I drove by the Toyota dealership and saw a FR-S sitting out. I test drove it, scared the shit out of the salesman and have the following feedback:
You can really feel the benefit of the low COG and the mass of the engine being closer to the firewall. The turn is about as close to a mid-engine car as I have ever felt for a front engine car. The steering feel is very precise and has great feedback and low turn to lock , more so than a Mini Cooper if you've driven one of those.
My only complaint is that the low end torque is pretty sluggish. My M50 E30 feels faster even though it shouldn't be. I have a Mk1 MR2 that is only about 115hp and even though the FR-S is faster, I don't feel a huge difference from "the seat of the pants."
The prius tires benefit the fun factor and I was able to easily drift the car (although the salesman didn't care for it). I think stickier tires would have made the car feel even slower. It feels like a car with much potential and I think I will be leasing one when they come out with a turbo.
Compared to a E30 handling , well I've never driven an M3 but I have owned a 318is that was lowered. I would say the FR-S handles better and is more fun. $20,000 more fun? meh.
I also forgot to mention. I've read about the engine noise being on the loud side. Compared to the aforementioned cars I currently own, it wasn't loud at all but was present enough to where it was enjoyable.
You can really feel the benefit of the low COG and the mass of the engine being closer to the firewall. The turn is about as close to a mid-engine car as I have ever felt for a front engine car. The steering feel is very precise and has great feedback and low turn to lock , more so than a Mini Cooper if you've driven one of those.
My only complaint is that the low end torque is pretty sluggish. My M50 E30 feels faster even though it shouldn't be. I have a Mk1 MR2 that is only about 115hp and even though the FR-S is faster, I don't feel a huge difference from "the seat of the pants."
The prius tires benefit the fun factor and I was able to easily drift the car (although the salesman didn't care for it). I think stickier tires would have made the car feel even slower. It feels like a car with much potential and I think I will be leasing one when they come out with a turbo.
Compared to a E30 handling , well I've never driven an M3 but I have owned a 318is that was lowered. I would say the FR-S handles better and is more fun. $20,000 more fun? meh.
I also forgot to mention. I've read about the engine noise being on the loud side. Compared to the aforementioned cars I currently own, it wasn't loud at all but was present enough to where it was enjoyable.
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