Need Adice Buying Used

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by Jrryjms07

No problem! Pm me the vin number if you like and I can pull a carfax for you.

Thanks for the offer but up here in Canada our version of Carfax is Carproof.
I'll definitely be doing one if the car looks good.

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Hi BrianW and welcome to the forum.......

(I drove a miata (NC) for 8 years before I got my FR-S .... you DO realize the top on the FR-S/BRZ doesn't go down .... )



I addition to the above suggestions ..... I'd suggest you have a long chat with the owner, carefully working these type of questions into the "conversation".

* did he buy it new
* what did he drive before the FR-S/BRZ
* what other cars has he had
* why did he buy it
* why is he selling it
* has he modified it; if so, how
* has he ever tracked a car
* what tires has he had on it
* what is he planning on buying to replace it

His responses should give you a good idea of how he drove the car.


humfrz

Thanks for the welcome.

I'll tell you one thing...I won't miss taking my Miata's hardtop on and off manually every fall and spring.

Yeah, it's not the modifications that have me concerned (after all the car is made to upgrade) it's whether it was regularly tracked...so I'll ask...cheers!

[BrianW]

I noticed there's a thread of 2013 problems.
Is there one that should have me running?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by BrianW

I noticed there's a thread of 2013 problems.
Is there one that should have me running?

Not really. The vast majority of the problems are pretty minor (though some here make them sound like the end of the world) and the very rare serious issues are not really anything you will know about until it happens anyway.

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Not really. The vast majority of the problems are pretty minor (though some here make them sound like the end of the world) and the very rare serious issues are not really anything you will know about until it happens anyway.

I just googled FRS problems and I gotta say I'm a bit concerned now.
Could this be why there's so many 2013's for sale?

I thought it was mostly from the warranty expiring due to mileage.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by BrianW

I just googled FRS problems and I gotta say I'm a bit concerned now.
Could this be why there's so many 2013's for sale?

I thought it was mostly from the warranty expiring due to mileage.

What problems in particular worry you? You can check the build date (on sticker on drivers door) and avoid a really early one. Keep in mind that when checking the internet you will see mostly just the people that had problems since nobody posts "10,000 kms and everything is perfect" and this can make very rare issues seem like they are everywhere.

[strat61caster]

imo there isn't anything a previous owner would do that I wouldn't, not quite sure what you're afraid of being done to the car that can't be repaired? There's nothing on this thing that can't be fixed with some dedication, 'just nuts and bolts' as one of the guys who taught me how to design spacecraft used to say.

Only issue I would be concerned about at this point is that there are a handful of blown motors and forced induction can certainly shorten the life of the motor, look for hardware that looks freshly replaced or like something has less wear and tear on it than everything around it and imo check how worn the tires are, if it looks and drives fine don't worry about it.



What's the point of a sports car that doesn't get beat on? Sculptures are cheaper to fuel if it's just for looks.

Edit: ND Miata is just around the corner, looks pretty good especially with the released curb weights and horsepower numbers, I would expect them to undercut the FR-S on price by a bit...

[EAGLE5]

Just get a good mechanic to inspect it. See what the mods are. Maybe go for a car that was slammed. They have to drive those slowly.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by BrianW

I just googled FRS problems and I gotta say I'm a bit concerned now.
Could this be why there's so many 2013's for sale?

I thought it was mostly from the warranty expiring due to mileage.

Well, now, IMHO, a lot of the "problems" with the FR-S/BRZ are "owner created" problems ....

Kind of like your rifle in the Army .... "if you take care of it, it will take care of you".


In other words, if you try to fire a 30-06 round out of a 30-30 cal, lever action rifle, ..... you're gonna have some problems ....


humfrz

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

What problems in particular worry you? You can check the build date (on sticker on drivers door) and avoid a really early one. Keep in mind that when checking the internet you will see mostly just the people that had problems since nobody posts "10,000 kms and everything is perfect" and this can make very rare issues seem like they are everywhere.

The performance ones like the running of the engine after fueling.
Actually anything that would cost me money to fix as I'm not rich which is why I'm buying used.

Now that i think about it...it would be the ones that can't be fixed.

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

What's the point of a sports car that doesn't get beat on? Sculptures are cheaper to fuel if it's just for looks.

Edit: ND Miata is just around the corner, looks pretty good especially with the released curb weights and horsepower numbers, I would expect them to undercut the FR-S on price by a bit...

Cheers.

Yes it's the modifications Scion would devoid any warranty that has me concerned because as you said it could shorten the life of the engine.

BTW~I love the look of the new Miata but I can't afford a new MX-5 or FRS.
Besides...I'm kinda tired of driving a car a lot people think is a chick mobile.

Jay Leno was so relentless on making fun of us Miata owners that I was surprised I found out lately that he owns a few from his Youtube webcast.

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Just get a good mechanic to inspect it. See what the mods are. Maybe go for a car that was slammed. They have to drive those slowly.

What is "slammed"?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by BrianW

What is "slammed"?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by BrianW

The performance ones like the running of the engine after fueling.
Actually anything that would cost me money to fix as I'm not rich which is why I'm buying used.

Now that i think about it...it would be the ones that can't be fixed.

You may be better off getting one from a dealer. At least then you have warranty.
Not sure if warranty is transferable through private sale. Anybody know (remember Canada eh)?