Looking at buying a 13’frs
 

New to this forum and I know this is probably beating a dead horse so I apologize in advance. But I’m looking at buying a 13’ frs orange auto. The asking price is $14.5. Has 52k miles. Wondering if that’s a good deal or not I guess. It’s at carmax so no haggling price I’m sure. But it would come with a 7 day money back and I work for a NISSAN dealer so I can get it on a rack and go over it with a fine tooth comb. I’ve been working on Subaru’s for years so that’s no unfamiliar to me. I don’t plan on any heavy mods. Just a uel header, exhaust, intake and wheels. I read the issues about the early ones. Can anyone tell me what the production date is by the vin. JF1ZNAA17D2730008

Thanks for any advise tips and info before I go look at the car. They are shipping it to a carmax closer to me to look at it

Hello and welcome to the forum.

That car was built after May 2013.

If it has an MT, be sure to take a close listen to the throw out bearing.

I hope it's a good one for you!


humfrz

Is it just me, or does that sound expensive? Its the first gen model automatic and its 6.5 years old.

I figure the car would go for 11k

https://i.imgur.com/KbKX8kY.png

(FR-S seems to have similar numbering system, slight differences though)

I know a guy selling a VERY nicely built and well cared for 13 FRS 6spd with 56k miles for $11k. This car is worth way more than he's selling it for if an auto can go for $14.5.

A very quick peek at Cargurus and Autotrader for the Ohio area shows dealer asking prices at anything between $11.5K and $17K on the 13s. The couple selling for around $14K are listed as "fair" deals for the region.
That said there are 14s and even 15s in that price range that would be better deals.

These cars can have been "rode hard and put up wet" so the varying prices can reflect that. If it means spending a little more to get one that has been taken care of and not abused it's worth it. You're in a good position to check it out thoroughly

Around here 14’s and 15’s with 50k miles are in the 17-19k range. Which is more than I want to spend anyways. We’ll see what this one is like. It’s coming in from ny. It’s a 50 min drive to get it home if I do take it. And I figured with the 7 day return policy carmax has I can shake it down pretty good in a weeks time. Thanks for the input guys

well if it makes you feel better I bought a '13 brand new in 2013 for around 30k. Just paid it off today.

It can really depend on the condition and care the car got. I've seen newer 86s that look way more beat up at 20k than mine does at 80k. It is really important to inspect it carefully, a real good one won't have any leaks, will sound good, have oil changes documented, and other services. Another good thing to check is for curb rash, this in it of it self isn't a big deal but it gives you insight to how it was driven. Cars that have curb rash may indicate the kind of love and care the car got. Also check under the front lip, see how much it has gotten scraped, all 86s/BRZ have this scrapped at least a little but again gives you an idea of how it was cared for.


Also welcome to the forum, couple handy tips= The quick links tab on the far right of the top of this page then click 'Today's posts' or 'Subscribed posts'
https://media3.giphy.com/media/l0MYG...306a41595e10ed

In Ohio too. Just bought a '13 FRS with 61K miles on it and a manual transmission back in October. For what its worth they seem to sell at a premium in Ohio. The cheapest I found were in the 12.5-13K range. I ended up getting mine for 12K. Listed at 13K, however it did have the the timing cover seal and valve gasket that needed to be replaced which cost me $1100. Should have walked away when I offered him 12 and he said sure right away. So out the door it was a little over $13K.

Just as a pricing comparison I looked at a Orange FRS, '13, first that the dealer said was manual and when I got there it was an automatic. 59K miles for $12.5K.