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BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics All discussions about the first-gen Subaru BRZ coupe


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Old 06-25-2020, 02:58 PM   #1
BrettRS
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Probably Buying a Used BRZ Tomorrow and Looking for Input

Hey FRS/BRZ/86'ers! It's your biggest brother, BrettRS.



My girlfriend has been in love with y'alls little coupes since she saw one when I did an auto-X in my RS back in June 2016. It's been 4 years, we are still together, and I am ready to help her upgrade to her 'dream car'.


For better or worse, I am actively pursuing the lowest priced BRZFRS86 I can find and I have found one that I am very happy with the price on.



She wants an automatic, so that limits my choices, but I have found a 2013 pearl white BRZ with 98,800 miles on it with AT that is selling for $9800 firm.


We went to check it out yesterday and I was impressed with the condition of it, for the price. The interior is clean and the outside is in good shape for a 7 year-old vehicle. The car does not have any mods.



The engine is strong. I test drove it instead of my girlfriend, which I am glad I did. The only RWD car I have driven before is mid-engine, so the back wheels didn't break loose like they do on the BRZ. Lesson learned when she got squirrelly on me quickly at a stop light launch.



I played around with the paddle shift in sport mode without really understanding what I was doing, however the engine didn't seem to mind.



The engine has a strong, consistent idle. There is no ticking from the front end and the AC blows hard and cold. No fluids under the car other than water from the AC, following me pushing the car hard for 10 minutes on the test drive, with the AC on full blast and the windows open.



The trunk would not open (see, I read your New Member? Read this before posting! and saw it was a common problem), so I'll have to get that fixed to pass Maryland inspection, but the tires are newer Goodyear AS. I did notice a good bit of brake dust on the front rims -- probably pretty typical, just thought I would mention it. The driver's windows makes some noise going up, but I saw in the FAQ that you guys break your window motors in cold weather, so I'm assuming it is related to that. Aside from that, it's a pretty car and within my budget.



So, before I hand this guy $10,000, anything I need to try on the car or look out for? Are there any recalls that may not have been preformed? What's the 100k maintenance suggestions (the real ones from the forum)?


I'm pretty damn good working on cars, so I will be doing any repairs I can and I will be doing a bit of a tune-up when I buy it. I'm planing on doing the following:


1. Oil Change
2. Brake Fluid Change

3. New pads (& rotors, if needed)


Anything else I should add to that list at a car with 100k that's been taken to Jiffy Lube for oil changes for the past 3 years? Car just passed emissions in VA this week and passed inspection last year.



Thanks in advance guys! I'll add a photo reply below, but y'all already know what it do.
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Old 06-25-2020, 03:07 PM   #2
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Photo attached maybe?
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Old 06-25-2020, 03:20 PM   #3
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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

You might need some new tail light gaskets if you get condensation in them.

Other than that these cars are really solid. Nice that it's completely stock, so no worries about botched mods.
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Old 06-25-2020, 03:21 PM   #4
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Check if the valve-spring recall has been done if it needed it.

It takes 91-93 octane and synthetic 0w20 oil. Otherwise with 100k, brakes, belt and spark plugs. Maybe a coolant flush and diff fluid. Ive driven my 2013 from 16,000 to now 61,000 and had nothing fail.
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Old 06-25-2020, 03:40 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Westen86 View Post
Check if the valve-spring recall has been done if it needed it.

It takes 91-93 octane and synthetic 0w20 oil. Otherwise with 100k, brakes, belt and spark plugs. Maybe a coolant flush and diff fluid. Ive driven my 2013 from 16,000 to now 61,000 and had nothing fail.
Probably want to change the tranny fluid too.
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Old 06-25-2020, 03:54 PM   #6
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Haven't figured out how to give thanks on the forum, but thanks Western and Yoshi! I asked about any recalls he's done, waiting to hear back.

Glad to hear that they are reliable...I drive an 87 Fiat and an RS, so I know nothing of reliability.
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Old 06-25-2020, 04:10 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by BrettRS View Post
Haven't figured out how to give thanks on the forum, but thanks Western and Yoshi! I asked about any recalls he's done, waiting to hear back.

Glad to hear that they are reliable...I drive an 87 Fiat and an RS, so I know nothing of reliability.
The thanks button appears after you make 10 posts I think.
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Old 06-25-2020, 05:25 PM   #8
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Have you tried the physical key? If so then you have to fold down the seat to get in. Not hard to do.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103348
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Old 06-25-2020, 11:18 PM   #9
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Like any used vehicle I would bring it to a reputable shop for a full inspection out of your pocket and then if he wants 9800$ firm, offer 9500$ cash.

Like other members on the forum mentioned, I would change all the fluids and the spark plugs as well. Easier to keep track of maintenance when everything is new.

Based on that picture I would say the vehicle is in very good shape.
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Old 06-25-2020, 11:40 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BrettRS View Post
Haven't figured out how to give thanks on the forum, but thanks Western and Yoshi! I asked about any recalls he's done, waiting to hear back.

Glad to hear that they are reliable...I drive an 87 Fiat and an RS, so I know nothing of reliability.
the recall should be through a dealer, so you should be able to call up the local subaru dealer to check the vin to see if it was first part of the recall(not all 2013's were recalled), and second if there is a record of it being performed.
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Old 06-26-2020, 10:33 PM   #11
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Others may disagree but I highly suggest you get at least a least a 2014 and avoid the recall. Mileage doesn't seem to be a biggie tho and our cars are pretty reliable. I would just avoid the first model year if you could. Kind of a rule of thumb anyway for most cars.
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Old 06-26-2020, 10:49 PM   #12
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Don't worry about the recall unless you're in California. There are a lot of other reasons not to get a 2013, but it boils down to creature comforts. If they hadn't said anything and never done the recall, 2013s would be perfect candidates and none of them would have valve spring issues. Suddenly it's a huge problem, with the only failures being the cars that get the work done.

My 2013 is the absolute worst case shit storm. It's a 2013 firestorm red FRS with a factory installed ugly clear bra, it is salvage title due to flood damage, it blew 3 engines from having the valve spring recall done. You know what? I love the thing. I turbo charged it and think it's better than 99% of other BRZ/FRS/86. Why? Because it never has let me down a single time in spite of all that nonsense. The engines failing were not the fault of the car. I drive the car like a monster (hillclimbs, midnight shenanigans, winter drifting) but change the oil on time, and guess what? It's perfect. I just have to sand down the rusty parts and repaint them once in a while

Easiest car I've ever owned to work on. Great aftermarket and parts bin availability. Looks amazing and even has ABS. It was my escape from the 80s.

Ok, I'm done. Tell us if you got it or not!
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Old 06-29-2020, 09:21 AM   #13
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Hey guys thanks for the continued advice!



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.



The recall has not been done yet (and won't be done), so the valve spring issue should not crop up.



The owner was attempting to close his loan and get a clear title on Friday last week...waiting to hear from him today if the title is cleared and car is ready for pick-up...we shall see soon.
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Old 06-29-2020, 11:13 AM   #14
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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.
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.
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