Jalopnik drives the Scion FR-S

Here's your candy little girl...

Now, I'm waiting for the GRM test drive with price to fun ratio included.

Yep, I was on that same launch.....we've driven it.......stay tuned!

So, if it's running crappy tires OEM... How will it do with something like Star Specs?

Bench race: BRZ/FRS vs RX-8. Go!

Here's something I disagree with:

Jalopnik said: The tach is front and center, and has an integrated digital speed readout. There's a traditional speedometer to the left, but I never even looked at it. They could lose that with no problem– the tach and digital speed is all you'll need.

What I like about having an analog speedo and tach is that you can not only see the current speed and RPM, but you can also easily see the rate of change at a glance. Those are two instruments I'd never want a digital readout for. I'm glad they kept the analog dials.

scardeal wrote: So, if it's running crappy tires OEM... How will it do with something like Star Specs? Bench race: BRZ/FRS vs RX-8. Go!

It can also fit wider tires...I think 18x8.5 rims are the biggest you can fit without going staggered or doing any other mods.

Edit: It's 19x8.5 front, 19x9.5 rear max size.

I think 18s look best on it though and you don't want too much diameter.

In reply to GameboyRMH: Rate of change, and you can see the angles of the needles with just your peripheral vision.

I'm also glad they have both.

... I wonder if a kid seat will fit in the back

GameboyRMH wrote:

Jalopnik said: blah, blah, blah, useless self aggrandizing, blah, blah

FTFY

I've had two cars with digital speedometers and analog tachs. One has both digital and analog speedometers, but I never look at the analog speedometer. I'd rather lose the analog speedometer and use the space for a couple of other instruments.

If your rate of change is that significant, you shouldn't be looking down anyway.

I got to see the BRZ version in person a few weeks ago and I was very impressed. It was so much nicer looking than in the pics. It had an attitude about it. and it looked as if more aggressive rubber would fit.

For the very first time I was buying into the whole concept, but there's not one speck of 2000GT in the car, regardless of what Toyota is saying.

scardeal wrote: So, if it's running crappy tires OEM... How will it do with something like Star Specs? Bench race: BRZ/FRS vs RX-8. Go!

My understanding for the tires is that they were intentionally chosen because they break loose easier. It would be interesting to see how the car changes with a set of sticky tires.

They probably wanted it to feel loose and "drifty" which is fun if you don't care about numbers. I say hook it up real good and just push it harder if you want to slide

I know that I'm in the minority here, and if it weren't for my awful gridlock-ridden commute I would certainly think differently, but I wish they offered one with a clutchless manual (paddle shift) gearbox ala Lancer Evolution/Ralliart, GTI, Ferrari __ and probably others. In fact, I would probably be placing a deposit, as long as the GRM review is as good as the Jalopnik review.

ReverendDexter wrote: I... I wonder if a kid seat will fit in the back

+1

I hear the paddle-shifted auto is pretty good from all the reviews...but it's still a manually shifted auto, not a robo-manual.

GameboyRMH wrote: Here's something I disagree with:

Jalopnik said: The tach is front and center, and has an integrated digital speed readout. There's a traditional speedometer to the left, but I never even looked at it. They could lose that with no problem– the tach and digital speed is all you'll need.

What I like about having an analog speedo and tach is that you can not only see the current speed and RPM, but you can also easily see the rate of change at a glance. Those are two instruments I'd never want a digital readout for. I'm glad they kept the analog dials.

If you have time to look at the speedometer, you're going too slow anyway

I, too, am looking forward to the GRM review of this car. I may have to go test-drive one, as well. Even though I can't afford one. And it's totally impractical for what I use a car for.

szeis4cookie wrote:

ReverendDexter wrote: I... I wonder if a kid seat will fit in the back

+1

Yes, a kid seat will fit in back. One of the Scion guys had tested the FR-S out on his kid prior to the launch. It isn't ideal, but you can put the kiddies back there.

Protip: stay out of the Jalopnik comments section, or you'll be banging your head against a wall in no time

Winston wrote: I know that I'm in the minority here, and if it weren't for my awful gridlock-ridden commute I would certainly think differently, but I wish they offered one with a clutchless manual (paddle shift) gearbox ala Lancer Evolution/Ralliart, GTI, Ferrari ________ and probably others. In fact, I would probably be placing a deposit, as long as the GRM review is as good as the Jalopnik review.

Indeed, I too welcome our robo-shifting overlords.

Joe Gearin wrote:

szeis4cookie wrote:

ReverendDexter wrote: I... I wonder if a kid seat will fit in the back

+1

Yes, a kid seat will fit in back. One of the Scion guys had tested the FR-S out on his kid prior to the launch. It isn't ideal, but you can put the kiddies back there.

..but I already bought my car for this decade! Sheisse!

Ha, I don't know when I ever needed to know the "rate of change" of my speed either, maybe I'm doing something wrong.

I'm really waiting for the first side-by-side comparison of the FR-S to the BRZ. From what I've read both manufacturers are claiming that they have tweaked the suspension to improve handling and I'd like to hear from someone who drove them on the same day at the same track.

If any manufacturer marketing types are reading this, I will buy one of these cars. Unless Mazda sells a hatchback Miata... or Honda comes up with a down-market S2000 replacement... or...

Edit: I also think the 2000GT comment is ridiculous.

From the comparisons I've seen the FR-S is a more "twitchy" car than the BRZ but they otherwise handle pretty much the same.

In reply to GameboyRMH:

I've seen that, but never written by a guy who had driven both cars.

I read it the other way. The scion is setup for people looking for the rwd experience and the Subaru is for buyers used to awd understeer. Yes that is the same as above but marketing speak for scion is better.

Xceler8x wrote: Jalopnik drives the Scion FR-S

....and I still won't read anything produced or shared on the Gawker empire.

Seriously, screw those folks. Jalopnik especially.

GameboyRMH wrote:

scardeal wrote: So, if it's running crappy tires OEM... How will it do with something like Star Specs? Bench race: BRZ/FRS vs RX-8. Go!

It can also fit wider tires...I think 18x8.5 rims are the biggest you can fit without going staggered or doing any other mods. Edit: It's 19x8.5 front, 19x9.5 rear max size. I think 18s look best on it though and you don't want too much diameter.

I hope it will be able to fit some 17" wheels. To hell with the prices on 18"+ tires, not to mention additional weight and MOI.