About to buy new car

[PNA]

First, hi! Long time lurker.

I'm about to buy a new car. Daily driver, and hope to own for a long time.

I've been reading a lot on the site and I'm a little worried of making some mistakes early on that I'll regret later.

1. Extended warranty - worth it? Is this something I can buy later on?

2. Opticoat vs clear bra vs regular waxing vs ...? Does it matter that I'm in Canada and we get a lot of snow here (and use a lot of salt -- any effect on corrosion)?

3. Tinting - important to do right away? More problematic later?

4. Any important accessories to get right away? We're done with snow for now I think, but I'll still likely order weathertech mats for the front and look for something for the rear floor soon as well (any suggestions?). I'd also like to get a liner for the trunk - Subaru's are the only/best ones?

5. Anything else I should consider upon purchase that would be more complicated later?

Thanks so much for all your help. The ft-86 community is a big incentive for buying this car. I look forward to my DIY adventures!

[tahdizzle]

1. If you want to mod your car, don't get an extended warranty.

2. Opticoat is an expensive, temporary fix IMO. If it were me i'd go with regular wax'ing and polish. I've seen too many "clear" bra's go yellow.

3. Tinting, I'm all for it. Personally I did not tint my windows because I hate it when I can't see through the car in front of me on track days. So out of common courtesy I am not tinted..

4. "important" accessories? Thats subjective. Tires is probably the single best mod for the twins, once again IMO.

5. Subjective again. What do you want to use the car for? IMO the car is perfect stock. the grip on the tires is subjective. If you like going sideways easy. Then you'll love the tires.

[fourvalleys]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

2. Opticoat is an expensive, temporary fix IMO. If it were me i'd go with regular wax'ing and polish. I've seen too many "clear" bra's go yellow.

It took me about 2 days to regret not getting a clear bra. The front of this car chips incredibly easily, and I don't even live in an area with debris issues. Don't get it from the dealer, though.

[BRZ Stefan]

1. I have extended warranty but I do plan on doing mods. I just can't do anything too crazy. Depends on your dealer if they are anal or not. I mean you can probably get away with an exhaust and cool-air intake, but any Tubros or something along those lines that drastically change car performance will be used against you in what the warranty covers. If you buy the Warranty later, depending on the dealer, it's going to cost alot more cause your car is considered "Used." They offered me $1,800.00 which was the cost of the Warranty and I said no at first, then right before the deal was done, they lowered my APR to %1.89(from %2.44) and offered the Warranty to me for $1,600.00 and I took it cause fuck interest.

2. Opticoat really depends on the amount of $$$$'s in your pocket.

3. Tinting wouldn't be a problem unless your %shade is too dark and your get tickets. Idk what the limit is where you are.

4. If you don't want to scrape the bottom of your bumper, get a front lip, something cheap and easy to replace just in case(DIY Idea). Tires are important. Beat Sonic SharkFin cause that antenna though, unless you want the Perrin shorty antenna but it just looks like a CHODE.

5. Before buying just think about all the things you want to do to the car and write them down. Those things might change for you after driving the stock car for awhile but this will easily determine if you want the Warranty or not.

Welcome to the forum and Good Luck on your purchase.

PS: POST PICTURES!

[JS + BRZ]

1. Extended warranty - No. Not worth it.

3. Tinting - If you get it done by the right installer, it won't give you any problems in the future.

4. Weathertech mats / trunk liner

5. Not really. Research on the parts you are interested in. Take your time.

Have fun man. It's a glorious car.

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by fourvalleys

It took me about 2 days to regret not getting a clear bra. The front of this car chips incredibly easily, and I don't even live in an area with debris issues. Don't get it from the dealer, though.

AGREE WITH THIS 1,000,000%!

[Ganthrithor]

I definitely recommend clear bra, at least on the front end. Judging by how scuffed up mine is, it was worth it. I got mine at the dealer: it wasn't a perfect installation (there were a couple of tiny bubbles, only a couple of mm in size), but it doesn't bother me at all and I'd much rather have a couple of tiny defects in the clear bra that you have to be a foot away from the car to see than a bunch of rock chips and shit that I need to pay to have repainted all the time.

[PNA]

I don't plan to track it. But I plan to drive it year-round, which means it'll see snow, salt and probably get a fair bit of dings from chunks of salt that get thrown from salting trucks.
For clear-bra, is it worth doing the whole front (fender, bumper, entire hood, mirrors)? Is it something that could be done myself (I'm not an expert and have never done it before). I think that can run upwards of $1500 to have that done, but could be about 1200 just for the film! Also does the car colour matter? Would the clear bra be more evident on a black car?

For winter I'll definitely get winter tires and rims, but I plan to try out the stock tires and hope they suffice until they wear out. After that I might consider something a little stickier. I don't really plan to drift it.

Front lip's a good idea. I thought that if the lip got caught it might mess up the rest of the bumper, but I guess it all depends on how the lip is attached. I'll look into it.

Does a exhaust and cool-air intake combo really make a discernible difference in the power?

[JS + BRZ]

No both intake and catback exhaust are not much of a power mod.

Sent from my SCH-I605

[GreenMonster]

Originally Posted by PNA

4. Any important accessories to get right away? We're done with snow for now I think, but I'll still likely order weathertech mats for the front and look for something for the rear floor soon as well (any suggestions?). I'd also like to get a liner for the trunk - Subaru's are the only/best ones?

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60998

[BRZ Stefan]

Originally Posted by PNA

I don't plan to track it. But I plan to drive it year-round, which means it'll see snow, salt and probably get a fair bit of dings from chunks of salt that get thrown from salting trucks.
For clear-bra, is it worth doing the whole front (fender, bumper, entire hood, mirrors)? Is it something that could be done myself (I'm not an expert and have never done it before). I think that can run upwards of $1500 to have that done, but could be about 1200 just for the film! Also does the car colour matter? Would the clear bra be more evident on a black car?

For winter I'll definitely get winter tires and rims, but I plan to try out the stock tires and hope they suffice until they wear out. After that I might consider something a little stickier. I don't really plan to drift it.

Front lip's a good idea. I thought that if the lip got caught it might mess up the rest of the bumper, but I guess it all depends on how the lip is attached. I'll look into it.

Does a exhaust and cool-air intake combo really make a discernible difference in the power?

I plan on getting this lip within the next month, http://www.jonmotoring.com/subaru-brz-sti-style-front-lip-polyurethane/ heard a lot of good things about the fitment. Some coats of Mothers Back to Black and you wont even need to paint it. Great beginners DIY. It does come misshaped cause of packaging but polyurethane will reform with some heat. Just leave it out in the sun for like 30 something minutes, or blow dry it.

Exhaust and intake, depending on your products, will get you like a maximum 9 WHP(WheelHorsePower). The Perrin intake gets you 5 WHP and some exhausts have been Dyno'd at 1-2 sometimes 3-4 WHP. It's almost like your warranty will last as long as you don't directly interfere with the engine and it's parts. You can also get a new filter for the filter box and possibly strut bar across the engine if you're into that.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by PNA

First, hi! Long time lurker.

I'm about to buy a new car. Daily driver, and hope to own for a long time.

I've been reading a lot on the site and I'm a little worried of making some mistakes early on that I'll regret later.

1. Extended warranty - worth it? Is this something I can buy later on?

2. Opticoat vs clear bra vs regular waxing vs ...? Does it matter that I'm in Canada and we get a lot of snow here (and use a lot of salt -- any effect on corrosion)?

3. Tinting - important to do right away? More problematic later?

4. Any important accessories to get right away? We're done with snow for now I think, but I'll still likely order weathertech mats for the front and look for something for the rear floor soon as well (any suggestions?). I'd also like to get a liner for the trunk - Subaru's are the only/best ones?

5. Anything else I should consider upon purchase that would be more complicated later?

Thanks so much for all your help. The ft-86 community is a big incentive for buying this car. I look forward to my DIY adventures!

1) Not worth it...but if you want it, you can still get it before your 36/36,000 is up.

2) Your underside will rust regardless.... I would just do the regular wash and wax on a weekly basis.

3) Yes, tint it the right way. Go it with a KNOWN brand that has a warranty that will be available through ANY Authorized installer such as Johnson Films, Suntek, 3M...etc.

So you'll still have the warranty against peeling/bubbling in case your original installer closes shop!

4) Since you encounter snow I would get those heavy duty floor mats.

5) The most important thing will be either you get the premium or limited trim. Automatic climate control is not something you can add.

[gily25]

You don't need an extended warranty. You usually have to just through hoops to claim anything with those third party plans anyway.

I didn't bra or opticoat...it's my dd and black...I have only a few tiny Knicks but I don't drive in winter or ride the ass of the car in front of me. I personally hate seeing cars with clear bras, especially if they aren't done right so if it were mine, I'd find the money for the opti.

People stare when you're driving this car...lol...go for tint, find a nice place, don't have the dealer try and do it unless you're using it for negotiation.

In addition to what others offered, swap the exhaust tips if you aren't doing the exhaust right away, it makes the back of the car look so much more complete. Drop in air filter is a plus. After recently switching my shift knob, I wish I did that sooner. Armrest is nice for long rides.

Meh---you'll figure the rest out.

[sofrsnsokleen]

I bought the extended warranty and its really not worth it. Unless you plan on keeping it for over 6 years. I extended mine 3 additional years and now I wanna trade it in for the '15 gt, but have to get a refund on the unused portion. its just less hassle if you change your mind later.