Drove the Scion FRS = impressions inside

[3cyltrbo]

Yesterday I drove the Scion FRS manual at an event held by a local dealer.

I got to drive it for a good amount of time on a mix of city streets and highway.

Like alot of people I was really looking forward to driving it based on all the hype and generally positive reactions it's been getting.

Except for the seats / seating position and general look of the interior, I left the experience feeling rather "meh".

Before I go any further, I should put a disclaimer that I've driven just about everything (except a Veyron) and I've been lucky to have owned some nice cars --- meaning that I'm not simply comparing it to the Yaris and the MR2 which I currently drive / but rather I'm comparing it to a host of other cars.


Back to my thoughts on several areas of personal importance to me.................


-Shifter = 6/10
This is one area I was really disappointed. I found it to be precise enough for decently quick operation but it didn't give me warm fuzzies or make me want to shift up and down endlessly / I also found it to be too notchy.
Compared to the manual transmission in any K20 or B-Series powered Honda (which I rate 9.5/10) it was not even in the same league, and frankly not necessarily any more precise or smooth than either my Yaris or my MR2.
I'd put it this way.....................it felt like stirring an upside down hammer through a bucket filled with cast iron Lego pieces. Compared to some transmissions (most Hondas) which feel like the well oiled slide on a bolt action rifle.


-Ride = 6.5/10
This is another area I was disappointed. I am fully aware that it is a sports car (I get it), however its possible to tune a car for a good compromise between good handling AND compliant ride. The FRS didn't seem to be able to do both. It did seem to control its body movements well, however the impact harshness was very very high. It didn't feel much better than my Yaris which has very very very stiff coilovers and it actually was no smoother than my MR2 which has stiff-ish drop springs. Compared to other current smallish RWD offerings (ie Miata / Genesis coupe / etc...) it was ALOT harsher.


-Braking / Clutch / Steering = 8/10
The clutch felt good - it seemed to have appropriate weighting and feel for a 200hp / 150lb-ft RWD 2700LB car. The brake pedal seemed to transmit decent enough feel and it didn't seem to have too much slop or useless travel. The steering felt communicative and smooth, although at times it felt artificially too heavy (given the size and weight of the car, and the size of the tires, and the speeds and loads I was subjecting the car to)


-HVAC controls & Radio =3/10
Typical super cheap / clickety / hard plastic / shit quality, Toyota parts bin HVAC stuff. Radio was a super cheesy aftermarket ish that will probably seem amazing to some 19yr/olds


-Cruise control stalk = 0/10
Really????? a tacky-add on cruise control stalk, bolted to the side of the steering wheel like an afterthought??? REALLY?????? / I don't approve of this on my $12,000 Yaris and on a $25,000 Scion FRS its just frankly embarassing.

-Power = 5/10
Exactly like the roadtests have said, its about 50hp and 75LB-ft shy of being very very entertaining.

-Overall Quality (Seats / dash material / door cards / general fit and finish) = 8/10
The seats were fantastic, super supportive and fit my 5'9" -165Lb frame just perfectly
The dash is so soft its almost rubbery
The faux carbon fibre part of the dash actually looks good in person
The entire interior is black, which although a bit sullen - seems to go well with the sporting intent of the car
The exterior fit and finish seemed to be typical high Japanese standards


Basically I thought to myself that if I won alot of money I'd buy one just as a track toy / Sunday Autocross car. But as a primary or secondary car, there are alot of others which I would potentially pick before it (not the least of which is the MR2 spyder which I have)

For the use that 95% of owners will put it through (slightly aggressive and "sporty" daily driving) , personally I'd take a Veloster turbo / Focus St / Civic Si Sedan / Genesis Coupe 2.0t etc... Especially when you consider that all of those cars absolutely SMASH the FRS as far as equipment is concerned (NAV / Heated seats / Full bluetooth / Sunroof / etc...)

I guess the FANBOI's haven't recruited another member.

Will