Wait for 2017 BRZ? or go used Toyota 86?

[funwheeldrive]

Originally Posted by wbradley

Bullshit. Virtually everyone I have encountered has had a trouble free car except possibly not enjoying the fuel pump sound (its really nothing to me) and possibly condensation in tail lights.

I have no intention to sell my car for at least a decade, so the resale isnt a concern to me. I 'm just tired of people making out MY 13 cars to be lemons. That is absolutely untrue and a lot of people on these forums (which might account for a tiny percentage of owners) seem to think a few dozen complaints is high. Also, a lot of extremely picky owners buy this car as it is popular with enthusiasts.Also this car is priced for a segment catering to many first timw car or new car buyers. They tend to be the most vocal with the tiniest issues. If anything, its the dealers who were behind the curve in'12 to '13 knowing the idiosyncracies of servicing these cars. That fades as time passes.

If my 13 was a turd Id have unloaded it years ago, I've had it since May '12.

If you do consider used, there are a few small and well documented things a mechanic can look for when doing an inspection. Doing an OBD scan is first, then some minor visual/auditory examination for the most part. Mainly, a used car must be properly maintained.

It all boils down to car budget and mod budget too.

I don't think anyone is calling the MY13 a turd, but I think it's safe to say that they had more quirks than any model year so far.

[Elleteeh]

Get the '17. New car smell and latest MY.

[AdrianSaldana]

i got a 14 premium for 18.8k with 19k miles not a bad deal for me

[DGM-BRZ]

If I were you, i'd buy a good condition used one, spend the difference on aftermarket mods.

I'd say get a 2014 onwards model because I typically don't like buying first gen models, too many issues.

You're definitely going to mod this car, so no point buying a brand new one. Aftermarket parts gives many options.

[ryoma]

Originally Posted by wbradley

Bullshit. Virtually everyone I have encountered has had a trouble free car except possibly not enjoying the fuel pump sound (its really nothing to me) and possibly condensation in tail lights.

I have no intention to sell my car for at least a decade, so the resale isnt a concern to me. I 'm just tired of people making out MY 13 cars to be lemons. That is absolutely untrue and a lot of people on these forums (which might account for a tiny percentage of owners) seem to think a few dozen complaints is high. Also, a lot of extremely picky owners buy this car as it is popular with enthusiasts.Also this car is priced for a segment catering to many first timw car or new car buyers. They tend to be the most vocal with the tiniest issues. If anything, its the dealers who were behind the curve in'12 to '13 knowing the idiosyncracies of servicing these cars. That fades as time passes.

If my 13 was a turd Id have unloaded it years ago, I've had it since May '12.

If you do consider used, there are a few small and well documented things a mechanic can look for when doing an inspection. Doing an OBD scan is first, then some minor visual/auditory examination for the most part. Mainly, a used car must be properly maintained.

It all boils down to car budget and mod budget too.

in no way am I stating that the MY13 cars are horrible, but there have been documented problems that affected the MY13 batch the most. over time, there have been slight revisions which have lessened these problems.

either way, I personally would not buy a used BRZ unless there was a good chunk cut off in price. you can get a 2017 BRZ for around 30k OTD and most 2013 BRZ's I have seen are going for around 22k. I personally would rather pay more and get the new one, but that is just me.

[zc06_kisstherain]

yeah ryoma is talking about generally that 2017 model would have less chance to have problems like 13s (not every car but for few unfortunate ones)

[rennlistuser3]

Originally Posted by Futaba

just my opinion but id suggest finding a good condition used and putting the money saved on upgrading/personalising it, you get the benefit of it already being broken in, combined with less of a feeling of hesitation to work on it.

Also, ever year a new model comes out and every year certain problems persist, cabin noises, clicks, squeaks, rattles, chirps, you name it, its more or less part and parcel of owning a twin, consider it a part of the charm ;D

As for the model differences, id wait on it, pretty sure someone will find a way to put the newer cluster on an older car, and you could just buy the newer models tail lights when someone inevitably crashes one and slap them on your own.

Same for the bumper, as there usually mostly cosmetic changes.

I don't think I plan on any mods at all. Certainly FI is out of the question. I don't like FI. Maybe some very slight mods but I did drive the 86 before and I was content with its power.

Thanks for the idea of getting the parts I like later from car crashes. That's actually a good idea.

[rennlistuser3]

Originally Posted by Futaba

Or taking out the passengers seat

Funny as this might sound, I actually like the practicality of the 86

[rennlistuser3]

Originally Posted by pinski

Where are these cars so I can buy one? Everything I see below about $14k is a salvage or rebuilt title. Those ones are certainly not almost as good as new!

But back to your original question - I wouldn't spend the extra to buy a new one - just find a nice, clean used example.

UAE

You can find them all day long for such a price. They're not that popular over there yet they're meticulously taken care of.

It is surprising actually, because when I looked for the same car in the US, it was near impossible to find an unmolested example. It seems this car is always mechanically butchered in the US.

[rennlistuser3]

Originally Posted by kev60625

$13k for a 20k mile FRS? Haven't seen any that low that aren't rebuilt or salvage

You can find them in UAE on a regular bases.

[rennlistuser3]

Originally Posted by wbradley

Bullshit. Virtually everyone I have encountered has had a trouble free car except possibly not enjoying the fuel pump sound (its really nothing to me) and possibly condensation in tail lights.

I have no intention to sell my car for at least a decade, so the resale isnt a concern to me. I 'm just tired of people making out MY 13 cars to be lemons. That is absolutely untrue and a lot of people on these forums (which might account for a tiny percentage of owners) seem to think a few dozen complaints is high. Also, a lot of extremely picky owners buy this car as it is popular with enthusiasts.Also this car is priced for a segment catering to many first timw car or new car buyers. They tend to be the most vocal with the tiniest issues. If anything, its the dealers who were behind the curve in'12 to '13 knowing the idiosyncracies of servicing these cars. That fades as time passes.

Thanks, this is pretty good info.

A lot of manufacturers do actually produce lemons first year around so it's nice to hear the opinion of someone familiar.

[rennlistuser3]

Originally Posted by raven1231

I'd wait and get a 2017 brz myself.

Is there anything in particular in the 2017 BRZ that you can't do without?

Honestly I'm even taking into consideration that Subaru said they will commit to a second generation BRZ in 2020 so I'm hesitant to invest heavily in the 2017 BRZ.

a used 86 is looking mighty enticing for the price and condition

[rennlistuser3]

Originally Posted by Elleteeh

Get the '17. New car smell and latest MY.

Well to counter that argument, whenever I get a sports car I thrash the nuts and bolts off of it. And if it can't survive that, than it doesn't deserve to be called a sports car. After all, you supposedly buy these things for track use right? and that is plenty of thrashing in my book.

So if I buy used with little money budget I'd be a lot less reluctant to thrash it.

I already have a new car with that new car smell and reliability and all. A 2016 Mazda CX-5. It's fun to drive but honestly soulless compared to an 86 and its likes.

[rennlistuser3]

Originally Posted by DGM-BRZ

If I were you, i'd buy a good condition used one, spend the difference on aftermarket mods.

I'd say get a 2014 onwards model because I typically don't like buying first gen models, too many issues.

You're definitely going to mod this car, so no point buying a brand new one. Aftermarket parts gives many options.

I am unfortunately way too lazy of a person to ever bother with customising my car after purchase or modding it or anything. I just get up in the morning, turn the ignition on, and rumble. I save my headaches for other matters in life.

It's sort of like food. I really hate cooking, but I love delicious food.