If you were around in 2012, you remember the hype. It was everywhere. People were practically foaming at the mouth for a small, rear-wheel-drive car that didn't cost a fortune. Then the 2013 Scion FR-S coupe finally dropped. It felt like a gift. After years of heavy, bloated cars filled with electronic "nannies," Toyota and Subaru teamed up to give us something raw. Something honest.
It wasn't perfect.
Honestly, it still isn't. But that’s sort of the point, right? Most modern cars try to do everything for you. They parallel park themselves and brake when you're distracted. The FR-S? It just wants to go around a corner sideways while you're grinning like an idiot. It’s a purist’s tool, built for people who actually like the act of driving rather than just commuting.
The 2013 Scion FR-S Coupe and the Power "Problem"
Let's address the elephant in the room immediately. People complain about the power. A lot.
The 2.0-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine (the FA20) puts out 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. On paper, that sounds... fine. In reality, there is a notorious "torque dip" between 3,500 and 4,500 RPM. You’re accelerating, feeling good, and then—clunk—the power just sort of flatlines for a second before picking back up near the redline. It’s weird. It’s annoying.
But here is what most people get wrong: the 2013 Scion FR-S coupe was never supposed to be a drag racer.
If you want to win stoplight battles against a Tesla or a Mustang, you're looking at the wrong car. This chassis was designed to carry momentum. Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada wanted a car that felt alive at 40 mph, not just 140 mph. It uses skinny tires—the exact same Michelin Primacy HP tires found on a Toyota Prius. Why? Because it makes the car easy to slide. You don't need to be doing 90 mph to feel the tail wag. You can do it at a suburban intersection (safely, please) and feel like a hero without breaking the speed limit by double digits.
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What It's Really Like to Live With This Car
The interior is basic. Like, really basic.
Hard plastics are everywhere. The infotainment system looks like something you’d buy at a liquidator sale in 2005. The back seats? Total joke. Unless your friends are toddlers or you’ve somehow managed to befriend a few very flexible ghosts, nobody is sitting back there. It’s basically a leather-wrapped parcel shelf.
But the seats? The actual front buckets? They are phenomenal. Some of the best factory seats ever put in a car under $30,000. They hug you in all the right places during hard cornering. The steering wheel is small, perfectly circular (no flat bottom here), and transmits every pebble on the road directly to your palms.
You feel everything.
You hear everything, too. Road noise is significant. Gravel hitting the wheel wells sounds like someone is throwing marbles at a tin can. It’s not a Lexus. If you’re looking for a quiet, serene highway cruiser for five-hour road trips, you might end up with a headache. But if you want to feel connected to the machine, the 2013 Scion FR-S coupe delivers a visceral experience that most new cars have scrubbed away with insulation and electric steering racks.
Watch Out for the Early Production Gremlins
Buying a first-year model of any car is a gamble. The 2013 FR-S had some teething issues. If you’re scanning Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace right now, you need to check the VIN for the valve spring recall.
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Early production 2013 models had valve springs that could fail. If they fail, the engine dies. It’s that simple. Most cars have had this fixed by now, but some "low mileage" gems might still be ticking time bombs. Also, listen for the "cricket" noise. It’s a high-pitched chirping from the high-pressure fuel pump, usually caused by ethanol in modern pump gas. It’s mostly harmless, but it drives some owners crazy.
Then there’s the "condensation in the taillights" issue. It's almost a rite of passage for 2013 Scion FR-S coupe owners. You'll see a little pool of water in the bottom of the housing after a car wash. It's a gasket issue. Easy fix, but annoying nonetheless.
Real-World Maintenance Costs
Generally, these cars are reliable if you don't beat them to death. Oil changes are easy because the filter is right on top of the engine—a classic Subaru design perk.
- Spark Plugs: These are a nightmare. Because it's a boxer engine, the heads are tucked against the frame rails. You basically have to lift the engine slightly or have tiny, magical hands to swap them.
- Tires: Since they’re 17-inch wheels with a common fitment, tires are relatively cheap.
- Transmission: The Aisin 6-speed manual is notchier than a Honda gearbox but feels very mechanical and sturdy. The automatic? It's actually decent—it's a modified version of the IS-F transmission—but it kills the soul of the car a bit.
The Tuning Scene: Making It Your Own
The 2013 Scion FR-S coupe might be the most modified car of the last decade. It’s the Lego set of the automotive world.
Don't like the torque dip? Get an OpenFlash Tablet or an EcuTek tune and some headers. It disappears. Want more grip? Throw some 245-width sticky tires on it. Want to ruin your ride quality but look cool? Lower it on coilovers.
The aftermarket support is staggering. You can find a YouTube tutorial for literally every nut and bolt on this car. That’s the beauty of the "Toyobaru" platform. Whether you want a dedicated track rat, a drift missile, or just a sharp-looking daily driver, the foundation is there.
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A Future Classic?
We don't really see cars like this anymore. Everything is going electric, getting heavier, and becoming more digital. The Scion brand is dead. The FR-S nameplate is gone, replaced by the Toyota 86 and now the GR86.
There is something special about the 2013 model year. It was the beginning. It was the car that proved there was still a market for small, affordable, RWD sports cars. It paved the way for the revival of the Supra and the Z.
Is it fast? No. Is it practical? Hardly.
But it’s a car that makes you want to take the long way home. It makes a trip to the grocery store feel like a qualifying lap. In a world of filtered experiences, the FR-S is refreshingly raw.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you are seriously considering picking up a 2013 Scion FR-S coupe, don't just jump at the first one with a "Stage 2" badge and a loud exhaust. Follow these steps to ensure you don't buy a lemon:
- Run the VIN through the NHTSA website. Specifically, look for the J02 valve spring recall. If it hasn't been done, use that as a massive bargaining chip or walk away. If it has been done, check who did the work. Some botched recall jobs led to engine failures shortly after.
- Inspect the "inner" rear wheel wells. These cars are often driven hard. Look for signs of rubbing or poorly rolled fenders, which usually indicates the car was slammed on cheap suspension at some point.
- Check the oil. These engines can be sensitive to oil levels, especially if driven on track. If the oil is low or looks like chocolate milk, run.
- Test the syncros. Shift quickly from second to third at high RPM. If it grinds, the synchros are wearing out, which is common on cars that have been "power shifted" by previous owners.
- Look for the "crickets." While it’s mostly a cosmetic/sound issue, it can tell you if the previous owner was using high-quality fuel or just the cheapest 91/93 they could find.
The 2013 Scion FR-S coupe remains a benchmark for driver engagement. It's a car that demands your attention and rewards your inputs. Even years later, nothing quite matches its balance for the price. Just be ready to explain to your passengers why the car is chirping and why they have to sit sideways in the back seat. It’s all part of the charm.