Quick Drive: 2013 Scion FR-S

I wish Oldsmobile were still around to build a sweet little ride like this. It reminds me of the Quad 4 Calais, another small, nimble, good handling car, only it came from GM.

Sadly, GM seems to have abandoned the small coupe segment, and after raising 5 kids, I think I'm pretty much done buying 4 door cars.

NICE review, thanks for writing it. This may well be my next car, although I like the Focus ST and the GTI as well.

I'm jealous you got to drive one without the begging drone of a salesperson in the passenger seat. While I'd purchase the Subaru on principle, the truth is, both of these are delicious throwbacks to a better era. I am thankful they're on the market.

Now if only Chevy could build such a competitor to this car. . . . .

I'm hoping that Subaru brings one to the MAMA meet on Wednesday. I didn't drive the Subi at IMPA because I wanted to try for a variety of cars and had limited time.

I'm surprised I haven't had more reaction from this review, I believe it is the first Toyota product to actually be reviewed by a staff member here.

It's always good news when there is a new RWD coupe entry into the market, but this is still a Toyota, so the interest here is bound to be tepid at best.

Bring on the Code 130R.

So they have a stupid high HP motor with no Torque. Another ugly design like the Honda S2000. I see no purpose or use for cars like this other than stupid young people driving them with no skill causing more accidents.

If they actually put some style into it like the Supra had from the 80's it would be far better, but the outside is a jelly bean to me which I hate that look and the inside is a blah layout.

For having gone to college in Japan, I have seen much better auto's on the street over there compared to this. I do not understand why they think the American public is freak-in conservative in willing to deal with new technology and pushing the style envelope.

Sadder yet is that the American car companies seem to ignore building a solid light weight commuter car that can have style and speed.

Perfect option would be for Chevy to build the 130R with a Katech 285 Push rod V4. This would rock everyone's world.

I don't have torque graphs handy, but this car is light enough and geared right for enthusiastic driving. I wouldn't call it torque deficient at all, it was right where it needed to be. Subaru boxer engines have always been good at low end grunt... that they added direct injection to it only makes that better.

Olds...Agreed, it drives quite well

This IS Junk. I also have an upcoming "road test" with this car and a Ford ...wait and see just how awful the Toyopet product actually is.

Common wisdom tells us to never buy the first production year of any automobile, since that’s when all the bugs not found in pre-production testing tend to surface. In the case of a car as anticipated as the Scion FR-S (or Subaru BRZ), sometimes emotion wins out over common sense.

As early buyers of the FR-S and BRZ are finding out, some cars aren’t quite flawless in execution. Autoweek reports that owners of early production models from both manufacturers are reporting intermittent rough idle and engine stalling issues related to ECU programming.

Like any atuomaker, there are issues, but the car is far from junk....

rough idle and subaru boxer almost go together naturally.

This IS Junk. I also have an upcoming "road test" with this car and a Ford ...wait and see just how awful the Toyopet product actually is.

Toyopet, huh? Are you Sixty-8 in disguise or something?

Seriously though, I know you're entitled to your opinion, but the FR-S/GT-86/BR-Z has proven itself to be a good sports car and the issue you mentioned can be easily sorted out with a quick ECU reflash. It isn't like the engine is developing sludge issues at 5,000 miles or anything stupid like that.

rough idle and subaru boxer almost go together naturally.

As do Subaru and bad paint...tjis car has abysmal paint quality, but its still cool!

Bring back the '86 Olds 98. ;-)

I wish they would bring back the 86 Olds 98....

It isn't like the engine is developing sludge issues at 5,000 miles or anything stupid like that.

....WAIT for it !!!

Honest, It IS Just a matter of time before this too becomes another RECALL victim...and really Who wants another Celica anyway ??

Obviously a lot of people want it...dealers around here still have wait lists six months after the thing came out.