Scion FR-S Nominated for AutoGuide.com COTY - Video

[AutoGuide.com]

Despite twelve months of praise that some would say makes the AutoGuide staff cross the line from being auto critics to fanboys, we weren’t initially sold on the Scion FR-S, even after driving it.

For starters, while hype was high, our expectations were low. It’s a Toyota, so how much fun could it possibly be, we mused?

To which hype-defenders would retort; “yea, well, Toyota built the Supra.” A large and monstrously powerful machine, it’s earned a reputation for high-speed runs and drag racing, not on carving twisty canyon roads, the auto-cross course or nailing apexes at your local track.

“What about the MR2,” they’d say? Good point, but have you ever heard the rumor it was designed by Lotus?

Toyota hasn’t build a sports car in so long they didn’t even have the skilled personnel to do it. So it was engineered and manufactured by Subaru. Any praise it might earn, therefore, might best belong to the Subie folks.

And then we drove it. Or should I say, I drove it. Flying to Japan to be one of a the first of a handful of people outside Toyota to get behind the wheel.

More: 2013 AutoGuide.com Car of the Year Nominee: Scion FR-S on AutoGuide.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSRJBQwVarg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSRJBQwVarg

[El Dude]

I'm thinking about getting one at the end of the year as a daily driver.. anyone have negative experiences?

[JWA]

Only positives with my BRZ. I'm very happy with it.

[El Dude]

Originally Posted by JWA

Only positives with my BRZ. I'm very happy with it.

Any common issues to look out for?

[shay2nak]

mpgs suck, otherwise I'd consider getting one also.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by El Dude

Any common issues to look out for?

There are a couple that seem to have affected the very early production cars as mine hasn't had any trouble. "Chirping" noise from the engine and misc. squeaks in the cabin seem to be the ones mentioned most on the forums, and they have issued some TSBs to fix them. The only slight issue that I've had is that the gearbox take a bit to warm up in very cold weather and makes 2nd gear notchy. I bought new fluids that are supposed to fix that but haven't changed them yet.

The biggest forum seems to be ft86club.com, lots of good info there.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

mpgs suck, otherwise I'd consider getting one also.

I've been getting mid to high 20's driving it mostly around town and winding it out every shift that I can. That doesn't suck in my book, but I know that mpg expectations have gone up quite a bit in the last couple years. That makes me curious though - what do you expect mpg to be on a basic sports car nowadays?

[addertooth]

What disturbs me is engine power; a simple web search reveals many dyno plots which show 153 to 157 Rear Wheel HP stock (which is less than the Rear Wheel HP on a stock Elise). But supercharger kits are on the way. One of them achieved 225 Rear wheel HP, which is closer to the mark, but still short of desired hp; when you considering the weight of the car.

[JWA]

Depends what you're looking for. It isn't pretending to be a race car, it's a road car. It's a shame that more people don't understand the desirability of a good road car. It isn't slow. It isn't crazy fast. It's responsive and a lot of fun to wind out.

[evomind]

Originally Posted by JWA

Depends what you're looking for. It isn't pretending to be a race car, it's a road car. It's a shame that more people don't understand the desirability of a good road car. It isn't slow. It isn't crazy fast. It's responsive and a lot of fun to wind out.

Hmmm, not sure I understand how you worded that.
If its not what they want, then its not desireable. I think I know what you meant and point taken, but if it feels like you have to get out and push, it takes away from the fun and whatever other good qualities that it has.
At least to someone looking for more power.
Ive learned if you buy a new car and you are immediately looking for more power then you have bought the wrong car.
So to addertooth its probably not the right car for him. I dont know.
Hmmmmmm......I'd probably consider driving it first.

[El Dude]

Thanks for the info everyone! I've heard of drivers reaching 32-34 mpg? That would be nice. I admid, a little more power would be nice, but as an everyday car, its good enough for me. The power and weight specs do remind me of an 02' RSX-S..

[Leojmcca]

I see these at the track and they seem to handle nice. I think if they bumped the HP to 290 I'd buy one.

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by JWA

I've been getting mid to high 20's driving it mostly around town and winding it out every shift that I can. That doesn't suck in my book, but I know that mpg expectations have gone up quite a bit in the last couple years. That makes me curious though - what do you expect mpg to be on a basic sports car nowadays?

Well, because it's light and has a 4 banger, I thought it would get almost 35 hwy. I looked up the mpgs today and is listed as 22/30. I guess it's not that bad. It's only slightly better than my 325 which has a 3L I6 and is like 600 lbs heavier.

I'm sort of set on buying a Honda CR-Z, but I think I'll give the FR-S a try. I love the dark gray one. Amazing.

Originally Posted by El Dude

Thanks for the info everyone! I've heard of drivers reaching 32-34 mpg? That would be nice. I admid, a little more power would be nice, but as an everyday car, its good enough for me. The power and weight specs do remind me of an 02' RSX-S..

I looked up Fuelly.com and lots of entries for FR-S. Avg is about 27/28, though a few people are getting over 30. Depends your commute city/hwy breakdown. Most of mine is hwy.

[flyguyskt]

okay let me clear up some things tht SEEM to be missed here...

first of all its a sporty car...it has one of the best center of gravities ever built in a STREET car.

is it for the track? NOT really...is it quick on the street? yes... what does it need from the factory to be more fun? STICKY tires. does it need more power? sure everything oes...why do you think guyss twin turbo gallardos?

the AC blows COLD not cool. the mpg i have experienced? up to 35mpg at 80 mph. city is around 27... do i drive it like a girl? NO ...any real problems to look out for? ya stupid people asking what it is...remember they only built like 2000 of them.

PERFECT every day car for the driver on the street. ANYONE that has an FR-s/BRZ will tell you mostly the same thing. EVERYONE that doesn't will complain about it because they are ignorant to its usefulness.

[SwingLo]

I've yet to drive one - and I'd bet most people who knock the power and/or 0-60 stats - haven't either.

However, I think 0-60 times and it's stepbrother, the HP rating, are a bit overvalued. Yes, power is good. Yes, speed is good, but there's so much more that makes a car awesome.

Sure, the 0-60 ratings of the Scionbaru are not impressive but that's ok. While the Elise's HP ratings aren't impressive, the sub 5 second 0-60 is (at least I think so).

If everyone wanted big horsepower, there are myriad cars for that.

I think there's so much more that goes into a car besides just 0-60. Steering response/feel/input, handling, cornering, balance, driving position, stance, braking, interior vibe, body/exterior aesthetics. Hell, I had an Infiniti M37 as a loaner and fell in LOVE with it based on that super cool 'silver laquer over wood' interior thing. Insanely cool.

The point is that any number of things can make a car great and even OVERCOME a perceived (or even real) shortcoming - ala a lack of power. Hell, our cars have about 8,816 shortcomings, but the PRO column so overwhelms the CON column that it makes our little cars one of the most highly regarded ever.

I like analogies. I see these cars as Gwen Stefani or soccer hottie Alex Morgan. Both are completely flat chested - nada, nothing. Mosquito bites. However their awesomeness in all other categories makes that reality completely irrelevant. Watch the Alex Morgan body paint video from the SI Swimsuit issue. Completely flat chested, however, she's smokin' hot! All the other stuff is so awesome, it makes the lack of boobages a non-factor.

Play on playas:

Alex Morgan Bodypaint - 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit - YouTube

Alex Morgan Bodypaint - 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit - YouTube

[Me!]

Originally Posted by JWA

Only positives with my BRZ. I'm very happy with it.

Josh what color is your BRZ? I think I might have seen you last Thursday (might have been Wednesday)? last week on Memorial?

[El Dude]

Thanks everyone for the replies, the power thing is not a deal breaker for me. I just care that its a sporty, fun car that can also handle daily driving.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by Me!

Josh what color is your BRZ? I think I might have seen you last Thursday (might have been Wednesday)? last week on Memorial?

Hey Robert - It's black, but I don't think that was me. There's another black one in town, and I've seen a white one. I drove past your office on Thursday to pick up a pizza at Wells Brothers, but I was in the Jeep. I'm like five minutes away, you should stop by some time.

[Me!]

Originally Posted by JWA

Hey Robert - It's black, but I don't think that was me. There's another black one in town, and I've seen a white one. I drove past your office on Thursday to pick up a pizza at Wells Brothers, but I was in the Jeep. I'm like five minutes away, you should stop by some time.

Must have been the other guy then. It was definitely black.

Good call with Wells Brothers! They have excellent pizza!

Seeing that you are so close, it sounds like I should stop by! However, it would be way more cool if the weather was nicer so I could bring the Exige over!

[flyguyskt]

Gr8 daily driver...it is a real car...comfy but fun and tons of looky loos from peeps