Rare Subaru BRZ TS for sale
It's almost 15 years since the BRZ's launch already - where has the time gone?
Some people will tell you that 2012 was the peak of civilisation in Britain. It’s hard to disagree with them, just not for the usual reasons like the Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics or Skyfall. 2012 was huge because the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86 were launched, two of the most hotly anticipated Japanese performance cars in years. They promised so much and delivered… most of it. Never quite as compelling in normal use as they were when cosplaying as Drift King, the Toyobaru twins were nonetheless great sports cars.
And they look even more special now, without anything else like them around. All those traits that are now being cherished in classics - or new-build multi-million dollar exotics - were present and correct in 86 and BRZ: dedicated sports car platforms, high revving naturally aspirated engines, manual gearboxes, rear-wheel drive. The list goes on. That they were so good, so refreshingly simple, must explain part of why they’ve got as cheap as hoped for. Plus the rarity - to think somewhere around £25k was too much back then…
And back then is now almost 15 years ago. To mark the occasion for the 2027 Model Year, the US (where the GR86 twin BRZ continues) is to get a ZC15 special edition. That’s ‘ZC’ as in the first car’s chassis code, if you didn’t know already. All will be white with bronze wheels, red calipers and red seat inserts. Expect the lucky so-and-sos Stateside to snap up all 300 quicker than you can say Boxer Rear-Drive Zenith.
Without a Subaru BRZ this decade in the UK - imagine how many they could have sold! - we’ll have to content ourselves with a different 300-unit special edition to mark the imminent anniversary. The TS was a Japanese Domestic Market special edition, an STI by another name: better brakes, aero and suspension marked it out. Only 100 were ever made in the brilliant Sunrise Yellow that’s always saved for the most special Subarus.
That would probably be enough for most folks, but a Japanese owner of this TS decided that it wasn’t. So this has an HKS supercharger fitted (plus a host of supporting mods), a popular mod over the past decade or so for really bringing the best out of the chassis without compromising the response. With some new wheels as well, it’s probably the best a BRZ has ever looked. An auto isn’t ideal, though beggars can’t really be choosers when it comes to JDM BRZs and 86s - there really aren’t many. With minimal mileage, lots of history and the seemingly brilliant condition, there surely won’t be better around. Which means paying £23k for one; a lot when standard cars are less than £10k, though you’d surely never make a supercharged TS like this for less. There are still standard, late GT86s being offered at £21k, and this promises much more fun. Better late than never, the significance is finally being reflected in residuals.
With modifying such a key part of the GT86/BRZ appeal, you'd hope that maintaining a car like this shouldn’t be too much trouble. Low mass means less strain on components, and their relative simplicity means there isn’t too much to break. They’re the gift that keeps on giving, lightweight sports cars. Let’s hope we’re still talking about some kind of anniversary for them in another 15 years.
there was a well publicized valve spring recall, which is an engine out job ( flat four layout) and the oil pickup in the sump is prone to being uncovered a track days with decent tyres - leading to damaged big-end shells - the fix is a decent sump baffle plate
other than that generally well behaved
there was a well publicized valve spring recall, which is an engine out job ( flat four layout) and the oil pickup in the sump is prone to being uncovered a track days with decent tyres - leading to damaged big-end shells - the fix is a decent sump baffle plate
other than that generally well behaved
Wondering what she's pumping out horsepower wise
Wondering what she's pumping out horsepower wise
I quite liked it though so booked a test drive in a manual in 2014 on my birthday. I loved how it handled but the power delivery in the mid-range felt really flat, it didn't feel like it had 200bhp and with a couple of options the price I got quoted was heading towards £30K.
250bhp or so with a smoother power delivery would have made a huge difference but not with the Autobox!
The dealer didn't have a demo so I went and drove the Toyota...oh my god I dodged a bullet, the engine was awful, the worst I've ever driven ( I take that back Porsche flat 4 in the 718 )
Still the BRZ looked great especially with the small spoiler on the back...I always wondered why they never did a turbo version.
Subaru BRZ by Ben, on FlickrGreat fun to drive, I struggle to understand peoples complaints about the engine and have to assume they are comparing it with turbo engines. It's a revvy 2.0 NA, its never going to have a big slug of lazy mid range torque like a turbo but IMO it suits the character of the car and the torque is fine for a 2.0 NA.
They do seem quite sensitive to fuel which may explain some of the comments - they are safe but won't give full performance on 95 RON, 98 is recommended. I filled mine with 100 RON shortly after buying it and the engine sharpened up significantly, presumably the dealer had put 95 in it to save a few dollars.
), but I could never understand why they didn't offer both NA and a turbo version as you say. You'd have kept almost everyone happy then I think. The purists would embrace the NA version, and then those looking for more performance would have to option to go for the turbo version instead.
I've had to buy 2 cars to tick that box for example, and I've got the 370Z for the old school NA bit, and I've got the F82 M4 to tick my love of turbos and performance as well though.
Give me one of these with a turbo on it though, and I'd be more than happy with just one car like I was with my old 200SX I reckon. Plus tuning a turbo is much cheaper and easier versus NA if you did want more performance as well.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff