Test driving the Scion FR-S

MarkA

MarkA

Well-Known Member
108
112
upstate New York
Vehicle Model
Honda Civic Si
Body Style
sedan
Our local Scion dealers seem to have quite a few unsold FR-Ss cluttering up their lots, so I took one for a test drive today. It has quite a different "feel" than the Si sedan. The center of gravity is much lower, and it handles very nicely. The engine is noticeably less powerful than the Si. As a former driver of an 8th gen Si, one of my favorite aspects of the 9th gen is the improved torque at lower RPMs. Driving the FR-S was like getting back into the '07 Si. Also, I really like the rpm indicator lights on the new Si, as you get close to redline.

So, the FR-S was certainly fun to drive, but not peppy enough to entice me to give up my Si. Perhaps I'll look at them again in 2014.
 
I enjoy the FR-S, they are very fun to drive. Spent some time behind the wheel of run for a road trip. Compared to the Si Sedan, the practicality of the FR-S is non-existent. I've got kids, I drop off to school and that'd be a pain w/ the coupe body. Even worse for the lower FR-S.
 
webby said:
did you drive the manual?
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Yes. In fact, I almost drove into a ditch, trying to turn around on a narrow road. It turns out that far right and back is NOT "reverse" in the FR-S, as it is in my Si.
 
The true definition of a driver's car. An incredibly balanced, superb handling vehicle. I wish there were more cars like it on the market.

Like most, I do think it needs a bit more power, but overall, still a very good performing car for the money.
 
Leaks are coming out now, the BRZ Sti news for release will be out soon. I mean, we know Subaru loves turbos on their cars.
 
The STI is not going to be turbocharged. Subaru has made it pretty clear since these cars have been out, that they are not interested in a factory turbo on this platform
 
I stand corrected. I missed that update, I remembered the rumor was 280hp turbo at some point last year. Makes sense though because price would interfere with their current STI
 
I had also read that they worked so hard to keep the center of gravity as low as possible, so there's no room for a turbo under the hood.
 
ALMOST bought one, but just as I've recently read in an article, this car requires you to drive it at 80-90% almost all of the time. That's cool and all, but I live in Chicago, and you need that little extra torque to get you through the day.

Aside from that, if I had the extra cash for another car, a weekend warrior, that'd be it.
 
It would be GREAT if somebody put it all together in one package: front engine, RWD, 240+ hp engine, hardtop, low center of gravity. I'd be interested in a used S2000, but my high performance driving school doesn't accept convertibles/roadsters. I wonder if anyone has tried putting the S2K engine in a FR-S body? Maybe a Nissan 370Z would do ......
 
MarkA said:
It would be GREAT if somebody put it all together in one package: front engine, RWD, 240+ hp engine, hardtop, low center of gravity. I'd be interested in a used S2000, but my high performance driving school doesn't accept convertibles/roadsters. I wonder if anyone has tried putting the S2K engine in a FR-S body? Maybe a Nissan 370Z would do ......
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Not even a hard topped s2000 allowed?
 
I'd rather wait for the STI BR-Z. I'm guessing that the base price will range between $35k-$40k.
ku-bigpic.jpg
 
MarkA said:
It would be GREAT if somebody put it all together in one package: front engine, RWD, 240+ hp engine, hardtop, low center of gravity. I'd be interested in a used S2000, but my high performance driving school doesn't accept convertibles/roadsters. I wonder if anyone has tried putting the S2K engine in a FR-S body? Maybe a Nissan 370Z would do ......
Click to expand...

Not even hardtop S2ks?
alexei-albums-pics-picture901-my-s2k-new-mexico-near-catwalk.jpg


There's a SC kit for the FR-S/BR-Z. I have no idea what hp gain it provides.
Sonic_EngineB.jpg
 
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