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The used and new car markets have been undergoing significant changes in the past year. Many of the reasons are directly or indirectly related to COVID. Prices initially swung down in the early phases of the pandemic, but in many cases now have gone back up.
The initial reactions to the pandemic were the usual human ones of panic, fear, and uncertainty. Circle the wagons, don't spend money, wait to see what happens. Many dealers saw their floor traffic drop off to zero, and were sitting on lots full of cars that weren't moving. Supply exceeded demand. Last summer there were some bargains to be had as dealers were desperate for any cash flow to stem the financial hemorrhaging (I helped a friend buy a new 2020 Forester for about $5,500 off the MSRP).
Then things seemed to change. It was a combination of people started to buy cars in hopes of them being 'safer' than taking public transportation, plus pandemic-related impacts on manufacturing decreased the pipeline of new cars, plus the low prices being offered by many dealers sold off a lot of their inventories. Now in many areas and for some cars, demand exceeds supply. With the BRZ/86, there is also the additional factor that the first generation car is out of production, and the second-generation car not yet available (with likely delays due to the pandemic). I've had several dealers call and write me asking if I'd be interested in selling my 2019 BRZ, that I bought in late 2019 just before the pandemic sh!t hit the fan.
In short, if you've found a new BRZ/86, it might not be possible to buy one for the price that may have been offered last summer. In a situation like this, being between generations, there's always the philosophical question of buying one of the last first-gen cars vs. waiting for a second-gen car.
There's also the additional question of when will the second-gen cars actually be available? The pandemic has disrupted manufacturing supply chains around the world. It's a ripple effect, and will continue to be felt for some time. A single unavailable component, computer chips, even seat foam, can delay a car from being produced for months. It's uncertain when the second-gen BRZ wil actually be available for sale, but 2022 is probably a safe bet. Quantities may be limited for a while then as well, with the usual pricing inflexibility that comes with a new model with limited numbers available (dealer markups and other fun games).
Like with anything else in life, it comes down to how much do you want the car? That's what it's worth, and the only thing that matters is how much it's worth to you.
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