2017 BRZ or wait for 2018 redesign? Different car around the same price?
 

Hello everyone. I am thinking about buying a new car soon as I am 22 and graduating college this year so I am thinking about buying a new car maybe this fall. I always wanted a 2-door sports car. I was wondering about why everyone here bought a BRZ instead of a different car like what made you decide on this car even with all the complaints it comes with? Should I buy this car or a different car in same price rage? Also if I do buy this car should I buy 2017 model or wait for the redesign they claim will come in 2018? Sorry for this long post and thank you for all those reply and helping me out. :thanks:

Test drive your options and decide. No one here knows you better than you, therefore we can't pick a car for you. As for 2017 v 2018, no one knows what the 2018's are even gonna be like. Good luck man

Thank you for quick reply. Yea that is good point. I really like this car and thinks it looks awesome. I would love this car as my first sports car. I want a BWM but that is for later when I get little older and make some more money lol. I test drove the BRZ the other day and felt pretty awesome. Was awesome accelerating thorough a curvy turn. How long have you had your BRZ? what car before it? Is it pretty good as your DD?

The BRZ is a great DD. Not the most comfy at all times, and plugging the sound tube helps, but it's a great car, fun, light, makes commuting more enjoyable.

Wait for a redesign, whether that is 2017 or 2018. As far as picking the BRZ over any other car, that is up to you and no one knows your mind; that is, unless you want to write an essay on what you plan to do with it, what is your budget, what are your expectations for a car, what you enjoy in a car, and even if you wrote that, I doubt such an essay would be taken up as a good read. I would suggest go test drive cars in your budget and read up.

Is your Hyundai Elantra paid off? Do you want to modify your car? Stick or Auto? The BRZ/FR-S is a great car, there are many other great cars that serve slightly different purposes.

I'd say that if you have to ask, the that you should drive a bunch of different cars. I read about this car back in 2008, and knew I was going to sell my S2000 to get it. So.....

Leonardo yes my Elantra is fully paid off all stock automatic. I would like to do some mods for first time if I got the BRZ but financially maybe not. Like I would want to do some but 80% chance I will most likely leave the BRZ if I got it fully stock because of costs plus I dont know how to do any mods at all :( (I know how to drive a manual a little but not enough to drive confidently)

Alright. Yea I guess I could always wait and see how things turn out and if not good then I can always get the year before it. :)

Ah ok cool thank you How long have you had yours?

"what made you decide on this car even with all the complaints it comes with?"

What complaints ? This car is just perfect.

"I know how to drive a manual a little but not enough to drive confidently"

Don't buy an automatic...like ever ! Just half a day in a stick will give you way more confidence.

"if I do buy this car should I buy 2017 model or wait for the redesign they claim will come in 2018"

If you are ready now, and do decide to buy this car, rather than others below, I'd go for the 2017, available sometime soon, due to the nice little tweaks available...gearing, overall seemingly slightly more power than the current model. The 2018 surely too long a wait if you are gonna be ready soon after graduation.

This car, BRZ/FRS is Made in Japan. (Not all Subarus/Toyotas are made in Japan). Best build quality you'll find anywhere in the world.
Surely beats Korea, and often beats current German quality.


You don't know me. I'm 69 years old. I drive a 2015 FRS, manual, bought new, now with 26,000 miles on the odometer. Best fucking car I've ever owned, and I've owned about 60 cars in my lifetime.

Your other choices:

Used Honda S2000
Used Lotus Elise
New Mazda MX5 Miata

Pick one, they are all great. If you continue to live in Seattle, no sense buying a convertible in my opinion due to nearly 10 months of rain.

Well, congratulations on having a paid off car. My wife liked my Lexus. It had comfort, power, space, dual climate, and was cheap used. My Scion makes me happy, drives amazing, is bouncy compared to my Lexus, no dual climate, lacks power comparatively, and costs way more.

I am happy with my purchase, though a different person, would have kept the lexus. (or Elantra)

If you are justifying the purchase or weighing the pros and cons. You are not the intended buyer. If you have dreamed of owning the car and count the days down till owning it, get one! It is not for everyone. My $0.02


Seriously, go test drive several cars. Including "your" BMW.

I didn't get why people liked the BRZ. It looked boring on paper. Like too little too late. But then I drove one and instantly realized what the hype was about. I don't know how long I'll keep it. But I'm enjoying it for now. And they literally make EVERYTHING for it. It's the most modifiable car since the 92-95 civic.

Just curious what the 60 cars were haha? And how did you go through so many cars?

I would recommend the BRZ. Maybe you can get a deal on the 2017 one as the 2018 is closer to release. As a daily driver it is great because the car is so fun to drive (definitely recommend a manual. I refuse to drive anything but.) but you have to be willing to deal with more road noise, slightly harsher ride, and small backseats.

Having said that, I traded in a all wheel drive spacious 2012 Audi A4 with a turbo for this car.

The 17s will be the latest "update". Rumour mill has it that the 18s will be Gen 2. Do not believe the rumour mill!
Although the 17s are not a new gen they underwent a pretty significant face lift. In order to make that face lift pay off they will use those parts for at least 3 years with just some more minor changes over that period. If there will be a second generation with any major changes then we will not likely see it until 2020 now.

Why I bought this car.

I was 22 when I bought my car too and a bunch of people younger than I am have also worked hard to get one too.

I was 16 years old in 2009 when I stumbled upon the FT86 Concept in 2010, the precursor to today's BRZ/86. I barely had a license but I still had a passion for driving--mainly on video games. What I realized with myself was that on driving simulators like Gran Turismo, I primarily enjoyed doing races and driving cars that were lower powered. Not just because it made the game easier, but because you could really get a sense of the track shape and really get familiar with the lines so that in faster cars, it was already in your head. I enjoyed playing Gran Turismo with lightweight RWD cars like the S2000, the Nissan Silvias, and the Mazda RX8. I also played a lot of Initial D and the Nissan Silvia S14 was my favorite car to race with.

The cars I chose in video games shaped my preference for cars. I wanted a rear wheel drive, Japanese Sports car. This was back in 2008-2009 when the FR-S/BRZ didn't exist...until the FT86 Concept was released.

I thought it was perfect timing because I knew that the production car would make it out by the time I had my license and it could very well be my first car.

So, I just checked everyday for news on the car...every day for the next 3 years.

Long story short, I wanted the car, and just the amount of time I waited for the car made it the most valuable car to me, and it still is this very day.

Why? Because when will I ever be in this situation again? I already know how to drive so I'll never have the feeling of desiring to own a particular car before I have a license. When will I ever feel so passionate and connected to a particular carline that it would take me over 3 years of following the development, especially at such a sensitive age where I had no responsibilities and just a natural desire for a fun car.

With all that said, sure I still have complaints about the car. But does it outweigh the fact that I waited 3 years to own this car? Does it outweigh the fact that the twins naturally have no comparable competition that suited me?

No, the passion I have for this car is invaluable and getting into the car and driving it each day fuels this passion.

That's why I bought it.

covance: "Just curious what the 60 cars were haha? And how did you go through so many cars?"

Best answer: Car Nut...and son of a Total Car Nut.

Ah, the details...started early...age 9

To be very honest, I've really never owned a car so close to being a 'sports car' as is the FRS I own. I have owned Mustangs, but they don't handle as well.

I was formerly a used car mechanic at new car dealerships. I've owned about 35 Hondas, as I bought most used, at wholesale prices, fixed them up mechanically and resold them, on the side, weekends.

Other cars owned were mostly American, GM, or Ford. Never a Chrysler product. Throw in a couple of VWs and a Fiat X1/9 beater, and also my lst car a 49 Crosley convertible, ha ha.

I've owned maybe 7 new cars in my lifetime, including the current FRS. I've had way more fun, overall with the used cars owned. Gotta say beaters are great...no worries owning them. And it's best to own at least three cars/trucks, all at once. Different vehicle to drive depending on one's mood. And they certainly do not all have to be expensive cars. It's all about the fun.

Example: I own a 1985 Toyota truck. Bought it in 1992 as a beater...about $2200. It had about 300,000 miles on it when I bought it. It's 4 cylinder, 2 wheel drive, with big tires and a body lift kit, power steering and 5 speed manual trans. It's now on the east coast. My summer driver, as it's in a barn all winter. It wanders all over the road, currently a slightly blown head gasket, transmission so broken in I can shift it with just one finger if necessary. Can't wait to get back to it this summer for the fun rewards it gives me. I am certainly in love with this vehicle. Takes time to truly fall in love.

I was thinking at least two years. Isn't that the most common cycle? 3 year, refresh, two years? Either way, I do agree it won't be 2018 when you see a new car.

I agree, it took them 3 model years before the 2017 refresh and they wouldn't typically do a refresh to introduce a whole new car the next year.

Buy which every model you like and don't worry about any refresh, or you will keep waiting for the next big thing and never buy one.

Yep, 3 years for each base change and 6 years for a whole new platform refresh is pretty much industry standard and has been for decades. There are of course exceptions but not many. It just cost too much to keep changing the whole car very often.

I wish I had the skillset to buy up beaters and fix them for fun/profit.

I agree that owning multiple cars, not necessarily expensive ones, can add a lot of fun to life. I would love to buy an old manual transmission pickup truck as well as a motorcycle to round out my options. Thanks for sharing!

Consider what you'd be using the car for. Is it just for fun? Can you live with not having 4 doors? Do you need more practicality, etc. test some other cars and really find out what you "need" vs what you "want" especially if this will be your DD. Not to say the BRZ can't be a good DD (I had mine as a DD for two years before I picked up a second car) but I know a lot of people who wished they got into something different after a year or two of ownership because of changes in area, living arrangements, etc. ultimately it's up to you to figure out what "feels" right. A lot of people will say this car is better, faster, etc. but a lot of buying a car also is your gut feeling of what you feel is right for you. Enjoy!

And if you're interested, my car before the BRZ was a 2010 GTI. I've since gone through a 2015 WRX and my current daily is a 2016 Golf R. I still have my BRZ (4th year of ownership). If you're looking for a wonderful all around vehicle, I would consider the new GTI as an option


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There's no guarantee that the 2nd gen 86/BRZ would be better than the 1st, although society is programmed on a perpetual growth model.

I bought the BRZ cuz of the following criteria:

- Lower price and running cost than my previous car (2007 VW Golf GTI 2-door DSG)
- Lower driving position and hood line, lighter weight (I really miss older generation sports cars)
- Naturally aspirated engine (didn't want another Turbo engine)
- Rear wheel drive (didn't want another front wheel drive car after going thru 3 of them)
- 2-door sports coupe with adequate greenhouse (didn't really want a convertible)
- Short stroke clutch pedal and short throw shifter (basically this means Japanese as I have short legs)
- Safety of a newer generation car (crossed that Nissan 240SX off the list)

So I didn't really have a choice and the ND Miata RF wasn't out yet. I guess I could have gotten a RX-8 but I didn't really want a rotary.

I first saw the BRZ at the auto show in 2012 and I couldn't stop staring at it on the revolving stage for almost 20 mins. Then again at the auto show in 2013 I still couldn't stop looking at the car so I knew I had to get one. I figured out my finances 6 months later and just traded in my old car for it. Back then the dealerships basically receives one and then proceed to sell it a few days later. I was lucky to score the first 2014 car that got off the train by just walking in, instead of waiting at least 2 months on a new order.

The BRZ handles very good stock, there's really no need to mod it in order to have a very enjoyable driving experience.

I've had my eye on this car for going on three years now and every question you asked was going through my mind at some point as well. You honestly can't really compare these cars to too many other cars still in production unless you start looking at a higher price range.
My suggestion as far as waiting would be to jump on the 2017 whether it offers any changes or not. A year from now they may (or may not, you really can't know) make some major changes you might love (or hate, or just not care about), but you'll have had a full year of a car you like. You're obviously not fully satisfied with the car you have now, whatever the reason might be, and it's ultimately up to you whether or not you want to spend another full year driving that.
As for the mods, I was in the same boat as you, not really knowing how to modify anything on my car. And reading these peoples stories and posts about what they do to their cars, its easy to get hyped up about doing the same to yours. But you'll have to do a lot of research to see how much time and money truly goes into it, and you'll always be messing with the reliability of your car when you do. It's best to tweak little things here and there and get the feel for how you like changing things. But I guarantee once you buy the car its gonna be a big enough change (switching over to manual alone, which will change your driving experience more than any modification you could possibly make) that changing it isn't gonna be on your mind for a bit.

Ok thank you so much for your reply. I will be keeping all of that in mind. :) Hopefully everything works out for me this summer and that I can make a decision and keep everyone here posted. Hopefully even be part of the BRZ community :D

Don't get a 2017 or 2018. Buy a lease trade in. Something that was leased and then turned in. The money you will save you can definitely buy the headlights, tail lights, and bumpers. Also at 22 a BRAND new car is a HUGE investment.

I got a 15 BRZ as a lease and not a purchase because I needed time to help re-establish my credit otherwise my payments were going to be way too high.

Unless you got a great credit score, your parents are going to co-sign, you got a huge down payment already you are going to be fine.

Thank you and I see. I will keep this in mind as well :)

Ah I see. I have always wanted to drive a manual but have always been with an automatic only because my first car the Elantra is automatic. I am just little worried as Seattle area has a lot of traffic like 24/7 plus I like the way automatic I can just cruise without much thought to it I guess. Manual for sure seems like a lot of fun though. Just certain things worries me lol. But like you guys said manual does seem like more fun plus a sports car with automatic is weird.....

Sweet dude. You were pretty much in same boat I was. Thank you for your reply I liked you post. :)

The BRS/FRZ is an excellent drivers car and an excellent blank slate if you are interested in putting in the work.

Yea definitely this car I would like to get is because I want a fun sport car to drive daily and is a change from a sedan. I am single and will mostly be driving by myself or at least 1 other person. I rarely have more than one other person in the car with me lol. But yea I will need to do some more thinking and some more test drives after I graduate and see what is best for me like you said.

Nice dude you got lucky there. lol. Hopefully things works out for me and I can be lucky without a 3 month order wait. I will definitely keep everything you said in mind and frequently revisit this forum often before this fall and picking out the car to buy. :) I will keep all you guys posted and hopefully maybe even be a part of the awesome BRZ community. :D

I see. All very good points there. I actually don't have a problem with my car just I want a change after 5 years of this car and I always wanted to have a sports car lol. Plus my younger sister does not have a car yet and my parents being in a little financial situations can't afford to buy my sister a brand new car for another couple years so I was going to put a good amount of down payment after saving up for a couple more months and give the Elantra to my sister.

Yea most likely I will be keeping mine stock as it does cost quiet a bit to mod and also like you said the reliability will be tampered with. As you and some other people said seems these car is perfectly fine stock with not too many reasons to mod unless I had the time and money to do so. and for Manual....hmm I will need to defiantly keep it in mind and think whether at/mt is better for me and daily driving. and like i mentioned in another reply here i have copied and pasted below

I have always wanted to drive a manual but have always been with an automatic only because my first car the Elantra is automatic. I am just little worried as Seattle area has a lot of traffic like 24/7 plus I like the way automatic I can just cruise without much thought to it I guess. Manual for sure seems like a lot of fun though. Just certain things worries me lol. But like you guys said manual does seem like more fun plus a sports car with automatic is weird.....so I guess all I can do is just to think over it some more as I do still have some time before the fall and consider what would be good. (And if I do end up buying the MT hopefully a friend could teach me how and I am confident and all the other stuff to make me want this instead of a MT)

Test drive it, decide if you like it. I can never understand people who think so far in advance regarding purchasing model years.

2017 isn't out yet, and you're already considering waiting for 2018?
Well when 2018 comes out, will you ponder waiting for 2019?

You get the point - waiting for the next one will never work when it comes to things like this. ESPECIALLY if 2018 "refresh" is just speculative.

Yea that is very good point there man. That is probably my biggest flaw of my personality. I like to be organized but have things planned and think too far into future. Everyone says things won't always go the way it's planned so planning too far is not good but just my personality and the way I am...... :(

I daily drive mine in heavy dc traffic and the manual isn't an issue. But if you like automatic for being able to cruise without doing much you will likely hate the manual. The 6 speed is all about being engaged and having something to do haha - its why I get bored driving automatics and find myself to be a better driver with a manual transmission

I had an automatic celica before the one I drive now, and I miss it at times of heavy traffic but it doesn't make up for the feeling when its a sunny day and you've got the windows down and you just floor it in the car and feel throttle through the pedal. You don't get the same kind of response in an auto, flooring it just makes you slowly roll off the line and wait a couple seconds before you finally pick up some good speed and hear the car. Maybe its just the immaturity of a 19 year old speaking, but theres so many more good time to be had with a manual. I will say, though, I drove through miami with my car for a couple hours and you couldn't pay me to own stick in that city. By the end of the day my left leg was throbbing and I wanted to die. But yeah, just test drive them both and get the feel for what you like!

Seattle is probably not a very good city to learn driving manual, very hilly...

You probably need to drive an old car with a heavy clutch pedal from time to time to train your lower leg muscle. But then afterwards when you get back into the BRZ, the clutch pedal would be so light that you might stomp a hole right thru the firewall.

That's true but always remember that it can turn out better than it seems.

I thought I would have to work for 3 years until I could afford the BRZ. 3 YEARS! My plan was to lease a really cheap car or buy a really cheap car and save up my money. 3 years of my 5 year plan was committed to buying this car.

I started working in June, and a BRZ was sitting in my garage on the last day of September. Now my 5 year plan doesn't include my BRZ at all :)