I understand your concerns. And that was the reason I went for a Std Spec. ( I was also paranoid to an extent)
I managed to get it from Gateway Toyota, it was used my a sales manager for 1 year, hence being a demo model with 6000km on the clock,PLUS, I have a relative that works for Toyota Gateway (New Cars Sales Manager), and it was his buddy that drove it, so I had piece of mind. I paid R257,000 on the road. This also included extending the warrenty for an extra 3 years.
(This price was also negotiated with the principle dealer)
(-Moral of the story- Demo model - Dealership that you trust - Extend warrenty)
I think having a warrenty on these cars are important. I am still an articles clerk, so when I start earning real money, I plan on also extending the service plan.
Before I bought my car, I viewed allot of 86's in JHB, and to be honest if you want a showroom condition Hi Spec, be prepared to pay +-R300k
(I could not afford this)
I did view a Red High Spec at Toyota in the South of JHB, it if I can remember it was advertised for approx R270k, - The bumper had work done on it(Touch ups), scratches on the rims, tires were burnt on the edges(Signs of drifting), dents on the roof, and signs of a fork lift that damaged the metal on the underneath of the car. The dealer said they will sort all issues out. But even if they gave me that car for R257k, I would have still chosen my current Std spec in the condition that I picked it up.
So forgoing showroom condition, is an opportunity cost for the High Spec.
Unless you increase your budget to R300k for a High spec, your scenario is: (Remainging at your R260k budget)
(Showroom condition Std Spec) Vs ('Handled' High Spec with +30,000km mileage)
Im sure you had a look in the following websites:
Theres a few red high specs that are looking worthwhile for R285k, which would turn out to cost around R290k on the road.
http://www.autotrader.co.za/makemode...tude=-26.05447
http://www.gumtree.co.za/s-toyota+86/v1q0p1
http://www.carfind.co.za/showroom.aspx