Drove an FR-S today.

FC · 08-10-2012, 05:21 PM

In short, a hell of a car for the money.

It gives you a pretty honest RWD sportscar experience.

The steering feels heavy and not as crisp as the high end german cars, it understeers a bit, the brakes could use a touch more feel, and the engine is pretty gutless down low and could be a bit more responsive.

The interior is simple, but it has great seats, a nice, firm suspension good soundtrack, nice steering wheel, good grip and the engine is at home high in the rev range.

For mid 20's, this is a fun car that gives you a nice feel for the machine. It's no RX-8, but it handles well enough.

It reminded me of how cool a sportscar is and made me miss my Boxster.

I also sat in on a Focus SE test drive (for my friend). Pretty nice car considering he can get one for 17K right now. Sadly, his wife says no to stick or hatch, which is a damn shame.

Dealer had a Boss with a 10K mark-up 45 marked up to 55K. It's pretty obvious that I am no Mustang fan. Don't feel at home in the interior at all.

ZBB · 08-10-2012, 07:24 PM

I saw a Toyobaru on the road for the first time on Wed. Didn't get a good look though (going the other way)...

I need to go test one at some point. But I'm pretty sure I'm keeping the Boxster for another 18 more months (when the CPO warranty runs out) -- and longer if it hasn't had any major issues before then...

kognito · 08-10-2012, 07:31 PM

You are not really going to try to compare your boxster to the toybaru, are you?

ZBB · 08-10-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kognito

You are not really going to try to compare your boxster to the toybaru, are you?

No. But there will be a car after the Boxster...

bren · 08-10-2012, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC

The steering feels heavy and not as crisp as the high end german cars, it understeers a bit, the brakes could use a touch more feel, and the engine is pretty gutless down low and could be a bit more responsive.

Sounds pretty terrible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC

It's no RX-8....

That's not helping.

kognito · 08-10-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZBB

No. But there will be a car after the Boxster...

I forgot to turn my sarcasm button off!

Alan · 08-12-2012, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

Sounds pretty terrible.

That's not helping.

I feel like such a car geek ... I just read your post and started cracking up ...

lemming · 08-12-2012, 02:56 PM

How cool. Cant think of another 'new' car in that category that I would look at first.

FC · 08-12-2012, 09:51 PM

Simply put, I would buy it if I were young, single and had to have a new car for under $30k. Best sportscar feel, IMO. Looks the part, and feels the part. I am comparing to a $60k+ Boxster and I am used to $40k+ German cars, but for what it is, it is great.

My E91 is awesome, but I was a bit envious.

lemming · 08-12-2012, 09:57 PM

Appreciate your impressions anyway.

It's true though, as one gets old, the comfort part actually becomes important.

08-10-2012, 05:21 PM	#1
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,263	Drove an FR-S today. In short, a hell of a car for the money. It gives you a pretty honest RWD sportscar experience. The steering feels heavy and not as crisp as the high end german cars, it understeers a bit, the brakes could use a touch more feel, and the engine is pretty gutless down low and could be a bit more responsive. The interior is simple, but it has great seats, a nice, firm suspension good soundtrack, nice steering wheel, good grip and the engine is at home high in the rev range. For mid 20's, this is a fun car that gives you a nice feel for the machine. It's no RX-8, but it handles well enough. It reminded me of how cool a sportscar is and made me miss my Boxster. I also sat in on a Focus SE test drive (for my friend). Pretty nice car considering he can get one for 17K right now. Sadly, his wife says no to stick or hatch, which is a damn shame. Dealer had a Boss with a 10K mark-up 45 marked up to 55K. It's pretty obvious that I am no Mustang fan. Don't feel at home in the interior at all.

08-10-2012, 07:24 PM	#2
ZBB Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: A very fast golf cart Location: The Valley of the Sun Posts: 12,821	I saw a Toyobaru on the road for the first time on Wed. Didn't get a good look though (going the other way)... I need to go test one at some point. But I'm pretty sure I'm keeping the Boxster for another 18 more months (when the CPO warranty runs out) -- and longer if it hasn't had any major issues before then... __________________ ZBB

08-10-2012, 07:31 PM	#3
kognito older fart than ZBB Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: On the road again Posts: 8,900	You are not really going to try to compare your boxster to the toybaru, are you? __________________ 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 2020 Fusion Titanium

08-12-2012, 02:56 PM	#8
lemming Western Anomaly Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca Posts: 16,611	How cool. Cant think of another 'new' car in that category that I would look at first. __________________

08-12-2012, 09:57 PM	#10
lemming Western Anomaly Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca Posts: 16,611	Appreciate your impressions anyway. It's true though, as one gets old, the comfort part actually becomes important. __________________

08-12-2012, 09:51 PM	#9
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,263	Simply put, I would buy it if I were young, single and had to have a new car for under $30k. Best sportscar feel, IMO. Looks the part, and feels the part. I am comparing to a $60k+ Boxster and I am used to $40k+ German cars, but for what it is, it is great. My E91 is awesome, but I was a bit envious.

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