Contemplating buying used BRZ with tons of mods but is it worth it?

[Dorb]

I would not buy it.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Sebaru

I'm considering buying a BRZ for 25k,which has tons of mods but also issues. Since I'm a newbie on all of this, I'm afraid the issues reported might be due to all the mods made to the car. I have no clue how much fixing all of this will cost me, and it's very possible that other problems will emerge...

My late contribution:

If you don't know how to fix the issues listed on the car, don't buy the car. It's that simple.

Only buy a car with mods, if you 1) know how to fix it, or 2) are willing to pay to have it fixed. Warranty or not, that is not something you should "consider" in the context of buying a car with modifications.

I say this because if you know how to work on a car, you can repair/fix 90% of the problems without issue. Whatever remains is just a matter of negotiating with the dealer about getting the manufacturer to cover it.

That said, don't buy it unless you want to part it out and "start over."

-alex

[OrangeJuleas]

Wow, a used BRZ with a turbo kit for only 25K? Most people who bolt one on in this forum are asking 30K+!

Here's the thing about warranty work. If you do get a brand spankin' new BRZ, if you decide to go FI later or modify the engine in any way except dealer-installed TRD items ($$$$), that will make the warranty useless. Keep it bone stock (or light exterior modification) and it will be worth it. Please note that there are some issues with this car (look up crickets) that are not covered by warranty anyway (or can't be fixed).

For all those saying "buyer beware", please note that just because you buy from a dealership doesn't mean that there will be no problems.

Still, if you are not comfortable working with cars, it's probably not the best idea to buy one that requires more attention than a normal one. Then again, if you weren't kind of a "hands on" person anyway, you wouldn't even really be considering a used car at the same price as some other new cars, now would you?

@Sebaru, if you do purchase this car and decide it's not for you, you can sell off the parts, replace with stock and sell to someone else. Hell, I would probably buy those rims from you! (please keep me in mind!)

[xxscaxx]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

I have been contemplating a similar idea, used BRZ or FRS, problem is finding one that hasn't been beat to death or modified, you don't want a car you haven't modified yourself, trust us. Not the best decision/

Its not so much that, but finding a car that has been modified well, and not hacked to death. There is a BIG difference.

I have plenty of mods to this point and I could uninstall them all and show my car to someone and they would never know it was modified. Would I tell them? Yes. But the point is a lot of people modify crap not caring about that bracket they broke, or the line they had to remove because they think "i'm keeping this car forever!!"

Then they sell it, and it looks hacked up, and no one wants it.

I love doing things myself so I wouldn't buy a heavily modified car but if it was done right and not half assed I wouldn't be afraid to make a purchase if I knew it was cared for.

[Ammonia]

I inherited a few mods with my last car and I regretted not being the one to install them.

YMMV. I wouldn't, just because the act of modding is half the fun for me.

[Turbowned]

Figure out why the CEL is one, arrange to have it fixed, and buy it. I had the option to buy a nicely modded BRZ for the same price but it didn't have nearly as many add-ons, namely a turbo kit.I probably would have gone with the modded one if it was that good of a deal!