scion fr-s test from motor trend

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:23 pm

Miaters are 4 wheel double wishbone too.

Donnie, I lost a lot of interest as well when I found out it wasn't double wishbone.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:35 pm

<---- still holding out for the ND MX-5

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:22 pm

For this car to be "special" it needs something more than just being a relatively light import with RWD and decent power. Double wishbone would have finished it off for me. Now it still isn't even as interesting as the introduction of the Miata. *shrug*

I'm not saying I hate it or people shouldn't buy one. It's still a fairly cool car, and a good choice for someone who wants something in the $25k range that's fun and you can put a kid or two in the back. But the Internet is bent over the thing like it is the second coming, and it's just not all that...

--Donnie

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:57 pm

Steven Carter wrote:

<---- still holding out for the ND MX-5

I'm really hoping Mazda delivers on at least 1/2 the promises they have made on this one. I can't see them doing that though and coming out with a car that is less than $30k.

Carlton Whitehead · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 7:42 am

They lost me with the announcement of struts too. Waiting for Mazda to blow them away with the ND.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 7:51 am

What is the big concern about struts? Unless I'm missing something Porsche has used them "forever" and seems to make them work.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 9:26 am

DickRasmussen wrote:

What is the big concern about struts? Unless I'm missing something Porsche has used them "forever" and seems to make them work.

Again, it's just one more thing that makes the car "not special" in my mind. Can they be made to work fine? Sure. Would double wishbone be better? Definitely. Is the car cool? Fairly, but would be just over that magical line into "awesome" had they done that one extra thing. I understand for the crowd who just had their first kid that this is a great option for a daily driver that you can autocross or track day. But how many cars does *that* sell? A few hundred?!?? That does not explain the internet hoopla.

BTW, Dick, I passed you on 540 going the other way as you headed to Charlotte week before last. You stick out on the road a bit.

--Donnie

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 6:53 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Given how ga-ga everyone seems to be over this car, I must be the only one in the world who lost interest after they announced it would have struts on the front.

--Donnie

I agree. I suspect the boxer engine layout requires space that could otherwise be occupied by upper control arms and structure to mount them. It looks like they traded good camber pattern for low cg.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 6:57 pm

Jordan Normark wrote:

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Given how ga-ga everyone seems to be over this car, I must be the only one in the world who lost interest after they announced it would have struts on the front.

--Donnie

I agree. I suspect the boxer engine layout requires space that could otherwise be occupied by upper control arms and structure to mount them. It looks like they traded good camber pattern for low cg.

Possible. The other thing that occurs to me is that struts limit front tire width, too. What are people saying is the most tire you can get on this thing inside the fenders?

--Donnie

JamesShort · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 8:30 pm

Comes with 215s on it from the factory but the rear suspension is the same multi link that was on the rear of my WRX which you could get 295s on the rear, but maybe only 245s in the front before rubbage starts on the strut tube or perch (depending on diameter)

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 8:46 pm

I think I saw someone test fitted 255's on the front. I am sure the answer is on ft86club or NASIOC.

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

i became a huge believer in proper suspension design after posting lap times in our integra chump car (double a-arms all around) that are only slightly slower than my spec e30 (front struts, rear trailing arms) on vir north. and that's despite the fwd handicap.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 8:59 pm

My sentra was fwd, not a disadvantage at all except for oak tree. I used to catch all kinds of cars in corners, but she was fixed up too.. not stock really.
I had dual rate lowering springs on her, good shox, brakes, brake pads, strut bar, headers, muffler, roll bar, (stiffen chassis) tires, wheels..
Not stock really... oak tree was tough in fwd, but other than that, i could usually find ways to make it go well.My wrx is strut i think, its setup for dirt really.
Tall soft and top heavy and lotsa travel.But she can really do well for what it is. The e30 that we have, the black car handles realllly well.Its struts up front too.
The datsun 510 was that way..2002, both that way.struts may not be perfect, but they are fine. Datsun z was strut all around.That car was fun!
245/18 on a light weight car is alot of tire. 215 17 on a 3200 lb subaru is good amount of tire, could i have more and use it? yes i could. Easily if i had sti drivetrain yes. 17s are stock on sti i think. I hear japanese spec subarus actually use wider tires than we get here.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 9:39 pm

Marty Howard wrote:

I think I saw someone test fitted 255's on the front. I am sure the answer is on ft86club or NASIOC.

It sounds like the balance of the car is so good that you're going to be front tire limited. I mean if you can get 255's on the front then that's probably fine, but I'm betting for track use there's little reason to go anywhere near 295's.

--Donnie

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2012 10:25 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Marty Howard wrote:

but I'm betting for track use there's little reason to go anywhere near 295's.

--Donnie

With only 200bhp and 150lbft of torque I think 295's might be overkill. :shock:

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