Under $30K: 2013 Scion FR-S

What multi-car review would be complete without a sports car in the mix? My sentiments exactly! You might remember the Scion FR-S from the May 16, 2012 print article last year. My prediction last year was that the FR-S was going to become a popular and successful sports car because it was pure to that of the sports car ideals. So how does it fair now that we are almost a year later and after driving the 2013 Scion FR-S in the nice weather, the snow and everything in between? Well, it was fun, interesting and required some digging out.

The things that haven’t changed is that the Scion FR-S with a manual still comes in right about $25K, has Recaro inspired seats, 25 mpg combined and rear-wheel drive. Something else that hasn’t changed is the handling—keep your foot steady or off the gas and it handles like it is on rails. Put your foot in it going around the corner and you can let it all hang out like the best drifting game available on Xbox. If you love driving and you love a car that lets you turn off the safety features and ride on the wild side, this bare bones sports car is going to be right up your alley.

Now what happens when you get a foot of snow? Well, in my case the car stay home until you can dig it and the driveway out. And let me tell you, even with traction control and vehicle skid control you would want a set of snow tires for the 200-hp rear-wheel drive sport coupe; sports tires just don’t cut it when black ice is lurking out on the road. That said, I was able to get around and the people at Capital Grille probably thought I was a show off when I left the valet stand with the rear tires lighting up due to the glare ice.

There is always a silver, or in our case Firestorm red, lining. The handling is predictable and there is little body roll. The shift in the manual is crisp and the throw is short. The clutch is also one of the best that we have driven in a long while. It has a predictable engagement and good weight (the fact that it has weight is a plus). It also has the most annoying reverse lock-out of any manual I have ever driven. You have to pull up on what looks like the trim ring to the leather boot to then shift toward yourself and up to finally find reverse.

It is a very usable car though. The Scion FR-S has the ability to carry four rims and tires with the backseat down—great for the autocross weekend. Just don’t lock your keys in the trunk. Since this vehicle has a real key and it is not intelligent, it apparently is possible to open the trunk from the key and then accidently close the trunk with the key in it. You say, “Just open the door and pop the trunk from the inside.” That would be fine if the doors didn’t automatically lock or not unlock when you open the trunk. Scion needs to work on that because standing in the snow waiting for someone to get you into your car is no fun. Neither is missing part of the first act of Romeo and Juliet.

Bottom-line, the 2013 Scion FR-S is a great sports coupe. It is quick, fun and everything a sports car should be. You can drive it year round, but it is most fun in the summer; at least here in the Rocky Mountains.