Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ Review

UNKNOWN_370

The article is borderline bashing. BUT, backed up with a lot of facts and I agree with like 80% of this article. I do believe the FR-S and Miata are true-sports cars in their appropriate realm. But, I do agree to the fact that they crossed the line when comparing it to a Z or Cayman, like this review below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUhLXvxlQR4

The above was probably the most ridiculous comparison I had ever seen in terms of comparing two cars from the same arena to a car with a whole different mission. Besides, it only proved to me the reviewer in the video cant drive high hp cars.

As far as the WOT article. I love the little FRS, but to me its the car enthusiasts grocery getter, auto-x abuse ride or the novices first sports car. It's no Z. And the writer is right, the Z is far from perfect. But it takes a higher skill level to drive this car which what imho makes it a sports car.

When it comes to the FR-S, soft tires, low end brakes, semi soft suspension, no umph in lower gears and poor acceleration times have made me wonder why this car gets so much hype.

Other aspects make me say, hmmm, the Z can learn a thing or two from the FRS such as... Lightweight & low center of gravity creating a more balanced platform than the Z? But is more balance the ONLY thing that makes a car a sports car? The Z, while not as balanced & nimble as an FRS, is still a balanced and nimble sports car, more than many.

The feedback part of the writers post I found interesting and where i think bias may have truly reared it's ugly head to an extreme???. While he says this car has little to no feedback. Most reviewers are drooling over the cars, feedback. I would like for the writer to elaborate on that. That is an area that I can see him/her having a huge debate with a fanboy.

Good write up but the writer might want to show less disdain for the FR-S so he/she doesn't lose credibility as a writer/reviewer

AlphaSnacks

The writer is me.

I have no qualms with being honest. Credibility is lost when you're not being yourself and are just part of the hype machine. It's unnerving. I've been a critic for many many years now and PR reps have attempted to swindle me in the past. Cars are something I've loved more than anything, but I've only started writing about them very recently.

Anyways, to answer your feedback question. That's one of those things I didn't understand about what critics have been raving about. This car doesn't have much of it. It's steering is electric for one, and very light on the FR-S. The tires are mush, which doesn't help at all. And the suspension, particularly the rear, is made to roll a bit...that's the very recipe of how to effectively separate a driver from the road.

Yes, the car does dart in and out of turns. Yes, the steering is fast and responsive. But communicative? Absolutely not. The BR-Z is better in the feedback regard, because it's steering is noticeably tighter than the FR-S as its suspension. But still, electric steering and low-grade tires will diminish feedback tremendously. If you haven't driven a car with electric steering, try it out for an extended period of time. You won't feel any bumps or dips transition to the steering wheel. In our Zs, if a road is poorly grooved, you can feel the wheel tugging left or right...in the Scion, the car will attempt to follow the grooves...but the steering wheel is dead center and you have no idea what's going on with the wheels. The feeling is more pronounced when it's wet, driving through a puddle won't disturb the steering wheel at all.

I believe I covered that in the review, but I hope it's clearer here. And yes, the review was meant to be a bit harsh. I'm a pretty harsh guy when it comes to cars. The review of the Z won't be so nice, even though I own one and I do love it.

lemon-fresh

Just make sure to constantly compare it to the mustang gt and brz for maximum controversy (clicks).

UNKNOWN_370

In this post you made it clearer. Thanks for your explanation and honesty. I personally felt the article was honest. But it's the type of article the "general population" feels is bias. What I like about this article as opposed to NEGATIVE Z articles, is you have pinpointed serious flaws in performance. As with the Z. It's mostly nitpicks in sounds, "wish it woulda had", etc. Z performance is hard to argue against. I know we had some issues with brake cooling, low quality brake fluid and underdeveloped pads, oil issues(mostly corrected),steering lock and the fuel starve issue. I'm not saying these aren't notable issues for discussion. It's just how they are represented when it comes to the z as opposed to status quo brands with more severe issues and they are downplayed in articles as something to deal with due to its performance value. BMW is the perfect example of this. The 07/08/09 3 series and 08/09 1 series were horrendously plagued with devastating issues. Yet, they were one of the best buyrecommendations by most reviewers for those years... :smh: The z outperforms the 135, stock for stock. Hmmm...

You brought it to the table though with the electronic steering case. I feel my Z tramline in rough grooves. And it's true what you say about electronic steering as a whole. NO Real Sports car should have elec-steer. As much as I like the FRS/BRZ looks, I always felt as the reviews were definitely over-hyped. Suggestive advertising doesn't work on me though.

I thought you were the writer but just being cautious. Great write-up.