BRZ New 2019 vs. Used (2015-2018)
 

I’m looking to get a BRZ in the next few weeks, but I have a dilemma regarding buying new vs. used and was looking for some input. If buying new, I’m going with the performance package. If buying used, I’m sticking with 2015-2018 model year cars. In either case, the car will be WRB limited trim with the manual.

Based on the criteria below, what would you recommend?

• This will be a weekend/fun car. I have a daily driver and often commute to work on the train anyways.
  
• Once broken in, I’ll be attending a few Auto-X and track events throughout the year. Experience-wise, I have participated in about 10-15 HPDE events in a previous car but will probably need a bit of time to learn on this platform.
  
• Not looking to go full racecar or go crazy with mods. I’m looking to keep it mostly stock, but eventually initial mods will be tires, pads, fluids so it performs adequately for Auto-X and track. As time progresses, I’ll look into oil cooler, coilovers, bushings, etc.. I think the BRZ w/ PP will help suppress the modding bug.
  
• Availability and cost wise, used BRZs in the trim and color that I want are very slim or non-existent around me. I’d have to travel 500+ miles or out of state to find a clean one (read: no mods). Cost is floating around $18-20k for a clean 2015-2016 ranging from 20-40k miles on the clock. Nothing much in terms of 2017-2018 on the used market around here. For a new one, there are a few dealerships around me that still has 2019s around with the color, trim, and package that I want. So far the offers look pretty good and I can also apply my $500 Subaru loyalty coupon on top of that. The cost difference would be around $7-8k new vs. used, but I’ll know exactly what I’m getting. Depreciation doesn't look great though.
  
• Will probably be keeping this car for 5-7 years
  

Thanks in advance.

My vote, buy new if you know you can afford it. PP gets you pretty close to what you would want after mods anyway with less headaches. And you get exactly what you want.

Plus, every new car they sell is another argument for continuing to make cars like this.

Either a low km PP 17+, or new.

Have fun shopping

Find a used one, travel to get it, enjoy the drive home. 7k less financed and more for modifications.

2018+ for android auto....if you into that. But yeah get a pp. Haggle thru emails. Get price matched from farther dealers to closer ones. Good luck.

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I went through this not even a month ago. I was set on getting a low mileage 17+ PP, BUT.. found a brand new, unsold 2018 and got a really good deal on it .. less than some of the used 17s were going for.
If you care about warranty, consider certified used option.

https://media3.giphy.com/media/QMZpn...sSM3/giphy.gif


If you can buy new then do it. All those that refuse to buy new (when they have the ability) can not complain when either the car or the MT disappear.

Buy my used tS (basically new) for the price of a new BRZ PP and sell it for more when you're done lol.

Going to agree with Mr wolf here. I bought mine new last year and I kind of wish I had bought a slightly used one. These cars get rattly and stuff starts wearing pretty quick. That new car feel passes on these cars much faster than most and I think that's a big part of why they depreciate so much the first year. I know all cars depreciate a lot driving off the lot, but these cars it is skewed a lot more towards first 1-2 years vs remainder of life than other cars.

Look around and see if there are any leftover 18's on dealer lots. You'll get a good deal and get a minty fresh car.

Just depends on how big your wallet is. New will always be better unless $ is a concern.

Keep the market alive, buy new!*




*if you can afford it safely

Buy new..

Getting a 17-18 with PP and the color you want will set you back around 22-24k and there is a chance the car was abused etc

I bought my new 19 PP car exactly the way I wanted for 26500. So it was a no brainer to go new for me. If PP is a must.. just buy new.

Thanks all for the replies. I can afford both new and used.

Seems like going new vs. a low mileage 2017-2018 is the way to go considering the deals that can be had on new ones.

Hopefully I can check out a couple of local dealers this weekend to close out a deal.

Check the price paid thread so you get an idea of what to pay. New with pp can be had for ~27k.

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I looked low mileage used but was concerned with how the car (especially PP) might have been driven and ended up finding new for the same price as previous year used in December - so you might consider waiting until dealers get desperate to clear lots in 3 months...

If you care about Android Auto / Apple Carplay, test your phone with it. My Android Auto crashes after a few seconds. I've gone through a few "high quality cables".

Even worse, my bluetooth doesn't work with my phone. Works with other phones but my phone doesn't have any issues with any other car.

Otherwise, yes, leftovers or demos I would say are the way to go, if you're financing.

Some of these cars were forced induction prior to trade in so any semblance of a warranty is uber important imo

You seem to be in the expensive SF Bay Area consider buying a few hundred miles out. Maybe Sacramento. I bought my 2018 BRZ Red PP in Carson City NV, where it had been sitting on a dealer lot for nearly 250 days or more. The dealer wanted it gone I got it for just over $25k with 10 miles on the odo and in perfect condition.

It helps to break in a car your way, since the cars could get abused a bit by someone who just wants to run her hard for 5-10K miles and dump it. So new is preferable if you can find exactly what you want sitting around as I did. I almost bought in Arizona, but then found a better and closer to home deal in Nevada. Something to consider...