A few questions before buying a used BRZ/FRS
 

I am considering an FRS/BRZ.

I like to keep my cars bone stock.
If I want a 2013 (premium/base) with about 30k miles, what price range should I expect?

I understand these cars are 2013+ new and few may have been taken to over 80k miles yet. So, not much widespread maintenance has been done yet. That said, how is the DIY resources for this car? Are they nonexistent since there have not been any big repairs for people yet?

I heard that the engine needs to be dropped to replace the rear two spark plugs. Any truth to this?

What is the resolution for the chirping sound fuel pump? Do people just live with it? Just how bad is it? Anyone have an audio recording?

Snow tires. Any weird things I need to know? TPMS? What size wheels and snows do you run? Same as OEM P215/45R17 ?

Heard the head unit is bad. Poor stereo. Bad bluetooth. IS there a common upgrade, or am I stuck with OEM?

as for chirping you just get used to it or turn up your tunes....use good quality premium gas and you'll be fine....if you can get a 2014....just my 2 cents! ;)

I think the mechanical maintenance forum has a shop manual PDF as a sticky.

If you have small hands and/or the right tools, you don't need to lift the engine to do spark plugs. Do a search, there are a few diys on the subject.

The crickets give the car character imo. If you get them, you hear it at idle when the car is warm. Doesn't cause any problems I am aware of. I get them all the time in the summer.

I have a 2013, and the radio/ head unit/ Bluetooth works fine for my limited use of it. Check out the interior modifications forum if you want to know upgrade options.

My 2013 FRS cost me $17k with 12k miles on it, about 2 years ago. I would bet 30k miles now would be a bit cheaper, but that is w/out looking at the market.

For the FP chirping, you can get it replaced. But, even after replacing, mine still chirped. It is not a big deal, little music or exhaust drowns it out.

Snow tires, just get the same as OEM size, nothing special.

My FRS had the touchscreen head unit. It was not that bad, no BT issues. I have odd BT issues with my 2017 BRZ and Samsung S7 phone that I did not have w/ my FRS :/

You get yours replaced before or after October 2016?

It would have been before that date.

As long as I burn ethanol-free gas, mine doesn't chirp. Put in E10 though, and it starts up after a few miles.

Ah okay, that's the wrong pump they put in. The TSB on Oct 2016 is a total redesign. If it ever bothers you and you get time this redesigned version works chirp free, at least on my car. :)

Yep, everything sucks. Don't get one.

Thanks for the info, guys.
I just bought a '13 BRZ tonight and and looking forward to being a member here.

Sounds like a shop manual, existing DIY info, and passing time will meet my needs.

It seems like installing a new head unit is not a big deal.

The car I bought does not have chirping. I hope it stays that way.
But, it sounds like the 2016+ fuel pump solves it?

Chirping is not an issue. Worry about things that matter, like driving your new (hopefully) best toy

I purchased a used FR-S with 60K on the odo for $16K last August (not a great deal, but dealers in my area were asking $19,000 for anything with under 40,000 miles.)

Here's my experience:

Spark Plugs: Had them changed by an independent shop at 65K miles for ~400. There are several DIY guides available to change yourself without jacking up engine. Factory manual recommends changing at 60K, not 100K like other Subaru engines.

Fuel Pump Chirping: Ethanol Free = NO chirps for me. Worth the extra $$$ each tank imo.

Head Unit: No issues, but I have a Series 10 with the "upgraded" unit.

I am considering an FRS/BRZ.



>Good choice

I like to keep my cars bone stock.
If I want a 2013 (premium/base) with about 30k miles, what price range should I expect?

>Hard to say, depends on the market, condition and the miles



I understand these cars are 2013+ new and few may have been taken to over 80k miles yet. So, not much widespread maintenance has been done yet. That said, how is the DIY resources for this car? Are they nonexistent since there have not been any big repairs for people yet?

>The DIY resources are great on this site and YouTube. There were reported issues with the initial batch back in 2012 with failed injector seals that manifested themselves with track rentals that were driven very hard.

I heard that the engine needs to be dropped to replace the rear two spark plugs. Any truth to this?

>DIY guys have demonstrated that you don't need to drop the engine to change the spark plugs just remove the ECU, a few other things and don't be surprised by scraped knuckles. It's just that it's a low, flat horizontal engine in a cramped engine and dropping the engine would make it no brainer. YouTube will be your friend.


What is the resolution for the chirping sound fuel pump? Do people just live with it? Just how bad is it? Anyone have an audio recording?

>No real solution, some guys have better luck with trying different gas blends. Keep in mind, direct injection cars make a noise, usually ticking but ours is chirping -go figure. Keep in mind it only happens when you're idling, very noticeable while idling next to a wall at a drive through or idling with your hood open. If you increase your idle it goes away. if you more it goes away, if you make the radio louder it drowns it out, if you close the windows it drowns it out too. There are examples of chirping on YouTube. Sometimes it goes as quickly as it came.


Snow tires. Any weird things I need to know? TPMS? What size wheels and snows do you run? Same as OEM P215/45R17 ?

>Nothing weird, same as any other car. Mount them on steelies if you don't worry about appearance.

Heard the head unit is bad. Poor stereo. Bad bluetooth. IS there a common upgrade, or am I stuck with OEM?

>The head unit for the FR-S from the '13 10 Series/'14 model year (and up) are fine. Anything before it is junk. The BRZ head units were the ones plagued with issues. You're not stuck with OEM, it's a double DIN and you can get adapters for the wiring harness from Crutchfield so you don't have to mutilate the wires.


Hope this sheds some light.

When I run e85 the chirps go away for me. Then when i switch back to e10 93oct (there is no pure 93 where I live) I am fine for a while but they eventually come back.