Yet another new vs used dilemma

[MincerRay]

I currently have a deposit on my dream BRZ - 2017 WRB with PP due in a few weeks. The price is $2K below invoice, which is a great deal.

In the other corner is a practically new 2016 Limited 6MT in Dark Grey Metallic with 3500 miles. The owner was very anal about keeping the car spotless. He has clear film on the nose, tinted windows (50% on sides, 30% on rear), car cover, a pre-paid maintenance plan, and something called Auto Butler which applies a sealant twice a year for the next 3 years. Not sure if that's any value, but I do like the maintenance plan. He hasn't tracked the car and claims he carefully broke the car in. This car looks and smells new. It would save me roughly $5500 to buy this car (including tax and fees).

So, basically, I have to decide if $5500 is worth the upgrade to a new 2017 with PP in my favorite color. I do like all the updates the 2017 models have, which I"m told makes the car more refined and nicer to live with. I live in the Sierras in California, so have a lot of fun roads by my house, but I also commute weekly to the SF bay area for work (boring freeways).

While I have test driven a few 2017 models, I didn't wind them out as they weren't broken in, so I really don't know how they compare to the 2016. The 2017's did feel pretty torquey to me below 4K, with the 2016 only a little less so. I do love how the 2016 easily revs to redline, and the acceleration is fine with me (I'm an older guy who has grown up with various British and Italian sports cars). It sounds like the 2017 is fairly similar, but possibly more aggressive due to the new engine tuning and different gearing. The ride is a little more compliant, which may be good for the commute over crappy CA freeways.


So, should I get my new dream car, or save the money?

-steve

[Lynxis]

There are a few questions I'd ask:
Are you going to keep the car mostly stock or modify?
Are you going to track it?

If you are going to keep it mostly stock and you want to track it, consider spending the extra for the PP 2017. If you are going to go ham modifying it, I'd save my money and get an older model car used and spend the savings on mods.

[MincerRay]

Good questions!

I'm one of these old farts who tend to keep things stock. I do not plan to track the car. I usually keep cars a long time. I still have the 1990 Miata I bought in 1989!

Originally Posted by Lynxis

There are a few questions I'd ask:
Are you going to keep the car mostly stock or modify?
Are you going to track it?

If you are going to keep it mostly stock and you want to track it, consider spending the extra for the PP 2017. If you are going to go ham modifying it, I'd save my money and get an older model car used and spend the savings on mods.

[DarkSideFRS]

buy the used one and have the seller put a lower sell price so that you pay less tax... one model year difference is not significant esp if you plan on keeping the car for a long time... or buy an older one and save a lot more... tht's what i did

[Veloist]

I think I know which BRZ you are referring to as I've seen it on Craigslist. You might have seen my ad for my HyperBlue BRZ which right now is listed overpriced (for now) haha.

First off, check this thread on official 2017 Changes: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107635

This is the link for the PDF regarding all the changes: http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php...50881788294299

To put it short, the PDF goes in depth with all the changes that you otherwise wouldn't see on the Press Releases. A lot of changes in the engine have to do with switching to stronger materials. The PDF says these changes in materials are related to longevity, but that doesn't mean the 13-16 BRZ won't last as long. After reading the PDF, see if all these changes are worth it to you.

With that said, you can add up the benefits (if any) of having the Performance Package. You are mostly getting different wheels and Brembos, neither of which feel any different when being driven in the city or freeway.

As a 2016 Owner, I like the changes they made to powertrain/drivetrain in the 17. I plan to keep my car a LONG time so those are valuable changes to me. I also like the LED lights better than the HID lights, as the LED's are white whereas the HID's become yellow after 10 minutes. Don't forget you get the updated steering wheel and the updated Tachometer too. The Performance Package is a bargain. The Brake upgrade is worth way more than the $1300 over the Limited model...plus you're getting wheels and SACHS Dampers.

The drive feels different but I think you have to have spent some time (at least 1000 miles) behind the wheel of a 13-16 to tell. I was able to tell the difference right away. The biggest difference was the response of the throttle and the initial acceleration when driving or changing in/from 1st and 2nd gear. Like you mentioned, these changes were made with the purpose of making the car easier to daily drive. While it is more refined than the 13-16 models, it probably won't make a difference when you've become used to either one.

I'd say if you went for the 2017, chances are you won't feel like you just took a $5500 hit especially since there are a lot of differences that would make up for it.

[NeverInTime]

I'm also shopping around for a BRZ and I am in the same boat. You keep your cars for a long time, and calling the 2017 BRZ WRB with PP your 'dream car' implies that you just might be happier with the new car in the long run. The used 2016 BRZ Limited is a great deal for a car that's been taken care of, but it's not in the color you originally wanted, and it doesn't sound like the financials of the situation are the most important part of this decision.

I think your decision also hinges on how important the PP package is to you. Since you're keeping it stock, having the PP package will be the closest you will get to the 'perfect' BRZ in terms of being a driver's car. One thing to consider is that the 2017 BRZ with a PP package will ride stiffer than 2016 Limited due to the performance dampeners, so my suggestion is to find and test drive a 2017 BRZ with a PP package at a dealer to see if the ride is something you can live with.

[fourdegrees]

I have a 2015 and after driving the 2017 I feel like it's enough of a difference to consider trading up. I'm in a nice situation where I'm not upside down and got a really good deal on my 2015 the first time around. Everything they've done to the 2017 was what I had already planned on doing to mine. After pricing all of that and taking into the peace of mind having it done at the factory has made me lean strongly towards getting a new one.

[MincerRay]

Veloist, So that's your HyperBlue. Looks like a beautiful car! I've also been toying with the idea of getting one of the Series.Yellows at Stevens Creek as they dropped the price to $1700 below invoice. It's a nice car and the limited series appeals to me, but I've pretty much decided I'd rather save the money and get the WRB on order over the yellow.

I have actually read everything in your links. This is why I think the 2017 is a fairly significant update. Given that I keep the cars a long time, the extra $5500 will be long forgotten eventually. Still - my math brain keeps saying that the 2016 car is a great car that would save me some coin! I'm also really liking the DGM color with tinted windows.

NeverInTime - I think the PP package is just icing on the cake and is a screaming deal, even if I don't intend to track the car. It's really all the other 2017 updates and refinements that appeal to me as a potential long term owner.

I"m sure I'd be happy with either car. I just don't know if I would alway have some longing for the '17 WRB, or I would just move on and enjoy the 2016.

Regarding the money aspect, I can afford either one, but the 2016 would be easier as I have that in cash. The new car would need to be partially financed for a bit until I sell off a toy or two (which I plan to do eventually).

[michaelchatten]

Get what you want the first time around so you don't look back and kick yourself in the butt for setteling.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by MincerRay

. I just don't know if I would alway have some longing for the '17 WRB, ).

This ^

You already have it in the back of your mind that you could end up wishing you went with the 17. If you go with the 16 and it has even a tiny issue you will just start to think "what if I had gone with the 17?". You could eventually grow to despise the car even though there is zero actually wrong with it.
I made that mistake the car before the FRS and will never rationalize a reason to settle for my second choice again.

[B-R-Z]

Go new dude. You're already spending a fat chunk of money, what is a few crumbs more to ultimately have what you want? You will have a car that is brand new, not a car that was someone elses new car and broken in by someone else. I made a bad decision on a car purchase once and there is NOTHING worse than buyers remorse on a car. You live once (I'm not going to say yolo), buy what you want and call it a day. You can thank me later.

I still remember the day I drove mine home, it still had the white plastic on the hood and trunk and plastic on the seats. I asked the dealer to roll it off the truck and not touch it. Pulled it into my driveway and unwrapped it. It's the best feeling dude, do it.

[DarkSunrise]

If you know you want to keep this car a while, buy new. It's nice owning a car since new and driving it a long while.

If you're unsure whether this is a long-term car for you, then buy used. You'll take much less of a depreciation hit in the event you decide to sell.

[asdf]

Having the color that you want with all the goodies that come upgraded on the 2017s, plus having the extra performance package goodies, a new warranty, and no previous owner... I think all of that is worth the $5,500 considering you do not plan to modify the car and say you plan to keep it for a while.

Are those benefits worth it? Up to you, but it doesn't seem like you're in a situation where the $5,500 truly makes or breaks the deal [and if you were, you probably wouldn't be looking for another car anyway]!

[Lynxis]

Originally Posted by MincerRay

Good questions!

I'm one of these old farts who tend to keep things stock. I do not plan to track the car. I usually keep cars a long time. I still have the 1990 Miata I bought in 1989!

You aren't doing anything that would justify the additional cash for the newer car if you ask me so I'm of the opinion to buy a used car and pocket the difference but that is up to you.