Looking for FR-S opinions.
 

Hi there everyone! I've been looking to join the FR-S family, was between this and a 2011 V6 LT2 Camero but after test driving the FR-S I completely fell in love with this car, I test drove an AT 2013 model, but unfortunately couldn't come to a deal with the dealership. So since then I have been looking, I've run into a few issues though. I live in Alabama and will be moving back up North very soon. If someone could help answer my questions that would be very helpful, this will be my second car, first got totaled in a non fault accident, a Civic Hybrid.

1. Is the average price for these cars around 20,000? I see some dealerships putting their sticker price for a used 2013 model with 25k+ miles for around 24,000?

2. I found a 2013 FR-S with around 26000 miles, but after looking at the CarFax it says the car was involved in a 'moderate' accident to the front. I'm not sure how serious moderate is but the car is priced at 20,000. I'd have to drive about two hours to see the car but with that car accident being reported, would anyone suggest taking the drive to see it? In photos the car looks new.

3. I'm not sure how delivery works but has anyone bought a car out of state and had it delivered? This is a new concept for me and would it be possible for used cars? It's just been possible to find a manual FR-S around here, and if I were to purchase one out of state, would I be paying two state taxes?

Again, thank you if anyone can answer these questions.

Here's my 2 cents, take it as you want:

1. $20k sounds high for a 2013 model. I found mine used with clean history with less than 3k miles on it a year ago this month and talked them down to $21k. Assuming it's been owned in the south, you shouldn't have much to worry about in terms of corrosion due to salt on the roads in the winter like you would further north.

2. I'd stay away from anything with an accident reported if you have plans to sell it in the next couple of years. If you plan to hold on to it for a while (maybe first as a DD and then tracking it eventually) I'd sweat the accident less. If you're serious about buying it after you look at it I'd have a reputable mechanic inspect it first. Again, just my personal view.

3. Never had a car delivered. No comment there. I don't see you being double-taxed buying out of state, though. I imagine that you'd be on the hook for the tax in whatever state the sale is made.

I'd take a look at http://www.truecar.com as a start to research. Acutally, it looks like there's a used FR-S in Hoover, AL right now for under $23k: https://usedcars.truecar.com/car/Sci...ZNAA12D1717415

As for the model year, there hasn't been much really changed at all since the 2013 models. Aside from a few cosmetic possibilities, or if you find a Monogram edition, they're all basically going to be the same car. Taking that into consideration, and that it doesn't sound like you're driving a bad car right now, take your time and find the car that works best for you and your situation.

Jeeze, I feel like I'm getting robbed now if you got that deal a year ago haha.

Ah thank you, yeah it would be my daily driver, so I guess if the car drives smooth I can seriously consider it, only thing about living so far is I'm not quite sure what mechanic to bring it to to check it out.

1) Many dealerships mark up based on demand relative to area, sleezyness and ignorance. that said, a 2013 model with 25k+ miles for around 24,000 is outrageous. might as well get a brand new one.

2) I would not buy a used frs that was in a crash - not worth it in my opinion.

3) Depends which state you are getting it shipped from, some states do not have a state tax and if they do, it is not nearly as high as say, California for example. According to https://www.uship.com if I were to get an FRS delivered from Seattle Washington to Bay Area California, that would cost $604.

If you want this car, get it. You will not regret it, i'd hope. I have had mine since March 2013 and am about to hit 21,000 miles and have had no problems whatsoever.

Thanks a lot. Guess I'll just wait it out until I find one that's 'properly' priced. I was going to somewhat settle for the Camero I found, but the test drive with the FR-S was amazing. I've never had so much fun driving in a quite a long time. My impatience (and the fact that before I move back up North, I need a car) wants me to go look at that vehicles that have been in accidents before, but I know deep down it's smarter to wait.

Hope you know how to drive a rwd car w 4" of clearance in the snow :)

just make sure you throw some snow tires on it.. last year the number of people wrecking up north in these cars was crazy. all boiled down to summer tires

Ah yes, after being born and raised up north, snow tires on this car feel like a must.

I hope you don't mean in Canada, because mine made it through the winter fine with a good set of winter tires. I was in Quebec, where we manufacture snow for the rest of you people. :thumbsup:

After looking again, found a MT model, fire red with around 15K miles I believe for 22,000. Gonna go give it a test drive on Friday when I can. Hopefully it'll still be there. Haven't seen the fire red in person, my preference would be the white out color.

Also, I should have done this earlier, but are the insurance rates for the FR-S high? I've just recently turned 22 and haven't had any tickets within the past four years and had two non fault accidents :(

Well the accidents are likely to hurt your rate even if they aren't your fault. The insurance on my FRS is actually slightly lower than the insurance was on my tC.

Too many variables to determine what the rate will be let alone your opinion of "high insurance rates"

It won't be significantly different from your average new $20k-$30k car.

*Camaro

So I ended up finding a 2013 model around here in Fire Red with 12000 miles going for 21,900. Now question, I'm talking to the dealership via email, the dealership itself is about two hours away. Do I do price haggling through email right now and then go check the car out and if it drives smooth etc. finish the paper work there?

Yes.

Thank you.

So after a few emails back and forth, the 'absolute bottom' they can do for me is 20595, plus sales tax and fees would bring the total to 21796. Is this reasonable? This is my first time buying a car on my own, so I am a little unexperienced in all of this.

I always find absolute bottom isn't so absolute bottom, you know what I mean? How far you push the envelope is up to you. I'm from Canada so I'm not as familiar with USA pricing as some others. It really depends on what is good for you. '13 year models are getting pretty old, considering '15's are out, etc.

In my opinion you could probably do a little less than that. Just make sure they don't tack on any bullshit fees!

Good luck with the purchase!

OH, I just read that it was in a moderate accident. You should have the bargaining power here. Most used FRS's I hear go for about 21k with NO accidents. So think about that.

Ah thanks. This is a different model, this one has a clean history. But I was able to knock off another $500 off the price dropping it to 20,000. Will go tomorrow to check on the fees and try to knock some of those off as well. Just hoping to get this car right now! :D

Cool, keep us updated.

Also, if they end up charging you more on fees, you didn't really end up saving anything. Whatever you are negotiating should be OTD including any fees. Make that clear before you go out on your 2-hour journey.

With 12k miles and the 2015s coming out, I think you can do a little better than $21,796. Does it come with an extended warranty or anything like that?

I honestly think closer to $20,500 OTD is a more reasonable price. Make sure they take off BS fees like Cliu91 said.

After haggling some more off the price, I'm looking at 21,000 for the car. And it's a certified pre owned car from a Toyota/Scion dealership.

I made it clear to them, OTD price is 21,000. Of course I'll be checking the car for any marks on the interior or exterior, finding any little thing to get some more dropped off the price. I figure try anything and see if it works.

For me, that is close enough to what I would ideally get that I think it's a fair price. Especially since it will still have warranty and anything you don't like can be easily fixed without hassle.

Ended up getting the car! Been learning how to drive it (got a manual), finally to the hang of it, stalled a few times in traffic, but it's due to slight panicking. Love the thing though. I never thought I would like a red car but I instantly fell in love with the car, haha.

Question, I was thinking about upgrading the head unit, is the optional premium pioneer audio upgrade worth it? This is my car and I plan on learning how to tune it, upgrade, and change oil, etc. as I go along, so I figured upgrading the head unit would be the first step to customizing this however I want.

I personally like the manual buttons on the 2013 stock head unit. Don't have to take your eyes off the road to change stations etc.