Newbie Here, Need Advice for buying a used FRS.
 

Hey guys,

Im pretty much a car newb, but I fell in love with this car at first sight. So therefore, after doing some research on the car, I decided I wanted to get it (since I am in need of a new car). Well, luckily, there is a person selling a Used Ultramarine Blue FRS with 9k mileage on it for $22,500. Some issues he has having with his car are the fogging up of the headlights as well as the idle issue, but did not have the CEL issue. He recently got a letter from toyota stating that they need to replace the ECU to fix the idle issue, which he will do.

What do you guys think?

Does $22,500 seem reasonable to you? Even with the normal issues he is having with the car?

Another thing is that Blue is essentially my third choice in color, (1st would be whiteout 2nd would be asphalt), but blue is something I could live with, but I figure that if Im spending so much money on a car, should I just wait to find a car with my color preference. The thing is, near my region (socal), this car is essentially the only private party selling his FRS right now, and I really dont want to deal with the dealerships.

To be honest, I would not buy a used FRS this early in the game. You don't know how it's been treated, and if the lights are fogging, you are going to have yourself plenty of back and forth with a dealership anyway to get it fixed. Better to buy new, and suck up the extra few grand for a new cost.

Honestly, if it was me I would just break down and get a new FR-S that way your the only owner and you know how it's been treated. If you feel comfortable do it though I say go for i. That's not a horrible deal considering the car.

You're not talking a lot of difference in money to buy a new one. Assuming you will have to pay sales tax in your state on what ever you buy, you're talking probably less than $1k. This car is aimed at a specific market and that market isn't the group that would buy a Toyota Corolla. Most people buying this car want to drive it like they stole it. Because of that I would not buy a used one unless you bought one from an old fart like me and there aren't many of us around with FR-S's.

I agree get a new one. If that means saving up a bit more, try to. Now if you can get it for 20K or so, then yes I would go for it. The car would still carry the original warranty. Why are they selling it?

Thanks for the responses guys. Yes car will still carry the original warranty. He's selling it because he used it as a DD, but decided the commute to work was too long so he moved closer to his work, so therefore, will be driving his other car instead.

But yes, thank you for the responses, this definitely will make me ponder more about my decision. I may decide just to go to the dreaded dealership and get a new one lol.

Those were my color choices in that exact order. I ended up with the asphalt because it looks great in person and was the only manual in that dealership. I'm happy with my choice. As everyone else suggested, I say just get a new one. You don't know what other issues you might be inheriting.

I wouldn't buy used this early on...

Here's another large point in favor of buying a new one. The earlier production cars are the ones that had the problems. As problems developed and corrections were made those problems were not in the later manufactured cars. My car was built in August and I've had absolutely none of the issues the earlier ones had.

Saving $1800 or whatever it may be isn't worth buying a used car with 9k miles IMO. I'd get a brand new one. If you have decent credit you'll get better finance rates on a new vehicle anyways.

Scion offers pure pricing. For the amount of the money involved, get what you want. I've always had an issue paying more than $20.00 for my second choice!

On the other hand, the used FRS and it's problems should be covered under warranty. I'd also run the vin against carfax!

not so fast! plenty of us "old" farts like this car ,even if we should be examined
for possible "mental issues!" ehe! he! he!

yeah! this was what i suspected as well! wait until later in the year,and the minor issues would be addressed!.

Yep, another old fart here! Agreed though, we are the types you want to buy one off.


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So what happened to our "old fart" thread? I'm definitely old (sixty-three), and enjoying my Hot Lava FR-S immensely, alternating driving it with the '87 Porsche. Just saying,

I understand that thought. I never in my life dealt with a Scion dealership before because, except for the FR-S, there's never been anything they've offered that I would give a second thought to. There's no haggling about price so that was not an issue. They gave me what I wanted for trade and that was the end of it. It was the most pleasant new car buying experience I ever had with any dealership. All the b.s. was eliminated. As far as the car being badged a Scion, that was one good thing about it.

hot lava! hot "old" fart!

this is essentially true,however,you can still get into a real "pissin"' contest with 'em
over your trade in! they are no different from any other dealer! they all try to "beat" ya on the money,so ya better "know" what your car is really worth,OR they WILL make more than they should on the deal.they will beat ya up on the trade,AND get the "pure pricing" too!..just sayin'

True. I'm sure a lot has to do with the integrity of the individual you're dealing with. I guess I got lucky.

either that,OR you "knew" how much your property was worth,and you
got tough with them,and they relented to "score" the sale! it's good to keep in mind
that they are NOT in business to "store" cars,so to speak,as they cannot make money that way,AND they "need" to move inventory to get more allocation,so you really do have room for negotiation,especially if they "know" you WILL buy the car! even though they realize "zero" extra money from a cash sale (no kickback from bank financing),presenting "cash" in a large brown envelope has a remarkable affect,and will solidify
your position as a serious buyer. cash is still king!..just sayin'

There still isn't really much haggling over trade ins at most new car dealers. Maybe it was because I was trading in a Lexus at a toyota dealer, but after checking it out, they knew exactly how much it was worth and gave me roughly the value from places like KBB and Edmunds. That combined with the Pure Price thing made it a pretty easy experience.

And trading in is so much easier than selling privately.

Might as well get a new one, especially if this is not your preferred color choice. You don't want to dump a chunk of change on something that already has some issues.

trading in IS much easier than selling privately,but you will get more for your car IF you can sell it yourself!.it depends on WHAT you have for a trade in! always remember what they offer you for your car ,may,or may not be what the vehicle is actually worth! they will,in MOST cases offer you less than what that final number truly is,so it's in your "best" interests to know what it '"can" be sold for,and try to get close to that.if the dealer really wants your car,THEY will know what that number really is,BUT you have to know what it is too,and try to effect a "compromize" to get full value,IF you are trading the car in. kbb ,and edmunds offer what the car "'should " be worth,(based on condition) BUT there are variables,,and condition,AND demand can skew the numbers,so,in the final analysis,it depends on what someone is willing to pay for the car that really determines it's TRUE value. just sayin'

Go used if the car has the 7 year 100,000 mile warranty. CYA. Buying a '13 used this early is a bad and risky idea IMO.

Another thought. Perhaps since they sell for a fixed, window sticker price and you can't negotiate them down to the bare bones they can give you a more realistic allowance for your trade in as they've already made a fair and reasonable profit off the price of their new car and they don't have to make up as much off the sale of your trade in.:iono:

You need to go to a local dealer and price a new one. The sticker will be around $25K with no options, more if they added BeSpoke, tint, 3M film, vin etching or some other Mickey Mouse extras. Most dealers I have dealt with add a document fee of between $199 and $499. Then add in your sales tax 8-9%.

With used you are paying $22.5K plus tax. New you will pay $26K?? plus tax. You would save $250+ just on sales tax plus the $3.5K price difference. In a couple of years there will be virtually no price difference on your car whichever decision you make, used vs new.

Do not be afraid of an early production car. I have had mine almost 8 months with no problems.

If you can't get an FR-S for MSRP, it would be worth a drive to find a car in a more eastern state. In MA, you can have your choice of FR-S' right now at MSRP. That's probably true in states closer to CA.

this is very true! sometimes one can get an "over allowance" on the trade
but only IF you are sure what your car is really worth! you can bet your a** they do,and they also got it "nailed" as to WHAT they can flip your car for as well!. it's a little mind game,so to speak,however to emphasize,YOU must "know" what your property is truly worth to play.the trick is to get close to what YOU want to let it go for,and then start doin' the "back and forth" with the "sales manager" NOT the salesman,as he is out of the picture now.you are dealin' with the money man now.if they still won't give ya what you want,and you are close,get pissed off,and WALK OUT! 9 out of 10 times they will call you back,THEN produce the "wad" of foldin' green,and tell 'em i want to buy the car today for the ''correct" trade in money,AND the difference in "cash" get ready to enjoy your new frs!

this strategy is risky,and you are definitely rolling the dice,BUT what you say
could be correct.in a few years,the new one WILL depreciate to the level of the used one at $22,500.00 or so. what makes this plausible,is that MAYBE the used one's used value STABILIZES,and BOTH cars will "possibly" be worth the same,however,the (fly in the ointment) is that the "used" one may further depreciate,and STILL be worth less than the new one a few years down the road.right now,it's a guessing game as to which way it will go! for my money,since we are talking a few dollars more a month on a 5 year note,i would go new! just my thoughts!

My dealership experience was nice :) I got super cheap financing, it didn't take much effort on my part, and other than waiting on the car to come from Japan, there was nothing bad about it! I was in the finance office for like 15 minutes at most, they didn't slip anything stupid in there, and he got me something like 2.9% financing. That's cheaper than my student loans, for pete's sake.

Important notes:

1) IF you graduated college in teh last 2 years, make sure to get the college grad discount. It's $1000 off, from Scion, so it doesn't hurt the dealership at all.

2) See #1 if you got out of the military recently. Same schtick. Come on military college! ha.

3) Make dang sure they don't drill the front license plate holes. The aftermarket front plate kits are far better.

4) PREMIUM IN THE TANK. Don't let the dealer cheap out... some of them honestly don't realize it's a premium only kind of car.

OK, all that said, your best bet being in Cali might be to go to Oregon or Nevada and find a dealer. I have heard some pretty shady mark-up stories about the California dealers, but at least they are doing it to BRZs as well. If you can't wait, and you find one that wants to throw their dumbass wheel package on there to overcharge you, try to get them to do RPF1s with Star specs. At least get GOOD wheels out of it.

Id buy a used auto with low mileage, not sure about a manual though unless it were some mass produced eco box like a civic or focus.