushed it off at first thinking that it would be no competition for the BRZ. After driving it for the first time, and now owning it, I can say that I definitely got more bang for my buck and will be satisfied with my decision for years to come.

[djmodernroq]

I've been trying to get this car since it went out for sale last year but due to financial stability i was unable to get. I finally got it this sat, the Ultramarine color on manual trans and I am very please and super excited!!! Like someone mentioned in an earlier post, it was love at 1st sight!

[Hellen4Wheels]

Love at first gear here, too. I had done some research and read some of the articles. I took my RS 7.0 xB to the dealership for service and drove away in my Ultramarine manual FR-S. Almost a year later, it's still so much fun to drive. 28-30 mpg doesn't hurt either. Haven't taken it on a long road trip yet, so I'm waiting to see what kind of highway mileage I can get.