What to buy? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

dbaxfan · 02-27-2017, 01:26 PM

I have wanted an FR-S/BRZ/86 since they were introduced. I'm now in a position to buy a used one and looking for some advice.
Are there specific things to watch out for on a used one? Common issues that pop up?
Any features that were only on certain years that are desirable?
Recommendation of one over the other? BRZ vs FR-S?

Thanks for any info!

Brayden_23 · 02-27-2017, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbaxfan

I have wanted an FR-S/BRZ/86 since they were introduced. I'm now in a position to buy a used one and looking for some advice.
Are there specific things to watch out for on a used one? Common issues that pop up?
Any features that were only on certain years that are desirable?
Recommendation of one over the other? BRZ vs FR-S?

Thanks for any info!

Most issues were ironed out after the early 2013s so 2014 and newer should be good and all will function the same. 2015 the suspension was revised to be a little more forgiving. 2016 added a backup camera. Other than that, not many differences between them.

For BRZ vs FRS, I would say BRZ if creature comforts are important to you. The BRZ Limited has dual climate zone, keyless entry and start, plus HID headlights. FRS only has these things in the limited editions. Otherwise, pick between the FRS and the BRZ premium depending on which front bumper you like more

Cole · 02-27-2017, 02:22 PM

Google is your friend, you should hit it up some time

ST185RC · 02-27-2017, 02:31 PM

Make sure the last guy flipped the engine around like a mattress, you know, horizontally opposed cylinders causes more wear on the lower part of the cylinder walls

/troll

Tcoat · 02-27-2017, 02:44 PM

Pick a colour in your price range. Buy it.

humfrz · 02-27-2017, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbaxfan

I have wanted an FR-S/BRZ/86 since they were introduced. I'm now in a position to buy a used one and looking for some advice.
Are there specific things to watch out for on a used one? Common issues that pop up?
Any features that were only on certain years that are desirable?
Recommendation of one over the other? BRZ vs FR-S?

Thanks for any info!

Hello dbaxfan and welcome to our mostly friendly forum .....

@Brayden_23 outlined the differences quite nicely.

Like buying any other used car ..... check Carfax.

You may wish to avoid a car that has been heavily power modded (Forced Induction) and or tracked a lot.

As far as FR-S vs. BRZ ...... it don't matter, whichever one has the bells & whistles (or not) that you like.

Be sure to pick one that has the transmission you prefer and is a perty color.

humfrz

humfrz · 02-27-2017, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole

Google is your friend, you should hit it up some time

........ that's for being in a foul mood today ..........

humfrz

Clee · 02-27-2017, 03:00 PM

get a 2014+. look at payments, etc etc... both cars are similar in ways. Leather seats or cloth? really in yyour own preference.

Gmo · 02-27-2017, 07:24 PM

I just bought mine last week. On a cold start, I cannot drive it because it will not go into 2nd gear. Might just be an issue with mine, but its a used 2013. I meed to let it idle for about 2 minutes

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

weederr33 · 02-27-2017, 10:06 PM

Just buy whichever one you find!

dbaxfan · 03-01-2017, 11:35 AM

Thanks for all the info and the snarky comments

I appreciate it.
I have read tons about these cars in mags and online but I know from my 2 decades of experience with my SE-R that the forum folks usually have a better insight into the cars than anyone else.

Almost bought a '15 FR-S with under 10k on it the other day but it was sold before I got there. I'll be watching for another good one.

Tcoat · 03-01-2017, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbaxfan

Thanks for all the info and the snarky comments

I appreciate it.
I have read tons about these cars in mags and online but I know from my 2 decades of experience with my SE-R that the forum folks usually have a better insight into the cars than anyone else.

Almost bought a '15 FR-S with under 10k on it the other day but it was sold before I got there. I'll be watching for another good one.

You just get the snarky comments because that same question gets asked two or three times a week. Most of the info is just a 5 minute read away but as with most cars the newest model with the lowest miles, the colour and tranny you prefer that fits your budget is the best bet.

strat61caster · 03-01-2017, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gmo

I just bought mine last week. On a cold start, I cannot drive it because it will not go into 2nd gear. Might just be an issue with mine, but its a used 2013. I meed to let it idle for about 2 minutes

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

That's normal.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31929

PetrolioBenzina · 03-01-2017, 12:31 PM

Make sure to find out if any mods have been done. ECU flash as well. If the hardware is not included it can be a pain in the butt to un-marry.

02-27-2017, 01:26 PM	#1
dbaxfan Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: Ruby Pearl Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	What to buy? I have wanted an FR-S/BRZ/86 since they were introduced. I'm now in a position to buy a used one and looking for some advice. Are there specific things to watch out for on a used one? Common issues that pop up? Any features that were only on certain years that are desirable? Recommendation of one over the other? BRZ vs FR-S? Thanks for any info!

02-27-2017, 02:44 PM	#5
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,845 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,283 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2495 Post(s) Tagged: 50 Thread(s)	Pick a colour in your price range. Buy it. __________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

02-27-2017, 10:06 PM	#10
weederr33 Airborne at your service Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: '17 BRZ Series.Yellow Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 6,326 Thanks: 4,529 Thanked 5,586 Times in 2,928 Posts Mentioned: 33 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Just buy whichever one you find! __________________ Series.Yellowbird - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122135 MS, CSCS, TSAC-F, CPT

02-27-2017, 02:22 PM	#3
Cole Not a troll Join Date: Apr 2015 Drives: FR-S Location: Canada Posts: 5,104 Thanks: 8,237 Thanked 5,399 Times in 2,694 Posts Mentioned: 266 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	Google is your friend, you should hit it up some time

02-27-2017, 02:31 PM	#4
ST185RC Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: White Out FR-S Location: Canada Posts: 672 Thanks: 31 Thanked 511 Times in 242 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Make sure the last guy flipped the engine around like a mattress, you know, horizontally opposed cylinders causes more wear on the lower part of the cylinder walls /troll

02-27-2017, 03:00 PM	#8
Clee Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2017 Toyota 86 Location: Minnesota Posts: 52 Thanks: 24 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	get a 2014+. look at payments, etc etc... both cars are similar in ways. Leather seats or cloth? really in yyour own preference.

02-27-2017, 07:24 PM	#9
Gmo Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2013 Gray BRZ Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 32 Thanks: 10 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I just bought mine last week. On a cold start, I cannot drive it because it will not go into 2nd gear. Might just be an issue with mine, but its a used 2013. I meed to let it idle for about 2 minutes Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

03-01-2017, 11:35 AM	#11
dbaxfan Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: Ruby Pearl Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks for all the info and the snarky comments I appreciate it. I have read tons about these cars in mags and online but I know from my 2 decades of experience with my SE-R that the forum folks usually have a better insight into the cars than anyone else. Almost bought a '15 FR-S with under 10k on it the other day but it was sold before I got there. I'll be watching for another good one.

03-01-2017, 12:31 PM	#14
PetrolioBenzina Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Drives: 17 86 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 75 Thanked 1,133 Times in 647 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Make sure to find out if any mods have been done. ECU flash as well. If the hardware is not included it can be a pain in the butt to un-marry.

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