Toyota Scion FR-S ???

bkreigsr · 07-30-2012, 05:02 AM

what's up with this Scion commercial?
"World's first and only horizontally opposed boxer engine?"

huh?

Bill K

2013 Scion FR-S "Kick Some Asphalt" Commercial - YouTube

Rick V · 05:27 AM

Toyota has a habit of deceptive advertising. They ran an ad a few years ago that claimed the Seinna was the safest vehicle crash tested, ever.
The ad was soon pulled. I have a feeling this is the same shenanigans.
Once it has been said it can't be unsaid, is how I think they look at it, because people will believe it, and the ads will just go away.

I just threw out a quick email to the company, lets see if I get anything back

To whom it may concern,
http://youtu.be/qp8wyd5zl_U
I have enclosed a link to youtube that is showing an ad for your new FR-S, which is a flat out and brazen lie. The first thing the announcer states is that it is the worlds first and only boxser engine.
I am sorry but that design was designed in the 30's by Dr. Porsche and made popular by V.W., later to be retained and improved upon by Porsche, and adapted into mass production use by Fuji Heavy Industries, in their Subaru line of cars.
How can you legally make the claim of worlds first and only, about a technology that is over half a century old?
Personally, being a Porsche owner, and having a boxser engine that was designed by the original, I find your ad very deceitful. I do hope that the powers that be, that still manufacture this engine through proper licensing and advertising get a chance to also discuss your deceptive advertising.
Sincerely,

mikester · 07-30-2012, 06:27 AM

they have a disclaimer on the video already - they are playing on words.

It's a cool looking car though.

algs911 · 07-30-2012, 06:32 AM

I rode in one the other week. They're nice and small, which is good. Handled pretty well, although we weren't at the limit (I was the passenger). What really struck me was how under-powered it felt. I honestly believe my '86 911 would leave it behind.

If I were looking for a sports car I'd pass right by the FRS.

Al

BReif61 · 07-30-2012, 06:48 AM

I saw that ad, and thought the same thing, but if you listen it sounds like they are saying "word's first horizontally opposed boxer engine.... with both port and direct injection."

kaisen · 07-30-2012, 06:59 AM

The RX8 was small-ish, handled well, and was underpowered.

For similar out-the-door money you could have a 274hp Hyundai Genesis Coupe or a 305hp Mustang V6 or a 312hp Camaro V6.......200hp just doesn't cut it.

In a recent comparison, the Mustang V6 was faster than the FR-S in every way: higher lateral Gs, faster slalom, faster figure eight, shorter braking distances, faster acceleration to every speed, faster road-course track time, etc, etc.

Loving the FR-S is weighing the subjective 'feel' over the objective measurements. Kinda like a Porsche.

When they add a STi turbo version, you can bet it will win lots of praise

bkreigsr · 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick V

To whom it may concern, ......I have enclosed a link to youtube that is showing an ad for your new FR-S, which is a flat out and brazen lie. .......I do hope that the powers that be, that still manufacture this engine through proper licensing and advertising get a chance to also discuss your deceptive advertising.
Sincerely,

nicely done sir - you have a way with words - (lots of practice on the Stijn thread?)
Bill K

Rick V · 07-30-2012, 07:05 AM

I will paste the reply if I ever get one.

BlueSkyJaunte · 07-30-2012, 07:40 AM

Guys, this is Toyota. Have they EVER built a REAL performance car? Why would they start now?

kaisen · 07-30-2012, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Guys, this is Toyota. Have they EVER built a REAL performance car? Why would they start now?

LFA?

Anyway, it's also a Subaru and I thought you sung their performance praises

stomachmonkey · 07-30-2012, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BReif61

...... "word's first horizontally opposed boxer engine.... with both port and direct injection."

That's how I heard it, barely though.

mikester · 07-30-2012, 08:09 AM

you think it would be better to drive than my prius?

bkreigsr · 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Guys, this is Toyota. Have they EVER built a REAL performance car? Why would they start now?

I think THIS qualifies...

tedg04 · tedg04's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by BReif61

I saw that ad, and thought the same thing, but if you listen it sounds like they are saying "word's first horizontally opposed boxer engine.... with both port and direct injection."

Yep, though there is a noticable pause. A friend of mine just bought one, I haven't yet seen it in person. (He lives a couple hours away.) I, too, would have a hard time getting one over the Mustang v6, but I guess power isn't everything.

vash · vash's Garage

i love the car..it looks very nice.

i do wonder how difficult those darn spark plugs will be to change.

BlueSkyJaunte · 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

LFA?

Anyway, it's also a Subaru and I thought you sung their performance praises

Uh...whuh???? I have owned an SVX and two early-model WRXs. I liked them, they made fine daily drivers. "Performance" doesn't even start until the STi badge gets put on the car, IMHO. I drive VW TDIs for the fuel economy now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkreigsr

I think this qualifies...

Let me know if there are any dealers that have 'em in stock? I'm interested.

onewhippedpuppy · 07-30-2012, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

The RX8 was small-ish, handled well, and was underpowered.

For similar out-the-door money you could have a 274hp Hyundai Genesis Coupe or a 305hp Mustang V6 or a 312hp Camaro V6.......200hp just doesn't cut it.

In a recent comparison, the Mustang V6 was faster than the FR-S in every way: higher lateral Gs, faster slalom, faster figure eight, shorter braking distances, faster acceleration to every speed, faster road-course track time, etc, etc.

Loving the FR-S is weighing the subjective 'feel' over the objective measurements. Kinda like a Porsche.

When they add a STi turbo version, you can bet it will win lots of praise

I'm convinced that Toyota/Subaru has invested millions in bribing journalists to hype the hell out of these cars. The RX8 was a lightweight, agile, borderline underpowered sports car that has a unique motor and real backseats. It was consistently criticized for its lack of power. While I'm sure the Toybaru is a great car, it gets accolades for the same things that the RX8 was criticized for and actually has less HP. WTF? Other than better MPG I see no advantage to the Toybaru over the RX8, but I'm also biased.

Your comment about options was spot on, when you near $30k there are a lot of tasty cars to choose from. You could probably even find a 5.0 Mustang for similar money once you factor in sales incentives.

AFC-911 · 07-30-2012, 09:21 AM

^ It's not saddled with a rotary.

McLovin · 07-30-2012, 09:32 AM

I'm really surprised so many of you are so critical of this car.

I looks to me like it has a lot of things going for it:

1) It's a really nice looking car. It looks way, way better in person than in pictures, IMO. In fact, I think it has the biggest difference between pictures and in person looks than any other car I've seen, ever. The first time I saw one on the road, I wasn't sure what it was until I got right up to it, even though I'd seen it many times in pictures.

2) It's a light weight car. I think around 2750 lbs. Very light by today's standards.

3) It has good power. 200 hp./2750 lbs isn't bad at all. It's not intended to be a V8 mustang kind of sports car. The power to weight has to be better than a Miata, and everyone raves about how fun a miata is, etc.

The FR-S does 0-60 in 6.2 seconds, so I'd hardly call it slow or underpowered.

4) It's rear wheel drive.

A relatively small, lightweight, 200 hp, RWD, reliable good looking coupe for $25K, I think it's great.

mikester · 07-30-2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLovin

I'm really surprised so many of you are so critical of this car.

I looks to me like it has a lot of things going for it:

1) It's a really nice looking car. It looks way, way better in person than in pictures, IMO. In fact, I think it has the biggest difference between pictures and in person looks than any other car I've seen, ever. The first time I saw one on the road, I wasn't sure what it was until I got right up to it, even though I'd seen it many times in pictures.

2) It's a light weight car. I think around 2750 lbs. Very light by today's standards.

3) It has good power. 200 hp./2750 lbs isn't bad at all. It's not intended to be a V8 mustang kind of sports car. The power to weight has to be better than a Miata, and everyone raves about how fun a miata is, etc.

The FR-S does 0-60 in 6.2 seconds, so I'd hardly call it slow or underpowered.

4) It's rear wheel drive.

A relatively small, lightweight, 200 hp, RWD, reliable good looking coupe for $25K, I think it's great.

Agreed. It's also fairly low-cost at right around $25k.

What else that is rear wheel drive and unique can you get for that price point new?

It has a lot going for it - I will test drive it in the next few months I'm sure. I need something that is a decent DD to replace either my Prius or my beat up old Volvo. At ~30mpg I'll be okay...

Outside it looks great so for me if the inside is comfortable and I might be able to fit a kid in the back with a booster I'll probably be sold on it.

I've been pretty happy with my Toyotas so I don't have a problem considering this. Wife would like it too...