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Local Toyota dealer had the new Scion FRS available all day to test drive. However, the dealer only had the automatic available for that day (but the manual is coming on the 24th).
My initial impressions....
Looks great in person. Interior is much better than the 92x, but I didn't like the huge trailing piece of plastic that goes across the dashboard, nor do i like the headunit.
Seats are comfortable. The car appears to be built well, the frameless doors appear to be very solid and make a satisfying noise when closing them.
The engine however seriously lacks bottom end torque but it opens up after 4000rpm. I generally don't like automatics nor do I drive them, so I will give it another go in the manual to comment on power.
Asides from that, the handling is impressive. You can tell the spring rate is really soft and that it resulted in a remarkably comfortable ride considering it being a sports car afterall. Despite this, there is practically no body roll at all in the corners! The first corner I took kept telling me to push it further and further. It's a great tossup between great handling yet a comfortable daily driver. It felt very stable, especially during hard cornering. This isn't like your typical very stiff car on coilovers, it can probably hit a bad bump in the middle of the corner and not lose all it's grip.
The tires were clearly unmatched for the vehicle, and the marketing agent for Toyota agreed as well. He added that those tires were chosen to lower the price of the car and to ultimately allow enthusiasts to choose their own tires. I believe stiffer spring rates and much stickier tires will make this car unstoppable in terms of cornering. The fact that people are praising it with positive reviews without these tweaks says a lot about the car. Look at Subaru's past with their skinny sway bars. Simple suspension tweaks may unleash a significant increase in performance.
Oh and please don't forget to turn the traction control off, it's way to assertive. It's a great system and incredible safe, correcting a slide very quickly and smoothly straightening the car out. But the car itself is really easy to drive so please don't be intimidated to shut it off the traction control.
Some clever design features were implemented in the FRS/BRZ. It can fit a set of wheels in the back no problem, and it's interior features a way to remove a part of the door card to allow room for a roll cage to seamlessly fit in the interior of the car.
I believe this car will have limitless potential, and I am interested in seeing if this new engine can take on extra power in the means of forced induction.
Overall, I would buy a FRS/BRZ over the miata any day, it is easier to drive, less expensive and styled better.
EDIT: I don't know how i forgot to add this, but the brake pedal feel is awesome! No more mushy pedals!
UPDATE: Looks like the Marketing guy was right, the FA20 can be boosted! http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/0 … osted-brz/
Last edited by 2JZ (2012-05-09 12:23:13)
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Interior is much better than the 92x? You're comparing a 2012 to a 2006 
I'm eager to see the BRZ in person, Im jealous you got to test drive 
Last edited by anaya661 (2012-05-08 03:27:49)
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Great review. The car sounds like a bladt.
I said it before and I'll say it again, I bet this thing will be a very successful autocross platform.
Now...TITTYWOP.
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anaya661 wrote:
Interior is much better than the 92x? You're comparing a 2012 to a 2006
Not to mention the fact that the 92x's interior was already very dated and pretty unimpressive even in 2006...laughably so compared to, say, an Acura TL which carried the same price tag, new.
But yeah, glad to hear it sounds comfy and well-built.
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Cheaper than a Miata? That's cool. Glad to hear Toyota and Subaru are serious. They needed to be in this segment.
I wonder how it will compare to the new extreme back-to-basics Miata thats about to come out...
Thanks for the review!
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tlow98 wrote:
I wonder how it will compare to the new extreme back-to-basics Miata thats about to come out...
If they don't change the styling drastically this car should cut into sales quite a bit. But I suppose the other part may be how the aftermarket receives the car, limited or expensive go faster bits wouldn't please the masses. While I prefer the Subaru version, we may consider a Scion version should the price difference be notable.....then I'd have a Saabaru and a Scibaru.
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I want a white BRZ Limited so badly. Engine power isn't that important to me, I really don't even use the turbo I have now...
And -B-, I prefer Toyobaru vs. Scibaru 
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I have my doubts that they "planned" on buyers replacing the tires. There is too much tuning that happens that depends on what the tires are doing for that to be a wise approach.
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bentmettle wrote:
I have my doubts that they "planned" on buyers replacing the tires. There is too much tuning that happens that depends on what the tires are doing for that to be a wise approach.
Then again, the factory might have tuned around a good tire, but fitted a different one that gives some marginal gain in mileage to help maintain fleet fuel economy standards. It wouldn't be the first time that's been done.
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bentmettle wrote:
I have my doubts that they "planned" on buyers replacing the tires. There is too much tuning that happens that depends on what the tires are doing for that to be a wise approach.
Just some marketing representative for Toyota. He mentioned the whole car is aimed towards a 'young' tuning crowd. I asked if TRD will have a take but he mentioned Subaru will likely give them a headache but STI will have a stab at it.
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2JZ wrote:
bentmettle wrote:
I have my doubts that they "planned" on buyers replacing the tires. There is too much tuning that happens that depends on what the tires are doing for that to be a wise approach.
Just some marketing representative for Toyota. He mentioned the whole car is aimed towards a 'young' tuning crowd. I asked if TRD will have a take but he mentioned Subaru will likely give them a headache but STI will have a stab at it.
TRD has already tuned the 86:
http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/04/car … es-the-86/
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2JZ wrote:
bentmettle wrote:
I have my doubts that they "planned" on buyers replacing the tires. There is too much tuning that happens that depends on what the tires are doing for that to be a wise approach.
Just some marketing representative for Toyota. He mentioned the whole car is aimed towards a 'young' tuning crowd. I asked if TRD will have a take but he mentioned Subaru will likely give them a headache but STI will have a stab at it.
I have read (in Autoweek AND Road and Track) that they chose the tires in their tuning to make the car tossable and "slide" well (as well as helping fuel economy). Both Toyota and Subaru are well aware of the non-performance nature of the tires, they're used on the Prius for godsake, but they make the car "fun" right off the showroom floor, with little risk to the potential owner. Try sliding a car on "street" tires such as (for example) Porsche GT3's while on the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups and on public roads you'd likely be dead before you got it to drift or slide. It's not as much "fun". It's a pretty keen marketing approach, helps the CAFE levels, and helps both Toyota's and Subaru's bottom line (cheaper than tires like Bridgestone RE11's, the most likely killer performance tire for both companies). As far as Toyotaru is concerned, it's a win-win for them.
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Scargo wrote:
2JZ wrote:
bentmettle wrote:
I have my doubts that they "planned" on buyers replacing the tires. There is too much tuning that happens that depends on what the tires are doing for that to be a wise approach.
Just some marketing representative for Toyota. He mentioned the whole car is aimed towards a 'young' tuning crowd. I asked if TRD will have a take but he mentioned Subaru will likely give them a headache but STI will have a stab at it.
I have read (in Autoweek AND Road and Track) that they chose the tires in their tuning to make the car tossable and "slide" well (as well as helping fuel economy). Both Toyota and Subaru are well aware of the non-performance nature of the tires, they're used on the Prius for godsake, but they make the car "fun" right off the showroom floor, with little risk to the potential owner. Try sliding a car on "street" tires such as (for example) Porsche GT3's while on the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups and on public roads you'd likely be dead before you got it to drift or slide. It's not as much "fun". It's a pretty keen marketing approach, helps the CAFE levels, and helps both Toyota's and Subaru's bottom line (cheaper than tires like Bridgestone RE11's, the most likely killer performance tire for both companies). As far as Toyotaru is concerned, it's a win-win for them.
I totally agree. They were fun and i was able to slide the car. But instead of sliding I could have maintained more grip throughout the whole course of the corner with a stickier tire. I can see how many people won't need to upgrade the tires, however, personally I would. Sliding is very reckless on public roadways. I can easily see how many BRZ owners will ignore that and do it anyway... it's honestly easier than playing a video game with this vehicle.
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thymighty wrote:
2JZ wrote:
bentmettle wrote:
I have my doubts that they "planned" on buyers replacing the tires. There is too much tuning that happens that depends on what the tires are doing for that to be a wise approach.
Just some marketing representative for Toyota. He mentioned the whole car is aimed towards a 'young' tuning crowd. I asked if TRD will have a take but he mentioned Subaru will likely give them a headache but STI will have a stab at it.
TRD has already tuned the 86:
http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/04/car … es-the-86/
Awesome. Thanks for the link! The mods seemed to have agreed with my hypothesis; swaybars, tires, dampers, springs and any good suspension improvements make a significant difference in the already great chassis!
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Saw a Subaru BRZ on the road today. Looked actually really good in person. That is all. I was on the highway.
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Test driving this tomorrow. Buddy works there and he said he will give me a great deal. It really helps that he badly wants my Saab.
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^ Nice Subie, and your Saab looks slick, too.
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I pondered ditching the CC for one of these but none to test drive in my area. They are selling WELL around here.
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You will have better luck finding the Scion than the Subaru version. But they are both all selling like hotcakes. They did a good job with this car
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I really can't stand that black bar on the BRZ bumper. The FR-S has a much better front opening, but I like the fogs on the BRZ. Can't have both, I guess.
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Drove an FRS.
Loved the looks, the steering, nice handling. Weird hearing and feeling a boxer, reminded me of our old 2.5 Linear.
Car is a TD-04 away from being fabulous. When you are used to tq from boosted vehicles, it's hard to fall in love with this car. But coming from a Miata or other small displacement NA car, you will feel right at home.
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Jameson wrote:
Drove an FRS.
Loved the looks, the steering, nice handling. Weird hearing and feeling a boxer, reminded me of our old 2.5 Linear.
Car is a TD-04 away from being fabulous. When you are used to tq from boosted vehicles, it's hard to fall in love with this car. But coming from a Miata or other small displacement NA car, you will feel right at home.
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boston_errol wrote:
Jameson wrote:
Drove an FRS.
Loved the looks, the steering, nice handling. Weird hearing and feeling a boxer, reminded me of our old 2.5 Linear.
Car is a TD-04 away from being fabulous. When you are used to tq from boosted vehicles, it's hard to fall in love with this car. But coming from a Miata or other small displacement NA car, you will feel right at home.
I looked at all 45 pages lol.
Very encouraging.
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Jalopnik just covered it: http://jalopnik.com/subaru-brz/
The Accelerated Performance car looks great in white with the dark wheels.
Very much like the BRZ, will be interesting to see what Subaru's turbo'd version is like, even though I like the spartan nature of the N/A car. Really a cool ride
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2JZ wrote:
Scargo wrote:
2JZ wrote:
Just some marketing representative for Toyota. He mentioned the whole car is aimed towards a 'young' tuning crowd. I asked if TRD will have a take but he mentioned Subaru will likely give them a headache but STI will have a stab at it.I have read (in Autoweek AND Road and Track) that they chose the tires in their tuning to make the car tossable and "slide" well (as well as helping fuel economy). Both Toyota and Subaru are well aware of the non-performance nature of the tires, they're used on the Prius for godsake, but they make the car "fun" right off the showroom floor, with little risk to the potential owner. Try sliding a car on "street" tires such as (for example) Porsche GT3's while on the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups and on public roads you'd likely be dead before you got it to drift or slide. It's not as much "fun". It's a pretty keen marketing approach, helps the CAFE levels, and helps both Toyota's and Subaru's bottom line (cheaper than tires like Bridgestone RE11's, the most likely killer performance tire for both companies). As far as Toyotaru is concerned, it's a win-win for them.
I totally agree. They were fun and i was able to slide the car. But instead of sliding I could have maintained more grip throughout the whole course of the corner with a stickier tire. I can see how many people won't need to upgrade the tires, however, personally I would. Sliding is very reckless on public roadways. I can easily see how many BRZ owners will ignore that and do it anyway ... it's honestly easier than playing a video game with this vehicle.
i'm glad you mentioned this. i feel like an old man thinking that it's a bad thing, but i really do. keep the drifting in tokyo.
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