Buying a tainted BRZ
 

Lurker who has been searching for the right 2017+ BRZ to come available in my area. Getting cold feet after pulling the trigger and putting a deposit on a unique vehicle purchase.

2019 BRZ sportech rs
1180 miles
Closing price: $23428 cdn ($17729.83 usd) all in
MSRP is 33k cdn

The story with the paperwork to support it...

A Subaru dealership was broken into in 2018 and the BRZ was stolen off the show room floor. They drove it through the front door and took it on a one way trip 530 miles where it was recovered and sat in insurance limbo until it was auctioned to a shop where the body work was all fixed. The vehicle was then sold to the dealership where is sits now. The dealership is a reputable place.

The brz appears to be in mint condition and the inspection paperwork from the dealership shows the same. Subaru has void the warranty due to the history of the vehicle.

Obviously I'm aware the car was "driven like it was stolen" for at minimum half the miles and then probably test driven and such for the remaining miles which probably wasn't easy on it.....

This vehicle is being purchased as second vehicle and my intentions are to make some major modifications that would void a warranty anyways.

Just curious what you guys think.....

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does it have a branded title?

considering the history, the price seems a little steep.

Sorry I'm not sure what branded means. Might be labeled differently in Canada. The status of the registration is "active" and not "rebuilt" if this is what you are referring to?

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yeah, branded or salvage titled vehicles, which an insurance repossession sure fits the terms, is usually a lot closer to almost half to 2/3's the typical appraised 'clean' value most times.

moi would keep searching.

$17k for 1200mi is a steal, lol. Sure you might have to replace something for a few grand but you're saving $7-15k so meh? Will they give you the full 30k warranty? If they will I would take it.

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If the damage was just on the surface (no impact) then I don't see why not. If they had to replace anything suspension related or the front crash beam, hell no.

Inspections and repairs show that the damage was all cosmetic.

How sensitive is the fa20 during the break in period?

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There's many that skip the break in and go all in from the get go as they don't believe in it. I've read it plenty of times in the early years of this car. Honestly, I believe it's a total steal, based on your opinion of course. I would never buy something like that as my intention was to go new and untouched. But in your case, if you don't care, that's an incredible deal and the car should have no real engine problems as it is practically unheard of in stock form, minus the recall models.

I also think it's hilarious that out of all the cars out there, someone chose to hop in a BRZ and bust out of the dealership. :bellyroll:

"Subaru has void the warranty due to the history of the vehicle."

Seems like an OK deal to me since it doesn't have rebuilt status.

Oh, I missed that part. Will the reputable dealer issue an extended warranty for free? lol..

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I would negotiate some sort of warranty as well but at that price it's a steal. And if it's a project car and cosmetic wise it looks great, then who cares really? I say go for it!

Post some pictures of the ride too!

That's a relief to hear! No one seems to be too worried about the existing miles

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Just a picture at the dealership but I will post a better picture if it ends up in my drivewayhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1dc27c4216.jpg

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Subaru (and everyone else) will always do this for a car with anything but a perfectly clean title history.

IMO the price seems fair but I'd still try to get some money off simply because some people won't want to risk a theft recovery.

As for the break in, it's fine.

But damn.. that 4x4 mode in the pic is not fine.

4x4 mode?

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That ride height.. I guess it's normal I just haven't really owned one at stock height in 8 years.

I guess I've rebuilt a few and sold them at stock height but I never really looked at them in a pic like the one you posted.. that fender gap is huge ha

I would jump all over that. The price discount makes up for any potential downsides and pays for the turbo kit and install to boot!!

Lucky to live in flat Florida. Only reason I would move back.

Not sure I follow, I've had plenty of warranty service done on vehicles that likely had something less than a clean record. Cosmetic damage should not void a mechanical warranty, and it sounds as if this does have a clean title.

My guess is this thing has a branded title given him comment about the warranty coverage.

No... it has an active title not rebuilt.

Rebuilt = branded in Canada

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I would imagine that Canada has more branded title options than just rebuilt.

Maybe Subaru of Canada sucks but they can't wholesale void a title here without a branded title.

@Tcoat likely knows the dumb, but relevant, Canadian laws.

If it's not branded there's no reason for Subaru to deny warranty.

It became a “branded” title the minute it was paid for by insurance. The claim was likely not for the damage so much as it took a while to find and they paid out. This is supported by the info that it was sold at auction. It would be classed as a recovered vehicle not a rebuild.
As far as the warranty goes you just need to balance the probability of a costly repair against the reduced price. As we have seen the likelihood of an expensive Warranty claim on a post 13 is remote so I personally would not even worry much about that. There is also the option of paying for an extended warranty but you would need to speak to the dealer about that.

I myself would consider such a car if looking for the best value for the dollar I could find.

Makes sense. [emoji482]

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The stock height is just suitable for monster trucks! Even though I winter drive it I still will lower. The gap is more noticeable on the red and orange since it gives a big black void. The Hakone green covers up that wheel gap pretty well but it still bothers me every time I walk up from the side.

We'd all like to see the surveillance video of the bust out!!!

What are you thinking? Lowering springs?

What about wheel skirts like 50s style? I would have done a better photoshop job but I'm on my phone since I'm away on a jet trip.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c8d7202b69.jpg

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No. I had those on the FRS and loved the height but didn’t like the clearance in the winter. Never had any real issue but this time around will go with something adjustable so I can raise in winter and drop in summer. Haven’t really decided which ones yet

Ummmmmmm
No

Thank you for the brief consideration.

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Lol yes! I wish. Should come with the car

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i feel like this would be a fun STi Type-R mod...

might have to make some out of some painted cardboard/plastic sheet and run around for a bit.

Could probably make one on a 3D printer, I mean it's not structural. I think there are already mount spots for the wheel well liner.

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that's quite a poor use of a printer. not many printers have that large of a build area, and a print over that size would be susceptible to warping while printing to get the thickness needed. not to mention the time it would take to print-- likely close to 3-4 days per side.

i can cut out and blowtorch a piece of plexiglass into the right shape and mounting tabs in a couple hours with paint...

I will laugh my ass off at anybody silly enough to do this.
Save that look for the led sleds.

I know what you're saying. I remember mine when it was stock and the wheel gap was annoying. Having said that, if I buy a new one I will not change anything at all. I tried in the past the Zachs performance coilovers and Bilstein yellow shocks (STI spec'd) and even though they were both "better", there was always a kinda of compromise.