2017 BRZ sold on Bring-A-Trailer
 

The first generation BRZ has officially hit The Big Time: one recently was sold on the tech bro car auction site Bring-A-Trailer, where the glitterati with more money than common sense buy cars -

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...brz-limited-9/

At least they have the sense to appreciate the BRZ. There's no higher compliment than for a car model to make to BaT :lol:

24k isn't that crazy considering people back during peak COVID were getting north of 30k for 60+k mile examples from places like carvana.

I completely agree the price on this BRZ seemed reasonable, which itself is unusual on BaT.

It wasn't the BRZ's price I was referring to in commenting on the batshit crazy money people often pay, but some of these -

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...outh-volare-2/

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-subaru-22b-3/

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...ini-beach-car/

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...airlady-z-432/

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...gra-type-r-51/

What I found interesting is that BaT sees itself as a site where 'premium' cars are bought and sold, cars of exceptionally great interest and value, cars that are often seen as 'investment grade' (whatever the hell that means).

The BRZ is now among that exalted class. As it should be.

Honestly seems like a good price for an *K mile BRZ that is so clean, rust free, and Ohlins coilovers..

But it's not like its the first 86 to be on BAT..

https://bringatrailer.com/search/?s=brz

https://bringatrailer.com/search/?s=fr-s

I don’t believe anyone thinks I’m glitterati. Even though I was in a garage band that came close to being a thing. I have some friends who have played with the likes of Prince and influenced players like Alex Lifeson. I most certainly do not have deep pockets. Nor do I throw what little money I did have around. However, I have bid and am now one of those who have purchased a car on BaT. The experience was good and bad. But just like any group, you have those who deem themselves better then the rest. Those who think they know more than they do and those who keep to themselves and share little of what they know.
Time was when you literally had to bring a trailer to pick up your purchase. There have been some real bargains and still the odd one does come along. What I’ve learned is be ready to bid at any time because you never know when the next great find will come along. Set a hard limit that you will not bid higher than. BUT… if that car that grabs you, that one in million is on the block than you must also be prepared to go all out. I lost a couple because of my hard limit or my reluctance to get dragged into a bidding war.
I was out; I had made my last bid and was making peace with myself over losing another car. Then I thought what if he just made his last bid. What if I win it by just making one last $250 bid? So I did and I DID! I used not just what I set aside but also the contingency money I was holding back to cover all the repairs I thought the car would need. Turns out it needs more but, I don’t mind.

I stand corrected. I don't frequent BaT that often and hadn't seem the other BRZ's sold there. I thought the one I saw was the first.

It's nice to see a still in production car, and a relatively modestly priced one at that and not just mid-six figure Porsches, being appreciated for what it is - a rare gem, one of a vanishing breed of pure, simple, straightforward, genuinely fun to drive, beautiful yet affordable, sports cars. Cars meant to be driven, to have simple, sheer fun in, without having to break the bank and get a second mortgage to afford. Cars you would want to take out just to drive, just for the fun of it, without any particular destination in mind (except a twisty road).

Once upon a time, back in the 1960's and 1970's, the market was filled with cars like that. MG, Triumph, Alfa-Romeo, Lancia, Fiat, Austin-Healy, Jensen, Opel GT, Sunbeam, Karmann-Ghia, even some French makes like Renault and Peugeot, and the Corvair. Cars with a soul, with passion.

They're all gone now except for the Miata, and the world is moving inexorably towards a sterile, boring future of bland, anodyne, soulless EVs and autonomous transportation pods with all the driving excitement and character of a washing machine.

It's gratifying there's still a core (even if shrinking) community of people who appreciate cars like the BRZ.

I'm guessing once they master making/selling/charging the daily-driver EV's then will start working on "fun" ones.

Some companies have already started.