CAR WARS: Scion FR-S vs. VW GTI - WHICH and WHY?

CAR WARS: Scion FR-S vs. VW GTI - WHICH and WHY?
When Toyota Motor Sales began showing concepts for its entry-level, joint-project car between Toyota and Subaru, enthusiasts were salivating. The concept of a "cheap," rear-wheel drive auto is a dream; however, cheap is a relative term.

Scion announced that the six-speed manual FR-S will ring the register at $24,200 before the $730 extra in delivery costs.

That doesn't sound too bad but there is one problem standing in the way, the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The GTI starts at $23,995 before the $770 delivery fees.

Here's where things get a bit tricky though. We already know the FR-S is a rear-wheel drive fun machine but its interior looks a bit spotty. That's not much of a surprise coming from Toyota's Scion division. In addition, Edmunds recently tested it and it's not all that brisk either -- Zero to 60 in 7.3 seconds and a 15.3 second quarter mile.

The GTI is a different story as it has one of the classes leading interiors and is a bit quicker scoring a zero to 60 time of 6.0 to 6.4 seconds (depends if you opt for DSG or a DIY transmission) and a quarter mile range between 14.0 to 14.7 seconds.

All that being said, WHICH car would YOU have?

The FR-S, which may have a "meh" interior but is an absolute blast to drive due to its driving dynamics?

...OR...

The GTI, which has a class-leading interior, isn't as much fun to drive because its front-wheel drive and is more practical?

Let us know below...




t_bonet_bone - 3/27/2012 11:45:50 PM
-1 Boost
A good question. Assuming the FR-S isn't mind blowing to drive in ways Toyota usually isn't (steering feel, taut suspension), this one goes to the GTI despite my preference for RWD. At this HP range, it isn't quite as important. If these cars were more like 250 hp, then I might go the other way.


85bmw745i85bmw745i - 3/27/2012 11:56:11 PM
0 Boost
Why make such a good car and not give it enough power to get out of its own way. unless you are on a race track almost every family sedan will smoke the FR-S. Driving dynamic=win, the rest fail! Nice try Toyota. the $ cylinder Genesis coupes will be eating this thing for lunch. 7 seconds 0-60 is flat out ridiculous these days for any rear wheel drive coupe. 6.0 sec 0-60 would really make this car even more of a blast to drive. Whats sad is the 1.8l 180hp celica GTS FWD of the early 2000's was faster 0-60.


knowitall1985knowitall1985 - 3/28/2012 10:22:43 AM
+6 Boost
Stupid response from someone who can only drive in a straight line.....LOL


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 3/28/2012 10:55:56 AM
+5 Boost
If 0-60 times are all that you are looking for, at a 20K+ price point, just get a E46 M3...


LexSucksLexSucks - 3/28/2012 10:56:51 AM
-2 Boost
He's right. A Camry V6 is faster than this car in a straight line. 0-60 in 7 seconds isn't anything to write home about. Admit is guys. For the price the FR-S is a decent car that offers nice handling. It's just slow as balls. And correct me if I’m wrong, most people would like for their sporty car to be able to offer acceleration that is faster than the cookie cutter appliance sedans (that we see tons of everyday). This is a nice car but it would get its but handed to it by a Subaru WRX (at the same price too).


LexSucksLexSucks - 3/28/2012 11:42:33 AM
-2 Boost
"If 0-60 times are all that you are looking for, at a 20K+ price point, just get a E46 M3... "


- Who says thats all he's looking for?




LexSucksLexSucks - 3/28/2012 11:44:14 AM
-2 Boost
"I don't think the goal of the FR-S is drag racing 0-60, if that's your requirement, get a basic Mustang."


- Did he say that he planned on drag racing it? The FR-S is slow. Don't shoot the messenger.



85bmw745i85bmw745i - 3/29/2012 6:59:33 PM
-1 Boost
First of all, 0-60 is not all I am looking for, but 7 seconds is just too slow for any sports car. This car derserves more power. 225hp would be perfect. I don't think it needs to do 0-60 in 4 seconds, but low to mid 6 second 0-60 times would help. My e30 325 gets 0-60 in 7 seconds and trust me it is only adequate. I of all peoplr know and will favor a well tuned chassis over a fast 0-60 time, doesnt mean I want a slow car that handles like it is on rails. If anything all that does is show that the car needs more power. 0-60 is not my main reason to buy any car, otherwise I wouldn't also own a Land Rover Discovery II and a Land Rover LR3. Looks like I hurt some feelings judging by the responses. People are so quick to ignorantly and blindly pass judgement just because I said this car was slow. Grow up and quit being so childish and narrow minded and face the truth, the car is slow. And by the way I do like this car, and if it had about 225-250hp I would be at the Scion or Subaru dealer now. They don't make fun cars like this anymore, and a little more power would go a long way to make this car live up to all of the hype that has been created.


dlindlin - 3/28/2012 2:40:04 AM
+4 Boost
Very nice slip angle. Somehow MT is getting a lot better 0-60, so which one should we believe?

GTI is an overweight FWD that doesn't really dance, not to mention a stupid look, while this FR-S/BRZ is a good entry car for learning different ways of driving RWD!


outsideroutsider - 3/28/2012 3:13:55 AM
+4 Boost
Wrong figure for VW Golf GTi
http://www.vw.com/en/models/gti/trims-specs.html#/tab=855346d138f82b047bcb2e4b25730c6d
Acceleration (0-60 mph) is 6,8 sec with manual transmission
FR-S has lower centre of gravity, better weight ballance (48/52).


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/28/2012 6:34:56 AM
-1 Boost
@outsider

These are figures from Zero to 60, another third-party source. Not sure where you're pulling your numbers from.

The descriptions are pretty vague, hence why I posted a range:

http://www.zeroto60times.com/Volkswagen-VW-0-60-mph-Times.html


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/28/2012 6:37:50 AM
-2 Boost
Ah, saw the link.

Yeah, that's the MFR. claims; however, Edmunds is a third-party source, which led me to go to Zero to 60, which is also a third-party source.

In addition, I think most GTI owners would agree. There's NO way it only hits 60 in 6.8 with a std. gearbox.

Conservative MFR. claim.


MorePowerMorePower - 3/28/2012 4:13:37 AM
+3 Boost
Neither, save your money for another 1.5 yrs and get the Subaru version that will hopefully gain STi or WRX badge(s).

Either way, get the Subaru BRZ.


racerf109racerf109 - 3/28/2012 8:20:57 AM
+4 Boost
The VW is an economy car. The FR-S is an entry level sports car which comes with an optional limited-slip differential. Plus the FR-s has received very positive reivew...Ill take the toyota.


LexSucksLexSucks - 3/28/2012 11:46:55 AM
-2 Boost
"A better comparison would be to something like the Mazda MX-5. Another car who's purpose is balanced handling and fun, not drag racing other punks 0-60 at stop lights."

- That's it. Only highlight the good points. The not so good stuff? Lets just ignore that and demonize it as drag racing. LOL!!!


focalfocal - 3/28/2012 11:58:14 AM
+5 Boost
The GTI would make a great practical car for day to day use.

saying that, if the purpose was a fun car, the Toyota wins hands down. it's a purpose built RWD entry level sports car.

there's a reason why real drivers start learning with slow go carts and slowly move up to faster and faster go carts as their skill increases. the relative speed is high but for the most part are slow.

The FR-S is all the power you need to learn to drive. Driving a 0-60 time requires almost no skill..especially if it's an auto transmission. The FR-S is a built to be a real racing car if you bring it to a track also.




vdivvdiv - 3/28/2012 12:40:13 PM
+1 Boost
I think the GTI, though we haven't really seen the GT86. It really would boil down to personal preferences -- the two would be quite different.

Let's add a little twist to the question -- what about long-term, in 5, or 10 years? Which one would you rather have then?


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/28/2012 9:17:29 PM
-2 Boost
@Geveva

No one will be cross shopping a 2-seater convertible with the FR-S/BRZ en masse.

That's a silly enthusiast competition.

We're talking about people in the real world.


sethmsethm - 3/28/2012 3:21:24 PM
+1 Boost
How does the Scion FR-S compare with the current Scion TC?
Just curious.


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 3/29/2012 1:02:59 AM
+2 Boost
Why is the link for the Geneva motor show pics misspelled as "Geveva"? Lol?


quizzquizz - 3/29/2012 1:32:11 AM
+6 Boost
Hello? The cost of maintenance over the first five years makes the Subaru/Toyota the better buy and more than makes up for the $2,000 difference.


85bmw745i85bmw745i - 3/29/2012 7:01:52 PM
+1 Boost
A good comparison would be this vs the Mazda RX-8


DieselRulesDieselRules - 8/11/2012 1:36:18 AM
+1 Boost
RE: Cost of maintenance arguments. If you shop online, VW/Audi parts are the lowest cost, especially the stuff you replace more often like brakes. Speaking of which, I've run 200,000 kms on stock VW brakes, but when a friend took a Toyota Matrix on to have brakes replaced under warranty when worn out in 1 year, 35,000 kms, Toyota says "Nope, you have to pay for them. That's normal brake life."
VWs longer life of the parts (and the cars) means lower cost of ownership in real life IF you buy the parts yourself.
Dealer pricing is a joke. The guys in the parts department should be wearing masks!


DieselRulesDieselRules - 8/11/2012 1:40:41 AM
+1 Boost
As for these cars ... I love Rear-wheel-drive. But it would be hard to give up my GTI's supportive leather seats and dual-zone-climate control for a Walmart-grade Toyota interior. In Vancouver area traffic you very rarely get to play with the HP you have. Owning a fast car here is frustrating. But if the aftermarket supports the FR-S a tenth as well as the GTI, then you should be able to crank it up to tail-wagging levels affordably. Whichever one I owned, I'd get tired of it and want the other in a while :)


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