Will a high-mileage, used 86 make a reliable daily?

[tsnb]

Originally Posted by MuseChaser

I'll go with minority on this one and say don't worry about the mileage too much. For most of my life, I've bought cars w/ mileage in the 80,000 range and driven them into the 200,000's, then moved on to my next 80,000-90,000 mile used car. I drive a lot, and am good about maintenance. Salt kills my cars before anything else does.

I've had Toyotas, Fords, BMWs, Mercedes, Volkswagens all fit that description. I've had Mitsubishis, Nissans/Datsuns, a Ford van, a Range Rover, and a '73 Oldsmobile Delta 88 that DIDN'T make it to the 200,000 mile mark. With the exception of the Range Rover, the ones that didn't make it were mostly my fault; I was younger and didn't stay on top of the maintenance like I do now. The Rover, I babied, but it was just.. well... a Rover. Couldn't keep up with all the stuff that kept going wrong with that truck.

I wouldn't think twice about buying a high mileage twin, provided it hasn't been abused and the price is right. Dependent upon the driver of course, NOT driving a car is worse for it than driving it.

Thanks, all, for sharing your insight. MuseChaser - your experience matches mine. I almost picked up a used Mini Cooper S last week expecting I could do the same, until my jaw hit the floor reading forums about the things people have to do to keep those cars running (walnut blasting the intake valves every 50k miles? No, thank you). The 86 platform seems quite a bit more suitable for real life based on comments here and in other threads.

[tsnb]

Originally Posted by PetrolioBenzina

Test the back seat before you buy. It's useless for just about everything.

Yes, thanks for the warning. I sat in one this week. It's the same as my ZX2 backseat except with 6" less legroom. Fortunately, my ZX2 has 4" more legroom than my little kids need . . . so there's room for compromise.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by tsnb

Hello FR-S owners - I have a very specific "to buy/not to buy" case to present to you, and I'm looking for a "yes/no/no way" recommendation.............

Thank you much.

"yes, buy".

Oh, why not ....... if a FR-S has gone 100,000 miles and still runs good, and you only plan on driving it 10,000 miles a year, it may last you 5-10 years.


humfrz

[Scrappydoo]

Aren't the no and no way options the same?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Scrappydoo

Aren't the no and no way options the same?

OK, WHO tripped over Scrappydoo's chain ......




humfrz

[FR-Sky]

You can buy a low miles 86 nowadays under 18k.

[Packofcrows]

Sure it will. Sure it could. Id get a 2014+ in order to make sure the small issues were 'probably' already resolved.

[HKz]

Originally Posted by PetrolioBenzina

Test the back seat before you buy. It's useless for just about everything.

..if anyone is fat or taller than 6', then yes..but other than that the backseats are quite adequate especially for kids & childseats..

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2goyftpdPk"]GT86/FRS/BRZ fits 4 people (and one in the boot!) - YouTube[/ame]

I've taken a few trips from Phoenix to San Diego & Las Vegas with 4 people..admittedly it was a little easier & more comfortable with my first FRS since it was an auto so I didn't need the extra space to move around shifting but it is manageable. Also, if only one person needs to be in the back, have them sit sideways, it ain't too bad either.

[shellslinger]

Originally Posted by toeout

I'm at 72K on mine and I don't expect any problems at 100K, especially if it's mostly highway. Only item needing attention has been the throw out bearing. It's been making noise for the last 5K, but I still haven't replaced it.


If the price is right, buy it.

Same here, my 2013 is at 72k miles. A few warranty trips for leaking valve cover gasket to get it fixed. Had to replace a squealing pulley (took about 5 minutes). Other than that, the car has been reliable!

No complaints here. Only thing I did see with this car was that using Toyota 0w20 was that it was burning about 1/4 quart every 3000miles. But started to run Eneos Sustina 0w20 and never had that problem again.

[paulca]

Check the service interval. I believe the spark plugs need changed every 50k. If the car is around that age check they have been done already. It's not a cheap job, engine needs to be lifted to change them. Coils probably might need done at the same time too. If the previous owner has decided to change just before one of these services then make sure the dealer does it before giving it to you. Could potentially cause warranty issues (if there is any warranty) if the car history does not show a full service at the correct time.

[accel]

Originally Posted by paulca

believe the spark plugs need changed every 50k. If the car is around that age check they have been done already. It's not a cheap job, engine needs to be lifted to change them.

How much?

[RESuzuki]

My 2014 frs is a DD and it's got about 80k miles on It. I haven't come across any issues. It's pretty much bone stock except for an intake and springs


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by accel

How much?

They charge a lot, like $400 if you have someone do it, but it's really not that hard to do yourself. Take off the skid plates, undo two nuts from the motor mounts, undo some shielding and mount plates on the driver side and the spark controller unit on the passenger side and jack up the engine about 3 to 4 inches. Just know that the stock spark plugs are 14mm, not a typical spark plug size. Oh and use something somewhat soft like wood between the jack and the oil pan if you use a jack to raise the engine.

The bolts that mount the spark control unit and the on plug coils both are 10mm. You'll want to jack up the engine prior to taking off the spark control unit.

Jaden

[ktulu7]

Originally Posted by tsnb

Thanks, all, for sharing your insight. MuseChaser - your experience matches mine. I almost picked up a used Mini Cooper S last week expecting I could do the same, until my jaw hit the floor reading forums about the things people have to do to keep those cars running (walnut blasting the intake valves every 50k miles? No, thank you). The 86 platform seems quite a bit more suitable for real life based on comments here and in other threads.

Ohhhh did you dodge a bullet! My wife finally just got rid of her Mini Countryman S for a relatively new Jeep, simply because the cost of ownership of a Mini/BMW gets insane. No thank you at all to the "BMW tax." You can't even change the friggin' battery yourself on that thing. I'm surprised they don't have special locks on the wiper blades to make sure you can't even change those.