Please, can I keep my Jalop card?

"Jazz Cat" (jazzcatdrives) 10/23/2013 at 23:50 • Filed to: None

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I came across Desiresero's post about a Toyobaru wagon, asking if they should make it. I said no. Hear me out, yplease. The Toyobaru was ment to be a small, sporty coupe , not a wagon. And the render was ugly, too.

ddavidn > Jazz Cat 10/23/2013 at 23:52

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It was meant as that, yes, and I figure it would have to be a pretty different car to become a wagon, or shooting brake. I thought it looked pretty good, which is strange since I normally hate shooting brake designs. Clearly, though, you wouldn't want to add that weight and keep the same drivetrain.

Edit: Oh, right. Your question. Of course you can keep your jalop card. If we all liked the exact same things, all our cars would be NA Miatas.

GhostZ > Jazz Cat 10/23/2013 at 23:55

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I completely agree.

Here's the problem with the car:

A Toyobaru wagon would be cramped, yet have such a long wheelbase that the body would be land-yahct levels of floppy, and despite that, still weight over 3200lbs with only 200HP.

Think about that. 200HP, ultra-long wheelbase, but cheap interior with not nearly enough power for its significantly added weight?

It's jalop-worthy, sure, in the same way a Malaise-era Alfa Romeo is, but is it a good car? No. Their efforts are better spent elsewhere, like bringing the V6 Manual Camry Wagon back, or making the other Scions lose about 1000 lbs each.

GhostZ > ddavidn 10/23/2013 at 23:59

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I thought the image looked good too, but looking at the door proportions and the size of the cabin, it would be literally impossible to fit 4 people in with any sort of comfort, which is already difficult for a 2-door Toyobaru.

ddavidn > GhostZ 10/24/2013 at 00:00

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Funny thing is, I hadn't even considered putting two more people in it. When I see shooting brakes, I just automatically think I can now haul two people and "more stuff" in the back. You know, like beer.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jazz Cat 10/24/2013 at 00:03

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Truth be told, I was never a fan of the FR-S in general. I don;t care what they do with it, it isn't the car for me. I've made no stranger of my dislike of the transmission's lack of any feel or throw. It feels too "video game" like and not like an actual transmission. That's actually how I describe most of the car. Too fake, not real enough. It sounds weird, but that is the closest way I can describe how I feel.

Jazz Cat > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/24/2013 at 00:06

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No, I get where you coming from. ( More understand, as I'm not old enough to get my liscence)

GhostZ > ddavidn 10/24/2013 at 00:07

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I prefer the fastback/(proper) hatchback for that. Give me a 2-seater with a wide rear and hatch, and I'll be happy, a la Chrysler Conquest, 240z, Nissan Silvia, E-Type, Fox Body Hatch, etc.

But not these sedans-with-canopies that are modern hatchbacks.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jazz Cat 10/24/2013 at 00:10

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Sorry, but your opinion holds no weight right now :P

But in all seriousness, drive an older car with a stick shift. My old Audi has a decently long shifter throw but I llike it that way. There is such a satisfying feel when the gears connect. The FR-S shifter has maybe an inch or two of actual throw. It feels a bit vague due to how little travel there is between shifts. Plus the car as a whole feels just a touch off. But then again, that's me. I disagree with quite a few parts of the "jalop dogma".

PRBot II > Jazz Cat 10/24/2013 at 00:10

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You're only 15?!

ddavidn > GhostZ 10/24/2013 at 00:11

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Absolutely. I've only ever owned one hatchback, and although I love the "sedans-with-canopies" or short-wagon-type hatchbacks, you're right. They just don't capture the spirit. I hope I don't have to take my hatch to the junkyard :(

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Jazz Cat 10/24/2013 at 00:12

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I scrollololed for aaages and couldn't find the original post.

Jazz Cat > PRBot II 10/24/2013 at 00:17

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Yeah, but I'm a damn fine kart driver.

PRBot II > Jazz Cat 10/24/2013 at 00:19

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Well, this is awkward. Just tell Chris Hansen I was only kidding about all that stuff. You know, with the things.

Hey, what's that?

*blows poisonous dart, runs away

YSI-what can brown do for you > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/24/2013 at 00:21

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BOOOO GET OUT YOUR OPINION SUCKS!! But seriously. . .

Jazz Cat > PRBot II 10/24/2013 at 00:22

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Awww, crap! Now ill never live to test drive a Toyobaru to see if its really worthy of the praise...

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > YSI-what can brown do for you 10/24/2013 at 00:24

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Yeah! Unlicensed young Oppo's represent!

PRBot II > Jazz Cat 10/24/2013 at 00:26

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I test drove a BRZ back in January.

It handles like a go-kart. But the speakers suck, and 3rd gear would benefit greatly from a turbo.

YSI-what can brown do for you > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist 10/24/2013 at 00:34

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What consists of young? Cause I am 20, and I am licensed by the gawd dang US of motha f'ing A. I also happen to own a FR-S, so everyone that doesn't like it is a mortal enemy.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > YSI-what can brown do for you 10/24/2013 at 00:44

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I like what it represents but the transmission aside, I wish that it was a proper 2-eater to save even more weight. Or it had some more power as well as an extra inch or two of rear legroom to be an easier DD. If it was my money, I'd be buying a genesis coupe with the turbo and the track pack. Or, for less money I'd get a used C-class with the manual and have a RWD, 6-speed manual benz sedan. Not quite as track friendly but then again that's why I have a turbocharged 5 cylinder Audi.

Simply put, I think the FR-S is awkwardly place for what I want in a car. The feel is off (to me), the size is off, the price is off, and the performance is off. It just is not the car for me at all.

YSI-what can brown do for you > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/24/2013 at 00:55

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Well it is larger than a Miata, but it weighs just as much. I don't know about you, but I DD this car, and it is perfect. My friends complain about "how they all can't fit" but I am okay with this because that means I don't have to drive them everywhere. Both the cars you listed cost much more than the FR-S and both don't have quite the aftermarket the FR-S does either, which is another great part about this car. Hate the exhaust note(which I did as well) change the whole system out, for a fairly cheap price. Don't like the gear throws, they have something for that as well.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > YSI-what can brown do for you 10/24/2013 at 01:09

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I guarantee you I can get a slightly used C-class with a manual for less than an FR-s. Average price is 21-23k.

C-class aside, my issue with the back seats is that they have them at all. Why not just reinforce the floor at that point? The rear seats are useless and that weight would be better spent making a reinforcement brace while allowing some more volume for spare tires.

And unless they have soemthing that makes the gear throws more audi-like (which they probably don't) then it won't fix my issue. Having driven a decent number of "jalop" level manuals by now, I still think my Audi 200's is the best in terms of feel and feedback. Thus beating a fist gen miata, an FR-S, a Mk3 jetta, a Mk5 GTI, a new V6 mustang with track pack, and a 370z. I prefer my 1991 audi's feel to all of those.

YSI-what can brown do for you > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/24/2013 at 01:22

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You can also get a used FR-S for about the same price range as well, you won't get as much luxury but you know when it comes times for repairs it won't cost 75898439547385 x10^3424322 dollars. You can change a lot the parts on the shifter to make it have nicer feel, I think its perfect but there are parts out there. Plus the transmission oil from factory is pretty much the worst thing in the world. I haven't driven as many cars as you but I have driven my cousins manual Audi, a Lotus Elise, and a big ol' Indian Jeep, and this is definitely the best shifter out of the bunch.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > YSI-what can brown do for you 10/24/2013 at 01:36

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You say it will cost that much , but the manual transmission equipped C-classes lack the expensive options that make them so difficult to repair. A competent German shop can fix them up easily enough if you need. They typically don't have a touch screen plus they are overbuilt for the engine they come with. I'd bet the C-class will outlast the FR-S if my friends' are anything to go by. 10k miles in and one already has leaks. Others at autoX events have had other issues. Don't think that toyota = indestructable with this car since subaru did the engine and subaru engines rarely go more than 75k before a significant overhaul is needed.

YSI-what can brown do for you > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/24/2013 at 01:59

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Mine has had a few niggles but mine seems pretty bullet proof, no leaks, no engine problems, nothing. I have 10K miles as well and I have autocrossed the poo out of this car. I know of the problems with this car, but once you get them sorted, you are good to go(for example the DI issue is now solved). This isn't turbocharged, that really helps with relability. People have gotten some of the NA boxer engines up to 230K miles no problem, I don't know where you got 75k from, but that is a gross underestimation. Sure there will be maintance but a complete overhaul? And this is a completely new engine by Subaru. It may be a boxer but it isn't like some of the older EJs. The way fuel is injected, the compression, the bore and stroke, the connecting rods, all of it is different. Remember Crawford used the same turbo as on the EJs and saw more power gain. Toyota didn't do much in the way making this car. The chassis, body, and DI system are toyota, the engine is Subaru, and the transmission is some random company that I don't know. It is also produced by Subaru.

TLDR; This car is pretty good, and unless your friends are used to upscale quality, then the build quality is pretty good as well.

PS: the leak is probably a really easy issue to fix. Here is where it is probably coming from

Retorque the nuts and see if that stops it, if it doesn't just go to the dealership and say "yo bitches. . ."

timateo81 > Jazz Cat 10/24/2013 at 08:46

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so you think other people shouldn't get what they want just because it's different from what you want? sounds legit.