Drove an FR-S, now I hate my Mazda3.

"for Michigan" (formichigan) 08/12/2016 at 17:14 • Filed to: scion fr-s, test drive, mazda3

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Been wanting to get a real test drive of a Toyobaru in since last Summer when my test drive of a BRZ was cut short. Someone at the dealership killed the battery and I managed to stall it two blocks just two blocks away. Once we got a jump, the salesman wasn’t keen on risking another stall. Don’t really blame him, but it was disappointing all the same.

Driving 50 miles one way just for a test drive seemed rather ridiculous, so I’ve been waiting a year for a local lot to get a Toyobaru. An off-lease 2013 10 Series FR-S showed up at the Toyota/Subaru dealer this week, so I wasted no time in getting there for a test drive.

It was great. Got to take it out on one of the few decent local roads. Great size, easy to place, great shifter and clutch. Really enjoyed driving it and even the salesman was good-natured and knowledgeable. Overall it was a great experience.

Until I got back in my Mazda to go home. I really do like my car. It handles decently and has loads of cargo room for a compact econoblob. But driving it back to back with the FR-S, and even my brother’s NB Miata, the clutch is just so vague and the shifter throw feels massive and imprecise.

I shouldn’t have driven that car because now every time I get in my Mazda, I’ll just be thinking about how it isn’t a Toyobaru.

Nerd-Vol > for Michigan 08/12/2016 at 17:20

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Did you have any intentions of buying a car that day or in the relatively near future?

Tareim - V8 powered > for Michigan 08/12/2016 at 17:23

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Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > for Michigan 08/12/2016 at 17:23

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Go used market for one. Their values are pretty low, and you can pick up a pretty good example for $15-17k!

As an owner of one for over two years, I can promise you won’t regret it.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > for Michigan 08/12/2016 at 17:23

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Well you could always just have a cheap Miata as a second car with the Mazda 3. I found my NB to drive almost exactly the same as the FRS I tried out for a weekend. Only thing was the FRS had the crappy Prius tires and honestly I enjoy my Flyin Miata suspension more (less abusive on bumps). It basically felt exactly the same in terms of acceleration. Sure, the FRS beats a 1.6 Miata any day, but that VVT 1.8 really evens out the difference. I still want an FRS some day but thats just because a fixed roof car would be nice to have for track days. It was actually strange to me how similar the clutch, throttle response, and steering felt between the cars.

Tekamul > for Michigan 08/12/2016 at 17:26

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I have one of those (series 10). They pretty much are what everyone says they are. Sharp, fun, not a powerhouse.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Tekamul 08/12/2016 at 17:28

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What is a series 10?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 08/12/2016 at 17:29

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I am excited for when clean ones drop below $10k. I wonder if its impractical for my two car stable to be a Miata and an FRS lol

for Michigan > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 08/12/2016 at 17:29

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The Miata’s interior is a little tight for me, even though I don’t consider myself to be a big guy (6' 1", 190 lbs). If it were a better fit and I could get one with a roof, I’d be all over it.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 08/12/2016 at 17:30

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You’ve probably got another three years or so for that, but nah totally practical! The Toyobaru is surprisingly practical.

Tekamul > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 08/12/2016 at 17:30

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In 2013, the 10 year anniversary of Scion, they did a special trim for all the Scions.

On the FR-S, that means special paint, headlights, rear view mirror, dash trim, floor mats, a number plate, and light up badges.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Tareim - V8 powered 08/12/2016 at 17:33

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Join us, We have donuts *

FTFY ;)

for Michigan > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 08/12/2016 at 17:34

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I’ve been keeping a close eye on the market ever since last Summer. The one I drove has under 15K miles on it and they want $20K for it. I assume the premium was because it’s a limited edition.

My tentative plan was to pick keep my Mazda, pick up a $3-5K fun car, and wait until the facelifted BRZs depreciate to the point the ‘13 models are at right now. But after driving that FR-S today, I’m reconsidering that plan.

for Michigan > Nerd-Vol 08/12/2016 at 17:35

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You mean when I drove the FR-S today? Or when I drove the BRZ a year ago?

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > for Michigan 08/12/2016 at 17:37

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$20k actually sounds like an okay price from a dealer for a low mileage 10 Series. I bought my used 2013 FR-S base model w/ 4,100 miles in 2014 from a Subaru dealer for $21.5k ($23.5k OTD).

Doooo it! They’re awesome :)

Nerd-Vol > for Michigan 08/12/2016 at 17:38

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Either occasion I suppose.

for Michigan > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 08/12/2016 at 17:39

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I might. It really felt like the perfectly daily driver. The only way it could really be closer to my ideal car would be if it were a 1-series-style hatchback.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > for Michigan 08/12/2016 at 17:42

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It is an excellent option for a daily that blends comfort, fun, efficiency, and utility. Able to go on long road trips, haul most items the average person will need to, and still rip it up at a track day or autox.

for Michigan > Nerd-Vol 08/12/2016 at 17:45

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The BRZ I intended to buy if I could afford it, which I didn’t end up being able to. That’s one reason I ended up in the Mazda.

I did not intend to buy the FR-S today. The intent of today’s test drive was to confirm that I wanted one and/or could live with it on a daily basis. Now that I have confirmed that, I do intend to buy a Toyobaru in the near future.

Nerd-Vol > for Michigan 08/12/2016 at 17:51

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Makes sense. I’m always curious about how people go about the car shopping process.

The brz/frs seem relatively practical for what they are.

Tareim - V8 powered > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 08/12/2016 at 18:33

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.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > for Michigan 08/12/2016 at 22:05

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Hmm I found the interior (other than the back cubicle area - - it’s not a real seat) to feel quite similar in dimensioning. But yeah the Miata is definitely tighter in general. And also the Scion was a hell of a lot more modern and nicer. The one I drove was equipped with the dual zone climate which was really nice. Haha now I really want one actually!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 08/12/2016 at 22:10

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I wonder how easy it is to fit two sets of skis and a passenger in a toyobaru. A roof rack seems difficult but might already exist. Not sure how well they could fit inside. Luggage rack on a Miata works perfectly for that task. My needs are strange lol.

for Michigan > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 08/12/2016 at 23:10

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The steering wheel is the main issue for me. I can’t seem to find a seating position where my thighs aren’t constantly in contact with the darn thing. If it tilted, it’d mitigate about 80% of my comfort issues.

On the whole though, I felt the interior of the Toyobaru was closer in size to the new Mustang GT I drove several weeks ago. That car was much bigger on the outside though and I didn’t find the controls nearly as comfortable as the FR-S.

And the interior of the Toyobarus is much better than the NB for sure. I prefer the overall design of the Miata’s dash for its simplicity, but I’d much rather spend my time in a Toyobaru. And despite the abundant complaints about how low rent the interior is, I actually thought it was a step above the last E90 335ix I was in.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 08/13/2016 at 10:01

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Yakima had a rack, but discontinued it because some people got some small dents from clamping it down too hard. You can still put one together though, there are guides on the forums to all the parts you need. Depending on the length of the skis you may actually be able to fit them in the car though, even with a passenger. I’ve had four fishing rods, the longest being 7'6", in the car with a passenger, two big tackle boxes, and a few other bags of clothes and stuff.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 08/13/2016 at 18:37

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7 and a half feet? That's pretty good. Did the end of the pole go up past the front seats? I would be concerned of it getting in the way of the shifter.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > for Michigan 08/13/2016 at 18:40

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Yup I was very impressed with the interior of the FRS. I think I would need to try one that isn't black on black to see if it's any less hot in there. I mean the AC worked really well but I like to drive primarily with the windows open. That was honestly my only complaint.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 08/15/2016 at 09:20

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I was able to angle them into the passenger side foot well.