Good price for this specific 2013 FR-S?
 

Hey all, I read the sticky at the top of the forum and it mentioned that questions about purchasing a new car should be posted in the 'New Car' forum, but I don't see anything like that in the forums list. Hopefully it's ok to post this question here.

I really want an FR-S. It is by far the sexiest car (imo) in the 15-20k price range. Here's what I'm about to take a look at on Tuesday:

2013 FR-S
Asphalt
Manual

28k miles
One-owner
Private seller
Always garaged
Clean title

Extras(aftermarket):
Keyless entry
Upgraded sound system (Infinity x6)
Front/rear fog lights
Alarm system
Hotchki Springs
Custom exhaust
Master cylinder brace
Steering rack lockdowns
Acoustic Insulation

All for 17.2k. What do you guys think about that price?

Any tips about what I should look for when I go to check the car out on Tuesday? I don't actually know how to drive manual yet so I won't be able to check on the clutch that much, but hopefully the owner will drive me around a bit.

Owner comes across as a responsible guy, for what it's worth.

Thanks for any and all help!

Drive it and see if you like it. I got my 14' FRS with 20K on the dash for about $21,000 (financed)


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Sounds like a good deal, I would check for any hidden accident proof (just because it's clean title doesn't mean it never was in an accident), make sure frame is straight, gaps are equal.


Take a look at the fluids also and ensure they are in good shape and not leaking, etc.

After looking over the car, before making an offer it may be worth asking a professional (or local board member) to do a quick PPI - especially if you won't be able to drive it yourself. Shouldn't cost too much and he can tell you, for example, if the clutch is slipping or the transmission grinds.

Sounds like a good deal.

You may consider checking with Carfax (or review the report) for any history.


humfrz

Last week I got my 2013 6spd FRS with 35k miles for $16k from Toyota dealership.
Just let you know mods don't raise the value of the car.
Check everything people posted plus bolts under the hood. Check if it was unscrewed for any reason.

Depends on your area,, if in my area, Bay area,CA,thats a pretty good deal.
I bought my stock 2013 10 series 19600miles + platinum package, $25000 out the door from Toyota dealership. $22xxx without the package.

P.S you can pay your local auto repair shop $100 buck to do a test diagnose for you.

I did do a Carfax history report - came up all clean.

sounds like a fair or even a good deal, but you should defiantly ask for a ride or test drive it a bit. might want to have a reputable or reliable mechanic look into it, better yet if your almost certain you will but it. have him bring it to scioyobaru and inspect the car... private sales could be scandalous sometimes lol

KBB says a spotless FR-S with 28K miles should be worth in the range of 16.6K~18.4K in my area from a private seller. Mods don't count. 18.4K~21K if bought from a dealer. Probably would be closer to $18K at a dealer given the 2017s are right around the corner.

My first real question is why sell private? I would definitely be looking for paperwork from a reputable shop after doing a thorough inspection. Would the owner be willing to pay for an inspection and report?

To me, a dealer is easier to get on the phone if there is a problem after the sale. They have a reputation to keep and can't be doling out shit cars. If you sign the title and hand over money, a private seller can be dust in the wind when things start falling off.

Also, when the 2017s hit, expect prices to drop on 13s/14s/15s. Someone posted about new 2015s going for 22K in the mid-west. Don't think you are getting a deal because someone tossed some aftermarket equipment into the car. The resell value on that stuff is basically nill.

Skepticism is always healthy. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you drive it and all feels good, then you are okay. Take it on the highway and see how it handles in some turns. If they tell you to take it easy or if something feels off and they try to make excuses, walk away.

Honestly,for that amount of money,you'd be better off going to a dealer,more than likely spending a little more and getting a warranty.Spending that kind of money and not getting one just seems silly to me.

Don't drive unless you want to buy. Because once you drive it, game over, you'll own it. Good price, mine was 15,7 with no upgrades and 43k on the clock

The price is fair (give or take $500 if he wants to try a hard negotiation). OP just needs to decide if he wants to buy.

I am going to take the opposing view point of many on the mods. Most seem to think they have zero value but isn't true at all. They most certainly do add value to the car if you want that mod. Why would it be better to run out and buy a stock one and then buy all the mods and put them on? The value of mods issue really doesn't rear it's head until the seller try's to up price the car some stupid amount because of them. It would appear from that list that there is actually a huge savings on the mods and the seller is very realistic in their price.
The fact that there is no warranty on a private sale isn't that big a deal either. The car is already almost out of warranty on age anyway. For the lower price of a private sale you can have some money in reserve in case something does break. If something major fails then odds are the dealer (especially a used car one) will probably try to not cover it anyway. Just have the car checked by a shop you can trust and if they say all is good then go for it.

A dealer may also have Certified Car which can have a power train warranty.

Something to look in to.

Have a look at a few, the best car won't be the first.

Use the time to practice in a manual.

Hey thanks again for all the advice and suggestions. We decided to meet today to take a look at it.

Two things I had concerns about:

There was quite a bit of noise when he took me out on the test drive. It wasn't consistent noise and I couldn't tell what or where it was coming from. Are FR-Ss pretty noisy in the cabin? He said that before he had acoustic insulation installed it was almost impossible to have a conversation when on the highway, and it wasn't even close to that bad. I don't have much experience being in either a manual or a sporty car, so I'm not sure if the noise was abnormal or not.

The other thing was the small spoiler/lip that had been added to the car- it had a nasty little blob of paint where he said there had been a chip that he covered up. Would it be pretty easy to remove something like that altogether? To be honest I think it looks better without. It's quite a small spoiler, maybe 1"-1.5" tall.

Lastly, he was willing to go down on the price to 16.7k. Thanks again for all the help guys!

If there are any strange issues with the lights/electronics stay far away.

People who upgrade tons of components with stuff like aftermarket stereos, lights, alarms often jack up the wiring. Make sure all the installs look clean and professional.

They make the most bizarre noises I have ever heard come out of a car. You get used to it.

There is no easy way to delete a spoiler. Pretty much have to swap the trunk lid. The bad touch up can be fixed with a little work though.

There is no logic to that comment. The first has every bit the same odds of being the best as the last you look at. There is no reason they would get better as you look.

Yes, these cars are noisy. Even with some added sound deadening material (the car comes stock with essentially none) it's never going to be a Lexus. Part of the car's charm, IMHO. You mentioned a custom exhaust in the OP, but did not mention upgraded wheels or tires. The custom exhaust probably adds quite a bit of noise, especially under throttle, and if the tires are stock they are notoriously loud, too (some pavement types make them ridiculous!).

As for the chip on the spoiler, just get it repaired correctly or remove it. You'll have to fill and paint holes in the trunk lid more than likely.

What I do with shoes is try them on in the store,then buy them online for a cheaper price if I like them.


Using that method,he should test drive to get an idea,then try to find one from the dealer with a warranty with lower miles and a warranty.

I've been looking at listings for the past 2 months obsessively and have not seen an FR-S with this color, with this mileage and a clean title, at this price anywhere in this area (within ~250 mi).

If you like the car and it checks out with a mechanic, just buy it. It's a car, not a lifetime commitment, it's fun, and you've been offered a good price. Really, don't over think it.

I thought FRS comes with 3 yr 36,000 bumper to bumper and 5 yr 60,000miles power train. So the car still should be under warranty.
Yes car is loud and make a lot of mechanical noise. Fuel pump noise, lifter ticking noise, transmission noise, etc.


Ah crap this reminds me I just hit over 36k and forgot to fix my window issue from dealership. Darn.

It can make a big difference if u want a certain color. I knowingly paid more for my car because it was red and red ones are rare. If you have been looking for 2 months and this one seems like a good deal, go look at it.

But make sure no dash warning lights are on and TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC for an inspection-- to not do so is just silly.

If you can live with the crickets you can live with a lot of stuff lol

BTW if you're going to buy a used car (even if it's new) Down the road you'll have to fix here and there. you might as well look for one that you could live with. As @Tcoat mentioned. Why buy a stock when you're going to mod it down the line? Waste more money and more labor cost not to mention down time.

Maybe ask someone here local to you for a ride in their FRS than compare you might see where your decision is going.

Hope the opinion helps :)