Used 2013 Advice
 

Hey y'all! I am a Yota girl, I come from the off-road world (I have a jacked up, blacked out FJ, aka the love of my life), and have always wanted to add a sports car to my fleet. So...I've settled on a used FR-S. With that said, I'm now looking at what's out there, and wanted to get some advice.

-2014 vs 2013: In your opinion, is it worth it to pay a couple $K extra to get a 2014 vs. 2013? I've heard the 2013's have a couple issues, so is the 2014 far more solid and worth the extra $ to potentially avoid little problems? Or not so much?

-Mileage: I'm looking probably between 50-75K. Is there anything that typically needs to be replaced within that mileage range? I drive well below 5K a year, and spread between 2 vehicles, so it's going to take me several years to get to 100K, regardless.

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Buying used you will have problems. You never know what the previous own did to the car. I suggest buying from Toyota Certified as their pre-owned vehicles come with a warranty I think it's 7 year/100,000 from when first bought new.

https://www.toyotacertified.com/

Overall differences are very minor, the biggest thing that changed with the 2014s is the touch screen stereo and the knee pads on the side of the center console. Any of the original teething problems of the 2013 should've been solved by now.

Aside from that, condition is king. Get both cars inspected by your mechanic and pick the best conditioned car. If both are really good, then go with price.

Obviously there are always pitfalls in buying a mid-priced sports car used. Hopefully you can score one as the second owner, which will at least average out your chances it wasn't hooned. Certified from Toyota, or even from some place like Carmax that will allow you to add on up to six years and (I think) 50k of miles worth of full coverage warranty probably isn't a bad idea.

But to answer your questions specifically, most of the "problems" you may read about on here were seemingly for very early 2013's. Mine was manufactured and bought in October of 2012 and I haven't had any of the major issues that a minority of folks have complained about.

Yes, it has the crickets - this is due to fuel blend (if you can find 0 Ethanol, they will go away)
Yes, I've had a tiny amount of condensation in one tail light. Never enough to worry about personally, but that's up to the individual.
Yes, I had the driver's side, passenger window switch issue where it wouldn't go all the way down automatically. That's the one thing I got replaced under warranty.

But any major failures or problems have been nonexistent. I average about 8k miles/year (my job has my out of town regularly). I've Auto X'd it at least a half-dozen times a year since I've owned it, and done a couple of track days as well, so it hasn't been a completely easy life.

If you can find a one owner, unmolested 2013 within your mileage range you should be fine.

I would suggest if you get it used,get it from a dealer and try to get it with some sort of warranty. Not only that,you know that if you get it from a reputable dealer,more than likely,it should be in tip top condition.

I bought my '13 over two years ago and haven't had any problems other than a leaky tail light which was a recall item that they replaced for free.

I have no idea of what a Yota girl is ....... but welcome to our happy forum ....... :happyanim:

I think that @Dake summed it up pretty well when he said:

"If you can find a one owner, unmolested 2013 within your mileage range you should be fine."

I have a 2013 with 20 some thousand miles on it and haven't had any problems with it.


humfrz

You need a new man?

I purchased mine certified. I wouldnt fuck with the 13's if you dont plan on getting one with a warranty.

I have had my 13' for 5 years 3 months and 22 days with no major issues. I avg 36 miles a day - everyday!


I don't think that getting a used 13' is necessarily bad idea... I would try and find one that has:


Maintenacne records - this is important!
Low miles
No accidents
No engine mods (my personal preference after buying many modded cars)
No check engine light
The color you want
The transmission you want
And finally - IN YOUR BUDGET


If you take the time and find the right used car, the chances you will be happy are much higher.


Good luck!

This, I rushed into mine. Got a color I didn't really want at first (but it grew on me because Ultramarine is literally the best color) and I also ended up buying from a duchey dealership that i'll have to deal with for the rest of my ownership.

Check the service records if oil has been changed regularly and service done at proper intervals that's generally a sign that the previous owner took care of the car. Shoot for 1 owner if possible.

Thanks so much, everyone! I really appreciate it :)

I'm not in a big hurry, so I'm taking my time to do it right. I will likely have to travel to find what I want (I'm in Arkansas).

Yes, I have on my list -- one owner, all maint. records, zero accidents, color I want (Black or Gray...White would be third), manual, no mods (I'll do what I want after I get it)...

I am aware of the crickets and condensation, not worried about that, nor the touchscreen and pad upgrades from 13 to 14. Getting from a Toyota dealership with the Certified stamp would be ideal...

You guys are awesome. Can't wait to join the club!

Oh, and Yota girl = Toyota girl ;)

Lol was waiting for that :lol: