Search party: FR-S, hype=warranted

"NervesOfThrill" (adrenalingus)
11/25/2015 at 00:07 • Filed to: None

Step 1 in my search to replace the Cayman S was completed today. Drove an FR-S. Damn what a car.

Quick impressions: shockingly good turn-in,,, like better than the Cayman’s which I didn’t see coming since it was the defending champ. As light and nimble as was promised. Just a fabulous handling car that is a ton of fun. For less than 1/2 the Cayman S price, I can live with the minimalist interior no problem.

Today was the sales guy’s first week and 2nd test drive with a customer. He now knows what an FR-S can do and how easy it is slide, controlled, as much or little as you like. He actually thanked me after the ride instead of pressing charges. We bonded a little I think.

Summary: I probably will test drive other cars. Maybe I will test drive other cars. Not even sure because I think a BRZ/FR-S with a Jackson Racing supercharger may be just the ticket for my next car given my plans to try to hit 8-10 track days and 12-15 AutoX’s next year after getting to 4 track days and 15 AutoX’s this year.

DISCUSSION (10)

Vicente Esteve > NervesOfThrill
11/25/2015 at 00:20

I’d never thought someone coming from a Cayman would end up in an FR-S. Still, awesome!

BRZ4Science > NervesOfThrill
11/25/2015 at 00:28

The stock brakes with upgraded pads and fluids are more than sufficient for track day and autocross purposes, plus tires are way cheaper than for the Porsche.

I think the BRZ is the better buy (more stuff standard for the same/less) and resale is better. Since there haven’t been any significant changes since launch, a used twin is a hell of a deal (used twin+jrsc=a new stock twin).

I do 25-30 autocrsses a year and 4-8 track days and the BRZ performs like a champ (long straights are a little painful stock).

TheRealBicycleBuck > NervesOfThrill
11/25/2015 at 00:30

As an owner of a WRX and a passenger in a Cayman S on the track, I too am surprised at your assessment.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > NervesOfThrill
11/25/2015 at 01:59

you know someone loves their job when they got an FR-S/BR-Z to be more nimble than a cayman

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > NervesOfThrill
11/25/2015 at 02:14

Now you have my attention. How is the power for someone coming from a Cayman S?

Tareim - V8 powered > NervesOfThrill
11/25/2015 at 02:18

Can’t say I'm surprised that you are opting for the frs due to the handling, once you put some decent rubber on it instead of the Primacies hen the handling gets even better, as for the s/c you will need to keep an eye on the under bonnet temps as they get rather high with any FI on them

Arrivederci > NervesOfThrill
11/25/2015 at 13:04

Wat? I’m doing the opposite. Want out of my BRZ and into a Cayman S. Looked at one this past weekend and it had great bones, but was a little tatty on the outside (never have seen a more sandblasted car).

Read your other post and if you were disappointed with the torque in the Cayman, I don’t know how you enjoyed your test drive in the FRS. The torque hole can be fixed, but at a cost (not just talking money). I’ve made my BRZ quick, but now I hate it as a daily. It would be fun as a weekend car now for sure, but I want something a little more polished and quicker to drive every day and take to occasional track days and autocross.

NervesOfThrill > Arrivederci
11/25/2015 at 22:39

I went into the FR-S test drive with my eyes wide open on the power/torque and was solely focused on the handling. Otherwise, yes I would have been sorely disappointed. Even more so today when I drove the 6MT and nearly got ran over when turning right on red when I put the pedal on the floor and the car just didn’t launch and get out of the way.

I am factoring the addition of a supercharger into the equation from the onset.

You will definitely get the additional polish you are looking for. As for daily quicker,,,,, yes and no. Quicker than a stock FR-S hell yes, quicker than other cars in the class on the street,,,,, no. I think Matt Farrah sums it best here starting 1:38:

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NervesOfThrill > Tareim - V8 powered
11/25/2015 at 22:40

Interesting. Then I need to start doing some homework on supercharging that engine then because I plan to track and AutoX the hell out of that car. So temp issues are a real problem for me. Thanks for the heads up!

NervesOfThrill > TheRealBicycleBuck
11/25/2015 at 22:44

On the track is where the Cayman S struts its stuff. I’ve had 3 different instructors tell me it is the best track day car you can buy in their opinion. I have zero qualms with the Cayman on the track except the fact that it sucks to be walked away from on the straights.

It is the daily street driving where the Cayman underwhelms considerably for me. Thus the change I seek.