Used 2016 Scion FR-S Consumer Reviews
Used FR-S for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2016 FR-S, so we've included reviews for other years of the FR-S since its last redesign.
Great, but not for everyone!
Fabien Ahmed, 12/12/2016
2013 Scion FR-S 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I just turned in my lease for this car. I'm sad to see it go. If my situation was a little different I would buy a 2017 model, which happens to address some small annoyances I had with the car - road noise and some roughness on the road. This was not a car where the head of the company said "let's make the most profitable car we can" or, "let's design a car that will kill other cars." This car was designed out of the desire for something raw and pure. This car was built for a niche population. Luckily, the population of the niche wasn't so small that this car would be unprofitable. First, let's talk about the power. I think whether this car has enough power for you or not is all a matter of perspective. For me, I drive on mostly cramped Massachusetts roads where I find that the HP of an economy car is plenty. So the 200 hp of this car plus its low weight, is far more than I need. In fact, if there was a 150hp version with better gas mileage, I would've gotten that. But to enjoy this car, you really have to like driving. You have to enjoy feeling the road, you have to enjoy techniques like heel-toe downshifts, you have to enjoy turning, and you have to enjoy putting in the extra work to keep this car in its power band with its short gearing. And of course, you have to enjoy feeling connected with the car. If you enjoy doing all these little things, you'll love this car, because this car makes those things great. But if you're not into that, all the work it takes to enjoy this car can be really overwhelming. For a period of time during my lease I fell into a slump where I was lethargic and had low energy. Nothing in particular happened to me, I just got lazy. During that time, I absolutely hated this car. Everything was just overwhelming. I enjoyed driving my 2002 corolla more than this. But once I got out of that slump and had a lot of energy, this car became one of my greatest pleasures again. The reliability in 40k miles of driving was decent I'd say. I had to replace the battery, alternator, and all brake pads & rotors. Also, I drove this car through three winters with snow tires, and it performed really well. Definitely better than a FWD with all seasons, except for perhaps accelerating up a steep hill. I was quite often on the leftmost lane of the highway cruising between 40-55 mph during heavy snow and I still had quite a bit of traction. This is actually where the lower power of the car comes in handy, you want to use just enough power to get the tires rolling which is much easier to do in a lower hp car than a higher one. I think Toyota and Subaru did an excellent job for the money in accomplishing what they set out to do. They wanted a raw, responsive, balanced, stable, light-weight car, and that's essentially what we got. But like I said... not for everyone. If it's not for you, this car could be overwhelming with all its feed back or even boring with the relative lack of power if that's what you're into the most. But if it is for you, it's the best.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2013 FRS is front of the line as best sports car!!
Nick, 08/14/2020
2013 Scion FR-S 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
"Experience with this car" Absolutely it's fun to drive. Very responsive throttle power. Horsepower is fast enough. Comfortable to ride in. These cars are awesome!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2016 Scion FR-S for sale near you
3 of 38 listings
- Base CoupeMSRP: $14,850164 mi away
- Release Series 2.0 CoupeMSRP: $16,293369 mi away
- Base CoupeMSRP: $18,899391 mi away
See all 38 listings
Awesome Sports Car!!
Jacob, 08/10/2020
2013 Scion FR-S 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I, always have fun driving mine around. Good gas mileage. Performance wise could be more. But I still think it's fast enough being stock. The seats are comfortable. Interior is soft.. the car handles really good around corners. These vehicles are terrific..
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
A real drivers car
John, 05/16/2018
updated 05/20/2019
2013 Scion FR-S 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
Look at the videos of Matt Farah or Chris Harris driving various modified and unmodified versions of this car, which is the same car as the Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86. Or my favorite review by the German reviewer Thomas Hellmanzik who is part of the youtube channel Everyday Driver, published Aug 3 2017. This car is not for everyone, but it is definitely going to be appreciated by a certain group of drivers who might also like the Miata/MX-5 but want a real coupe. I've had a Miata and the FRS is a better highway car and a better mountain car in my opinion. The car is a little bit boring in casual driving, for everyday trips I often take a lazier kind of car or pick up truck, but probably because I am a little older and like my creature comforts if the roads are not exciting. But if you have the shifting skills to keep this car in its power band above 4500 rpm and the right roads, this car can absolutely blow your mind and give you a driving experience far beyond the price they are asking for it, especially used. Its low, small, lightweight and extremely rewarding and capable all the way to the limit, while also being very predictable and tactile. Its pretty loud, and somewhat cramped. I consider it a better more modern version of the old Datsun 240z. Update 11/2018: Have only replaced battery and tires so far. Still loving this car! Still completely stock. Update 5/17/19 Sold the FRS to someone for whom it will be a track car, which to tell the truth, is probably its best place. I think I would have probably done better with a Miata for a street car, to be honest, because the FRS was most noteworthy at 10/10ths, and for everyday driving, I found myself preferring to be in a more comfortable car. Sold the car because I lost interest in special purpose trips into the mountains just to enjoy what this car could do. When I go into the mountains, I really need a more comfortable and versatile vehicle, or at least one like the Miata that is fun even at 5/10ths with the top down.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Reliable, Fun
Rain S, 08/16/2016
2015 Scion FR-S 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Scion FRS known for you JDM fanatics like myself included as Toyota 86, really pays homage to the true meaning of a sports car not just based on 0-60 but RWD, great handling, brakes, suspension. Sure it won't be 0-60 fast like the Mustangs, Challengers, Camaro but the car itself is truly engaging to drive whether or not it's a automatic or manual it may not be everyone's cup of tea but this car doesn't pretend to be. The way the automatic is programmed is truly different experience from ones I've driven and to note I've driven many MT cars from Civic SI, Celica GT, MK3 Supra, it gets the job done especially if you intend to daily drive this car, now if your gonna track the heck out of this then MT might suit you more. Make sure you have on sport mode and sport trac to get the most of the paddle shifters. To really appreciate this car you really need to drive it and I've been more than satisfied to what the designers and engineers did. There's thousands of ways to mod and customize this car as well but for me the HIDS with LED, rebadge, drop in intake was all that it needs.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value