Got to test drive some fun cars

"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud) 10/08/2015 at 11:55 • Filed to: None

1

18

A couple of weeks ago I agreed to take my wife’s Forrester to the dealership for the 30,000 mile service. While there I figured I might as well test drive some fun cars. Unfortunately, the dealership was targeted firmly at the family demographic, so fun cars were at a minimum. In the end I was able to test drive an FR-S (forget the year) and a 2013 WRX STI.

The FR-S was first. Due to the tinted windows, both the salesperson and I thought it was a manual, it was not. Oh well, I got to play with the manumatic. I tried to make the best of it, but I hated that transmission. Unfortunately, I’m a bit tall for it at 6’5”. If I could drop the seat another inch or go back another two, I think I would have been fine in it, but as is my right leg kept hitting the steering wheel. I will say that I read the FR-S has height adjustment, which I didn’t realize, so its possible I would fit with that at its lowest setting.

I will say I liked the proportions and how light it was. Pretty close to ideal for a small fun car. I only wish I was able to drive the manual.

Next up was the WRX STI.

I will say one thing. This was the fastest car I have ever driven. This one was a proper 6 speed and after shaking off some cobwebs, I was right back at it. The salesperson I was with was a college age girl working part-time. The nice part was that she said she never got to ride in the fast cars, so she was having fun. I was mostly on residential roads, so I couldn’t really push it, but I did punch it on a semi-industrial road and was very impressed. Although at $35k, its not likely to wind up in my garage as that’s well past my fun car budget. I was happy to see I fit well in the car. Good room all around, although being a 4 door sedan, that's not terribly surprising. Maybe in a couple of years when the prices drop more I'll take another look at them.

450X_FTW > WiscoProud 10/08/2015 at 12:14

4

The salesperson I was with was a college age girl working part-time. The nice part was that she said she never got to ride in the fast cars

She has a good pick up line. And it appears it worked on you....

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > WiscoProud 10/08/2015 at 12:15

1

A street parked Austin Martin?

WiscoProud > 450X_FTW 10/08/2015 at 12:23

2

Eh, we both had fun and my wife didn't stab me to death. It was a good day.

WiscoProud > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 10/08/2015 at 12:23

0

Actually in moving traffic. Good eye, I didn't notice that until now.

450X_FTW > WiscoProud 10/08/2015 at 12:26

3

Anyday your wife doesn’t stab you to death, is a good day.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > WiscoProud 10/08/2015 at 12:29

0

Yep, the FR-S seat can be dropped down a few inches, assuming it wasn’t already on the lowest setting. The manual gearbox is fantastic btw. You should find one and go test drive it! Bring your check book. ;)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > WiscoProud 10/08/2015 at 13:02

0

I test drove the old WRX, thinking I might actually buy one, but the 5-speed in it was so terrible that it completely soured me on it.

Also, the interior on that 2012 was far worse than the interior in my ‘05 Mazda 3s I had at the time.

Glad the STi of that gen is much better.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 10/08/2015 at 13:04

1

Just watched an EVO comparison between it and the new Miata. In the end, the driver had more fun in the FR-S. He was pretty much just drifting both around everywhere.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > WiscoProud 10/08/2015 at 13:08

0

I need to know more about the Saabaru parked next to the WRX.

WiscoProud > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/08/2015 at 13:11

1

I drove the old one too. This was MUCH better.

WiscoProud > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 10/08/2015 at 13:12

0

Yeah... I did not test drive that one.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > WiscoProud 10/08/2015 at 13:15

0

Where is this dealership located?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > WiscoProud 10/08/2015 at 14:28

0

If they bring back the wagon version of the new WRX/STi, it probably will be on my “possible” list.

WiscoProud > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 10/08/2015 at 14:50

0

Milwaukee. Subaru City 27th and Layton

WiscoProud > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/08/2015 at 14:55

0

I'm not crazy about the wagons. The C-pillar seems out of place to me. If they could have hidden it, so it looked like uninterrupted glass from the b-pillar back, I think it would a lot nicer.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > WiscoProud 10/08/2015 at 15:16

1

They need to give us the Levorg!

NET625 > WiscoProud 10/09/2015 at 01:44

1

I went and drove a 2015 mazda 3 s touring sedan with the manual today. I like it but I’ll probably start looking for a grand touring hatchback.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > WiscoProud 08/08/2016 at 12:31

0

It’s great when the salesman is into you working out a car. I did a “Drive a Caddy, get $100 gift card” thing a while back, and took a CTS-V deep into triple digits on the highway. The guy just loved it. The last test drive I took was in the new Miata, and it was a young saleswoman who directly me to a big parking lot and encouraged me to feel out the handling. I proceeded to do a few powerslides - ha! Not sure if that’s what she was expecting, but she enjoyed herself.