Probably Buying a Used BRZ Tomorrow and Looking for Input

[pope]

Originally Posted by BrettRS

These aren't the most readily available cars in my area and this is the cheapest, non-salvage titled one that I could find by nearly $4,000.

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

This. People on here a quick to dismiss the 13s and 14s to a certain extent. Point is that these cars are fairly rare and they don't pop up for sale very often. We don't all live in socal.

I was having a hell of time trying to find one in MI. Being a rust state, I wouldn’t consider any that weren’t stored in the winter. There went at least half of the few that do turn up for sale.

Ultimately, I went online and bought a salvage car. $2200 for a ~10k mile a year Texas car with light front damage. Bolted on a paint matching hood and fender, bumper support, headlights, steering wheel airbag, seatbelt, had the SRS module reset, and ordered a bumper (will need to paint; cousin owns a busy shop and it'll get paint for the cost of materials).

All in (including auction fees and shipping) I'll be into my car for $6-6500 by the time it's recertified for the road. Yes it's a salvage rebuild, no I don't care. The perfect car is the one that fits your budget/skill level.

[BrettRS]

I picked up the car this past Friday



There's a list of repairs / updates / rattles that I need to ask y'all about in more detail, but I will wait until I have all of my thoughts together to keep it organized.


Very excited and my girlfriend loves it, thanks again guys.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by BrettRS

I picked up the car this past Friday



There's a list of repairs / updates / rattles that I need to ask y'all about in more detail, but I will wait until I have all of my thoughts together to keep it organized.


Very excited and my girlfriend loves it, thanks again guys.

Congrats!

If you’re trying to find help in a specific issue, there’s a very good chance we’ve already figured it out and documented in the forum. That said, the Vbulletin search engine is crap, so you’ll never find it, so use google to search the site, like this:

If you’re looking for the rear deck rattle, Google this:

site:ft86club.com rear deck rattle

[JesseG]

Originally Posted by BrettRS

I picked up the car this past Friday



There's a list of repairs / updates / rattles that I need to ask y'all about in more detail, but I will wait until I have all of my thoughts together to keep it organized.


Very excited and my girlfriend loves it, thanks again guys.

Congratulations to you and your girlfriend! It’s an awesome little car, and there are a lot of people that love the heck out of them. The rattles just add character. You may not be able to track them all down anyway. Some guys/gals have, but it’s not worth it IMO. They are a small sports car with a stiff chassis, rattles sort of come with the territory. Lol
Enjoy it and drive safely!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[daniloneil8]

Originally Posted by BrettRS

I picked up the car this past Friday



There's a list of repairs / updates / rattles that I need to ask y'all about in more detail, but I will wait until I have all of my thoughts together to keep it organized.


Very excited and my girlfriend loves it, thanks again guys.

Well, what's the status on the car?

[Grady]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

Check for the J02 valve spring recall. If it was done over 5000 miles ago, the engine is good. In short some cars' engines were badly sealed up after the recall and sealant can get into the oil pump pickup and starve the engine, then boom.
Failure typically happens within a couple hundred miles and pretty much always within 2000 miles. Again, if over 5000 miles have passed it's nothing to worry about.
More info HERE

This!!!! If the recall was just done or not done yet, Walk away!

[daniloneil8]

Originally Posted by Grady

This!!!! If the recall was just done or not done yet, Walk away!

Silly. The failure is estimated to occur on like 1% of cars.
If everyone thinks like you, then the 2013 will be a deal of a lifetime.

[kevtronzero]

Check for timing chain cover and left/right cam carrier oil leaks. Resealing cam carriers will require engine removal.

[justalex]

I thought that there will be photos. Congrats on your new car! Make sure to keep us posted with the ongoing modification.

[DarkPira7e]

Either he loves it so much he hasn't stopped driving, or a valve spring failed and he can't stop crying

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

Either he loves it so much he hasn't stopped driving, or a valve spring failed and he can't stop crying

Or the girlfriend took the car and ran?

[ScoobsMcGee]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Or the girlfriend took the car and ran?

She would only have to run if a valve spring failed. Otherwise she could drive.

[Grady]

Originally Posted by daniloneil8

Silly. The failure is estimated to occur on like 1% of cars.
If everyone thinks like you, then the 2013 will be a deal of a lifetime.

Percentage is low but this is just simple risk management. Humans make mistakes. Anytime you work on a car your risk for failures/issues increases. The more in depth the work the more it increases. The failure rate on these engines is probably greater than on new engines.

[daniloneil8]

Did he buy the car ?