Pre-2017 or 2017+?
 

Hi. I am tempted to pick up a BRZ in some form. The biggest difference is whether it's the 2017+ or the pre-refresh.

Points for the refresh--
1. Nicer looking steering wheel. It actually looks very nice.
2. Improved engine bits
3. New car smells

Points for the pre-refresh
1. Available used at fantastic prices
2. More money for mods
3. Can go ahead with UEL header and tune pretty soon

I think if I had to keep it stock, I would go with the 2017+, but the suspension revisions become moot as I plan on getting some mild lowering springs. Seems some people prefer the 4.1 final ratio.

If you've driven both cars, which would you rather own?

I prefer the 2017 BRZ I have now over the 2015 BRZ I had previously. I got the performance package on this one and having the big brake kit is great for tracking. I can't speak much to the suspension as I'm not as in tune with the car as a lot of guys with more experience, and I never drove them back to back. I also like the general aesthetic on the 2017 more. Spoiler, front bumper, tail lights, all of it is better in my opinion.

I would say though for the price difference going with a used twin is much better bang for your buck. The differences between the original and refresh are pretty minor.

Depends on the intended use. The shorter FD stock will feel as fast or maybe fast then a zenki with header and tune. Haven't driven a stg 2 kouki yet to say how that feels but I imagine it'd be pretty nice.

I like the look of the kouki BRZ better as well, but that's personal preference.

I'd go :

1. New '19 BRZ if you can afford it (tranny / color you want) , limited or PP would be best.
2. get a '18 BRZ (limited or PP) , end of year deal, between now and Jan. , some kind of a good discount off new, $700-1000
3. a '17 BRZ limited or PP , if it's clean (under 15k miles), 1 owner, $20-22k
4. a '15-'16 , either BRZ Limited or FR-S, tranny and color you want, cleanest you can find, 1-owner (not sure on price here).

**#2 sounds like the ticket, good likelihood you can score something here , #3 and #4 are a roll of the dice.

I prefer my (stock) '17 BRZ to my previous UEL Stage 2 '13 FR-S. The 4.3 FD makes the car feel faster.

I would try and get a '17+ if possible, then you also wouldn't have to worry about a potential TOB issue (which almost all my pre-17 friends have been dealing with). I had to replace mine @ 60k and the clutch disk still had a ton of life.

I think you should hold out for the factory turbo.

I have had both a 2013 FRS and now a 2017 BRZ. I much prefer my BRZ over the FRS for a number of reasons (looks, shorter gearing, much better interior). Both of them were modified quite a bit and raced a ton (mostly autocross, some track). I personally think the 2017+ is a better car overall, not to say that the pre-2017 cars are bad, they are also great. Probably going to come down to how much $$ you want to spend...Lots of videos on both cars in my sig' if it helps.

I think it really just ends up like this:

All years of the FT86 offers top notch driver involvement and fun. None of the years seem to be better or worse than this.

Pre-17 cars are a bit rough around the edges.
17+ cars tend to be a bit more refined.

And that's about it lol.