What year should I buy?

[Zanwald]

I've been lurking and reading for awhile
Gathering everyone's opinions on good and useless things. This is my first post. I've been wanting to buy one of these for awhile and the '13s are getting to be cheap. I've only test drove the 2015. My question is would I really be missing out on anything by buying a 2013 model? I know the 2015 had some suspension changes from the 2014 but I don't know the specifics or if there's real driving difference between each model year. Pfft Shark fin. Help. :c

[swarb]

Any year. Go for the right color/model.

[HATED1]

I would suggest in getting a mongram series of whatever year. Cool stock HIDS and other creature comforts. Everything engine wise and suspension wise isn't worth the extra dough. Especially if your going to modify.

[strat61caster]

The suspension differences won't come out unless your on the track driving at 100% the car's capability or have a butt sensor better calibrated than 99.9% of the population. And it's a moot point if you plan on changing it anyway.

Only issues with a '13 is that it can have a better headunit than the new ones and there is the potential for the ECU tune to cause detonation issues on the manual transmissions if it's an early build date, this can be fixed with a dealership flash (you have to take the TSB to them and convince them that your car is exhibiting the symptoms) or an aftermarket tune. This doesn't affect all cars but is really the only consistent weak point that's come up and is worth worrying about.

[Defuser]

Look at the 10 series, Monograms, RS 1's, etc. to see if they suit your liking better than a regular old FR-S.

If you don't mind used cars, you can save by buying used. Contact board member SquadRogue, he will be able to put to rest any trepidation you may feel about buying a used vehicle.

[DAEMANO]

If you're talking about an FR-S, IMO if you plan on keeping the car and holding it, get the cleanest, most complete 2013 you can. If you plan on modding, then get newest model you can at the lowest price. The suspension changes for 2015 made the FR-S handle car more like a BRZ, gave it a sharkfin and some knee pads that's about it. If you're going to switch to coils or springs, then OEM suspension changes don't really matter at all.

If you're talking about buying a BRZ, then there really was very little suspension changes of note. Get the best value that you can of any year from 2013-2015.

[Zanwald]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

The suspension differences won't come out unless your on the track driving at 100% the car's capability or have a butt sensor better calibrated than 99.9% of the population. And it's a moot point if you plan on changing it anyway.

Only issues with a '13 is that it can have a better headunit than the new ones and there is the potential for the ECU tune to cause detonation issues on the manual transmissions if it's an early build date, this can be fixed with a dealership flash (you have to take the TSB to them and convince them that your car is exhibiting the symptoms) or an aftermarket tune. This doesn't affect all cars but is really the only consistent weak point that's come up and is worth worrying about.

This is what I've heard about the 2013 that's really had me worried to buy one. The ECU issues don't seem near as prominent in the newer models.

[swarb]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

If you're talking about an FR-S, IMO if you plan on keeping the car and holding it, get the cleanest, most complete 2013 you can. If you plan on modding, then get newest model you can at the lowest price. The suspension changes for 2015 made the FR-S handle car more like a BRZ, gave it a sharkfin and some knee pads that's about it. If you're going to switch to coils or springs, then OEM suspension changes don't really matter at all.

If you're talking about buying a BRZ, then there really was very little suspension changes of note. Get the best value that you can of any year from 2013-2015.

2015 Frs got knee pads and brz did not?

[Shark_Bait88]

I bought a used '13 and it's great. Honestly, for what you'd pay for a new '15 vs. a clean and well maintained '13, you can get a shark fin, aftermarket head unit, HID headlights, and still have money left over.

If you're going to mod, the suspension changes don't really matter. They switched to SACHS dampers, that's the difference. So if you just change the shocks you will be negating buying the car for the suspension updates.

[Zanwald]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

I bought a used '13 and it's great. Honestly, for what you'd pay for a new '15 vs. a clean and well maintained '13, you can get a shark fin, aftermarket head unit, HID headlights, and still have money left over.

If you're going to mod, the suspension changes don't really matter. They switched to SACHS dampers, that's the difference. So if you just change the shocks you will be negating buying the car for the suspension updates.

Thanks. That's what I'll do. Any issues come up with your 2013?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by swarb

2015 Frs got knee pads and brz did not?

14 FRSs got kneepads on doors and console. Have no clue about BRZs

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Zanwald

This is what I've heard about the 2013 that's really had me worried to buy one. The ECU issues don't seem near as prominent in the newer models.

Why just focus on 13 or 15s? The 14s avoid many of the early issues, have a couple of minor upgrades and can be found used.

[Zanwald]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Why just focus on 13 or 15s? The 14s avoid many of the early issues, have a couple of minor upgrades and can be found used.

My focus is on all model years. No one's givin me any input on the 2014 though. Are the kneepads very useful? What year do you own?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Zanwald

My focus is on all model years. No one's givin me any input on the 2014 though. Are the kneepads very useful? What year do you own?

14.
If tall I understand knee pads are useful. They do also look nicer as they cover up some hard plastic. You also get the better stereo but that is about it.
What you also get is upgraded parts that were found to be problems in the early 13s (ECU flash, window seals, some other minor stuff).