You might call them Toyobarus — the iconic joint-venture 2+2 rear-drive performance coupe jointly put to market by Toyota and Subaru under names like the GT86 and BRZ, as well as the FR-S. May Scion rest in peace.

Introduced back in 2013, the Toyobarus underwent numerous upgrades and tweaks, and were joined by numerous special-edition models to keep shopper interest peaking over time.

Still, the recipe underlying this delicious taste of an affordable rear-drive sports car remained largely the same: a fast-spinning 200-ish horsepower flat-four boxer engine up front, an available six-speed manual gearbox in the middle, and rear-wheel drive out back.

To that, add a convincing sports-coupe cockpit, some rear seat space, a slick instrument cluster with a centre tachometer that looks straight from a motorcycle, and you’ve got a pretty convincing way to generate some grins at the wheel. Heck, even the 8-speed paddle-shift automatic can be a blast to use, with quick, sharp, and rev-matched shifting at the tips of your fingers.

These machines are smoother under the hood, smoother on the road, and easier to live with than you might think. Average-sized folks will tend to find them comfortable once settled into, and fuel economy is reasonable if you’re in no particular rush.

These are some great used cars to inject some fuel-efficient fun into your daily commuting or road trips, provided you buy a model that isn’t concealing one or more nasty problems that could be threatening to turn your bank account inside out a few weeks later.

Check out the related links and stories for more reviews, news, specs, and other FR-S, BRZ and GT86 related information, and read on for five tips to help make sure you find the best used model you can for the dollar.

Tip 1: Make some assumptions

As a shopper approaching a used sports car like this one, assume that the BRZ or GT86 you’re considering needs new brakes, new tires, a new clutch, and a new battery, as a bare minimum. Also, assume that its engine has been previously modified by a past owner using non-approved performance parts that have voided any remaining warranty coverage.

Then, work backwards.

Check the tires, brakes, clutch and battery for proper health, seeking expert help if necessary. In a performance car like this, accelerated wear to tires and brakes is expected; these parts will tend to wear out more quickly than they would on the Corolla you’re trading in.

Ditto the clutch, which should last the life of the vehicle if treated well, but may have been vaporized by the bad habits of a previous driver in a matter of months, so be on the lookout. Modifications can lead to very expensive headaches that aren’t covered by warranty, so be sure to buy a model that’s still ‘factory stock’ where possible.

And the battery? Turns out, using a fresh one is a great way to help improve the reliability of almost everything connected to it — specifically, the car’s electronics.

used guide: 2013-21 scion fr-s, subaru brz, and toyota 86

2019 Subaru BRZ Photo by Nick Tragianis /Driving

Tip 2: Under the hood

When arriving to test drive a used Toyobaru, insist on starting the engine from a dead-cold state, confirming that the seller hasn’t recently driven or pre-warmed it ahead of your arrival.

Start by checking the oil to confirm a proper level and condition. Then, leaving the hood open, start the cold engine and immediately look for signs of smoke from the tailpipes, or a harsh tapping sound from the front or sides of the engine. Both could be signs of trouble that requires further investigation.

Some owners of earlier models reported leaky front engine covers, which could result in a visible oil seepage or leak from the front of the engine that shouldn’t be hard to spot.

Have the Engine Control Unit (ECU) scanned too. Even if there’s no Check Engine Light (CEL) illuminated, this scan of the engine’s brain can reveal various sensor and electronics problems that the seller might be hoping you’ll foot the bill for once it’s out of their hands.

Some owners have reported failed spark plugs and fuel injectors, which can result in a stored trouble code that’ll be revealed by this scan.

used guide: 2013-21 scion fr-s, subaru brz, and toyota 86

2019 Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition Photo by Handout /Toyota

Tip 3: Owner’s community advice

A lot of enthusiast drivers drive Toyobarus, and many of them have taken to the internet to share their stories and experiences. Popular owner’s forums for these models are great places to hear from real-life owners and learn new tips and advice.

Commonly, seasoned owners recommend potential shoppers keep an eye on fluid levels, maintain their cars religiously, especially when it comes to fluid changes.

Some owners have reported clutch and transmission noise, particularly related to a throw-out bearing that can get noisy when it wears out. If you’ve confirmed the clutch in the car you’re considering is healthy but seems difficult to work smoothly or makes excessive squeaking or squealing sounds, replacing this part is a probable solution.

Allowing the throw-out bearing to fail outright can cause collateral damage to the clutch and flywheel, so if it sounds funny, get it inspected and changed out.

A clutch pedal that feels jumpy, or a driveline that’s rough and noisy at high revs can also be signs of a bad throw-out bearing, so pay close attention on your test drive. You can read about a Toyota Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) issued to help technicians deal with clutch-related complaints here.

used guide: 2013-21 scion fr-s, subaru brz, and toyota 86

The 2014 Scion FR-S’s flat boxer four-cylinder, normally aspirated engine generates 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The numbers seem fine on paper, but the car does seem a tad underpowered on the road. Photo by Driving

Tip 4: Dampness check

There are at least two areas where shoppers will want to check for unwanted dampness when making their test drive.

First, pop the trunk, remove the spare tire provisions, and expose the metal spare-tire well beneath the trunk floor. Moisture, rust or standing water in this area is a sign of a water leak — likely from the sunroof, a spoiler mounting hole, or a taillamp seal. Water leaks are no fun, and can damage your car. It might be best to move to another unit if you spot any, here.

Second, pay close attention to the headlamp and taillamp housings on the car you’re considering. Look closely and scrutinize the inside of each light housing.

Do you see standing water? Condensation? Haze? Rust? If so, the vehicle may be suffering from a commonly reported problem amongst the owner’s community — with most affected units having replacement housings installed under warranty.

used guide: 2013-21 scion fr-s, subaru brz, and toyota 86

2019 Subaru BRZ Photo by Nick Tragianis /Driving

Tip 5: Other checks

Most BRZ and GT86 owners report a solid machine that’s easy to live with and trouble-free, especially when regular maintenance and inspection intervals are followed precisely.

Still, test-driving shoppers should be on the lookout for excessive clutch pedal hinge noise, a cricket-like chirping sound that could be a sign of a failing fuel pump, wrinkles, bubbles, or lifting of the materials covering the dash and doors, and peeling steering wheel finishes.

Some owners have reported engine failure, typically under warranty and possibly caused by a valve spring or fuel injector problem that seems to have affected models earlier in this machine’s generation. Most have not.

used guide: 2013-21 scion fr-s, subaru brz, and toyota 86

The FR-S designers went with the classic long hood, short tail fastback profile that has been a perennial favourite shape for decades. Photo by Driving

Final thought

These tips are designed to help test-driving shoppers more easily identify possible trouble areas reported by some owners. An attentive test drive and shopping process that focuses on the areas above can help you find a first-class example of a second-hand Toyota 86, Scion FR-S, or Subaru BRZ.

Keyword: Used Guide: 2013-21 Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota 86

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