Finding the right rear spats frs owners usually go for is like finding the missing puzzle piece for the car's rear end. If you've spent any time looking at your Scion FRS from a side profile, you've probably noticed that the rear bumper sits a little higher than the side skirts. It creates this weird visual gap that makes the car look like it's skipping leg day. Adding a set of rear spats is the oldest trick in the book to fix that "raked" look without having to redo the entire body kit.
Why Everyone Starts with Rear Spats
The Scion FRS (and the BRZ/86 cousins) is arguably one of the best-looking modern sports cars for the money, but the factory lines are a bit conservative near the back wheels. When you install rear spats frs enthusiasts often talk about, you're basically extending the lower line of the car. It wraps around the corner of the bumper and ties the whole look together.
It's one of those mods that's relatively cheap but has a massive impact. You don't need a lift, a professional paint booth, or a degree in engineering to get them on. Most of the time, it's a Saturday afternoon job that costs less than a couple of tanks of gas, yet it completely changes how the car sits when it's parked at a meet.
Choosing Your Style: CS Style vs. TRD
When you start shopping for rear spats frs setups, you're going to run into two main "vibes." The most common one is the "CS Style." These are usually flat, sharp, and extend outward a bit. They give the car a more aggressive, track-ready appearance. They're simple, and they usually match perfectly with a front lip and side skirt extensions.
Then you have the TRD-style or more molded options. These are a bit more "OEM plus." They curve with the bumper and look like they could have come from the factory that way. If you're going for a clean, understated build, these are usually the way to go. The CS style is for the person who wants people to notice the mods; the TRD style is for the person who wants people to think the car just looks "right" without being able to pinpoint why.
Material Matters: ABS Plastic or Carbon Fiber?
This is where the debate gets heated in the forums. Most rear spats frs kits are made of ABS plastic. It's tough, it's flexible, and it can take a beating from road debris. Since these parts sit right behind the rear tires, they're going to get peppered with rocks and sand. ABS is great because if it gets scratched, you can just hit it with some trim restorer or a quick puff of matte black spray paint and call it a day.
Carbon fiber, on the other hand, looks incredible. There's no denying the "cool factor" of a real weave catching the light. But you have to be careful. Carbon is brittle. If you live somewhere with gravel roads or lots of construction, those beautiful carbon spats might look pretty chipped up after six months. Plus, they cost three to four times as much as the plastic ones. If you're building a show car, go carbon. If you're daily driving or hitting the track, ABS is your best friend.
The Installation Struggle (and How to Win)
Let's be real for a second: the "no-drill" dream is usually a lie. A lot of rear spats frs kits say you can just use 3M double-sided tape. While 3M tape is basically the strongest substance known to man when applied correctly, the underside of an FRS bumper is a dirty, textured place.
If you just slap some tape on and go, you're probably going to see your spat flying down the highway in your rearview mirror within a week. The best way to do it is a combination of things. You want that high-quality VHB tape for the edges to keep them flush against the paint, but you absolutely should use the self-tapping screws or the factory pop-clip locations on the bottom.
Getting That Perfect Flush Fitment
One thing that drives me crazy is seeing a beautiful FRS with spats that have a massive gap between the plastic and the bumper. To avoid this, you've got to prep the surface. Use some isopropyl alcohol to clean the area where the tape will sit. If the weather is cold, use a hair dryer or a heat gun to warm up the tape and the bumper. It makes the adhesive way tackier. When you press the spat onto the car, hold it there for a solid minute. It feels like forever, but it's the difference between a clean install and a "cheap" looking one.
Painting vs. Raw Finish
Most rear spats frs parts come in a raw, matte black finish. If your FRS is black, you can usually get away with leaving them as-is. However, if you have a Whiteout or Ignition Silver car, the raw plastic can sometimes look a little unfinished.
Some people choose to paint-match their spats to the car's body color. This makes the rear bumper look much lower and more substantial. Others prefer the contrast of the black against the paint, which highlights the aero "add-on" look. If you do decide to paint them, make sure to use a plastic primer first, or that paint is going to flake off the moment you hit a puddle.
Pairing Spats with Other Rear End Mods
A set of rear spats frs looks good on its own, but they really shine when paired with a rear diffuser. The spats handle the corners, and the diffuser handles the middle section under the exhaust. This creates a continuous "line" of black trim around the bottom of the car.
If you have an aftermarket exhaust with big 4.5-inch tips, the spats actually help frame those tips and make the exhaust look more integrated into the design. It's also worth considering how they look with your mud flaps if you run them. Some spats won't fit if you have bulky mud flaps, so you might have to choose one or the other—or get ready to do some custom trimming with a Dremel.
The Impact on Aerodynamics
I'll be honest with you: unless you're hitting triple-digit speeds on a closed circuit, you probably aren't going to "feel" the aerodynamic benefits of rear spats frs kits. They are primarily a cosmetic upgrade. In theory, they help manage the air tumbling off the rear wheel wells, but for 99% of us, they're just there to make the car look sick. And honestly? That's perfectly fine. Not every mod has to shave a tenth off your lap time.
Budgeting for Your Build
You can find rear spats frs options all over the price spectrum. You've got the budget-friendly ones on eBay or Amazon that go for around $50 to $80. Then you have the high-end Japanese brands like Greddy or Varist that can run you several hundred dollars.
Is there a difference? Usually, it comes down to the quality of the mold and the thickness of the material. The cheaper ones might require a little more "persuasion" (and heat) to fit perfectly, while the expensive ones usually bolt right up. If you're on a budget, the cheap ones are totally fine—just spend the extra time on the installation to make sure they're secure.
Final Thoughts on the Rear Spat Upgrade
At the end of the day, installing rear spats frs is one of those "quality of life" mods for your car. It fixes the one weird visual quirk of the FRS rear bumper and gives the car a much more planted, aggressive stance. It's affordable, DIY-friendly, and it looks great whether you're going for a full-blown track build or just a clean daily driver.
Just remember to take your time with the alignment, don't be afraid of a couple of screws for security, and make sure you clean the area properly before you start sticking things on. Once they're on, you'll wonder why you didn't do it the day you bought the car. It really is that much of a difference-maker.