Thoughts on Scion FR-S as Daily Driver?
 

Thinking of getting into a 2013 FRS for daily driving. Biggest objective being something that's fun to drive and entertaining while commuting. Planning to test drive in the next couple of weeks, so we'll see how that goes.

I've also been kicking around a used 335i, GTI and possibly 2011 and up Mustang GT. Currently leaning toward FRS based on everything I've read about the car. So, what do you guys think?

335i without question

If you like the FRS, I would definitely suggest the Subaru sister instead. If I'm not mistaken, I think it has a slight power bump. I think it looks better as well, and can be had with more options.

You know, I thought about that. The two cars are actually identical aside from slight tweaks to the suspension, and I actually like the front of FRS more. Could care less about NAV and would actually prefer cloth seats for better grip on the track (if I go that route).

Still looking at other options, but for $25k I think it'll end up being this or a used 335i. Only downside to 335i is that it's 800 lbs heavier and may not hold up that well on the road course (overheating issues), if I decide to track it.

Haven't driven either but from what I've read, the BRZ understeers a bit more while the rear end on the FR-S is a little more playful. Here are some long-distance/longterm tests:
http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtest...13-scion-fr-s/
http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtest...13-subaru-brz/
http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/100...t86-2012-09-10

Also:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/othe...-brz-pics.html
http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=26168


For track work, maybe a 128i with wheels/tires, coilovers and brakes might work better than the 335i. Quite a few cars on the market now at $19k and even less.

For strictly $25k, 11-12 Mustang v6 track pack(used base ones are as low as $20k). Already a car that performs far beyond its price tag, and being a mustang, it has a proverbial butt ton of aftermarket support, as well as factory upgrades(take off parts from gt500, Boss, and GT guys upgrading) like the 14" brembos that are a direct swap. And check out its engine bay, it just may be the single easiest engine to work on since it was designed to fit the broad shouldered 5.4 s/c.

Dont forget the lighter 135i's too, unless you dont like their quirky proportions. And remember, neither those nor the 335i's I believe have a limited slip diff. Stupid, but true. The twin turbo 6 in the earlier years is fairly over-engineered. The thing can keep boosting more and more and take a beating.

I cant in good faith recommend the BRZ/FR-S. The "numbers(results) arn't what it was designed for" line is just code for poor engineering. Yeah 200 hp is "enough" for its buyers, but a 2.0 reving to 7400, with 12.5-1 compression, just screams they decided to get by with the bare minimum.

Have a friend that has the Scion and loves it. Says it's one of the best cars he has ever owned. He has had benz's, vettes, supra, ...etc. Says it is fun to drive and does everything well.

Thanks for all the links!

Not crazy about 128i. I already track my C6Z06, so would likely not mod for the track. It seems that FRS would perform well on the track without any additional mods. What caught my attention with the Scion is that people keep saying how much fun it is to drive, which is my main objective for DD.

:cheers:

Do you know if your friend was referring to the new 2013 FR-S? I believe these just went on sale couple of months ago.

Yeah, good point on lack of LSD w/bimmers. I'm not sure about V6 Stangs... I feel like I would either step up to a used GT (gotta love that V8 and amazing sound) or bypass Mustang all together. But then again, many say FRS is a much better driver's car than a Mustang... guess I gotta drive them both.

I keep going back and forth on the power. My Z puts out 500 at the wheels, so I feel that no matter which daily I get, it will not feel powerful/impressive. Anyone feel the same?

:thumbs:

Could be that they want it massively overbuilt, considering the core market they're aiming at (young guys who will probably thrash it and could give Toyota/Subaru a black eye when it comes to warranty; see Nissan's GT-R for more on that). And it's not like Subaru don't have experience with turbocharging flat-4s. Almost anyone building a sports car should know that one of the easiest ways to fast performance is better tires and Toyobaru's choice of those Prius-like tires goes some way to confirm that this car really is more about the driving experience (fun) than it is about numbers. The car is already quite driftable at sane speeds as it is. More power would mean bigger, heavier brakes, tires, halfshafts, LSD, cooling, suspension...the slippery slope they were trying to avoid in the first place.

Read this before you decide:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html

Guibo is correct in that the car enthusiests who grew up with 100 HP Honda Civics and Acura Integras don't necessarily need or want cars that get 16 MPG and are 3600+ lbs.
An older generation still buys these cars but the younger generation is just not into it or are savy enough to end up with a light, turbo import that handles extremely well.

My advice: Drive a lighter vehicle than what you have. Every time I visit family in CT, I drive my sister's Miata and have an absolute blast. Lightweight is nirvanna for DDs, although cars like the Mini - S meet that criteria, they are relatively expensive and not particularly reliable compared to Toyotas, Subarus, Mazdas and Hondas.

Forget the 335is, they have had major reliabity issues.

Not sure if you've already seen my thread, but I recently purchased a BRZ as a daily driver. I have an LS7 powered C5 as my fun car and think the BRZ makes a great daily commuter car.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/othe...?highlight=Brz

Go for it, especially if you have some windy backroads nearby. I got to test drive the Scion version and even with the Prius tires it comes with, it holds very well in corners and the oversteer is very controllable. A very fun car to go 10/10 with.

Just putting stickier rubber does a lot.

I actually just got done reading it... great thread and very informative. Thanks for a detailed write-up.:thumbs:

I would also be driving it through the winter, so hopefully some winter tires and sand bags in the trunk will do the trick.



:cheers:

Thanks to everyone for thoughts and feedback. Much appreciated.
:cheers:

I wouldn't totally bypass the Hyundai Genesis Coupe given that price range.

I have heard awful things about that particular engine in general. A friend's brother had a 135i and everything went wrong with that engine. It was virtually brand new, and BMW fought hard against his lemon law claim. He won and bought a new WRX to replace it. He hasn't regretted it for a single moment.

A friend's wife has a 335i and it completely died on her, one day. Apparently the fuel systems for those engines have a high failure rate. That friend has a 330 4-door that had one headlight go out on him. After having it in the shop for two weeks, they found the problem and charged him $800 to fix it. Sadly, some people keep going back for more "punishment".