Test Driven: 2013 Scion FRS, Manual
Posted: December 27, 2012 Filed under: Cheap Fun!, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 2.0L, Automatic comparison, Boxer 4, FRS, manual, Mind over motor, Porsche Cayman, review, Scion, Sports Car, Subaru BRZ, Test Drive, Toyota GT86, under 30k 3 Comments »
Nirvana is a state of absolute peace. A realm of balance where one is content with who they are, and what they have. Thoughts of the future and past are to be cast aside in favor of finding joy in what the current moment has to offer. It is this concept that I feel defines the character of the Scion FRS. It is a car that forgoes excess in any one aspect in order to focus on pure driving enjoyment alone. Yes I realize the paradox of comparing a material item to the Buddhist concept of absolute tranquility, one that is supposed to be free of worldly desires. However, if you look at the FRS as a car amongst other cars, then I think you will see what I mean.
Test Driven: 2013 Chevrolet Spark
Posted: September 6, 2012 Filed under: Green & Economical, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 1.2, 2013, 500, Car, Chevrolet, Chevy, Fiat, Fortwo, GM, iQ, Mind, Mini, motor, Nick, Over, Scion, smart, space, Spark, Walker 2 Comments »
The Chevy Spark has had a successful reception around the world since it came out in 2010. Now GM has brought it to the US market in hopes to peak the interest of younger buyers living in urban areas. It is a city car that competes with the Smart Fortwo, Scion iQ, and Fiat 500. The Spark is on the same chassis as the Chevy Sonic, but features notably smaller proportions that allow it to fit in with the city car segment. The Spark I drove was one of the first cars to hit showrooms, and given the buzz around these things right now I wanted to go try it out.
Test Driven: Scion FRS Automatic, Nick’s Impressions
Posted: June 21, 2012 Filed under: Cheap Fun!, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 200, 4, Automatic, boxer, BRZ, cylinder, Drive, engine, FRS, handling, hp, Mind, motor, Over, review, RWD, Scion, sharp, Subaru, Test, Toyota, Transmission 4 Comments »
I was able to take a short drive in an Automatic Scion FRS recently. The drive was kept brief because I had asked for a manual, and was “just getting a feel for it so I could see if I wanted to order a manual”. Obviously this was not an ideal situation for a review but it did get me some seat time in this hot new car that is selling off the shelves, so I took what I could get for the time being. What follows are my first impressions on the Scion FRS, expect a full fledged review once I am able to get my hands on one with a clutch pedal for a decent amount of time. Read the rest of this entry »
Marketing the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ
Posted: December 6, 2011 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS, INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: BRZ, Drive, event, FR-S, GT-86, Idea, info, marketing, Mind, motor, Over, pictures, proposal, rear, release, RWD, Scion, Spec, Subaru, Toyota, wheel 1 Comment »
The Scion FR-S will be the American version of the Toyota GT-86
Now that the US-market Scion FR-S/ Subaru BRZ have been fully revealed, the question of marketing comes to mind. This is especially so considering the fact that these two cars are basically identical to one another. Some differences seem to exist in the various trim levels offered (with the Subaru being slightly upmarket from the Scion), as well as some slight visual aspects, but otherwise there really are no meaningful differences to choose one car over the other. They seem to be counting on brand loyalty to differentiate the sales between the two brands, but this new rear drive sports car is a bit off color for both brands. Read the rest of this entry »
Toyota FT-86/Scion FR-S, details are out, so what needs to happen?
Posted: November 1, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 2012, BR-Z, details, Drift, FR-S, FT-86, leaked, marketing, Mind, Modification, motor, Over, photos, Price, release, Scion, show, specs, Subaru, Thoughts, Tokyo, Toyota Leave a comment »
Scion FR-S
So, after an excruciatingly long wait, the details of Toyota’s new entry level sports car have emerged. After looking them over for myself, I am pleased to report that everything seems to be exactly what I had hoped it would be. The car has some serious potential to be quite a good driving experience with a curb weight around 2700lbs, manual transmission options, a limited slip differential, and a high output, naturally aspirated 2.0L boxer engine producing 200hp (do the math, that is 100hp/L). The FT-86/FR-S is showing much promise, and hopefully this means Toyota is finally going to start making viable cars again, but there are still some things this car must do before progress will truly be evident. Read the rest of this entry »
Toyota and the FT-86: The Wait Goes On
Posted: October 7, 2011 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS | Tags: Automotive Insights, Celica, Concept Car, Confusion, FR-S, FT-86, Mind over motor, Scion, Shenanigans, Sports Car, Sports Coupe, supra, Tokyo, Toyota, Wait Leave a comment »
Scion FR-S concept. Although each concept car looks different from the previous one, they share a shape.
While the rest of the world makes sports cars, Toyota is seemingly pretending to make one. The FT-86 has been on the mind of every gearhead in the world since at least 2008, but since then, Toyota has been constantly tossing the concept into a microwave and pressing Reheat for every car show since. Not many specifications have hit the press, and although a tie-up with Subaru has been announced, not a whole lot is really known for sure about it. What is going on here? Is Toyota afraid to release this car? Or will they ever release it? Or is this just a hoax (Just kidding.)? Read the rest of this entry »
Cars 101: How To Be A Ricer
Posted: July 29, 2011 Filed under: CARS 101 | Tags: 8, a, accord, Altezza, and, awful, be, BMW, body, bodykit, Camaro, Car, carbon, Cavalier, Chevrolet, Chevy, chrome, Civic, clear, customization, Dodge, Dominic, doors, dubs, Extreme, fake, Fast, Focus, for speed, Ford, furious, Honda, How, Hummer, Hyundai, kit, kitted, Lambo, lights, Mclaren, Mercedes, Mind, Mind over motor, Modded, Modification, Most, motor, Mustang, Need, Nissan, Nitrous, NOS, out, Over, Oxide, posers, rice, Riced, Ricer, ruined, Scion, series, SLR, spinners, spoilers, spray, Stang, Street, Stupid, tail, Taillights, the, The Fast and the Furious, to, toolbag, Torretto, tuners, underglow, up, Vin Diesel, Viper, Wanted, wings, xB 14 Comments »
Stereotype Ricer. It's not how you stand by your car, it's how you race your car. Monica!!!!!
Back in 2001 there was a little film called The Fast And The Furious that came out, and for all intents and purposes, it created the ricer fad as we know it today. Ricers are all about excessive automotive expression by any means unnecessary. Letting everyone know how cool your car is because of the, mostly useless (or obnoxious), upgrades you have made is the goal. Its like being a “diet car enthusiast”; you get to act like you know your stuff and have a cool car, but without putting forth the money and effort to actually have the real thing. So at this point you may be thinking, “Wow that’s so neat, but how can I become a full fledged ricer myself?” The answer may be simpler than you’d think. Read the rest of this entry »
