I'm looking at some FR-S/BRZ/86s and my understanding is that for 2017 they got a power bump, some suspension recalibration, and "nice to haves" like a fancy display in the gauge cluster, steering wheel controls, etc. Also of course the availability of the "performance package" with Brembos and wider wheels.
Generally these newer examples trade hands for a minimum of $5k over the 2016-earlier models.
Is it worth paying a little extra for one of the late models with the improvements? If it makes any difference I will be dealing with California emissions so aftermarket power adders will be very difficult for me and 5HP is 5HP...(not sure if the torque dip is affected in any way)
Most folks that opt for the performance packages report that the loss of playfulness and character that made the car fun in the first place
Is worth waiting until the new one comes out later this year and seeing if that affects pricing on the older ones? I think I would hold off a couple of months if you can.
If you're after the Performance Package for the brakes, I would think the price difference would more than pay for a nice big brake kit.
There are a couple of solutions for the lack of power that are EO approved (there's a turbo kit from a small place near Sacramento, plus the Edelbrock supercharger and IIRC the JR s/c are both EO approved with their tunes).
I would probably avoid the really early ones (13 and 14) but unless you're after a specific special edition or similar, I think it doesn't matter that much which year you get. Condition is more important than year.
If it's a $5k difference, no not worth it... better to get older model and for less than $4k upgrade brakes and exhaust system/tune to have a more capable car than stock 2017+.
Essex AP racing Sprint kit is just over $2k and drops unsprung weight 10lbs a corner over stock standard setup... would be even more unsprung weight saved over the PP Brembo setup while still out performing it.
https://www.essexparts.com/essex-designed-ap-racing-competition-brake-kit-front-cp8350299brzfrsgt86
Certain catted headers and ECUTEK tune will do world of difference for the powerband and getting rid of torque dip.
https://www.ftspeed.com/part/fr-s-brz-86/2013-2020-86-brz-frs-exhaust-upgrades/headers/ft86ctdhdr-ft-86-speedfactory-catted-unequal-length-header-2013-ft86#.YRiO2ohOlxA
Only thing the 2017+ really have advantage on is the rear differential gearing for better acceleration 4.30 verse 4.10 from earlier models... But you could swap out to 17+ rear or go aftermarket ring/pinion if want to be even shorter than 17+ models (4.56 or 4.67). All total you'd still spend less than $5k for brake, exhaust/tune, and regearing upgrades...
$5k is better spent on aftermarket/OEM upgrades.
Maybe wait a couple months when vehicle prices maybe subside a little bit.
I just picked up a 2017 BRZ yesterday (Base, I mean Premium) and I like it more than the earlier model years. It has a lot of very small differences that add up, from the suspension to stability-control and headlights. With the car being close to stock, the torque dip doesn't let the car fall flat on it's face as much with the revised 2017+ 4.3 rear.
However, I didn't feel it was worth it to hold out for a 2017+ with a Performance Package or Limited trim. I got a pretty incredible deal from a private party off CL even in the middle of the current used car market madness. If you have the time to be patient; drive both and hold out for the right deal. I'll do a proper write up on my car soon.
I say keep saving and just get the 2022.
z31maniac said:
I say keep saving and just get the 2022.
I really do think the new generation is going to be the full package, but I never buy the first year (just look at the valve spring recall nightmare) so I'm waiting for a 2023 most likely.
It would help if the used car market wasn't so bonkers that used BRZs are basically selling for new MSRP.
pointofdeparture said:
z31maniac said:
I say keep saving and just get the 2022.
I really do think the new generation is going to be the full package, but I never buy the first year (just look at the valve spring recall nightmare) so I'm waiting for a 2023 most likely.
It would help if the used car market wasn't so bonkers that used BRZs are basically selling for new MSRP.
FA20 was relatively new then. The FA24 has been in nearly every model except the STi for a years now, so that wouldn't worry me.
I was going to put down a deposit on a pre-order for a BRZ, but decided to wait until they released the info on the Z. I may spend the extra now on a performance trim Z.
In reply to z31maniac :
I do love the Z, Nissan really did it right this time around, but I really don't want a twin turbo street car and it's going to be a little more than I want to spend in Performance trim.
Last generation I preferred the BRZ but this time around I like the GR86 a bit more. I'll be driving one when they're on the lot to see what I think, if nothing else.
In reply to pointofdeparture :
It's basically the first gen with more torque and HP. I think it will be great. I'll just have to see how much I'm willing to spend on a car in the spring. :)
I drove a new '17 when they first came out before I bought my '15 CPO. I liked the (faux?) suede accents on the interior and it seemed to accelerate slightly better with the shorter gearing and small hp bump, but not enough to make up for the 50% difference in price.
I'd go with a 2015/2016 car or wait for the new one to come out, seems like that should really address some of the shortcomings of the first gen.
