What year should I buy?
 

I've been lurking and reading for awhile
Gathering everyone's opinions on good and useless things. This is my first post. I've been wanting to buy one of these for awhile and the '13s are getting to be cheap. I've only test drove the 2015. My question is would I really be missing out on anything by buying a 2013 model? I know the 2015 had some suspension changes from the 2014 but I don't know the specifics or if there's real driving difference between each model year. Pfft Shark fin. Help. :c

Any year. Go for the right color/model.

I would suggest in getting a mongram series of whatever year. Cool stock HIDS and other creature comforts. Everything engine wise and suspension wise isn't worth the extra dough. Especially if your going to modify.

The suspension differences won't come out unless your on the track driving at 100% the car's capability or have a butt sensor better calibrated than 99.9% of the population. And it's a moot point if you plan on changing it anyway.

Only issues with a '13 is that it can have a better headunit than the new ones and there is the potential for the ECU tune to cause detonation issues on the manual transmissions if it's an early build date, this can be fixed with a dealership flash (you have to take the TSB to them and convince them that your car is exhibiting the symptoms) or an aftermarket tune. This doesn't affect all cars but is really the only consistent weak point that's come up and is worth worrying about.

Look at the 10 series, Monograms, RS 1's, etc. to see if they suit your liking better than a regular old FR-S.

If you don't mind used cars, you can save by buying used. Contact board member SquadRogue, he will be able to put to rest any trepidation you may feel about buying a used vehicle.

If you're talking about an FR-S, IMO if you plan on keeping the car and holding it, get the cleanest, most complete 2013 you can. If you plan on modding, then get newest model you can at the lowest price. The suspension changes for 2015 made the FR-S handle car more like a BRZ, gave it a sharkfin and some knee pads that's about it. If you're going to switch to coils or springs, then OEM suspension changes don't really matter at all.

If you're talking about buying a BRZ, then there really was very little suspension changes of note. Get the best value that you can of any year from 2013-2015.

This is what I've heard about the 2013 that's really had me worried to buy one. The ECU issues don't seem near as prominent in the newer models.

2015 Frs got knee pads and brz did not? :sigh:

I bought a used '13 and it's great. Honestly, for what you'd pay for a new '15 vs. a clean and well maintained '13, you can get a shark fin, aftermarket head unit, HID headlights, and still have money left over.

If you're going to mod, the suspension changes don't really matter. They switched to SACHS dampers, that's the difference. So if you just change the shocks you will be negating buying the car for the suspension updates.

Thanks. That's what I'll do. Any issues come up with your 2013?

14 FRSs got kneepads on doors and console. Have no clue about BRZs

Why just focus on 13 or 15s? The 14s avoid many of the early issues, have a couple of minor upgrades and can be found used.

My focus is on all model years. No one's givin me any input on the 2014 though. Are the kneepads very useful? What year do you own?

14.
If tall I understand knee pads are useful. They do also look nicer as they cover up some hard plastic. You also get the better stereo but that is about it.
What you also get is upgraded parts that were found to be problems in the early 13s (ECU flash, window seals, some other minor stuff).

What ECU issues? That implies hardware problems, the unit is fine, the tune has caused problems, if you never plan on driving it hard it won't be an issue at all and many do without issue. If it's truly a concern and you don't want to deal with it buy a car built after the effective date ~March 2013. Grab the VIN off the TSB and don't touch a car built before the effective date.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52979

http://www.gt86ownersclub.co.uk/foru...topic3693.html

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38397

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36129

Keep a level head in those threads, there were never more than 100 confirmed cases on these boards which contain thousands upon thousands of owners, if there were engines going left and right it would have been a bigger deal.

2015 Monogram if you can afford it.

Just cos the JDM/Euro/Aus headlights and leather/alacantara seats make it worth it.

14 it has to be then. I want to avoid those ecu issues at all costs. I'm curious as to the handling difference between it and the 15. 15 seemed to be very grippy.. not.. drifty. Possible but definitely something you'd have to be shooting for. If that makes any sense.

Get the best one you can find; don't worry too much about the year because nothing significant enough has changed, IMO. Unless you want one of the special releases like the 10 series for example.

Like Strat said the ECU issue was a very small number of cars! Don't let it rule out13s if you find a good deal.
There is a minor difference with the suspension but again like somebody already said unless you are pushing the car to the max on a track it is hardly even noticeable.
I thought you said you have been lurking and reading here. Most of this is basic info that an hour's worth of reading should provide you with everything you need to know.

Lurking and reading troll threads mostly it seems. You usually end up invading and winning all of those. I've seen so many mixed opinions on the ecu issue that I didn't know what to believe and have been just trying to see whether it's worth avoiding the 2013 altogether but you've answered that now. I'll just find the best I can for the price.. I do intend to tweak the suspension myself.

OK that is a rational explanation!
Some place on here is a comparison I did driving a stock 13, my lightly modded 14 and a stock 15 all back to back. it explains the difference in suspension at a low to mid level drives. I will find it for you as it may help.
You will find mixed opinions on everything here so pick a side and stick with it.
Ya the troll threads are fun!!!!!!

That sounds great. If you could link me up I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

2013's are the best

Why's that?

Here you are (since you passed the possible troll test)!
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&...VMdI0XDXv7z3mw

Lol! Didn't even realize I was being tested xD Thank you.

you're going to have to trust me on this one

If you noticed the thread invasions you must know just how many dumbass wannabes or out and out trolls ask their first questions just like you did.
It is the follow up posts by the op that determine if they are for real or just messing around.
If you had responded differently when I said about reading the posts this thread could have gone in a totally different direction (I wouldn't even have had to start it either).

Buy the newest one that you can afford.

But I don't trust anyone :c I'd probably like the 'tail happy' bit better and that it's probably the purest of them as to how the car was originally envisioned but meh. Tcoat and the other's have given me all the answers I needed.

.__. How do I close this thread..

You don't close the thread! It is here for posterity so the next guy that actually wants the info can find it.
Just abandon it and it will fade away. Well eventually, because you are still going to get a bunch of answers that may or may not result in a huge debate! Just ignore it or it gets damned confusing.
Ohhh and the stock 13s and 14s are exactly the same as far as tail happy goes.

So it becomes a troll thread whether we like it or not. Cool. What color is your FRS?

oh lord. look what you've gone and started. Back in his day, they didnt have no bright yellow series ten cars. They only had black and white! In the snow!

Look on the left at my id!
No not a "troll" post. Possibly a debate on what year is better post or a jokes post but not likely a troll one.
The definition of "troll" is to post something in order to create problems or get an emotional response. The debaters get emotional but that is not their aim and the jokers (like me and the gang) just enjoy a good joke. There are of course a few that can be a bit crass but just ignore them.
Just roll with it and all is good in the world.

Hot lava.. you sexy bastard.

Not true!
Not Firestorm yet though we called this colour Fireslightdraft
http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/For...10-RMM-001.jpg

:clap::bellyroll:

Not so much right at this moment!

If you're going to do a lot of mods, depending on your buget I‘d try to get a '13 in good condition.