Tracking & Drifting - Long Term Scion FR-S - Everyday Driver

Before we begin making changes, we wanted to push our our Stock FR-S to its edges on a track and skidpad.

First the guys participate in an open lapping day with our local NASA club. They do better than anyone expected.

For EverydayDriver specific offers, visit:

Long Term Part 1: Introducing our FRS

Part 2: Tracking and Drifting

Part 3: RWD in Snowstorm

Part 4: Tuning 1 - Header & Exhaust

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[satellite]

86 is a great learning tool, makes one a better driver- Bunta Fujiwara.

[zdr]

This was such a fun day! Every time I get the chance to instruct in a stock or stock-ish BRZ or FRS, it reminds how very very good they are from the factory!

[seansmile]

this actually really interesting, how a 200hp frs is passing all these cars with all the right technique

[Angel-HC]

Track driving can be incredibly satisfying with some decent instruction. I went out and drove Buttonwillow for the first time recently. After a few laps of guidance from my friend who has much more experience on that course, I was back out and all of a sudden passing cars that I shouldn't have been able to in a 140hp Miata. It's an almost indescribable experience being in a much less powerful car and running over the backs of S2000s, BMWs and WRXs.

[Trendyflute]

Interesting you guys noted the balance shift due to the tires, especially with that "feels like we updated the sway bars" comment near the end. General rule of thumb is that a softer compound of tire (which the Michelin PSS definitely is over an all-season tire) will shift the balance of the car forward, providing stronger front end grip and easier to transition in and out of oversteer. If your car is already oversteer-ey this can mess up your balance, but there's almost no road cars that are "too oversteer-ey" from the factory so tires are always, always a fantastic performance upgrade.

If you want to go faster, have good tires, have strong brakes, and build your own skill sets. Only once you have reached the limits of those three things do you really need other modifications or a faster car. Track happy, friends!

[MrNicholg]

A simple video, but somehow one of your best in terms of flow, editing, camera angles, and delivery. My pops got an orange fr-s a couple years ago, second childhood at 65.

[JohnZhu]

tracking isn't cheap. even if the track fees are cheap, becareful as you get faster the more you wear on the car. you guys were starting to get faster and you'll realize that when you get to the limit of traction, the tires, brakes, everything burns through much much faster. i.e. a set of tires that last you 8 track days now will last you only 4 when you're faster.

but good job =)

[winglessang]

I’m never bored watching their reviews. I own a brz and love it

[wpw]

Bought a used 86 (2019 with 12, 000 miles) just last week. Bone stock, and even better than my once beloved '87 Honda CRX.


Per the video, sounds like adding 100-150lbs of ballast on the passenger seat might keep the cornering more symmetric :-)

[inmyhead]

I bought a 2015 FRS and it's truly a fun ride. I really appreciate the insight and reviews of Everyday Driver...hope for more to come!

[Dan_NoShot]

I took my FRS to the track this past weekend. It was a joy to drive. I fell in love with it all over again. Although I'm running Hankook RS3's on it.

[jbalgo]

Break, understeer, step on it. Tried on a slippery track today. Pure balance and joy. I cannot ask for more!

[RobRoyRed]

I have 95k on my FR-S. Stock except for tires. The first two sets of replacement tires were both Bridgestone Potenza RE11A's. I got about 20k miles off each set. Half of my daily round trip commute of 160 miles is on backroad twisties in KY. These tires made it feel like a slot car. I drifted like crazy in the old stock tires, but it was a bit more "scary" on these tires because I had to do it at higher speeds. I didn't drift as much.

Sadly, the tires were discontinued. The tire that replaced them actually understeered more for me, and only got 9k miles - Bridgestone RE71R's. I hated them. They also sounded like off road tires. I mean SERIOUSLY noisy howl.

I've got my fill of the drifting and now have Hankook all season's. It feels like a 57 buick now, related to the other tires, but I've gotten used to the poorer performance. At least I won't be replacing my tires every couple of months...

BTW, I LOVE driving this car. Every. Single. Day.

[HeroRR]

I admire the hell out of the FRS! Excellent little car! I wished it handled better in the snow!

[MatthewGaither]

Great job, folks! This is a fun video that really shows off the FR-S in its element and the critical importance of using the right tire for sport driving.

[apexaholic]

Love my Michelin PSS, glad you had a positive experience with them also.

[MarcosViloria]

Awesome work guys, now please do a 2016 Miata vs FRS review, I want to know what you think. New Miata vs old Miata would be interesting too

[billadama]

This was great. I would love to see you guys do more videos on vehicle dynamics, track/mod considerations, etc.

[soonho]

Car goals (speaking as a college student)

[andrewmcrae]

The GT86 twins are not as bad as people make them out to be.... I love mine!