BRZ/FR-S/86... I'm Intrigued. Is it too good to be true?

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu) 01/19/2018 at 20:59 • Filed to: Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, Used Cars

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Used, stock examples are getting !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Like, under-$15k-and-still-stock cheap. Yes, it’s out of warranty, but that’s good for my purposes...

Much as I’d like to support production of more of these and buy new, the fact that they’re so cheap just out of warranty means I could put the rest of the purchase price toward repairs and questionable modifications.

Do these have any glaring reliability problems or mechanical pitfalls? I know people drive these pretty hard, but the plans I’d have for such a car kind of make that a moot point.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > way2blu does a rev update 01/19/2018 at 21:15

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The only problem is they were driven by people who know what they had and drove i as such. I almost bought a red FR-S over the summer with 19k miles traded in on a Porsche for 20k out the door. Don’t fall for the milage trap on these. Toyota is good but “racecar” treatment kill anything.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > way2blu does a rev update 01/19/2018 at 21:23

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That’s a good deal. I’ve seen two the same price with 10-15k more miles

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 01/19/2018 at 21:23

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i was looking at s2000s a few years ago and had the same conumdrum. I kept thinking “i wish this had a gauge for how much time was spent at redline”

WRXforScience > way2blu does a rev update 01/20/2018 at 00:08

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The throw-out bearings in the first 2-3 years of production are weak and wear prematurely (50-75k miles, so not like it is super weak) and the 2013-2014's also can develop an issue with the coilpacks prematurely failing especially if they see excessive heat (I had it happen on mine, but I had them and the entire wiring harness replaced under warranty and that seems to have fixed it).

Look at the FT86club forums and you can find some great deals, and if you dig around you can find all the issues with the cars (nothing major really, I love mine).

facw > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 01/20/2018 at 00:11

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Not quite what you are looking for, but it would be interesting to see a count of total revolutions on an engine. Seems likely the computer keeps that somewhere, though I don’t recall seeing it in the ODBII info.

LongbowMkII > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 01/20/2018 at 00:38

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Part of my post purchase inspection on the lotus included a data dump. It’s been over 100mph for about 15 seconds of it’s life... a couple of those may have been put on the way there haha

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > LongbowMkII 01/20/2018 at 00:43

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still loving it?

LongbowMkII > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 01/20/2018 at 00:46

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Haven’t driven it recently, snow/salt and all

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > LongbowMkII 01/20/2018 at 01:12

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Forrest > way2blu does a rev update 01/20/2018 at 01:45

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I bought the cheapest BRZ nationwide on Autotrader in late 2016, and it was $15k. KBB says it’s worth about $12k now. It hasn’t had any problems.

McFuu > way2blu does a rev update 01/20/2018 at 06:23

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As for issues, the first year or so had odd throw out bearings which make a groan when you depress the clutch. They also have crickets, a chirping fuel pump, which doesn’t cause issues in all cars, but I’ve read stories where they needed to be replaced because of worsening fuel pump performance. I’m 40k (2014) into mine without any issues, although I do have both the creaky clutch and crickets.

xxBrun0xx > way2blu does a rev update 01/20/2018 at 06:41

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As someone who’s an admin of an +800 person BRZ/FRS club (86one) and has worked on a LOT of these (+80 cars), I can tell you that it is possible to beat these cars into being unreliable, but it’s difficult. There are a few people in the club with well over 100k And none of them have had any major issues. I’ve got 72k tuned miles and haven’t had problems. The only way to really make these unreliable is force induction and poor tuning or going over 300 whp. When buying used, look at the intake. If it looks much cleaner than the rest of the engine bay out it looks like it’s been removed, stay away. Otherwise you’re probably all set as long as it drives well. A lot of these get traded in with blown struts (people going way too low on lowering springs), but that’s easy to tell from a treat drive. For the most part the cars are totally bulletproof and they’re a blast to drive.

Saxon > way2blu does a rev update 01/20/2018 at 12:04

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Common but Cheapto fix:

Throwout bearing, clutch, axles(kinda)

Expensive:

The transmission, the headlights.

Really you just need to drive it and make sure you can shift, listen for clicking in the rear as you drive. If it has crickets, well then welcome to the FRS Club.

Paul Walker once said these would be the new 240sx and now that they’re starting to age I think that’s going to prove true. It doesn’t have the power but it’s perfectly balanced and cheap and easy as hell to mod. Unless it’s falling apart it won’t be a bad purchase for a track car

Saxon > McFuu 01/20/2018 at 12:05

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The TOB was that whirring sound, the clutch groan is from ungreased actuator arm right inside the tranny, easy fix with marine grease

JGrabowMSt > way2blu does a rev update 01/20/2018 at 12:18

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I really want to like the cars, truly. I have a coworker with one, and we’re always blasting around in one of our cars (my NA mostly now, or his completely stock BRZ).

It’s a fun car, yes, but lordy my NA feels a lot faster. Now, don’t let that dissuade you from buying one, because they’ve got all the creature comforts, heated seats, LSD, decent radio, a hard top, they look great. Just not really a rocket, but that’s okay, it doesn’t have to be. My coworker is always looking at superchargers, but just doesn’t want to throw that much at the car. It’s just a choice.

I would have fun driving one for sure, hell, one of my old UPS drivers got one when it was brand new and loved it. I’m just a speed junkie, so I would have fun in it, but I have more fun in other things.

I don’t think my coworker has had a single mechanical issue with his at all. He bought it new, got what he wanted, and is happy. I would look for a dealer preowned with some kind of warranty though, just me. Maybe it was Doug DeMuro that pointed me in that direction, but it’s just how I am. Granted, I have never personally owned a car with any form of warranty, I just like to look out for other people.

way2blu does a rev update > JGrabowMSt 01/20/2018 at 12:29

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My idea would be to get a cheap, stock example, and then drive it reasonably while saving up for a very specific swap I’d like to do. It would solve the power delivery issues entirely and hopefully remain on a reasonable budget. I’m still researching the options though, so it might be much more expensive than I’m really ready for.

Thank you for the input :)

JGrabowMSt > way2blu does a rev update 01/20/2018 at 12:39

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Swaps are hell. I’ve been planning one for the HEMIWagon for a very long time. The parts I need are very hard to find. I also expect everything to go wrong once I get there.

Vintage Bones > way2blu does a rev update 01/20/2018 at 15:19

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After 3-1/2 years of ownership, I have not had a single problem with my BRZ Limited. A very fun and reliable car.

Vintage Bones > way2blu does a rev update 01/20/2018 at 15:21

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It doesn’t need a swap unless you really want to do one. A header and a tune really helps the perceived torque dip.

Vintage Bones > McFuu 01/20/2018 at 15:23

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The dealer adjusted the clutch for free in mine under a service bulletin. Mine would chirp a little bit from time to time but I have not noticed it at all lately.

Race Creations > way2blu does a rev update 01/20/2018 at 20:45

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If you’re buying one simply to modify, then you’ve picked out a good platform. I own a aftermarket automotive parts company and ive seen people swap in ls engines, supercharger kits/turbochargers kits, engine stroker kits. The possibilities are endless with this car!

-RaceCreations

Www.RaceCreations.net

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > way2blu does a rev update 02/23/2018 at 22:35

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I really really really like these. Totally impractical for me to buy today for several reasons (price not being one), so it is definitely a bucket list car