[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by LudwigMiles

That said, how is the DIY resources for this car? Are they nonexistent since there have not been any big repairs for people yet?

On the contrary, the DIY resources are fairly extensive for this car because of all the people who bought them and immediately started taking them apart. You can find them by searching, but here's a tip: Don't use the search on this site. Instead, use Google and restrict the search to this site using the "site:" tag, like so:

site:ft86club.com spark plugs DIY


The Google search engine is 1,000 times better than the crap search vBulletin uses.

Originally Posted by LudwigMiles

I heard that the engine needs to be dropped to replace the rear two spark plugs. Any truth to this?

The official 16-page procedure involves raising the engine. It's apparently possible to do it without raising the motor if you have childlike hands. The dealership will charge you $600 to $700 to do it, so you have to decide whether it's worth the money to do it yourself.

Originally Posted by LudwigMiles

What is the resolution for the chirping sound fuel pump? Do people just live with it? Just how bad is it? Anyone have an audio recording?

There is no cure. There was a revised fuel pump that was supposed to fix it. It didn't.

The crickets come and go depending on what brand and blend of gas you select, where in the country you are, and even the time of year (since stations change blends with the seasons). It has to do with the additive packages. No brand is immune to the chirping, but generally you'll get better results from the better top tier brands. Ethanol-free gas is not a cure, although some people have had good results with E0 from specific stations because the additives in the blend they got were good. Mine chirped like hell when I tried E0.

I've gone the whole summer so far without crickets, then filled up at a stupid Wawa station yesterday and can now hear them over my exhaust and stereo. I can't wait to burn this tank out so I can get some Shell or Chevron back in it. If I fill up at Sam's Club, they'll sing like a mofo. You just have to find what works in your area and stick with it.

Originally Posted by LudwigMiles

TPMS?

Yes, it has TPMS.

The car's computer will hold one set of TPMS addresses at a time. However, you can buy a second set of sensors for about $100 to $120 on Ebay, sometimes less, and install those in the snow tires. Then find a deal on an ATEQ Quickset, which holds up to four sets of TPMS addresses. I got mine for $50. Save the old addresses into the Quickset and enter the new ones as the second set, and then you can load the correct addresses each time you change rims. No more annoying tire light. And then you still have space in the Quickset for two more sets of rims if you have another vehicle with TPMS or want to keep some additional sets of rims/tires on hand, like a set of track tires.

Originally Posted by LudwigMiles

Heard the head unit is bad. Poor stereo. Bad bluetooth. IS there a common upgrade, or am I stuck with OEM?

I don't think the BRZ head unit is terrible, but a lot of people have had good things to say about the OEM Audio Plus system. It basically just takes the place of the existing components, using the stock wiring.