SQUARE!SPOKES Driven By Undying Automotive Passion

Scion FR-S Dealership Test Drive Experience

My good forum buddy, Anthony Gonzales has been very enthusiastic about the much hyped about Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ twins since the rumor days. Recently he had the opportunity to go test drive the Scion FR-S at the dealership and shared his experience in details with us...

"I was about to exit the highway on to the road I know one of the biggest Toyota dealerships is on. I figured I'd give them a call to see if they had any FRS in stock. The salesman told me "Yea we have a few". I asked if auto or manual and he told me they had both.

I show up and wait for the salesman. We exchange handshakes and then he handed me off to one of the "pseudo-salesman" that walked me in to the lot. I saw a total of five FRS (I was shocked lol)

The first thing that caught my eye were three lined up neatly together. Red,Blue,Asphalt (By far my favorite). I asked and he said those were the automatic ones. On the opposite side a white one that was already sold, and hidden in the back near the service bays another white one. (The only manual they had left in stock).

He opened the door and to my surprise it still had all the plastics on the seats and doorsills and had no shiftknob. I figured to myself this one had just come in. He gave me his sales pitch which was all old news to me I have been following this car for years. We went around to the right and I looked at the sticker. $25,xxx MSRP and $28,xxx after all the crap they load on. On that list were things like a $120 iPod cable, an ugly pinstriping, half a tank of gas, and that silly market adjustment fee.

I told him I wanted to drive it. When we got back to his office he started asking me all his questions. The gist of it was that I wanted to keep my car for a few more months and I just wanted to check the car out. Some more blabbing later and I finally get the key in my hand.

When I sat in the car the first thing I thought was "Damn, these seats are awesome". Before I could do anything the salesman reminded me that I can't touch any of the buttons on the center console, namely the traction control one. No dorifto for me. I turn the key and the reassuring burble of boxeryness greeted me. It's not a very pretty tone if I must say. The first thought on putting the clutch down and the shifter in to first was that the transmission felt solid and the clutch had a decent weight. When I tapped the gas to take off I noticed it felt kind of laggy. Maybe freeing up the engine or a tune might fix this? I don't know.

We drove slowly as I got a feel for the car. The suspension was taught but not harsh, very nice. The steering a very nice weight and the ratio felt perfect. The shifts smooth no drama there. The gear ratios of this car are a lot shorter than that of my GTI. I was getting up to 4000 RPM without even realizing it. Approaching the stop light I noticed the brake pedal had a very nice firm feel to it. After making pretty much a huge circle around the dealership, he told me to take this side road to "Open the car up a bit". This is what I was waiting for.

I made the right turn in second trying to heeltoe from third but I missed totally. It's been a while. I kept it in second and gave it the beans at about 4000 RPM. I don't know if I'm just spoiled by the 320ft/lb GTI but the engine felt extremely underwhelming at this RPM. After slowly but surely chugging along to about 5500-6000 RPM is where some of the power can be felt. The tone of the engine was saddening. Nothing like my cousin's angry WRX. After getting to about 7k RPM I shifted in to third, rode it out until redline. It's not the most exciting engine but it's going to have to do until it's refreshed or given some forced induction. Stop sign.

At this point he said there was a nice turn up ahead. I took that as a challenge. I quickly (Take that with a grain of salt) sped up to about 60-70mph. This was a very wide left. Turn in was tight, felt very nice. The car hugged the turn as I mashed the pedal around it. No drama here. If there was any body roll I didn't feel it. The seats are that good.

After returning to the dealership I parked the car and we got out. He asked me how I liked it. I told him the suspension was very nice, I thought it would be stiffer and that it felt down on power. We got back to his office. I was ready to leave but he insisted I stay for a minute. He told me they were giving 120% trade in value on cars. I told him I was thinking about selling private party. He went to see his manager and when he came back he told me they'd give me 14k on my GTI. Mind you trade in on my car atm is about $12,800. Private party $14,000 and Dealer retail about $16,000.

I told him I really wasn't ready to get rid of my car. I asked him about Scion's pure pricing crap and he told me that what's on the sticker is what I pay. I asked him if there was any way to get any discounts and he went to see the manager again. He came back ecstatic and told me that the manager would sell me the car at MSRP. He said he had never done that for anybody before. I insisted again that I'm not ready to go through with buying the car.

After more blabbing he finally shook my hand and took me back to the salesperson I had spoken on the phone with (The "manager" that he was going to see). I told him my situation and that I don't want to get in to car payments. I want to have my GTI as trade in and cash in the bank for the balance, and that will take me a while. He told me it has been slow this month and that's why they're willing to give me discounts on the car and so much on my trade. He told me if anything to give him a call when I'm ready.

All in all, the dealership was very professional and was trying really hard to get me buy that car. I don't see myself buying a FRS/BRZ new unless they refresh them with a bit more power or release a STI model. I will definitely consider them used however. The chassis is solid. A little more power and it's definitely a winner.

TL;DR: Is good car. Handles nice. Needs more power. Can be had for MSRP because they're not flying off the lots anymore."

Sounded like the dealership really did the best they could to offer that trade in price for his car. Given if it was me at the dealership, I might've just pulled the trigger and traded the keys already... but that's another story...

We both have the same mindset of waiting for used ones to populate our local craigslist and dealerships. So for now... we'll just drool at what the aftermarket has to offer for everyone who currently owns one...

Like this Rocket Bunny Kitted FR-S for example:

(Photo: Speed Hunters)

Speed Hunter's Rocket Bunny FR-S Feature