Used Car Advice - 2013/14s vs 2015s

[Lord09]

I'm looking for a gently used 2013/4 and I remember when the 2013s were initially released, there were a lot of complaints about minor issues.

I haven't followed this forum too much, and I'm doing my best to research, but just wanted to get some opinions and feedback on the following questions:

1. Any reason to avoid a used 2013 or 2014?
2. Has Toyota/Subaru made any actual changes to the parts that were causing issues on early cars?
3. I'm aware of the published changes for the subsequent model years, any unpublished changes to improve reliability and problem areas?
4. Crickets are normal and a "feature" of the car?

[Tcoat]

1) http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92630


2) Yes. All cars undergo small changes throughout their manufacturing life to address things that came up.


3) Unpublished changes are exactly that and unless somebody is a Toyota/Subaru engineer anything they say is speculation


4) You may or may not have them with the odds leaning towards may. It is not a defect and although annoying sometimes it does not hurt anything.


Looking back through your history of posts I would, with the best of intentions, recommend you stay away from these cars. I think that you are going to end up worried about every little squeak, rattle and idiosyncrasy that these things have and there are a lot of them.


These cars are built more with the raw sportscar in mind and focus on the handling and driving experience. This means have less noise reduction and lighter materials than your typical GT type or family sedan which results in a perceived cheapness and poor build quality. The shifter feels way different than a FWD, you will hear the tires and every single noise the engine makes, you will get bounced around and every aspect about it is different than most cars out there now.

As to the early model "issues" the very worst thing you can do is go looking on the internet to find things that have gone wrong because you will find them. People don't post "I don't have any problems" but if one guy posts "I have a squeak" then 100 others will jump in and say "me too" even if no two are the same thing. This really skews the view of what is normal and does not reflect reality. The number of threads and posts about the perfectly normal idle fluctuations when running AC is a good example of how a non issue can be blown way out of proportion. There are far more cars out there that have never had an issue than have but you just don't read about those ones. If you are going to live in fear that one of the things you read about is going to happen to your car it is going to suck the fun right out of ownership and you will end up hating it.


I know I am reading a lot into your few posts but I think you may be far happier with a Genesis Coupe, used (or new if budget can stand it) BMW or Lexis or even a newer Mustang. Your call of course but be aware going into it that these are not comfy solid cruisers but are indeed a raw but very well done sports car with all the things that would apply to such.

[ac240sx]

Looking into whether to go with a used or new 86 and I've had really similar concerns, but this helped tremendously.

My last two DDs were an abandoned project 87 Supra Turbo and a 92 240sx that had sat for two years. Few months ago I was asked to drive a friend's new Ford Fusion and about 15 miles out, I began getting anxious. It took another 30 before I realized it was because the car wasn't 'talking' to me. It was dead silent inside. After three years of driving project-cars-made-DDs, I've become reliant on the cues.

Really boosts my confidence to know that isn't lost on the 86s. (I'm still working out how to thank posts, but I would if I could.)

[soulreapersteve]

Originally Posted by ac240sx

Looking into whether to go with a used or new 86 and I've had really similar concerns, but this helped tremendously.

My last two DDs were an abandoned project 87 Supra Turbo and a 92 240sx that had sat for two years. Few months ago I was asked to drive a friend's new Ford Fusion and about 15 miles out, I began getting anxious. It took another 30 before I realized it was because the car wasn't 'talking' to me. It was dead silent inside. After three years of driving project-cars-made-DDs, I've become reliant on the cues.

Really boosts my confidence to know that isn't lost on the 86s. (I'm still working out how to thank posts, but I would if I could.)

Get up to 10 posts then the thank feature pops up :P

You'll feel every little bump and the car will definitely talk to you once you own it. I've heard people compare the Twins to 240's more than what it was supposed to be the "spiritual successor" of the AE86...

[ac240sx]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

Get up to 10 posts then the thank feature pops up :P

Rad, thanks!

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

I've heard people compare the Twins to 240's more than what it was supposed to be the "spiritual successor" of the AE86...

That excites me. The torque output is not too dissimilar to the stock stateside ka24de, and I love mine but a few horses seem to have escaped. I only had the money to keep it running, not improve much... I'm coming from a good place to be impressed.

To make sure I don't threadjack too hard: I paid off my student loans and got a promotion last week, so now that I *do* have a bit more, the 240 is being set aside to project status and I'm looking to DD an 86.

Are there any reasons in particular one might prefer a 15 over a 14 or a 14 over a 13?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by ac240sx

Looking into whether to go with a used or new 86 and I've had really similar concerns, but this helped tremendously.

My last two DDs were an abandoned project 87 Supra Turbo and a 92 240sx that had sat for two years. Few months ago I was asked to drive a friend's new Ford Fusion and about 15 miles out, I began getting anxious. It took another 30 before I realized it was because the car wasn't 'talking' to me. It was dead silent inside. After three years of driving project-cars-made-DDs, I've become reliant on the cues.

Really boosts my confidence to know that isn't lost on the 86s. (I'm still working out how to thank posts, but I would if I could.)

Now then this is the car for you!
I have the same love of the feedback from driving project muscle cars and didn't realize how much I missed it until about a day into driving the FRS. Many people just don't get it though and think what some of us love are "faults".

You will be able to thank after you have made 10 posts. A button will show up in the bottom right of each post. Steve beat me I see.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by ac240sx

Rad, thanks!




That excites me. The torque output is not too dissimilar to the stock stateside ka24de, and I love mine but a few horses seem to have escaped. I only had the money to keep it running, not improve much... I'm coming from a good place to be impressed.

To make sure I don't threadjack too hard: I paid off my student loans and got a promotion last week, so now that I *do* have a bit more, the 240 is being set aside to project status and I'm looking to DD an 86.

Are there any reasons in particular one might prefer a 15 over a 14 or a 14 over a 13?

14s an up have better head units for the radio and knee pads.
13s and 14s are a little more "tail happy" and the 15s up have slightly different suspension but the change is not huge.
15s up have sharkfin antenna and much nicer exhaust tips
16s have a couple of new colours and slightly different dash trim
All things said all the changes have been minor and don't amount to much.
Oh ya! The 16s have new Head Unit and back up camera (For got until steve99 mentioned it)

There are also still a few of the special editions around if you look hard enough and want more gadgets and goodies.

[steve99]

Originally Posted by ac240sx

Rad, thanks!




That excites me. The torque output is not too dissimilar to the stock stateside ka24de, and I love mine but a few horses seem to have escaped. I only had the money to keep it running, not improve much... I'm coming from a good place to be impressed.

To make sure I don't threadjack too hard: I paid off my student loans and got a promotion last week, so now that I *do* have a bit more, the 240 is being set aside to project status and I'm looking to DD an 86.

Are there any reasons in particular one might prefer a 15 over a 14 or a 14 over a 13?

the 14/15 had a few trinkety extras (in my country anyway) like shark fin antenna reversing camera or audio update different dash trim ect but the basic car engine gearbox driveline is same.

the initial ecu software issues were sorted by the 13 model ie the rough idle and transient retard fix/DI seal failure. and most of the cam actuator sensor issues were sorted by then as well.

although people still report the odd idle issues

supposed to be some minor suspension upgrade/tweak in the 15 but i dont think it rearly makes much difference

[soulreapersteve]

Originally Posted by ac240sx

To make sure I don't threadjack too hard: I paid off my student loans and got a promotion last week, so now that I *do* have a bit more, the 240 is being set aside to project status and I'm looking to DD an 86.

Are there any reasons in particular one might prefer a 15 over a 14 or a 14 over a 13?

For me personally, I wanted new. There is warranty but I don't know what the previous owner did to it if I bought used. Since this is and will be my daily for the foreseeable future, I wanted something that won't cause that little voice saying "hope nothing is wrong."

I know what I've done to the poor thing already, so if something were to happen, I know where to point to.

Other than that, what Tcoat and Steve99 said

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

I know what I've done to the poor thing already

?????

[soulreapersteve]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

?????

That rear left wheel still looks good!

Noticed the stamp "wreckedexotics.com"

That's another plus for future owners, it looks like an exotic apparently! xD

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

That rear left wheel still looks good!

Noticed the stamp "wreckedexotics.com"

That's another plus for future owners, it looks like an exotic apparently! xD

Only the Lavas.

[soulreapersteve]

Lava best color confirmed.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

Lava best color confirmed.

Even better at the right height, the proper spoiler and decent lighting.